Transcript Y12 App Evening 2014
Applying to The United States
4800 Higher Education Institutions 900 majors
Graduate: Master’s and Doctoral Degrees
Dental School D.D.S.
4 years Medical School M.D.
4 years Law School J.D.
3 years M.B.A.
2 years M.Arch
2 years M.A./M.S
2 years
Undergraduate: Bachelor ’s Degree
Colleges/Universities 2 years Colleges/Universities 4 years Community Colleges Associate Degree 2 years Graduate School Ph.D.
3-5 years
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Features of U.S Higher Education System
Different from other systems around the world
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a “best fit” for the institution is key
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the college will consider the all round student U.S. bachelor’s degrees usually take 4 year to complete; associate degrees take 2 years Credit System Runs from Sept to May 2 terms, or semester (16-18 weeks); trimester or 3 quarters (10 12 weeks) and Plenty of choices Liberal Arts Colleges [eg Claremont Mckenna, Scripps, Amherst] Highly specialised institutions [eg Embry Riddle Aeronautical Engineering University]
Undergraduate Degrees in the USA
Bachelor’s degree = four years
Associate Degree = two years
Not standardized/ No central ranking body
Different to degrees in the other major destinations for WIS students:
o
Flexibility
o
Emphasize a broad, well rounded education:
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Math, science, the arts, social sciences and language - before finally need to choose a specialization.
Undergraduate Degrees
• • • • •
Diversity of choice Not standardized
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No central ranking body
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Different process and admission polices at every institution Flexibility Emphasize a broad, well rounded education: Math, science, the arts, social sciences and language-before finally to choose a specialization. Therefore offers not based on scores alone
Undergraduate Program
[Education USA]
Core courses (General Education) Internship Study abroad Co-op Bachelor’s Degree Elective courses Major courses
The Application Process for Regular Decision [Education USA] January-May 2014: Research and take SATs June – August 2014: -Register for re-sits and Subject Tests -Filter your choices -Request Teacher References [subject teachers] -Draft College Essays September – December 2014: -Take the tests -Request transcript -Submit applications June – August 2015 -Apply student visa -Pre-departure -Freshman orientation April – May 2015 By May 1, decide on one college that you will attend.
January – March 2015 Some non Common –App university application deadlines
The Application Components
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Online Applications
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Common Application ( www.commonapp.org
)
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University of California ( http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to apply/apply-online/index.html
)
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Non Common Application: Eg. Texas at Austin, Parsons, Georgetown High School Transcript English Language Proficiency (TOEFL or IELTS) Standardized Tests (SAT or ACT) Letters of Recommendation (School Report and Subject References) Statement of Purpose/Application Essays Evidence of financial support (required for the I-20 visa form)
Application Forms
•
The Common Application
level • 456 member institutions ers.aspx
website schools online application Standardized application process for first-year and transfer applications at undergraduate www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/Memb • Students must check for supplements and extra materials required on college • Other systems such as Cal State Mentor, UC Regents, CUNY, SUNY, individual
• • • • • • •
West Island School Support Documents
Student transcript – grades from Y10-Y13 School Profile Explanation of English medium of instruction/explanation of CEEB codes Certified copies of IGCSE certificates (or previous school transcript) Secondary school report/counselor recommendation Two/three teacher evaluations International Supplement
Examples of Destinations for WIS Students 2012 and 2013 entry
2012 University of Pennsylvania University of Chicago [3] Scripps College Rhode island School of Design New York University Bentley College Northeastern University of Southern California University of Maryland Pratt Institute New York University of Wisconsin -Madison 2013 Cornell [2] UCLA [2] UC Berkeley [2] NYU NYU Stern University of Southern California OTIS College of the Art Southwestern Portland State UC Santa Barbara UC Santa Cruz
Examples of Offers Made to WIS Students for 2014 entry
Offers 2013 Cornell [2] Columbia [2] University of Pennsylvania UC – Berkeley, LA, SD, SB, Riverside, Irvine University of Southern California Parsons Lynn Texas at Dallas Syracuse Chicago NYU Babson College Syracuse Miami Rhode Island School of Design Loyola Marymount Tufts Pace
Letters of Recommendation
• • • •
Tutor writes “counselor recommendation” Two or three subject teachers [must be currently teaching the student]
Evaluates how well students meet the requirements
Paints a picture that highlights the student as an unique individual Choose recommenders who know your abilities best Give recommenders plenty of time to write your letters
Personal Essay
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A very important part of your application - helps in the Final Decision It demonstrates your
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Writing skills
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Analytical ability Critical thinking
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Aims and aspirations Uniqueness There are no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answers to a college essay question Remember : be yourself and start early https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-in/essays/tips-for writing-an-effective-application-essay-college-admissions Lunchtime activity run by Ms Tang this term
The IB and ID Diplomas
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IB Diploma Is widely accepted in addition to the standardized admission tests (ACT or SAT) where required.
The rigorous nature is factored in the evaluation for admission University recognition directory http://www.ibo.org/diploma/recognition/directory/index.cfm
May qualify for Advanced Standing credit (receive a score of 5 or above on Higher Level examinations) Check with individual school to determine how credits may be granted CAS is very important.
• •
ID Students ID Students will need to contact college directly to ask if their “package” will be accepted.
CAS is very important.
Advice to students
It’s never too early to apply to schools, do research
Be optimistic but realistic when applying to colleges
Keep a copy of all your applications
Check email regularly for any requests for information from schools or updates on the admission process
Check out upcoming information seminars and fairs
Finance Your Studies
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Scholarships
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Merit Based
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Need Based (Need Blind – US citizens with socioeconomic background not considered Need Based – international student socioeconomic background is considered) Online Resources
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www.fundingusstudy.org
www.finaid.org
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http://www.usscholarshipguide.org/ EducationUSA Weekly Updates
www.fundingusstudy.org
EducationUSA Hong Kong
Destinations of WIS Students 2013
Country UK HK US Australia Canada Others Gap Year Employment and Military % 39.74
17.31
11.54
8.33
7.05
3.2
9.62
1.92