COLLEGE
GUIDANCE
HANDBOOK
2012-2013
ACS CEEB Code: 685100
PO BOX 8129 Riad El Solh 1107 2260
Phone: 961-1-374-370, Fax: 961-1-366050
1
THE COLLEGE SEARCH & APPLICATION CALENDAR
THE CLASS OF 2013
MARCH, 2012
March 27 - College Night for all high school parents (6:00 pm)
March 29– College Day for juniors
Individual student appointments with the college counselor
APRIL, 2012
April 28 – College Fair
MAY, 2012
Saturday, May 5 – SAT I test
SAT I or II registration
Individual student appointments
JUNE, 2012
Saturday, June 2, 2012 SAT I or II TEST
June 8 – Show the college counselor your preliminary list of colleges and update them on your
“prospective list” on NAVIANCE.
JULY, 2012
SCHOOL IS OUT – VISIT UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES, DO YOUR RESEARCH, TAKE A
COURSE / INTERNSHIP – HAVE A BREAK!!
AUGUST, 2012
SCHOOL IS OUT – VISIT UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES, WRITE SUMMER ESSAY, FINISH
ACTIVITY SHEET, FINALIZE COLLEGE LIST
SEPTEMBER, 2012
September – Show college counselor your final college list
Registration deadline for October SAT
Individual student conferences
Registration for November SAT
Ask teachers for recommendations
College workshops during or after school
The common application, the essay, recommendations - workshops
College Representative visits
OCTOBER, 2012
Individual student conferences
October – SAT test.
Registration for December SAT I or II
October - If you would like your personal essay reviewed by the college counselor
October 15 – filing deadline for Oxford or Cambridge, medicine/veterinary studies (UK)
AUB information session
LAU information session
October 31 – All transcript requests forms are due
(Transcript request forms submitted after this date will require 10 school days to process)
2
NOVEMBER, 2012
Individual student conferences
November– SAT I or II test, Language tests with Listening (SAT II)
Nov 1 & Nov 15 – U.S. deadlines for some early decision/early action applications
November 30 – deadline for University of California applications
DECEMBER, 2012
December– SAT I or II test
December – Filing deadline for UCAS applications (U.K.) and all Canadian schools
December 12– AUB application due to College Guidance Office
HOLIDAY BREAK – Applications for most US colleges should be out
JANUARY, 2013
After January 1: U.S. applicants – file Financial Aid forms (FAFSA)
International students applying to US-check for required financial documents
Jan. 1 & Jan. 15 – U.S. deadlines for many applications. All Applications by students should be
submitted prior to the deadline
January 11 – LAU applications due
Saturday, January – SAT I & II administration
FEBRUARY, 2013
February 1 – Mid year reports sent to colleges
MARCH, 2013
Mid-March: release of some U.S., provisional U.K. & Canada decisions
APRIL, 2013
April 1 – 15: release of rest of U.S. decisions
Accept UK offers (after all UCAS offers are in)
MAY, 2013
May 1 – deadline for enrollment decision and deposit at U.S. colleges and universities
Student informs rest of schools that they are not attending.
JUNE, 2013
Graduation – June
Final reports sent to colleges
JULY, 2013
IB offers in; Confirmation of U.K. & Canadian offers
FALL, 2013…
GO TO UNIVERSITY!
3
JUNIORS & COLLEGE
Although the college/university search process is a family affair, the primary
responsibility rests with the student. It is your future! Junior year is the year to fill in
any gaps in your academic and activity records. This is also the time to do your
RESEARCH.
Below are some observations, which should make the search process easier and make
your eventual college decision more appropriate:
Self-assessment:
 Take time to begin appraising yourself.
 Why do you want an education?
 Why are you going to college?
 What career options seem interesting to you?
 What academic subjects are intriguing?
 What are your major activities and interests?
 How motivated are you?
 How have your experiences been meaningful to you?
 In what ways are you aware of, and sensitive to, other individuals and cultures?
 Are you using your potential and capacities to the fullest?
 How well do you respond to setbacks?
 Have you shown any leadership qualities?
 How are you unique?
These are important questions to consider and ones on which your university
applications will focus.
Academics:
 Focus on your academic courses carefully; junior year is frequently the most
important year in the college admissions decision (the last full year they see,
along with first semester senior grades.)
 Decisions though are confirmed by looking at end-of-senior-year-grades. Take
the most demanding courses you can handle. Your course selection particularly
that of the senior year, will be one of the factors used in admissions decisions.
4
Activities:
Consider the strength of your involvement in extracurricular activities.
 Are you involved in some, and are they meaningful to you?
 Are you using your out-of-class time wisely?
 Are you contributing to the School?
 Do you have any interests that are not being served at ACS and what can you
do about that (initiate here? pursue in the community?)
You should keep up the interests that are important to you. Generally it is best
to pursue a few activities with zest and results, rather than do many activities
moderately.
Reading:
 Most admissions people agree that reading is one of the best ways to prepare
for college. It will strengthen your own academic work at ACS and helps you
to prepare for the verbal and writing portions of the SAT.
 If you have problems with reading, now is the time to take care of those
concerns. The amount of reading required in college is significantly more than
that in high school [even at ACS] so it is good to begin reading on your own
now. Additionally, both applications and interviews may ask you to address
your personal (i.e. non-required) reading-
Student-initiated activities:
1) Filing system: Start an organized collection of university-related materials for
the next year.
2) Research: Get a copy of a comprehensive guide (or comparable materials) to
the university system in the countries where you are considering attending university
to begin your search. You should do this as soon as possible in your junior year.
Attend all college visits whenever possible; talk to seniors or members of the faculty
about their perceptions and of course use the web sites provided to start your search.
3) Visiting -- Try to visit colleges in your plans this year whenever your time and
travel plans permit. Seeing any college campus helps "gel" the concepts and move you
along in your own thinking, but obviously being able to see some of the campuses in
which you are interested is very worthwhile. Mention to your parents as you hear
about family plans and holidays that this is an option to consider.
4) Testing -- This is the year when the U.S. college entrance tests begin to be
reported. Be aware of your choices and follow recommended procedures to make sure
that your SAT tests are in order. Be aware that different schools have different SAT I
or SAT II policies. Consider the ACT if applying to US colleges.
In conclusion, this is a pivotal year as you look towards the end of high school and to
the many options available to you afterwards. It is a crucial year to solidifying your
own interests and talents and getting organized and involved in researching your
future choices.
Marie Assir
March 2012
5
Planning Guidelines for Senior Year
Senior Year is extremely important for post secondary options. Colleges want to see
that seniors are continuing to challenge themselves with their curriculum and that they
continue to perform well academically. Not only do first semester grades get reported
to some colleges but final grades are sent to the school you plan to attend.
Completing applications accurately and on time is critical.
Suggestions for senior year
 Use Naviance
 Meet with your counselor to discuss your college/career plans
 Be aware and adhere to ALL DEADLINES
 Attend visits with college representatives
 Finalize your college list in September so that you can determine deadlines,
essay requirements, recommendations, requirements for SAT I or SAT II, etc
 Check out applications online
 Submit transcript request forms for each university that you plan to apply
 Submit a sample essay to the college counselor for feedback
 Request letters of recommendation from your teachers
 Submit a “brag sheet” to the college counselor so that a letter of
recommendation can be written on your behalf
 Schedule interviews or auditions if necessary or plan to submit dvd’s or
portfolios
 Complete applications in advance of the deadlines
 Request that SAT scores be sent by collegeboard to your university
 Keep track of your passwords and log in information for universities
 Check out scholarship and financial aid deadlines
 Check to see if you need to submit a certification of finances to the college
 Edit and proofread EVERYTHING
 Make copies of documents submitted
 Stay organized
 Avoid senior slump. Maintaining consistent grades throughout senior year is
critical.
6
FACTORS TO CONSIDER IN CHOOSING A COLLEGE
1.
Does the college have the program of study you want?
2.
If you do not know what you want to study, does the college offer a wide range
of courses?
3.
Is there a core curriculum? That is, are there courses that everyone is required
to take?
4.
How difficult is the program? How hard would you have to work?
5.
Is there academic pressure or competition among the students?
6.
Does the college offer internships or semesters abroad?
7.
What is the average class size?
8.
Are the facilities, both academic and sports, adequate for your needs?
9.
How do graduates of the college fare in graduate schools?
10.
What do students do in their free time? Do they study or socialize?
Do they leave on weekends?
Independent organizations may rank colleges according to the selectivity of their
admissions. For example, if a college accepts only about 30% of the applicants, who
have 3.3+ grade point averages and SAT’s over 1650 (old SAT), it is ranked as highly
selective. At the other end of the scale, colleges that accept over 50% of applicants
and have less stringent GPA and SAT requirements are described as traditional in
their selectivity.
In making your college list, it is important to match your academic record to the
colleges’ selectivity. Compare your transcript and testing scores with the admissions
statistics supplied by the colleges. Admissions decisions are based primarily on these
factors. The college list, which you ultimately assemble, must be appropriate to your
credentials. That is, it should comprise mostly institutions for which your grades and
scores are within the range of their acceptances. This is what is referred to as the
“numbers” part of an application.
7
CLASSIC CONSIDERATIONS
a.
Location:
Close to a relative or not
Distance from a major city
Weather
b. Reputation
c. Size of student body
Very Small
Small
Medium
Large
Extra Large
(under1,500 students)
(1,500 – 3,000)
(3,000 – 6,000)
(7,000 – 15,000)
(20,000 – 30,000)
d. Field of study
e. Number of international students
f. Male/female ratio
g. Quality of residential life
HOW MANY SCHOOLS?
It is advisable to apply to about 6-8 universities
2 reaches
2 probable
2 for sure
For seniors, the college application process falls into three stages:
1. Applying – This will take most, if not all of the first semester. The
process involves making decisions, taking exams, completing
applications and meeting deadlines.
2. Waiting – Once all the applications have been sent, the replies will come
in either on a rolling basis or by early April.
3. Deciding – This is the time for discussing, revisiting choices and
comparing financial aid packages.
8
WHAT US COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
CONSIDER IN THE ADMISSION PROCESS
1.
Grades earned in grades 9 – 12 i.e. High School Record. (We only report grades received at
ACS. If you attended another high school prior to ACS- you MUST request official grades
from that school)
2.
Strength or difficulty of high school curriculum honors courses, IB or AP and courses taken,
beyond the minimum graduation requirements
3.
Academic rank or your deciles or quartile rank in class. (ACS reports by deciles)
4.
Activities & Leadership with depth of commitment demonstrated, including volunteer service
5.
Teacher recommendations grades 11 & 12
6.
Essay and Application
7.
Secondary School Report written by the counselor
8.
Test Scores: e.g. SAT scores (ACT scores) or predicted IB scores
And possibly
9.
Writing Sample, if asked for with teacher's comments written on it
10.
Special Materials, if appropriate art portfolio, audition tape, literary work
11.
Special Talent music, sports, visual arts, drama, journalism, other
12.
Whatever makes you STAND OUT from other students who apply. Universities are striving
to create campus environments reflecting diversity:
Geographic diversity
Ethnic diversity
Experience in non-US educational systems and cultures
Overcoming adversity
Political awareness (regional and international issues)
Multi-cultural, multi-lingual
Work experience
Travel experience
Non-traditional family situation, living environment
Other unusual experiences
13.
Ability to Pay Fees is critical for international students. Colleges and Universities will often
require a verification of funds from the parents’ bank, or at least a signed financial
responsibility statement from parents.
The factors above are weighted differently at different schools (e.g. large state universities will
look more at rank, GPAs and test scores.)
9
5 BASIC STEPS TO THE APPLICATION PROCEDURE
(with many smaller ones in between)
Breaking the seemingly daunting application procedure down into a number of
very basic steps can help to make it less overwhelming. There is logic to the
process, and the more organized and structured it is, the more manageable it
becomes, and for this reason we have divided the operation into steps.
The five basic steps are:
Think
Make a Big List
Make a Small List
Apply
Wait and Decide
10
THE APPLICATION PROCESS
The Application
The application is a reflection of you the student. It is important to make a good impression.
Time should be spent filling in the application. This is your chance to personalize. Answer
every question carefully.
Most colleges and universities encourage students to apply on-line. If you choose to do this
you must print a copy of the application for your file before sending the application over the
Internet. This helps you keep a record of where you are applying and assures that transcripts
are sent on time. Be sure to print any required forms such as a secondary school report that
should be given to your college counselor. If applying on-line, do it early, read directions
carefully, check the status of your applications often and do not forget to send a banker’s
check for your application fee (if you do not have an international credit card). Be sure to
take an on-line application as seriously as a paper one.
Other things to keep in mind are:
Meet deadlines: missing a deadline reflects poorly on you and will probably cause you to be
rejected. Keep in mind the reality of living overseas and the time mail takes to get from place
to place (a minimum of ten days). An application received early will get a more positive
evaluation than one received at the last minute.
Transcripts and Recommendations: Every application must have a complete and official
high school transcript. One must fill the transcript request form to have ACS send this to
each college. Many colleges are accepting electronic transcripts from ACS which means that
transcripts and recommendations are sent electronically. Be sure to give the teachers and
counselor plenty of time to write the recommendations.
Do not provide more
recommendations than required. "The thicker the student, the thicker the file." is the saying.
Official Score Reports: The colleges will require an official score report sent directly from
the College Board. One should keep track of which colleges score reports should be sent
when registering for the tests. This is better done online. It is the students’ responsibility to
send SAT scores to colleges.
Common Application: Used by many US schools. Always check to see if there is a supplement for
the individual school.
and finally....
• Make sure spelling is correct
• If one states a major, make sure the college offers that major. "Undecided" is appropriate
for the US schools. For the UK, one has to commit to a major.
• Do not leave items on the application blank. If the item does not apply to you, use a dash
or NA.
• Think about activities; it is unnecessary to have a huge list. Quality of an activity is
important if it demonstrates involvement and commitment.
• If asked for work experience be honest and explain that summer work is not part of the
Lebanese cultural background and that employment opportunities are sparse for those
under eighteen.
• Be honest and do not exaggerate.
• Be sure to make photocopies of all admission materials.
• It is important to maintain a college file of all paper work received and sent.
11
APPLICATION ETIQUETTE
How to Help Your College Counselor Write a Glowing Recommendation:
1. Complete the BRAG SHEET thoughtfully and return this to your college
counselor. The more information you share on the brag sheet, the more
detailed the letter of recommendation can be.
2. Write your resume/activity sheet. Make a copy for each application if
you have not submitted it online. Share your resume with the college
counselor.
3. Check if your college has a secondary school report (SSR) or a
Counselors report. If so, complete the student section and give the form
to your college counselor. You must waive your right in order for letters
and counselor reports to be released.
4. Stay organized. You must give plenty of time for your college counselor
and your teachers to write a letter of recommendation. Know your
deadlines!
5. In order for ACS to release letters of recommendation, students MUST
complete the FERPA section of NAVIANCE which allows for release of
information.
6. Ask the college counselor if you are unsure of any part of the process.
12
RECOMMENDATIONS
Most schools ask for only a secondary school report from the school's counselor. Give these,
with your name, to the counselor as soon as the form is received. Some schools require
teacher recommendations as well. By the end of the junior year it is helpful to draw up a list,
in order of preference, of the teachers one wishes to write the faculty evaluations. Be sure to
ask the faculty member if they feel they can accept the request. Schedule an interview with
the teacher if at all possible. Not all colleges supply a recommendation form. Once the letter
is written and signed, it is given directly by the teacher to the College Counselor who will,
after reviewing it, mail the evaluation to the school concerned. A copy is kept on file.
* By mid-June l it is advisable to have asked for one teacher recommendation.
APPLICATION RESPONSIBILITIES
Students:
1. Create an account on College Board
2. Send their part of the application
3. Put the ACS College Board code 685100 when taking any SAT test.
4. Contact College Board to have scores sent directly to university/college.
5. Update Naviance regularly
6. Inform college counselor of their college choices.
7. Request teacher recommendations.
8. Check with college counselor each month to inform of changes to lists.
9. Contact the colleges to ensure that their applications are complete.
10. Inform relevant people if parts are missing from applications.
11. Contact colleges again to follow up.
12. Inform college-counseling office of college decisions.
13. Inform colleges of their decisions to attend or not attend.
ACS:
1. Sends the school transcript.
2. Send school profile.
3. Sends mid-year grades.
4. Sends end-of-year grades.
5. Sends counselor’s recommendation.
6. Sends teacher recommendations.
electronically )
(the Counseling Office mails or sends them
13
THE TESTS
Whether one is applying abroad or staying in Lebanon, one will be expected to take certain
standardized tests.
SAT I
The SAT 1 reasoning test measures developed critical reading, mathematical reasoning
abilities and the ability to write related to successful performance in college. This is not an
intelligence test. The best preparation is to read, read, and read some more, and to do well in
school work. It is not a test that can be prepared for overnight. Colleges use the scores as a
supplement to secondary school work. This helps them place our school in a national
perspective. At ACS grade eleven takes this test in May of their junior year and in the fall of
their senior year. At ACS, the PSAT (preliminary SAT) is given in grade ten and eleven to
help with test familiarity and to point out areas of weakness.
SAT II: The Subject Tests
The Subject Tests are designed to measure knowledge and the ability to apply that knowledge
in specific subject areas. All schools do not require these tests. At AUB and LAU, they are
no longer used in the admissions process.. However keep in mind that if one would like to
have the freshman year at AUB or LAU equated with the Lebanese Baccalaureate, one
must take three SAT II tests, the selection of which depends on whether one is applying
arts or sciences. Competitive US schools usually require the writing and math tests, as well
as a third test. Check individual school admission procedures to see which tests are
required. The SAT II helps show a student’s strengths; it is a subject achievement test.
Be sure to put AUB (0902), LAU (2595) codes as well as the codes of
schools you are seriously contemplating each time you take the SAT’s
It is the students’ responsibility to send the scores to colleges.
14
TESTS AND EQUIVALENCY
For students applying freshmen as Lebanese.
FOR AUB: IF YOU PLAN TO EQUATE FRESHMAN YEAR WITH THE
LEBANESE BACCALAUREATE; you will need to have taken the SAT II according
to the requirements below prior to registration to the university.
For Sciences:
Math II C
Two Sciences from Biology, Chemistry or Physics
For Freshman Arts: Math I or IC
English (Writing or Literature)
One Science from Biology, Chemistry or Physics.
Students who need the equivalence of their Freshman Year, at AUB or LAU, to
the Lebanese Baccalaureate should pass SAT I and II before finishing the
Freshman year with a minimum total flat score of 2750 for Arts and 2850 for
Freshman Science.
AUB early decision process – Students who were in the top 25% of their class for grades 10
and 11 and meet the SAT requirements will be eligible to apply.
Dates for SAT I and SAT II 2012-2013 and Registration Deadlines
October, 2012
TBA (to be announced)
November, 2012
TBA
December, 2012
TBA
January, 2013
TBA
May, 2013
TBA
June, 2013
TBA
-
15
THE ESSAY: USE THE ESSAY AS A WAY TO EXPRESS YOURSELF
Colleges ask you for an essay so that they can learn about you as a person. Transcripts test
scores and recommendations all give the college a profile of your abilities and your
accomplishments. To get to know the person behind the numbers, the lists and the scores,
colleges ask you for an essay. When the colleges ask for a personal statement, you should
write about yourself clearly, interestingly and as honestly as you can.
There are certain do and don'ts on the writing of college essays. 1
Do display skills. High school graduates are expected to have a certain proficient level of
writing. There is no place for misspelled words, incorrect punctuation, tense shifts,
incomplete sentences, or disagreement between subject and verb. Make sure there is time for
several drafts, and then proof read and have someone else proof read as well.
Do realize that words count. Try to avoid overused words such as "very, a lot, awesome,
interesting, nice", and the verb "to be". On the other hand, do not use vocabulary just to
impress the reader. Be yourself. Don't exaggerate. Again, be sure to have more than one
draft. The college can tell if one has given time and thought to the essay. Stick to the length
suggested.
Don't play it safe. Since essays questions on an application are usually general in nature, it
is often hard to focus, unlike a more specific exam question. Unsure as to who will be
reading the essay, it is natural to want to keep everything safe and bland. Although overused
topics such as my favorite trip, book, summer can be very boring, if one writes about
something one really cares for, or is familiar with, the essay cannot help but be creative. If
the essay stands out, chances are so will you.
Don't recycle old work. Recycled English papers stand out like a red flag. It is obvious
that they have been written for a particular situation and that is very different from the college
essay.
Do make it an opportunity. View the essay as a marketing tool. The essay should want to
make the college accept one. Be sure not to list information given elsewhere in the
application. This is where one can take almost anything and make it interesting by evaluating
what it means to that individual. The essay should reflect the person.
A good way to start is to list interests or activities with which one is involved. Write two
paragraphs about one or more interest. Read over these paragraphs to determine about which
one cares most or about which one would most enjoy writing. This is the beginning of the
essay.
For the UK, the essay is called the UCAS personal statement. It must address why you have
chosen the courses listed. Skills and experiences that validate your choice are important.
Like any good piece of writing, your essay will need several drafts.
1
See "Essays Make a Difference, Steve Infanti" College Bound Vol. II, No. 5, Jan. 1997, p. 3
16
THE COLLEGE VISIT AND INTERVIEW
Most colleges no longer require an interview for admissions. It is still important for
you to visit the college at which you may spend the next four years of your life. The
visit or interview may help you in your selection of a college or in verifying your
choice.
Call ahead to arrange for a visit and an interview if interviews are offered.. Most
colleges have regularly scheduled tours which begin at the admissions office. When
you arrive, the college may simply add your name to a list of others for a group tour.
They may not give interviews. Regardless of this, you will have shown good manners
by telephoning first. Take an active role in your tour. Listen and ask questions.
If you visit before you apply, take a copy of your transcript along. You can get a copy
of your transcript from the college guidance office.
QUESTIONS FOR A COLLEGE VISIT
1. How do students feel about the distribution requirements and the course
load?
2. What is the relationship between faculty and students like?
3. Are most courses taught by professors or graduate students?
4. What size are the classes?
5. Is there a fraternity system? Is it strong?
6. Is the social life centered on or off campus?
7. Do I need a car?
8. Do students stay on campus on weekends?
9. What will housing be like for four years?
10. How hard do students work?
17
LIBERAL ARTS
EDUCATION
This is a generalized, openended education, which allows
the student to explore the
various academic disciplines.
Its goal is to teach students
how to think creatively and
analytically preparing them to
pursue any career. Most
colleges are liberal arts
institutions.
18
GLOSSARY
More Terms
US Early Decision
Early Decision is the application process in which students make a commitment to a firstchoice institution where, if admitted, they definitely will enroll. Should a student who applies
for financial aid not be offered an award that makes attendance possible, the student may
decline the offer of admission and be released from the Early Decision Commitment.
Only students with excellent grades and excellent scores should apply early, (and that does
not mean a “B” student with a 3.0 GPA and scores of 1200/1600 on the SAT). Remember,
unless you are absolutely sure of your choice, it is better to take your time to think about what
you really want, to research colleges and universities. Recently a number of prestigious
schools have dropped early decision. Regular admission also gives you more time to prove
yourself in the senior year, both academically and in extracurricular activities.
AUB’s early decision is non-binding.
US Early Action
Early Action is the application process in which students make an application to an institution
of preference and receive a decision well in advance of the institution’s regular response date.
Students who are admitted under Early Action are not obligated to accept the institution’s
offer of admission or to submit a deposit until the regular reply date (i.e. not prior to May 1).
Please pay attention to regular reply date (May 1)
US Regular Decision
Regular Decision is the application process in which a student submits an application to an
institution by a specified date and receives a decision within a reasonable and clearly stated
period of time, but not later than April 15. A student may apply to other colleges without
restriction.
US Rolling Admission
Rolling Admission is the application process in which an institution reviews applications as
they are completed and renders admissions decisions to students throughout the admission
cycle.
Wait List
Wait List is an admission decision option utilized by institutions to protect against shortfalls
in enrollment. Wait lists are sometimes made necessary because of the uncertainty of the
admission process, as students submit applications for admission to multiple institutions and
may receive several offers of admission. By placing a student on the wait list, an institution
does not initially offer or deny admission, but extends to a candidate the possibility of
admission in the future, before the institution’s admission cycle is concluded. It is rare for
the most competitive colleges and universities to take students from their wait list.
19
CEEB
College Entrance Examination Board
CEEB Number/High School Code: Six digits number used to identify high schools.
ACS CEEB is: 685100
FAFSA:
Free Application for Federal Student Aid form, required by all US colleges for US nationals
or green card holders; available on line.
GPA: Grade point average.
National Reply Date
May 1. The date by which students must notify colleges of their decisions.
Pell Grant
Federal grants awarded to US students with demonstrated financial need.
Perkins Loan
Low interest loan for US students with exceptional financial need. The loan is made through
the college financial aid office.
CSS Profile
Financial aid form required by colleges for institutional aid at US schools early in the fall..
SAT I:
nearly 4 hour reasoning test with critical reading (verbal), math and writing
sections. Each section is scored out of 800.
SAT II:
1 hour subject achievement tests.
Test Center Code
Five digits code used to identify CEEB test sites. ACS test center code is 54310. Register
early for this is where you want to be.
UCAS
Universities and Colleges Admissions Services. This is the central application system for all
UK universities. You can apply by paper or on-line. The College Counseling office has the
passwords and school codes.
OUAC
Ontario Universities’ Application Center. This is a must for all Ontario Canadian schools.
Can do on-line or by paper.
20
USING THE WEB
www.acs.edu.lb
www.succeed.naviance.com/acsbeirut
www.careercruising.com
Naviance- the web-base college planner
user name: guidance
password: ACS06
www.collegeboard.org
very important site for career, college search and SAT info; check out My College QuickStart, for a free
personalized tool.
www.princetonreview.com
For research on majors:
click on college tab at top
click on research
scroll down, click on search for a major,
there you can browse alphabetically or whatever.
www.ucas.com }
{
www.ucas.ac.uk }
Start with the Course Search.
For the UK, instructions will be given on how to actually apply online
www.ouac.on.ca
Ontario Universités’ Application Centre
www.finaid.org
Good place to start for financial aid
or
www.college-scholarships.com
www.cappex.com
Learn your chances of being admitted to almost all US schools.
www.lau.edu.lb
LAU website
www.aub.edu.lb
AUB’s web site
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MORE USEFUL COLLEGE WEB SITES
TO FIND COLLEGE HOME PAGES, TRY:
US College Search: www.uscollegesearch.org
See below for others
WANT TO SEARCH FOR THE PERFECT UNIVERSITY FOR YOU?
www.collegeboard.org —career, college search, plus SAT info
www.ucas.co.uk – extensive search information about UK universities
www.collegenet.com --database for college, scholarship searching
www.collegeview.com --general overview of college, email option for requesting more information
www.collegexpress.com --search by state, major, other factors, some virtual tours
www.petersons.com — Peterson’s Guide college data base
www.review.com --Princeton Review’s site
www.allaboutcollege.com –links to universities around the world
www.campustours.com –virtual tours, college search
www.gocollege.com
www.collegelink.com
www.cois.org
www.nacacnet.org/Memberportal/ForStudents/OnlineResources - Web resources for Students and
counselors
THINKING ABOUT UNIVERSITY IN THE UK?
www.ucas.com
www.ucas.com/studyuk
International Students
www.hotcourses.com
www.studyintheuk.org
www.uhi.ac.uk
Scottish Postsecondary System
http://fd.ucas.com
Information about foundation degrees (2 yr. programs in the UK)
THINKING ABOUT UNIVERSITY IN AUSTRALIA?
www.australiangraduate.com
www.australearn.org to find more about colleges in Australia and New Zealand
THINKING ABOUT CANADA?
www.studyincanada.com
www.ouac.on.ca - Ontario University Site
www.ocas.ca – Ontario College Site
http://highered.cois.org/CHEC/Canada.htm
www.novascotiaeducation.com/
This is a great Canadian province to study in.
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THINKING ABOUT NEWZEALAND?
www.mynzed.com
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS
www.studychoice.com
THINKING ABOUT LEBANON?
www.higher-edu.gov.lb
THESE ARE VERY HELPFUL
www.commonapp.org –apply online; lots of university information
WHICH JOBS?
www.resumagic.com/fastestgrowingjobs.html
www.occupationaloutlook-handbook.net/index.htm
WHAT’S YOUR MAJOR?
www.college.upenn.edu/curriculum/major_choosing.html –some factors to consider when
trying to decide a major
FINANCIAL AID
www.fastweb.com
www.finaid.org –excellent info and connections to other sites
www.freschinfo.com –scholarship information
www.dfee.gov.uk –site for department of education and employment for information
about financial arrangements at UK universities
www.fafsa.ed.gov –the main US financial aid application on line
www.iefc.org –Financial aid for international students
www.acuinfo.com –to register for the American colleges and university scholarship
opportunities
OTHER
www.chronicle.com –news about higher education issues
www.linkmag.com/news/CNEWS.html –links to online college newspapers
www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/corank.htm –US News and World Report rankings
www.yearoutgroup.org/organisations.htm –thorough list of organizations providing gap
year experiences
www.unitedstatesvisa.gov
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SUMMER PROGRAMS
www.summerfun.com
http://highered.cois.org/students/summersprograms.htm
Summer Programs
www.enrichmentalley.com
Summer Programs
http://www.wheretherebedragons.com
gap-year, summer programs
TESTING
www.collegeboard.org - for SAT question of the day: once on the College Board Web
Site go to the “For Students” section and click on Sat question
of the day.
www.kaplan.com
www.testprep.com
www.toefl.org
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TO VIEW SAT SCORES ONLINE
To view SAT scores online, a student must:
First create a free collegeboard.com account on the College Board
Web Site (www.collegeboard.org). This account is also used for
question of the day.
Then go to the “For Students” section and click on the “My
Organizer” tab (far right blue tab).
In the “Not a Member Yet?” box, the student should click on the
Sign Up tab and proceed with following the prompts for sign up.
It is very important that students set up their collegeboard account
with the same identification used on their SAT registrations. If
they do not use the same format in the spelling of their name, date of
birth and mailing address, it may prevent their SAT registration from
linking to the account and the students will not be able to view their
scores.
It is also important to remind students to establish only one
collegeboard.com account since their registration record can link
only to one account.
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ACS ADDRESSES
Mailing and Street Address:
AMERICAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL
AT BEIRUT
67 NIGERIA STREET, JAL AL BAHR
RAS BEIRUT – BEIRUT – 2035-8003
LEBANON
ACS TEL.:
01/374370
FAX:
01/366050
COLLEGE BOARD SCHOOL CODE: 685100
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Applying to the UK ??
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Let the college counselor know that you plan to apply to the UK
Typically, the 3 year programs are looking for students who have completed or will
complete the IB diploma
If you are not an IB diploma candidate, you may want to consider applying for a
foundation year
Go to www.ucas.com to create an account
Click on “register/apply for 2013”
Ask the college counselor for the BUZZWORD before you create your account. The
buzzword will connect your application to ACS so the college counselor can track
your application
Opening date for applications – October 15, 2012
If you are planning to apply for medicine, dentistry or veterinary science – the
deadline is October 15th
You may choose to submit your application to 5 universities
You must input your data, including your educational information on the UCAS form
The college counselor will write a reference letter (student must complete a brag
sheet) and input the predicted grades
Once you have completed the form and paid, you “send it” via UCAS to the college
counselor. The college counselor will review and send back to you if needed. If the
application is complete, the college counselor will submit
THE PERSONAL STATEMENT- This is an important component of the application. The
personal statement is your opportunity to sell yourself. You should include:
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Reasons for wanting the course
Your relevant experience
Evidence of your interest in this field
Evidence of your skills in this area
Other activities that show your dedication
CANADA??
 Copy of passport sent with application
 IB predicted grades are important for the admission process
 SAT’s should be sent if completing the ACP program
 An application number should be attached to your transcript-Apply early
 Ontario colleges- www.ouac.on.ca
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AMERICAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL
DISCLOSURE POLICY
At ACS we believe that students can develop in a safe environment. Discipline for
academic or behavior misconduct is normally seen as an internal matter.
However, as a member of the National Association for College Admission Counseling,
ACS adheres to their statement of Principles of Good Practice which states that members
should “report any significant change in a candidate’s academic status or qualifications,
including personal school conduct after recommendations and transcripts have been
submitted and until graduation.” This includes but is not restricted to, a major drop in
grades, honor violations such as plagiarism, probations, out of school suspensions and
dismissal.
Furthermore, since 2006-2007, the Common Application asks the student and the school to
report “if the applicant has ever been found responsible for a disciplinary violation at
school, whether related to academic misconduct or behavioral misconduct that resulted in
the applicant’s probation, suspension, dismissal or expulsion from the school?” ACS will
report out of school suspensions and incidences of academic dishonesty and will expect
students to also respond honestly to these questions when asked.
February 2012
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