] Maja Kelly College & University Counselor

PriorityStudentsParents #1Location #5 Program #4Size & Social life #3Familiarity #2Reputation Location Money Reputation Safety Program & Outcome

1. Qualifications 2. Diversity 3. Uniqueness 4. Rankings 5. Retention

 Gap years  Community colleges  Foundation programs/degrees

 College planning often leads to stress in the home  Separation anxiety  Pressure  Arguments  Anger

 Fear of rejection  Uncertainty about future  Fear of independence  Fear of disappointing parents  Fear of humiliation  Fear of growing up

 Procrastination  Laziness  Frustration  Lack of motivation  Neglect of responsibilities

If you’re very lucky…

 Renewed enthusiasm for school  Intense bonding  Volunteering for chores  Spending time with family

 Organization!!  Keep a calendar of deadlines (and set your own)  Provide a standing file for mail/ brochures  Help create reasonable timelines  Give your child some space  Keep he pressure down and be realistic  Be aware of how this process is influenced by/influences other children (younger and older)

 Offer support…  Be patient…  Provide assistance…

 REACH2-4  A school where Predicted IB/GPA/Test scores are LOWER than the average of admitted students  POSSIBLE 4-6  A school where Predicted IB/GPA/Test scores are the SAME as average of admitted students  LIKELY/SAFETY 2-4  A school where Predicted IB/GPA/Test scores are HIGHER than the average of admitted students

 Come with a prepared list of questions!  Do you look at the SAT Writing section of the test?  Do you have a separate orientation program for international freshman?  Do you provide airport pickup for international students?  Do you have current students we can contact with questions about your school?  If you were to live on campus, which dorms would you recommend and why?  What percentage of your students are international? Do you have any students from _______?  What kind of major changes are taking place on campus over the next four years?  Do you have financial aid for international students? Scholarships for international students?

 A concrete idea  Visualization  Fear removal  A goal  Excitement  Fun!!!!

 Importance of Deadlines  SCIS has its own internal deadlines!!  Photocopy everything  Transcript Requests/Recommendation Requests  Student part of application vs. school part  Testing—SAT/TOEFL  UPDATE NAVIANCE

 Colleges and universities ask for:  Schools to verify the information given in student applications  Disciplinary histories  Authenticity of student writing  True and accurate recommendations  Resume checks  Impartial voices

 UCAS Home Page UCAS Home Page   ay ay  Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada's Web site - Le site Web de l'Association des universités et collèges du Canada Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada's Web site - Le site Web de l'Association des universités et collèges du Canada  

 Assume most expensive/selective is best  Leave process entirely to students  Take over the process for the student  Choose college only because of its academic record  Think that “liberal arts” won’t lead to a job  Don’t apply for scholarships/financial aid  LEAVE THINGS TO THE LAST MINUTE!!

 START EARLY!!!!  APPLY EARLY!!!!!!  USE THE SUMMER!!!!!!  VISIT SCHOOLS!!!!!!!!!  RESEARCH YOUR SCHOOLS!!!  ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR WEAKNESSES AND EXPLAIN THEM!!!!!!!

 Make an appointment with the counselor!  Build student resume  Identify and ask teachers who can/will write recommendations (2 for US schools; 1 for UCAS)  Draft personal statement  Research/create list of schools  Visit/contact schools  Discuss finances as a family  Research/apply for scholarships available now  Get copies and official translations (if necessary) of transcripts from previous schools  Prep for/register/take SAT and TOEFL tests  Register for the NCAA  If applying UCAS: choose a course!!

 The deadline are posted on the school calendar.  SATs are relevant for students applying to:  US  Canada  Asia  English language unis abroad  UK

 Education (including any honors) * always first on resume  Languages  Sports  Leadership roles  Community Service  Skills  Work experience  Extra-curricular (e.g.: drama, journalism, yearbook, musical training, etc.)  All entries except Education should be listed starting with the most recent and put in order of importance to student

 Counselor  Naviance  Web resources  Print resources  Former SCIS students  University Handbook  Family friends  Student friends