Working with TCKs and International Students in the College Application Process Presented by: Rebecca Grappo, M.Ed, C.E.P. Founder of RNG International Educational Consultants, LLC
Jul 17, 2015
Working with TCKs and International Students in the College Application Process
Presented by:
Rebecca Grappo, M.Ed, C.E.P.
Founder of RNG International Educational Consultants, LLC
www.rnginternational.com | [email protected]
Today’s Goals
• Clarify who are the students that we are
serving
• What are the unique cultural considerations?
• How are these students viewed by admissions
offices?
• Some issues that are different in the
admissions process
What’s the Difference Between an International Student and a TCK?
www.rnginternational.com | [email protected]
An international student is someone who does not have an
American passport or is registered as a “Permanent Alien”
(Green Card)
www.rnginternational.com | [email protected]
“A Third Culture Kid (TCK) is a person who has spent a
significant part of his or her developmental years outside
the parents' culture. The TCK frequently builds
relationships to all of the cultures, while not having full
ownership in any. Although elements from each culture
may be assimilated into the TCK's life experience, the
sense of belonging is in relationship to others of similar
background.” David C. Pollack and Ruth Van Reken
What is a TCK?
What are Attributes of a TCK?
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• Adaptable
• Flexible
• Three-dimensional view of the world
• Resilient
• Can make new friends easily
• Like diversity
Possible downside of being a TCK
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• Rootless and restless
• Internal clock is ticking - time to move on
• When things aren’t going well, just move on
• Sometimes make quick but superficial friendships -
attachment issues?
• Finding others with whom a TCK can relate can be tough
• Fitting in
• Being far from home - if you know where “home” is
How might it affect my college experience?
www.rnginternational.com | [email protected]
• Fitting in and feeling at home
• Relating to other students
• Finding a group to hang out with that gets you
• Might be first time living in U.S., re-entry, or parents may
move overseas
• Where will you go on long breaks if you can’t go home?
How might that affect your college search?
www.rnginternational.com | [email protected]
• Do you need to be near home?
• Near relatives?
• Near other TCKs?
• Doesn’t matter?
• Need urban area?
• Will remain focused on academic opportunities primarily
• Do you need to feel connected to a community?
www.rnginternational.com | [email protected]
• What TCKs look for in colleges may be different from your
domestic students
• Their adjustment issues may be even more difficult than
that of international students because they expect to be
going “home” to their passport country
www.rnginternational.com | [email protected]
• Fitting in and feeling at home
• Relating to other students
• Finding a group to hang out with that gets you
• Might be first time living in U.S., re-entry, or parents may
move overseas
• Where will you go on long breaks if you can’t go home?
Some Issues with Adjusting
For more wisdom from others who have been there….
www.rnginternational.com | [email protected]
• www.denizenmag.com
• #TCKchat - http://seachangementoring.com/06-august-14-
transitions-first-year-of-collegeuniversity/
• The Global Nomad’s Guide to University Transition
by Tina Quick
www.rnginternational.com | [email protected]
• Some universities are flooded with applications from
international students and TCKs – they aren’t that special
• Other universities are seeking to increase their diversity
with these student demographics
• Ask the student – do you want to be with lots of other
international students or stand out for being special?
• Ability to pay is more and more important
www.rnginternational.com | [email protected]
• Different colleges have different ways of working with
international students from start to finish
• Most colleges do not distinguish TCKs in the application
process
• How colleges work with international students and TCKs
can make a huge difference in the way they adjust
Different School Systems
www.rnginternational.com | [email protected]
• Coming from international schools versus national schools
• Other curriculae – IB, French Bac, German Abitur, A levels,
other systems
• Some coming from American international schools
Why Choose an American University or College?
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• For international students need to explain the difference
between public/private, college, university
• Liberal arts are often not recognized, understood or valued
• Don’t expect everyone to understand basic terms, even if they
are American
• Name brand universities
Dual Citizens
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• Who is the international student?
• Checking the “dual citizen” box
• An American citizen cannot check “international”
• Address the real question families have: Is it an advantage
to apply as an international student?
www.rnginternational.com | [email protected]
• Not all universities have the same
approach to international student support
• Almost no universities consider support
that TCKs will need
• Important to help students understand
how they can “plug in” to university
culture, activities, make friends
Finding Student Support Services
www.rnginternational.com | [email protected]
• Often goes by other names
• Need to show financial resources to pay for the first year
(some universities are requiring even more than one year)
• Need bank letters
• Different schools require it at different times in the process
• Have to look it up – often hard to find on websites
Certificate of Finances
www.rnginternational.com | [email protected]
• Often teachers don’t know how to write them for U.S.
universities
• Sometimes teachers refuse to write them
• Need to protect integrity of the letter
Letters of Recommendation
www.rnginternational.com | [email protected]
• Access to SAT and ACT testing dates more limited – plan
in advance
• Need TOEFL or ILETS exams for English proficiency
• Some great test prep companies who do test prep online
• Some universities are test-optional for international
students, or vice-versa
• If they need psycho-educational evaluations, that’s another
story!
Testing
www.rnginternational.com | [email protected]
• Need to get transcripts – not always easy
• Sometimes they need to be translated
• Sometimes they need to be evaluated
• Students in American international schools will usually have a transcript we recognize
Transcripts
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• Need-based aid very difficult for international students
• Merit-based aid available for international students – same
rule applies, though (not at the most selective universities)
• Many universities say that the student MUST apply for aid
the first year or not at all
Financial Aid
www.rnginternational.com | [email protected]
• Some don’t understand the amount of time needed to
prepare for college applications
• Some kids are not ready for college - consider foundation
programs, ESL programs like the University and College
Intensive English Programs http://www.uciep.org/
• PG programs
• Some might not have the time or opportunity for college
visits
Understanding the Timelines
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• Some students have never written a narrative essay before
• TCK “I am a citizen of the world” essay is overused
• Dilemma with non-native English speakers – how much
should I edit?
• What if their English is too limited?
Essays
www.rnginternational.com | [email protected]
• Articles – all found on www.rnginternational.com
• Email Becky at [email protected]
• www.rnginternational.com/blog
• http://rnginternational.com/third-culture-kid/
Additional Resources