1. Senior Studies Evening
Bangkok Patana School
Senior Studies Evening

2. What to consider when choosing a university?
What do universities want?
How to choose your courses?
Things to consider
How to trade up?
IB Diploma
IB Certificates
Country Requirements
Criteria for choosing a university
Sources of Information
Contacts

3. What do universities want?
Most academic students possible that will add to their university (especially highly selective)
Looking for:
Rigor of School and programme (IB and IGCSE)
Rigor of subjects chosen
Academic results in subjects taken (4 years)
Subject requirements for the degree
Pre-college courses, Work experience, ECAs
Proof of independent love of learning

4. How to choose your courses?
Start & end with yourself (Best Fit)
What do you most enjoy? Where do you excel? (strengths & Interests) What makes you light up?
IGCSE and IB keep many doors open (so should you)
So ask lots of questions until end Year 13
Think outside the box: courses take you to interesting careers
Astrobiologist? Mobile Experience Architect?

5. Things to Consider
Admissions tests (Step Papers, BMAT, UKCAT, SAT, PSAT, ACT, TSA) We love our acronyms!
Subject requirements (keep doors open)
Personality of the university?
Work Experience (Law, Medical, Dental, Pharmacy, Vet, Architecture, Engineering etc)
Keep the student in driver’s seat!
Best social and academic fit

6. How to trade up? Choose your subjects based on strengths and interests
Work hard and get the very best grades possible
Choose the hardest courses in which you can do well
Arrange work experience
Arrange a pre-college summer programme that will challenge you
Consider SAT Tests (Reasoning and SAT Subject tests)

7. IB Diploma
United Kingdom/Australia: favorably recognized in these countries and a qualification for admission to universities.
USA/Canada: Can be used for admission to university. (Advanced standing)
Other countries world wide: provides entrance to university but some restrictions may apply.
Note: check early with target universities

8. IB Certificates
USA/Canada: Can be used for admission to many universities. (backed up the student’s results, recommendations, essays and SAT results.)
Australia/United Kingdom: recognized in these countries and a qualification for admission to universities, often at the foundation level or Degree Route.
Other countries world wide: provides evidence that students have satisfactorily completed Grade 12 and may allow entry to university.

9. Country Requirements Note: Academic to Academic United Kingdom
United States
Australia
Canada
Singapore
Other

10. United Kingdom UCAS External Examinations: (I)GCSE &IB
Personal Statement: student
Reference: Tutor
Predicted Grades
Language Proficiency: IELTS (possibly)
Visa

11. United States
Application System- Individual/Common Application/State application system
References (Two): Subject Teachers
Counselor Forms/Reference
Predicted Grades
Transcripts & Diploma
SAT I & SAT II (subject) not all require SATS
Language Proficiency: TOEFL (accept IELTS?)
Essay(1-3): Student
Visa

12. Australia Australian vs. International Students
Entry Dates: July vs. February
Actual vs. Predicted Results
Individual Application & IDP
IB Diploma
Language Proficiency: IELTS
Visa: country assessments

13. Canada Individual Applications (Ontario & BC) Application
References may be required
Transcripts & Diploma
Predicted Grades
External Examination Results
Language Proficiency: TOEFL/IELTS
Visa

14. Singapore Application External Examinations (IGCSE and IB) Transcripts
Predicted Grades
SAT Tests may be needed (not often for IB)
TOEFL & IELTS possible
References possible

15. Criteria for University
Country & Culture
Location (proximity and geography)
Size (university, class size 1st and 3rd year)
Cost (tuition/living costs, internships )
Financial Aid/Home Status/scholarships
Environment (urban/rural, city campus)
Personality (conservative?, % International)
Learning Style (exams? Projects?)
Housing & Food available

16. University Criteria Activities (touch rugby, horse jumping)
Faculty (Teaching & Research)
Customer Service
Rankings: someone’s opinion
Facilities & Access: IT, Library, Sports etc
Options: Study abroad, Double majors & Double Degrees
Links to Industry & universities abroad
Internships/Sandwich
Alumni Networks and Careers Support

17. Course Criteria Link to strength and Interests
Entry Requirements: Reach, Secure & Insurance (5 point range)
Teaching & Content
Informal course rankings “rate my prof”
Assessment: project vs. exams
Theory vs. Hands-On
Depth vs. Breadth

18. Sources of Information
Careers & Resources
University Representative Visits
Education Fairs
Websites (Careers, Keystage 5)
Education Centres (British Council, UK Consortium, IDP, Netherlands, France etc)
Alumni: (Patana & University) & Teachers
Family & Friends
Rankings
Facebook & Youtube
College Tours (by far the best method)

19. Notes Start now Do your research
No perfect university only a perfect fit
Organized Files
Deadlines & Documents
Student’s application and the student should be in the driver’s seat.

20. Contacts Mr Robin Barton robo@patana.ac.th Mr Jemison Foster
Khun June