COLLEGE INFORMATION
WORKSHOP
January 21, 2015
Today’s Agenda
• Introduction
• General Information – What to think about
when choosing a University
• Regional Information
– US/Canada
– Latin America
– Europe/UK
• Specifics – Who? What? Where? When? How?
• Q&A
Next Step Options
•
•
•
•
University program
Gap year
Work
Military service
What Universities Look For
•
•
•
•
•
Strong academic program
Academic performance
Well-rounded individual
Strong sense of self/purpose/goals
Someone who fits with their university
community
• International students or students with
international backgrounds
Myths and Realities
• You do NOT need to decide on your career
before you choose a college.
• There are excellent colleges you have NOT
heard of.
• You should NOT necessarily go to the most
prestigious college to which you are admitted.
• The quality of the academic program in which
you’re interested may NOT be the most
important characteristic when choosing a
college.
Finding a Fit
What does the “Right” Fit feel like?
STUDENTS
• What is the right fit?
• How do I know what fits
and what doesn’t?
• What factors should I
consider when trying to find
the right fit?
Specific Factors to Consider
When Trying to Find a Fit
• Size and enrollment
• Location
• Academic programs
• Cost/Affordability
• Campus Life
• Residential Life
• Personal Factors
Size and Enrollment
• Small, medium, or large
• Undergraduate or graduate focus
• Diversity - Geographic, socioeconomic, ethnic,
religious, gender, international students
• Retention – do the students come back year
after year?
Location
• Distance from home
• Geographic Setting
– Urban, rural, suburban
• Climate
• Transportation – within
and to home
• Family/friends nearby
Academic Programs
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Do they have my course of study/major?
Am I interested in the classes/modules?
Quality and accessibility of facilities
Honors/special programs
Faculty – Teaching or research focus
– Availability, Advising, Credentials
Average class size and largest intro class
Hands-on learning, small seminars & community
engagement, or lectures
Nurturing or Competitive Environment
Internships/Placement/Work experience
Cost/Affordability
• Cost – tuition, fees,
room and board,
travel, miscellaneous
expenses
• Cost of Living
• Financial Assistance loans, grants, public,
private, college
• Scholarships
Campus Life
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Athletics – what types?
Student government
Theater, Music, Arts
Service
Social scene
Clubs
Study Abroad
Security
Sense of Community
Residential Life
• Is it a residential campus or do students commute to
and from campus?
• What percentage of students live on campus?
• Do 2nd, 3rd, 4th year students live on campus?
• Am I required to live on campus?
• How are roommates chosen?
• Food – cafeteria/own kitchen?
• Co-ed/single sex
College Research is about
Finding a Right School for You
• Finding a university is like shopping for a car or
buying a house
• There is more than one perfect college
• Build a list by trying to identify schools that will help
you personally – where you will be comfortable but
yet feel stretched
• Be open to new ideas and possibilities
Studying in North America
Higher Education in North America
United States (> 3000)
• 2-year Community Colleges/Junior Colleges
• 4-year Public Universities and Colleges
• 4-Year Private Universites and Colleges (independent,
religious affiliations, gender, ethnicity, other)
Canada (>100)
• Both 2-year (college) and 4-year (university)
• Majority are government funded
Characteristics of a
North American Education
• 4-year undergraduate Bachelor’s degree
• Additional degree programs may require 5-6 years
(e.g., architecture)
• General education requirements – first year of study
• Selection of ”major” does not need to be declared
until the 2nd year of study. Can change major
• Options:
– changing universities with transfer of credits
– double major
– minor
Admission Considerations
U.S. and Canada
• High School Academic Performance
•
•
•
•
•
Rigor of courses taken
GPA
Specific courses taken
Transcripts (sent three times in application process)
Final Evaluation
Admission Considerations
U.S. and Canada
• ISP Diploma – Accredited by AdvancED in U.S.
• IB Diploma
– Not generally needed for admission
– May confer advanced standing (sophomore level)
– Can obtain college credit depending on IB exam
scores
– Can eliminate the need to take certain 1st year
courses
Admission Considerations – U.S.
• College Admissions Tests – SAT, SAT Subject tests,
ACT and Test-optional schools
• TOEFL test or equivalent for English compentency
• Personal essays
• Letters of recommendation
• Talents – (e.g., athletic, artistic)
• Extracurricular activities
• Work experience
• Disciplinary actions
• Demographic considerations (e.g, gender, race,
citizenship)
U.S. Applications
• Admissions – Early decison/early
action, Regular admission, rolling
admissions, deferred, waitlisted
• Every university has its own
application, process, requirements
and deadlines
• Need to research individual
universities to determine application
process
Canadian Applications
• Each university has its own application
requirements (except Ontario)
• Application process is straightforward
• Most important factor for admission: Academic
performance
• Students generally apply to a specific program
• Deadlines vary but tend to be later than in the
U.S.
Latin America and Mexico
• Generally requires 4-5 years for Bachelor’s degree
depending on the field of study
• Some countries have special entrance exams (e.g.,
Chile, Ecuador, Mexico). Similar to SAT/ACT exams.
• Some have language proficiency exams (e.g., Brazil,
Argentina)
• Both public and private universities & institutions exist.
Costs vary. What you can study varies depending on
the institution.
• Admission requirements vary. Check individual
university. Applications are not centralized.
Panamá
• Public and Private
Universities
• Students need to have
received the Panamanian
Diploma to be eligible for
admission
• Some majors require
entrance exams (e.g.,
medicine)
• Admission decisions are
based on exam
performance and HS
academic performance
Panamá
• Florida State University & University of Louisville
• Can complete full Bachelor’s in Panama or do 2+2
program – final 2 years in US (at reduced tuition
rate)
• Admission requirements are less stringent than
FSU in the US
• Cost effective. General education requirements
completed in Panama
• Numerous degrees (above and beyond Business)
Studying in the UK andEurope
Higher Education in UK
• More than 100 universities
• Other colleges and
institutions offering
undergraduate courses
• Independent, self-governing
bodies
• Students apply through
UCAS website
• October 15th deadline for
certain programs (i.e.
Cambridge and Oxford,
medicine, dentistry, and vet
science)
Characteristics of a
UK/European Education
• Normally three years for a Bachelor degree
• Students select a particular course when they apply
• Students normally stay at the same university for the
whole degree program
• Most universities require the IB Diploma
Admission Considerations – UK
• Students receive a ’conditional offer’ from the university
which normally includes both overall IB score and specific
IB scores in individual subjects
• The university websites / UCAS give an indication of the
likely offers for each university and course – but these
are only guidelines for applicants
• It is important to check the specific requirements for
individual courses/majors regarding which subjects are
needed and likely IB scores which will be required
Admission Considerations
UK/Europe
• IB Diploma points (e.g. a total of 32 points)
• Specific subject requirements (e.g. including a 6 in
Chemistry at Higher Level)
• English language requirement e.g., TOEFL test, IB
English
• Specific entry tests (e.g. BMAT or UKCAT for
medicine)
• Vary from course to course and university to
university – do your research!
Admission Considerations in other
European Countries
• The application process
varies from country to
country, and university to
university
• Check individual websites
for specific admission
requirements, exams,
language proficiencies
• Check the IB website for
information about IB
acceptance in different
countries
North American-Style Universities
in Europe
• Increasing number of US-style Universities
• Have US accreditation from parent university or
government recognition in host country
• Goal – educating students to be globally minded
and appreciate interdependence
• Liberal arts/science curriculum. Majors in
business, economics, engineering, sciences,
humanities
• Requirements for admission – vary with the
university
Who? What? Where? When? How?
The Specifics
Role of the Student
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
This is your process to lead and manage.
Maintain good grades. Study for exams.
Be active in extracurricular activities. Stay balanced.
Research colleges. Identify choices based on interests,
abilities, and goals.
Write college essays/personal statement.
Ask 2 teachers for letters of recommendation.
Complete the applications. Make sure you know what
each university requires including supplemental
material. Be aware of deadlines.
Remember academic performance is critical.
Where to find Information
•
•
•
•
•
•
Use multiple sources
General University Search websites
University websites
Mr. Scoggin and Ms. Kuziel
Reference material in the ISP library
Parents, teachers, family friends, individuals who
are working in careers of interest
• Open house days, college fairs, college visits
• Former students who have gone, or are going to a
university
General Search Sites
•
•
•
•
US – www.petersons.com
Canada – www.aucc.ca
UK – www.ucas.com/students
Worldwide – www.braintrack.com -13,000
schools in 190 countries
• IB – www.ibo.org Will provide information on
other countries and IB diploma recognition
Sign up for these exams!
College Entrance Examinations
• ACT – American College Test
www.act.org
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
View “Test Dates in Other Countries”
Dates: April 18 (Deadline March 13) & June 13 (Deadline May 8)
Take “ACT plus Writing” option
ISP is a test center! ISP Center Code: 870200 (tells them where you
want to take the test)
High School Code: 882570 (tells them you are an ISP student)
Content: Mathematics, Reading, Science & Writing
Duration: 3 ½ hours
Cost: $80.50
College Entrance Examinations
• SAT – Scholastic Assessment Test
• View “International Test Dates”
• Upcoming Dates:
– May 2 (Deadline April 6) & June 6 (Deadline May 8)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
ISP CEEB Code: 882570 (this tells them you are an ISP student)
ISP is a testing center! Test Center Code – 91650
Duration: 4 ½ hours
Content: Critical Reading, SAT Writing, SAT Mathematics
Possible score: 800 in each section
Cost: $81
SAT Subject Tests - offer you an additional opportunity to show
colleges what you know and what you know you can do (i.e,
Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, Literature)
• www.collegeboard.org
TOEFL
Test of English as a Foreign Language
• Test Combines the following four skills:
– Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing
•
•
•
•
•
•
Test administered via the Internet (iBT)
Location: area Panama universities
Strongly encouraged to take TOEFL now!
Score: Four scaled scores
Duration: 4 ½ hours
Current 2015 Test Dates –January 24, January 31, February
28, March 7, March 21, April 25, May 2, May 23, June 6
• Cost: $165.
• www.ets.org/toefl
SAT and ACT
Which one should I take?
• Two very different tests but with the same
purpose – to provide an estimate of first-year
college academic performance.
• Both exams are accepted by universities for
admissions.
• Colleges use standardized tests in a variety of
ways, and it varies from school to school.
• More than 800 schools in the U.S. are test
optional. www.fairtest.org
ACT → content based
•
•
•
•
ACT assesses what students should
already know by measuring what a
student has learned in school. (More
like an achievement test)
Test Format: English, Mathematics,
Reading, Science Reasoning, and
(optional) Writing Test.
Scoring: No scoring penalty. Format
encourages guessing.
ACT Writing Test – in some cases acts
as a substitute for SAT Subject Test
requirement.
SAT → problem solving
•
•
•
•
SAT attempts to measure critical
thinking ability, particularly in the
area of problem solving, as well as
test-taking skills. (More like an
aptitude test).
Test format: Critical Reading, Writing,
and Mathematics – equally weighted.
Scoring: Scoring is adjusted for
incorrect responses (1/4 credit).
SAT Subject Tests: hour-long,
content-based tests that allow you to
showcase achievement in specific
subject areas where you excel.
Our Advice: Take BOTH tests!
Class of 2016 College Planning Schedule
• To do:
 11th Grade Parent Coffee (done!)
 Sign up for the TOEFL, ACT (April 18 and June 13) and SAT
(May 2 and June 6)
Look for upcoming university visits and attend them
Meet with your school counselor at ISP
Develop a list of college and university choices
Ask your current 11th grade teachers for recommendations in
May
Use your summer wisely!
If applying to the U.S., get started on your college applications
Brainstorm your application essays /personal statements (several
drafts = high quality)
Review and fine tune your college list. Continue your research.
When traveling, visit a college or university!
Role of the Parent
• Support your son or daughter.
• Offer suggestions and ideas. Ask questions.
Offer things to think about.
• Help your son or daughter be organized.
• Remember that it’s your child who is going to
college, not you.
• Stay balanced. Enjoy time together.
• Remember that there are many ”fits”
for your son/daughter.
Role of the ISP Counseling Office
• Provide individual sessions with students and/or
parents to discuss college plans
• Help student research colleges, prepare applications,
write statements/essays
• Coordinate the UCAS/UK application process. Prepare
school reference
• Submit all non-online applications
• Submit all paperwork required by universities –
transcripts, predicted grades, letters of
recommendation, etc.
ISP High School Counselors
• Nina Kuziel (A-K) akuziel@isp.edu.pa
• Sam Scoggin (L-Z) wscoggin@isp.edu.pa
• Naviance Family Connection
http://connection.naviance.com/isop
(students will receive password)