Introduction to the University and College Admission Process.

Introduction to the

University and College Admission Process

What is your goal?

To apply and be admitted to a

number of schools, all of which you

would be happy to attend.

Developing your own criteria

• Academics• Location, Location, Location• Social

• Sociology, International Relations, Media Studies, Anthropology, Politics, Biotechnology, Civil Engineering, Criminology and Law

• Large classes vs small classes• Liberal arts?• Who is teaching me?• Structured vs. less structured• When do I have to identify my major?• If you do have an interest…make sure the

college offers it on the undergraduate level

What should I study?What kind of academic environment do I

want?

Where should I study?

What Country?

• Back to your family’s home?

• Financial considerations?

• What language do you want to study in?

• What type of degree?

What Area?

• Urban vs suburban• Large or small?• Near an airport or close

to family?

Social criteria

• More independent lifestyle

• Institution driven • Arts• Sports• Social scene• diversity

Extras

• For Art courses, along with the rest of your application you will be expected to submit a portfolio of your work. Each college with have different rules, so make sure to read the fine print. Ms. Totten and Zamula are very helpful with this.

• Your portfolio should be complete by the beginning of December, so that you have time to convert it into slides.

• For Music and Drama, you will be expected to schedule an audition with the college

• Athletic talent can play a role in the college decision. See you university counselor for advice on pursuing athletics at a competitive level.

What are the colleges looking for in you?

• Academically rigorous program (all)• Grade Point Average/GPA (US/Canada)• What do you do in your spare time? (US)• SAT scores (US)• Predicted IB results (Canada/UK/elsewhere)• Your essays (US/UK)• School reference (all)• Your teacher recommendations (US)

A sheet in the handbook talks about what admission officers are looking for in students.

Standardized testing

• SAT (formerly SAT I): test of verbal, math & writing skills

• Subject Tests (formerly SAT II): 1 hour exams taken in Math, Literature, History, sciences and other subjects

• Who should take it, when and how many times?

• Test Prep Courses

• ACT Test?

• TOEFL test?

• You never know when you will need it!

The SAT: How useful is it?

US College Timelines

Regular Decision• Apply in Dec/January• Decision from college in March• Commit to one school on May 1st

Rolling Application• Apply as early as September• Decision from college in as little as 6 weeks• Commitment is due May 1st

Early Action• Apply on Nov 1st /15th• Decision from college in mid-

December to mid- January• Commitment is due May 1st

Early Decision• Apply on Nov 1st /15th• Decision from college in mid-

December• If admitted, you can not apply

to any other schools.

UK/Canada Timelines

CANADA• Apply in January• Decision in March/April• Commit to one school in

May

UK• Application is due Jan 15th

• Decisions are rolling• Oxford/Cambridge/

Medicine applicants have early deadlines

• Pick two schools to keep until your IB results come in July

Other CountriesWhat to do…

• Mr. van de Riet is the first port of call with respect to the actual application. You will be applying online

• Other countries we deal with on a ‘one to one’ basis

Important People in the Process

• YOU!!!• Your parents• Your teachers and other adults at school• College admissions officers• Us – Mrs. Joos & Ms. Tudge

What do we, as your counselors, do?

• Help you make choices and start your search, beginning with a student and family meeting to discuss options

• Write the official letter of recommendation This we write with the help of your IB teachers and the student autobiography and parent evaluation, written by you over the summer and handed to us in September

• Assist with essay writing and interview preparation• Collate and send all the required information from

WIS

As you develop your criteria,how do you find the institutions that match?

RESOURCES TO USE

• Your college counselors• Guidebooks…available in our office, at the

library, at the bookstore• The internet….college/university websites, The

College Board, UCAS• Independent Schools College Fair (April 25th)• WIS alums at college• College Visits

• Plan ahead…call ahead• Contact admissions office – see what they have

to offer….overnight stays, visiting classes, meeting the admissions tutor, an interview

• Grab a student newspaper and look at activity boards to see what is happening on campus

• Do things other than the tour…visit the surrounding area , check out classes, dorms, cafeteria, financial aid

• Contact WIS alums or friends to get their input• Leave with an e-mail contact

Organizing a college visit

NAVIANCE

How to get there…

www.wis.edu

Paying for it all!

General Overview

• US – US citizens and permanent residents are eligible for federal financial aid. Some colleges have private resources for international students

• FAFSA form and CSS Profile are the forms to fill out

• Canada – you can use federal financial aid. There are also scholarships for IB students.

• UK – also can use federal financial aid. The British Council website has information on scholarships.

• Strategies – Where you apply is most important

Final Thoughts

• For everyone there is a good match of both course and college

• Be honest with your own abilities, needs and desires

• Do the research to find the best matches

• Make sure you communicate

• Be open to serendipity

Mr. Smith’s geography lesson

This speaks for itself!

Moral of the Story

Don’t cancel out colleges solely based on geographical location