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

2. 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

3. 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)

4. 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

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

7. 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

8. 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!

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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.

16. 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

17. 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

22. ▪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 250-650 WORDS (MAX)? Personal Statement

23. 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

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

25. 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)

26. QUESTIONS?

27. 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?

28. THANK YOU!