US University Applications An overview of the application process for parents and students Updated:17 September 2014

Agenda ▪Education in the US/Liberal Arts ▪Creating a list of schools ▪Application process ▪Timeline ▪Testing ▪The evaluation process ▪Costs and financial aid ▪Q&A

Reasons for considering the United States ▪Flexible course of study (Major/minor, Liberal Arts, Undeclared) ▪4 years ▪Numerous choices; high regard for IB programme ▪Diverse student population ▪Extracurricular opportunities and sense of community ▪Financial aid (some)

College Options 1.College vs. University 2.Liberal Arts vs. Pre-professional 3.Public vs. private 4. Single-gender institutions 5. Schools with religious affiliation

Factors to consider when creating a list of schools ▪Good fit (most important) ▪Academics ▪Size ▪Location ▪Climate ▪Reputation ▪Financial aid

A quick word on rankings ▪When used correctly, they can be useful ▪Treat with caution! ▪Do you agree with the CRITERIA?  Graduate Research & Professor Publication Data - US News and World Report  Employability/”ROI” – Forbes Rankings  Undergraduate Experience – Colleges that Change Lives

College vs. University College ▪Offers only undergraduate programs ▪Smaller classes ▪Close faculty/student interactions ▪Research/mentoring opportunities University ▪Offers undergraduate and graduate programs ▪Larger lectures ▪Facilities--generally more expansive ▪Very competitive sports programs 8 ***THESE TERMS ARE OFTEN USED INTERCHANGEABLY*** Watch out for The College of William and Mary as well as Dartmouth College….they are universities!

What’s a balanced list? ▪2-3 Reach Choices ▪2-3 Good Fit Choices ▪2-3 “Back-up” Choices ***You should be genuinely excited about all of your choices*** 11

IB Requirements for Entry ARCHITECTURE Recommend HL Maths and HL Science ART & DESIGN Portfolio usually required; Art or DT usually required BUSINESS & COMMERCE No specific prerequisites; IB Business usually not required ECONOMICS No specific prerequisites; IB Economics usually not required ENGINEERING Recommend SL or HL Maths and 1 or more HL Sciences SCIENCE Recommend HL Maths and 1 or more HL Science LAW Not available as an Undergraduate option ENGLISH LITERATURE Recommended IB English A: Literature MEDICINE Not available as an Undergraduate option PSYCHOLOGY No specific pre-requisites; IB Psychology usually not required

The Application Process: Six Steps ▪Step 1: Self-Evaluation - Know Thyself………………Years 7 - ? ▪Step 2: Researching Colleges/ Universities…… Years 11, 12,13 ▪Step 3: Testing…………………………………………...Years 12, 13 ▪Step 4: Selecting Colleges/ Universities………..……Years 12,13 ▪Step 5: Applying………………..…………………… Year 13 ▪Step 6: Results and decision……………………… Winter/Spring Year 13 (or later) 13

Timeline (abbreviated) Year 11 ▪Start doing research on colleges ▪Work hard on IGCSEs ▪Take the PSAT Ye ar 13 ▪Formalise college list ▪Finalise Personal Statement/essays ▪Work closely with counsellor and visiting reps ▪Complete applications (Nov-Jan) ▪Receive decisions – loosely conditional (Dec-April) Year 12 ▪Work hard on IB Diploma ▪Meet with counsellor to discuss process and options ▪Plan out testing schedule (PSAT & SAT during Year 12) ▪Meet with visiting reps ▪Go on a college tour and visit the campuses ▪Draft Personal Statement ▪Work closely with Counsellor, develop preliminary list

Testing ▪Most schools will want either SAT or ACT. Some will want Subject Tests. ▪Some schools are “Test Optional.” ▪It is a piece of the puzzle – certainly not THE determining factor. ▪There are external providers who do an excellent job of helping students increase their test scores. ▪IELTS (TOEFL) is required if proficiency in English is in question: dependent on difficulty and grades of English class. This is usually not a problem for Patana students but can be helpful.

Test Timing ▪PSAT – PRACTICE SAT – No prep needed ▪Plan out test prep/pick dates ▪SAT – Administered by Collegeboard ▪ACT – Administered by ACT.org ▪Subject Tests – Administered by Collegeboard, only needed by some (most selective) schools ▪Oct, Year 11 and Oct. Year 12 at BPS ▪Summer/Fall Year 12 ▪Winter/Spring Year 12, Fall Year 13 at BPS ▪Winter/Spring Year 12, Fall Year 13 ▪Spring Year 12, Fall Year 13 at BPS

Application plans/timing ▪Early Decision (ED): a ‘Binding’ agreement to only one college ▪Deadline usually November 1/15 (ED 2: Jan. 1/15) ▪Not a good idea if ANY uncertainty or if Financial Aid is needed ▪Early Action (EA): a ‘Non binding’ agreement ▪Deadlines range from November 1 st to December 1 st ▪Can be an advantage (Lehigh University: ED/EA 68% accepted; RD 35% accepted) ▪Restricted EA/EA Single Choice: ▪Nonbinding but may only choose one and may not apply to other binding programs ▪Regular Decision: normal avenue for applying ▪Deadlines vary from November (California) to March

▪SHARE YOUR STORY. ▪DESCRIBE A FAILURE AND LESSONS LEARNED. ▪REFLECT ON A TIME WHEN YOU CHALLENGED A BELIEF OR IDEA. ▪DESCRIBE A PLACE WHERE YOU ARE PERFECTLY CONTENT. WHY IS IT MEANINGFUL? ▪DISCUSS AN ACCOMPLISHMENT OR EVENT THAT MARKED YOUR TRANSITION FROM CHILDHOOD TO ADULTHOOD. WHAT DO YOU WANT THE READER TO KNOW ABOUT YOU IN WORDS (MAX)? Personal Statement

What universities look for... ▪Difficulty of curriculum (IB Diploma/Certificates) ▪Four years of grades (transcripts) ▪Test scores (SAT, ACT, Subject Tests, IELTS/TOEFL) ▪Essay: self-awareness, independence, originality, thoughtfulness, honesty, passion, good fit ▪3 rd Party Opinions: Letters of Recommendation ▪Talents: academic, musical, athletic ▪Ability to pay

How do Admissions Offices Evaluate Candidates?  Rating systems address:  Academic Qualifications (first and most important)  Extracurricular Strength  Personal Qualities  Overall  Institutional priorities

Costs and Financial Aid ▪Collegeboard Data: ▪“Moderate" budget for in-state public university averaged $21,447 USD ▪“Moderate" budget for private university averaged $42,224 USD ▪Merit-Based Aid vs. Need-Based Aid ▪Need-Blind vs. Need-Aware ▪Domestic student vs. International student ▪Financial Aid adversely affects decision (except need-blind schools) ▪Doug Thompson List for International Financial Aid (link here)(link here)

QUESTIONS?

Questions & Answers ▪What is the Ivy League? ▪SAT vs. ACT? ▪When should a student take their first SAT? ▪What is Need Blind? Need Aware? ▪Are college tours recommended? ▪What to do with summer breaks? ▪Examples of great application essays?

THANK YOU!