1. Senior Year Workshop for Parents
September 10, 2015
Sean Menton & Julie Lindsay
HS Counselors

2. Members of the Team Student Parents HS Counselors Teachers
College Admissions Representatives
Friends/Siblings

3. The Student’s Role
Responsible for the college search -- not parents, counselors, friends, teachers, etc.
Keep parents informed
Be organized
Set and meet deadlines
Seek out more than one source in researching choices
Continue to do well on coursework throughout the process
MAINTAIN a LIFE-BALANCE!

4. The Parents’ Role Support and advise
Discuss openly and honestly all financial considerations and other considerations– what’s affordable/what’s the comfort level
Enjoy the excitement, being careful to not take over
Accompany the student on campus visits, but stay in the background
Be a good listener!! Offer encouragement, but not extra pressure!

5. The Role of the HS Counselor
An informed resource to the student and parents
Provide clarification about the process
Offer suggestions, but cannot choose colleges
Offer feedback on Personal Statements/Essays
Help student to stay on track with the process
Offer support with senior year stress or other issues
Provide encouragement
Submit high school documents to the colleges on the student’s list

6. Turn and Talk Sit with a partner (or two)
Take a moment to read and think about the question
Talk with your partner about the question and anything that you would like to share related to this topic
Write a note and post it on the “Question One” poster (anonymously)

7. Question One
What is your biggest concern or worry about your student and the college process?

8. Question Two
If you could give a senior student one piece of advice about college life what would it be? Why?

9. Question Three
How can parents be helpful to their kids in the senior year?

10. Share
Please share with the group anything you thought was interesting or important from the discussions with your partner (s).

11. What Are the Four Phases?
Deciding to which schools you’ll apply
Completing testing, college applications, financial certification and financial aid applications
Considering offers of admission and making the final decision
Letting go – final preparation for the transition to university (parents and students)

12. Building the College List
Reach
Select Two or Three
Possible
Select Three or Four
Likely
Select Three
GPA/IB/SAT scores are in the low range for freshman profile
GPA/IB/SAT scores are in the mid range for freshman profile
GPA/IB/SAT scores are in the upper range for freshman profile
30% or less acceptance rate
40% - 60% acceptance rate
70% or higher acceptance rate

13. The College List The college list should have at least:
2-3 reach schools
3-4 possible schools
3 likely schools
Aim for about10 schools
Happiest students are those who get offers

15. IB Scores
 IB Predicted Scores are an important aspect of the admission process in many countries. 
We often send a Predicted Grade (PG) report for the student with other admissions documents. 
PG can be used by admissions officers to determine scholarship or college credit at many schools in Canada and the US.
AISG has a great record and reputation for accurate PGs from our teachers. 
Positive Scenario: PGs help with admission, scholarship, and college credit.
Negative Scenario: If admission is conditional on the PGs and the final result is much lower offers could be rescinded.

16. Application Ethics
Students should apply to a school only if it is a real possibility for them
Applying under false pretense negatively affects other applicants who truly wish to attend

17. Phase Two… Completing testing, college applications, financial certification and financial aid applications

18. SAT Test Dates 2015 - 16 Test Dates Deadline for Registration
October 3, 2015
September 3
November 7, 2015
October 9
December 5, 2015
November 5
January 23, 2016
December 28
May 7, 2016
April 8
June 6, 2016
May 5
See the AISG College Guide for more details about how to register

19. TOEFL Test Why? Hong Kong or Guangzhou test center
Guangzhou center website:
Make sure to book a test date well in advance

20. Sending Test Results to Universities
Students arrange to send SAT results via the CollegeBoard website
Students arrange to send TOEFL scores to universities from the ETS website
In April, be students must let Ms. Martin- Bauer know to which schools you will send IB results

21. US Application Options
Early Decision – US only
Student receives early notification of admission decision
Student must agree in advance to enroll if accepted – only ONE Early Decision application is permitted
ED university deadlines: November
Application deadlines are usually mid-November
Testing should have already been done in Junior year

22. US Applications Options
Early Action
Student receives early notification of admission decision
Less restrictive than Early Decision
No prior commitment to enroll if accepted
Student may apply to more than one school under Early Action unless otherwise noted

23. Hong Kong Applications Options
Depending on the status of the applicant (Hong Kong ID holder or international student) application deadlines. We encourage students to apply in the early rounds.
Universities will notify applicants at different times; generally students have to decide whether or not to deposit without knowing other decisions.
Often interviews (in person, phones, or Skype) are required for finalists.

24. Canada Applications Options
Deadlines vary from generally from January to March/April.
Universities in Ontario have a central application portal.
Many schools admit on a rolling basis, so applying early is preferred.
IB Diploma is preferred and offers can be conditional.
Generally recommendation letters are not required.

25. UK Applications Options
AISG is now a UCAS Centre.
Students can only apply up to 5 programs (only 4 for Medical schools).
October 15 Deadline for Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine, Oxford, and Cambridge.
January 15 Deadline for most others, March 15 for some art and design programs.
IB Diploma preferred and IB PG are the main criteria for admissions along with personal statement and referee letter.

26. Letters of Recommendation
Counselor’s Letter
Comprehensive
Teacher’s Letters
Most colleges will require two letters
Academic recommendation from junior or senior year
Final deadline for students’ biographies to be given to me is September 3rd

27. Tracking the Status of a student College Application…What Does It Look Like on Their End?

28. Ready for REVIEW and DECISION
Bank Statements/Financial Certification
Online Application with essays & fee paid
SAT scores
Ready for REVIEW and DECISION
TOEFL scores
Transcripts &
Letters of Recommendation

29. Financial Certification – US Universities International Students
An original bank certification in English that is signed and dated by a bank official is required to be submitted with the application if the student is supported in part or totally by parent, family or other personal sponsor funds.

31. International Students applying to the U.S.
Private universities sometimes provide grants and scholarships to international students
Complete the financial aid forms for international students supplied by the college…the earlier the better!
You are asked on the application if you plan to apply for financial aid

33. Good news from CollegeBoard!
CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE is now open to international students
Required by some U.S. colleges and universities
A small fee is charged for processing
Establishes eligibility for institutional aid
Available now online at the College Board Website: financial-aid-profile

34. US Citizens Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
File as soon as possible after January 1
Can be filed online at

35. Phase Three…Lot’s of great offers, but how to decide?
Visit the campus if possible
Remember, not all offers come at the same time - HK vs Canada vs USA
Carefully review the academic programs
Ask questions – read the blogs and join the discussion forums for admitted students
Read the campus newspaper online, read the biographies of the profs in your department
Compare Financial aid offers

36. Making the BIG decision
Make sure you have all the information from each university before you decline any offers
Compare the financial aid packages carefully
Make an appointment with your counselor to review offers if you need help
For the US get your travel documents in order:

37. After Deciding… Promptly decline other offers of admission
Following instructions of the school you will attend:
Pay deposit/fees as requested
Complete personal data forms
Make housing arrangements/reservations

38. A Year in the Life of a Senior
Deciding to which schools you’ll apply
Completing testing, college applications, financial certification and financial aid applications
Considering offers of admission and making the final decision
Letting go – final preparation for the transition to university

39. Speaking of Letting Go…
Let’s hear from some college freshman…

40. What did your kids say? We asked them three questions
1. What is your biggest worry or concern about the application process/senior year?
2. How will you know that your college application process has been successful?
What would you like the grown-ups in your life to know?

41. Before you go…
Please take a few moments to read the parent and student responses posted around the room.

42. Thanks for coming! We enjoyed our time with you tonight.
Contact information:
Sean Menton,
Telephone number: X5301
Seniors: A - Kuo
Julie Lindsay,
Seniors: Lau - Z