nist college counseling newsletter for year 12 students march 29 2012
TRANSCRIPT
The Three-way College Conference 2
Long-List of universities on Naviance 3
What’s the deal with TOEFL/IELTS? 4
What’s the deal with SAT? 5
Visiting universities during summer 6
Education USA Fair on April 4th, 2012 7
Guidelines for registering for the SAT 8-10
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Newsletter
March 29, 2012
F O R Y E A R 1 2 S T U D E N T S
Mr. Joachim Ekstrom
(Mr. Kim)
Room 4203
Phone Extension: 353
Ms. Brita Nash
Room 4205
Phone Extension:
205
Mrs. Brenda Manfredi
Room 4204b
Phone Extension: 204
Meet the Counselors
Last Thursday of every month!
Family Names A-I Family Names J-R Family Names S-Z
The NIST College Counseling Newsletter provides extra
guidance for you. It will be sent to you on the last Thursday of every
month until you are done with your applications. Please read each
newsletter carefully, and save it in the “College/University” folder on
your tablet, so that you can find it easily, and go back to review im-
portant information, dates, and deadlines when needed. This news-
letter will also be sent to your parents and teachers.
Steps to College/University
This issue will remind you of what you need to do to get ready for
the Three-Way College Conference in April-May. Are you done
with your university research? Have a look at what a long-list of uni-
versities should look like on page 3. As summer is approaching, we
also share some hints and tips regarding university visits.
University Visits March 29 - April 26 11
Students need to have completed the following before they register
for the three-way college conference:
1. Do What You Are
2. Career Interest Profiler
3. UniQuest Assignment
4. Naviance Resume (only for students applying to US Universities)
5. University Questionnaire
6. Long List on Naviance: ―Universities I’m thinking about‖
The Three-way College Conference
At this meeting, please advise us if you intend to apply to UCAS by
15 October (Oxford OR Cambridge, medical/veterinary school) or via
Early Action or Decision by 1st of November (U.S.A.)
1. Register for the conference by sending an email to your counselor
with a few preferred days and times.
2. Make sure your parent(s) are really available at this time
3. Your counselor will then confirm your time by email
You and your parent(s) will meet with your counselor to discuss the
university research and application process. We will discuss what you
should have done by now, and what else you need to do to get ready
for the application process that begins early in Year 13.
April 18 - May 18
What should a long-list on Naviance look like?
This is an example of a good long-list on Naviance. It is ok for you to have 20-25 uni-
versities on here if you are applying to universities in North-America or around the
world. If you apply only to the UK, or only to Australia, your list would of course be
shorter.
If your long-list on Naviance still looks like this, you should be concerned. It might be
that you have saved the universities you are interested in on another list. If that is the
case, please move the universities over to Naviance. Please note that you will move the
universities from your long-list to your short-list on Naviane in the beginning of Year 13.
It is very important that you keep your universities on Naviance as your counselor will
send the supporting documents to your universities on this list (mostly online through
Naviance) when you have completed your applications in Year 13.
By August of Year 13, stu-
dents will have developed a
firm list of 6-9 schools to
which they are applying with
a range of Reach, Safety and
Star schools.
Students will apply to no
more than ten universities.
(Please note that the UK uni-
versities will count as one
choice, as will the University
of California campuses.)
What’s the deal with TOEFL/IELTS?
It is quite easy. You should take any of these tests if you don’t have a
passport from:
UK
USA
Canada
Australia
New Zealand
English A1/A2 is often not enough proof of English proficiency.
Many universities want to see a standardized test score.
Most students don’t need to prepare for these tests, and they most
often get very high scores (which looks good on your application).
Note: Some Asian nationalities need IELTS (not TOEFL) for their
Visa application to Australia.
Please remember to complete
the College/University Tours Survey on Naviance
What’s the deal with SAT?
Are you thinking of applying to Universities in the US, Thailand, Singa-
pore or Hong Kong?
Then you should take SAT Reasoning and probably SAT subject tests.
NIST is a registered SAT Test Center, and we have reserved spaces
for NIST students, but you need to follow the steps on page 8-9 care-
fully when you register for the tests to get access to the reserved
spaces.
At this point, we have 1 space for SAT Subject in May, but SAT Reason-
ing is full . We have 22 spaces available for SAT Reasoning in June, and
10 seats available for SAT Subject.
We recommend that you take the tests at NIST, as you are familiar
with this setting, but it is possible for you to take the tests at other
test centers in Bangkok as well.
Please view the outline on page 10 to see when you should take the SAT
tests.
Free workshop for NIST students
at Accademia Italiana
on 1st April 2012
from 9am. – 4pm.
See the last page for more information.
Visiting a college/university campus during the summer break is an invaluable experience:
it is a way to verify your assumptions about that school, city, region, or country; to ask impor-
tant questions; to let the school know of your interest to attend there; and, to try to get a
sense of your comfort level there. Don’t just drive around campus and look at the buildings
and trees. Here are some ideas of some activities that might help you get a feel for the
school:
Take a tour. Arrange this ahead of time. Remember that some tour guides are enthusiastic
and dynamic; others are not. Don’t use this as your only measure of the school.
Attend an information session if offered. This will provide you with a well-rounded founda-
tion for decisions and help to distinguish features of the school. It might also provide some
tips for admissions.
Eat a meal. It may not be the best cuisine, but you will get an idea of how you will survive if
you attend that school. Notice the ambiance—is it friendly, how much diversity do you see?
Stay overnight in the dorm if possible at your top choice schools. This will give you an oppor-
tunity to meet students and ask questions. Be sure to call well in advance to schedule this.
Attend a class or two. Choose to see one of the large lecture style classes and a smaller
seminar class if possible. Again, ask to set this up in advance. During the class, take note of
the level of involvement of the students in the class. See if you can determine if the profes-
sor is actively engaged with the students or just going through the motions.
Visit with students in the academic setting. If possible, meet some students enrolled in the
area of study in which you are interested. Ask about academic and extracurricular activities.
Arrange an interview with an admissions officer.
Read the university newspaper. Get an idea of what is going on around campus and the com-
munity. Search for controversial issues to discuss with students or faculty.
Check out the bulletin boards around campus. This will help to identify the activities that
are available in the area and may imply something about the student body in general.
Write down your impressions, especially if you are visiting more than one campus! The impres-
sions of one can easily get jumbled up with others. Pay attention to your ―gut‖ reaction. Take
note of things that strike you as interesting, positive or negative. How would you describe this
school to someone who had not had the chance to visit it?
Remember to dress appropriately as you may have the chance to meet an admissions counselor
while on campus. It is necessary to phone ahead to set up campus tours and interviews. Do
your homework! Read the college catalog and prepare questions for the interviewer and tour
guides. If you are interested in or will need financial aid, set an appointment with a financial
officer to find out what is available and what guidelines need to be followed.
Visiting universities during the summer break
Education USA Fair on April 4th, 2012 The Fair & Workshops will
provide students with op-
portunities to meet lead-
ing U.S. colleges
(Georgetown, Johns Hop-
kins, George Washington,
Ohio Wesleyan, St. Olaf,
etc), learn about scholar-
ships & financial aid, hear
U.S. alumni share their
university experiences,
understand the U.S. stu-
dent visa applications, and
tips for standardized
tests required by U.S.
universities.
The organizers of
the fair are inviting
Year 12 students
who would like to
help out at the fair. They are looking for two
students who could act as
translators (Thai-English)
and two students who
could take on Event Staff
roles.
If you are interested in
volunteering at the fair,
please contact Preeyawan
Sakornyen at the U.S.
Embassy on 02-205-4596.
Next NIST College Counseling Newsletter will be in your inbox on
Thursday April 26th
Have a great Song Kran Break!!
Kind regards, The Secondary Counselors
A guide for two important steps of the SAT registration on www.collegeboard.com
Although this is not a complete SAT registration guide, if you follow these steps carefully you will certainly be able to
sign up as a NIST student, get access to our reserved seats, and get the chance to write the SAT at NIST.
First, you need to make sure the system knows that you are a NIST student. This is done under the “Tell Us About Your
High School” (1) section of the registration. When you are asked for the name of your high school, press “Find your
School” (2).
When you press “Find your School” a new window will appear. Tick “Outside the United States” (3). Type in the NIST
High School Code (695270)(4) and press “Search for High School” (5). NIST will appear in the list below. Press “Select” (6).
2
3
6
5
4
1
The second important part is where you select the center at which you want to write the SAT. Press “Search by School
Name or Code” (7).
When you press “Search by School Name or Code” a new window will appear. Tick “Yes” (8), and type in the NIST TEST
Center Code (71108) (9). Press “Search for My Test Center” (10). NIST will appear on the list. Press “Select” (11).
Congratulations! You have completed the most important parts of your SAT registration. In this case it says that a seat is
available (12). If it says that the test is full, please contact Mr. Kim and he will try to help you sort it out.
7
9 8
10
11
12
When should I write the SAT and when should I register?
Registration deadlines are always about a month before the test date.
It is not possible to do any standby or late registrations at NIST.
October November
December
January
May
June
October November
December
January
May
June
Year 12
Year 13
May and June are ideal test dates to
write the SAT for the first time. Many
students do the SAT 1 in May, and
Subject Tests in June. You can use the
results to decide if you need to do a
SAT preparation course during the
summer holiday or early in Year 13.
October and November are test dates where many students apply strategies they
learned in the SAT preparation course and increase their scores. It is also a good time to
write SAT subject tests if they are required for your university applications. November is
the only test date that includes Language tests with Listening. December is the last
chance to write the SAT for most students applying to US colleges. Remember to
register during summer as this test date fills up quickly.
Take the PSAT at NIST in October. Many students
have already taken the PSAT in Year 11, and try to
improve their scores in Year 12. The results will show
where your strengths and weaknesses are. You can
also use the scores when you research universities on
Naviance. Contact your counselor for more
information on the PSAT.
Some students may take SAT
preparation courses during the first
semester of Year 12 and write the SAT
for the first time in December or
January.
January might be a possible test date for
some students applying to US universities (not
highly selective ones). It is also a possibility for
students applying to universities in Asia where
the application deadlines are later on in the
school year.
Name of University Date of Visit Location of Name of Universities Time of Visit
Universities Representative
Champman University Thursday, March 29 CA, USA Becky 14:30-15:30
La Salle University Thursday, March 29 PA, USA Bob 14:30-15:30
IDP Friday, March 23 Australia 10:00-11:35
University of New South Wales Monday, March 26 Australia Mr. Carl Leung 10:45-11:35
Champman University Thursday, March 29 CA Becky 14:30-15:30
La Salle University Thursday, March 29 PA, USA Bob 14:30-15:30
Miami University Friday, March 30 OR, USA Ann 10:45-11:35
University of Oregon Friday, March 30 OR, USA Robert 10:45-11:35
University of Leeds Firday, March 30 UK 10:45-11:35
Name of University Date of Visit Location of Name of Universities Time of Visit
Universities Representative
Johns Hopkins University Tuesday, April 3 USA Jessica 10:45-11:35
George Washington University Tuesday, April 3 USA Geogre 10:45-11:35
Murdoch University Tuesday, April 3 Australia Jenny 10:45-11:35
European University Tuesday, April 3 UK K. Promote 10:45-11:35
St. Olaf College Wednesday, April 4 USA 10:45-11:35
Northeastern University Wednesday, April 25 USA Darren 10:45-11:35
April 2012
March 2012
Visiting Universities - March 29 to April 26, 2012
Short Courses 2012
Today there is a highly ironic, very irreverent and at times conceptual movement that brings humor to serious mundane products whose goal is to make the task of everyday chores just a bit more fun. This renowned popular trend of transforming ordinary household product into objects of design began nearly twenty years ago when important design companies like “Alessi” realized that products need to go beyond consideration of form and function to become “objects of desire”. To achieve this end a product must create pleasurable emotional connections with the consumer through the joy of their use and the beauty of their form.Objects that are capable of evoking positive emotions and provocative feelings are designed based on the assumption that emotional needs must be satisfied just as much as practical ones, capturing a new optimism and appealing to the subconscious of the consumer.
Project description: