November 2019
Please note that all counselors will be away on DW from November 10th-17th and they will have limited access to email. Mrs. Gilmore will be visiting universities from November 11th-15th and Mrs. Mayo and Mrs. Holcomb will be away at a conference from November 17th-24th, but will be able to respond to emails during this time.
DISCOVERY WEEK
It's here! A week away from the daily routines :) Be safe, positive and reflective as you spend this week discovering new things about both the environment that you find yourself in, the people you are surrounded by and most importantly about yourself! This is a great opportunity to experience something that you may want to include in your university application - it could be something you share with your counselor for their recommendation letter, or something that you include in a personal statement. You may want to bring a journal with you to jot down thoughts that you can later rely on :)
WHAT YOU SHOULD BE WORKING ON
Currently, your counselors have been in classes working with you on the Uniquest assignment.
Remember:
*it will take you approximately five hours to complete
*you need to complete the Do What You Are, Learning Style Inventory and Career Interest Profiler Surveys and Colour test first (you did the first 3 in grade 9 and 10)
*the three universities that you research should be different in terms of size, location, course offerings etc. YOU SHOULD ONLY CHOOSE ONE REACH SCHOOL
*the due date is December January 13th
PARENTS:
Here is an example of some of the questions your child is working on.
Currently, your counselors have been in classes working with you on the Uniquest assignment.
Remember:
*it will take you approximately five hours to complete
*you need to complete the Do What You Are, Learning Style Inventory and Career Interest Profiler Surveys and Colour test first (you did the first 3 in grade 9 and 10)
*the three universities that you research should be different in terms of size, location, course offerings etc. YOU SHOULD ONLY CHOOSE ONE REACH SCHOOL
*the due date is December January 13th
PARENTS:
Here is an example of some of the questions your child is working on.
- What are you looking for in a university - your personal criteria?
- If your parents have any specific requests or criteria when it comes to your college or major, please explain. If they don't then just say "they are very supportive" or "they want me to do whatever makes me happy".
- What is your personality type ex. ISTJ
- The most relevant strengths that I got from "Do What You Are" are: Please do not copy and paste. Rather, expand and reflect on the survey results.
- The most important aspects of Learning Style that I got from "Do What You Are" are: Please do not copy and paste. Expand and reflect on the survey results.
- Go back to the suggestions under “Your College Satisfiers” on the DWYA report, and decide on the most important aspect(s) of college learning environment. Type it in here:
- The most interesting career suggested by DWYA and/or Career Interest Profiler is:
- The name of the first college/university (College 1) that I have researched is
- How many students study at college 1? Mention both undergraduate and postgraduate populations.
- Where is college 1 located? Would you define the location as urban, suburban, or rural?
- What are college 1's admissions expectations? What are their numerical requirements? You should mention mid 50% SAT/ACT scores and acceptance rate for the US, and minimum requirement for the UK and Australia. If you are not sure about this question for your particular country then please ask your counselor.
- How much does it cost to attend college 1? Mention tuition fee as well as boarding (accommodation and food combined).
- What major(s) at college 1 do you find interesting? Do they lead to the career(s) you are interested in?
- I know that college 1 is strong in this/these major(s) because:
- Review your “Do What You Are” Personality Profile and your preferred learning style. Does college 1 meet your own approach to learning? Discuss. Be as specific as you can in regard to the classroom environment and the type of activities the professors seem to use in relation to your learning style.
RESOURCES
It is great to see many of you at the lunchtime sessions on researching universities around the world! Remember that you can research universities anytime using this link.
Still to come:
Friday, Nov. 1st- Researching Universities in UK
It is great to see many of you at the lunchtime sessions on researching universities around the world! Remember that you can research universities anytime using this link.
Still to come:
Friday, Nov. 1st- Researching Universities in UK
As you work on your list of schools that you are interested in, make sure to add them to this spreadsheet. Make a copy and feel free to use your own categories. A great exemplar is on the grade 11 main page.
COLLEGE REPS - YOUR GREATEST RESOURCE!
Here are 20 questions that you can ask the over 200 college reps that visit SFS each year.
Here are 20 questions that you can ask the over 200 college reps that visit SFS each year.
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REMEMBER, COLLEGE VISITS ARE EMAILED TO YOU THE FRIDAY BEFORE THE FOLLOWING WEEK, THEY ARE ON THE ANNOUNCEMENTS AND YOU CAN ALWAYS LOOK AHEAD TO COLLEGE VISITS AT SFS USING THIS LINK
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A 2018 SFS graduate shares his story.
This SFS graduate wants Juniors to pay attention to his college selection process and outcome - with much thanks from his counselor, here is Joo Eon Park's email dated Oct. 17th, 2018
Hello Ms. Mayo,
It's Joo Eon. I graduated a few months back and I'm currently studying at the University of Rochester.
As you may or may not remember, college acceptances for me wasn't the best experience. After getting a single acceptance letter from the U of R, I seriously considered taking a gap year, waitlisted for other schools, and was expecting to transfer to a "better" school. I believed I deserved better – at least to compensate for all the support I have gotten from others. But only once U of R became a major option for me, did I start realizing how great of a place it could be for my college career.
U of R is great – it's pretty much all I can ask for in terms of education and opportunities. I'm taking music classes, computer science, playing in a rock band for course credit, and trying out this new thing called Audio & Music Engineering. I think more upcoming college students should take a look into U of R's curriculum and not make the same mistake I did of completely ignoring all colleges that were below reach level. It's a great target/reach school for students looking for a flexible curriculum. Plus, it is definitely not a breeze studying here – the academics are challenging and fulfilling. Therefore, I really don't care much for where else I could've been, because I'm very content here. In fact, I feel lucky to be here.
I just wanted to write to you to let you know how I'm doing and also remind you (to remind your students) how things just sometimes won't turn out how you planned it to and that whatever happens there will be great new opportunities. I was really frustrated when I didn't get accepted into my reach universities (and target/safety universities for that matter), because I knew I gave it my best and my best wasn't good enough. I'm sure many of the students will be faced with the same thoughts soon as admission letters roll in. Perhaps you know of a few students that would benefit from looking into the U of R... and if it's too late for the current seniors, maybe some juniors will be interested.
I hope the application process is going smoothly for the current seniors (and will go well for the juniors!). I want to personally thank you for being my counselor and supporting me throughout the application process.
Best,
Joo Eon Park
This SFS graduate wants Juniors to pay attention to his college selection process and outcome - with much thanks from his counselor, here is Joo Eon Park's email dated Oct. 17th, 2018
Hello Ms. Mayo,
It's Joo Eon. I graduated a few months back and I'm currently studying at the University of Rochester.
As you may or may not remember, college acceptances for me wasn't the best experience. After getting a single acceptance letter from the U of R, I seriously considered taking a gap year, waitlisted for other schools, and was expecting to transfer to a "better" school. I believed I deserved better – at least to compensate for all the support I have gotten from others. But only once U of R became a major option for me, did I start realizing how great of a place it could be for my college career.
U of R is great – it's pretty much all I can ask for in terms of education and opportunities. I'm taking music classes, computer science, playing in a rock band for course credit, and trying out this new thing called Audio & Music Engineering. I think more upcoming college students should take a look into U of R's curriculum and not make the same mistake I did of completely ignoring all colleges that were below reach level. It's a great target/reach school for students looking for a flexible curriculum. Plus, it is definitely not a breeze studying here – the academics are challenging and fulfilling. Therefore, I really don't care much for where else I could've been, because I'm very content here. In fact, I feel lucky to be here.
I just wanted to write to you to let you know how I'm doing and also remind you (to remind your students) how things just sometimes won't turn out how you planned it to and that whatever happens there will be great new opportunities. I was really frustrated when I didn't get accepted into my reach universities (and target/safety universities for that matter), because I knew I gave it my best and my best wasn't good enough. I'm sure many of the students will be faced with the same thoughts soon as admission letters roll in. Perhaps you know of a few students that would benefit from looking into the U of R... and if it's too late for the current seniors, maybe some juniors will be interested.
I hope the application process is going smoothly for the current seniors (and will go well for the juniors!). I want to personally thank you for being my counselor and supporting me throughout the application process.
Best,
Joo Eon Park
Standardized testing - less important? - BU makes a bold move
INTERESTING THINGS WE'VE SEEN THIS MONTH
A record number of colleges drop SAT/ACT requirements - article
Why study in Holland? Why indeed? - find out here
Does attending an elite college make you happy? - article
A record number of colleges drop SAT/ACT requirements - article
Why study in Holland? Why indeed? - find out here
Does attending an elite college make you happy? - article
A LOOK AHEAD TO THE REST OF THE YEAR
January 13th: Deadline for the UniQuest Assignment
January-February: Individual one-hour Post-UniQuest Meetings
April-May: Student- Led College Conferences between student, parent and counselor
Continuously: University visits @ SFS (approximately 200 universities per year)
January 13th: Deadline for the UniQuest Assignment
January-February: Individual one-hour Post-UniQuest Meetings
April-May: Student- Led College Conferences between student, parent and counselor
Continuously: University visits @ SFS (approximately 200 universities per year)
UNIVERSITY SPOTLIGHT
Each month a different university from around the world will be highlighted.
Each month a different university from around the world will be highlighted.
WARWICK UNIVERSITY - ENGLAND
In a Few Words:
Warwick is like a North American campus in overall feel. It offers a more practical than theoretical education. Campus and amenities are very student-centric.
Uniqueness:
Targeted as #1 for employers for graduate schools
First year employer presentations, workshops for career training
Can choose language as part of program
2019 - new sports/wellness complex due to open - biggest footprint in the UK
Warwick art centre is a place that public attend because of its great performances
Green spaces and lake
Every Wed. farmers market
Massive library - 5 floors open 24/7
Engineering students have open-access to engineering room once they’ve had training - ethos of “creative confidence” very hands-on. A lot of new resources
Biomedical degree starting from 2018
Size:
25,000 students ⅓ international (includes EU)
More graduates than undergrads.
Curriculum:
Popular programs: Politics and international studies, Econ, Business
WMG is a graduate program that bridges the gap between engineering and business
No fine arts, medicine- only grad level, geography
There is flexibility to take courses outside of major - interdisciplinary
5 faculties
2 semesters - 10 modules/yr - some full year courses
Location:
Warwick is a small city of 30,000 on the Avon river
Can fly into Birmingham 20 taxi from airport
Admission:
UCAS
Admissions Expectations:
Engineering - intake is 320-350 students
Math, physics HL 6,6 Need 38 pts -first year is same for all engineering students
34 av. IB score for other courses
Cost:
17,000-22,000 80-160wk living expenses. (pounds)
Warwick is like a North American campus in overall feel. It offers a more practical than theoretical education. Campus and amenities are very student-centric.
Uniqueness:
Targeted as #1 for employers for graduate schools
First year employer presentations, workshops for career training
Can choose language as part of program
2019 - new sports/wellness complex due to open - biggest footprint in the UK
Warwick art centre is a place that public attend because of its great performances
Green spaces and lake
Every Wed. farmers market
Massive library - 5 floors open 24/7
Engineering students have open-access to engineering room once they’ve had training - ethos of “creative confidence” very hands-on. A lot of new resources
Biomedical degree starting from 2018
Size:
25,000 students ⅓ international (includes EU)
More graduates than undergrads.
Curriculum:
Popular programs: Politics and international studies, Econ, Business
WMG is a graduate program that bridges the gap between engineering and business
No fine arts, medicine- only grad level, geography
There is flexibility to take courses outside of major - interdisciplinary
5 faculties
2 semesters - 10 modules/yr - some full year courses
Location:
Warwick is a small city of 30,000 on the Avon river
Can fly into Birmingham 20 taxi from airport
Admission:
UCAS
Admissions Expectations:
Engineering - intake is 320-350 students
Math, physics HL 6,6 Need 38 pts -first year is same for all engineering students
34 av. IB score for other courses
Cost:
17,000-22,000 80-160wk living expenses. (pounds)