US University Applications

An overview of the application process for parents and students

Updated:17 September 2014

Agenda

▪ Education in the US/Liberal Arts

▪ Creating a list of schools

▪ Application process

▪ Timeline

▪ Testing

▪ The evaluation process

▪ Costs and financial aid

▪ Q&A

Reasons for considering the United States

▪ Flexible course of study (Major/minor, Liberal Arts, Undeclared)

▪ 4 years

▪ Numerous choices; high regard for IB programme

▪ Diverse student population

▪ Extracurricular opportunities and sense of community

▪ Financial aid (some)

College Options

1. College vs. University

2. Liberal Arts vs. Pre-professional

3. Public vs. private

4. Single-gender institutions

5. Schools with religious affiliation

Factors to consider when creating a list of schools

▪ Good fit (most important)

▪ Academics

▪ Size

▪ Location

▪ Climate

▪ Reputation

▪ Financial aid

A quick word on rankings

▪ When used correctly, they can be useful

▪ Treat with caution!

▪ Do you agree with the CRITERIA? Graduate Research & Professor Publication Data - US News and World Report

Employability/”ROI” – Forbes Rankings Undergraduate Experience – Colleges that Change Lives

College vs. University

College

▪ Offers only undergraduate programs

▪ Smaller classes

▪ Close faculty/student interactions

▪ Research/mentoring opportunities

University▪ Offers undergraduate and graduate

programs

▪ Larger lectures

▪ Facilities--generally more expansive

▪ Very competitive sports programs

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***THESE TERMS ARE OFTEN USED INTERCHANGEABLY***

Watch out for The College of William and Mary as well as Dartmouth College….they are universities!

IB Requirements for Entry

ARCHITECTURE Recommend HL Maths and HL Science

ART & DESIGN Portfolio usually required; Art or DT usually required

BUSINESS & COMMERCE No specific prerequisites; IB Business usually not required

ECONOMICS No specific prerequisites; IB Economics usually not required

ENGINEERING Recommend SL or HL Maths and 1 or more HL Sciences

SCIENCE Recommend HL Maths and 1 or more HL Science

LAW Not available as an Undergraduate option

ENGLISH LITERATURE Recommended IB English A: Literature

MEDICINE Not available as an Undergraduate option

PSYCHOLOGY No specific pre-requisites; IB Psychology usually not required

The Application Process: Six Steps

▪ Step 1: Self-Evaluation - Know Thyself………………Years 7 - ?

▪ Step 2: Researching Colleges/ Universities…….......Years 11, 12,13

▪ Step 3: Testing…………………………………………...Years 12, 13

▪ Step 4: Selecting Colleges/ Universities………..……Years 12,13

▪ Step 5: Applying………………..…………………….......Year 13

▪ Step 6: Results and decision……………………….......Winter/Spring Year 13 (or later)

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Timeline (abbreviated)Year 11

▪ Start doing research on colleges

▪ Work hard on IGCSEs

▪ Take the PSAT

Year 13

▪ Formalise college list

▪ Finalise Personal Statement/essays

▪ Work closely with counsellor and visiting reps

▪ Complete applications (Nov-Jan)

▪ Receive decisions – loosely conditional (Dec-April)

Year 12

▪ Work hard on IB Diploma

▪ Meet with counsellor to discuss process and options

▪ Plan out testing schedule (PSAT & SAT during Year 12)

▪ Meet with visiting reps

▪ Go on a college tour and visit the campuses

▪ Draft Personal Statement

▪ Work closely with Counsellor, develop preliminary list

Testing

▪ Most schools will want either SAT or ACT. Some will want Subject Tests.

▪ Some schools are “Test Optional.”

▪ It is a piece of the puzzle – certainly not THE determining factor.

▪ There are external providers who do an excellent job of helping students increase their test scores.

▪ IELTS (TOEFL) is required if proficiency in English is in question: dependent on difficulty and grades of English class. This is usually not a problem for Patana students but can be helpful.

Test Timing

▪ PSAT – PRACTICE SAT – No prep needed

▪ Plan out test prep/pick dates

▪ SAT – Administered by Collegeboard

▪ ACT – Administered by ACT.org

▪ Subject Tests – Administered by Collegeboard, only needed by some (most selective) schools

▪ Oct, Year 11 and Oct. Year 12 at BPS

▪ Summer/Fall Year 12

▪ Winter/Spring Year 12, Fall Year 13 at BPS

▪ Winter/Spring Year 12, Fall Year 13

▪ Spring Year 12, Fall Year 13 at BPS

Application plans/timing

▪ Early Decision (ED): a ‘Binding’ agreement to only one college

▪ Deadline usually November 1/15 (ED 2: Jan. 1/15)

▪ Not a good idea if ANY uncertainty or if Financial Aid is needed

▪ Early Action (EA): a ‘Non binding’ agreement

▪ Deadlines range from November 1st to December 1st

▪ Can be an advantage (Lehigh University: ED/EA 68% accepted; RD 35% accepted)

▪ Restricted EA/EA Single Choice:

▪ Nonbinding but may only choose one and may not apply to other binding programs

▪ Regular Decision: normal avenue for applying

▪ Deadlines vary from November (California) to March

▪ SHARE YOUR STORY.

▪ DESCRIBE A FAILURE AND LESSONS LEARNED.

▪ REFLECT ON A TIME WHEN YOU CHALLENGED A BELIEF

OR IDEA.

▪ DESCRIBE A PLACE WHERE YOU ARE PERFECTLY

CONTENT. WHY IS IT MEANINGFUL?

▪ DISCUSS AN ACCOMPLISHMENT OR EVENT THAT MARKED

YOUR TRANSITION FROM CHILDHOOD TO ADULTHOOD.

WHAT DO YOU WANT THE READER TO KNOW ABOUT YOU IN 250-650 WORDS (MAX)?

Personal Statement

What universities look for...

▪ Difficulty of curriculum (IB Diploma/Certificates)

▪ Four years of grades (transcripts)

▪ Test scores (SAT, ACT, Subject Tests, IELTS/TOEFL)

▪ Essay: self-awareness, independence, originality, thoughtfulness, honesty, passion, good fit

▪ 3rd Party Opinions: Letters of Recommendation

▪ Talents: academic, musical, athletic

▪ Ability to pay

How do Admissions Offices Evaluate Candidates?

Rating systems address:

Academic Qualifications (first and most important)

Extracurricular Strength Personal Qualities Overall

Institutional priorities

Costs and Financial Aid

▪ Collegeboard Data:

▪ “Moderate" budget for in-state public university averaged $21,447 USD

▪ “Moderate" budget for private university averaged $42,224 USD

▪ Merit-Based Aid vs. Need-Based Aid

▪ Need-Blind vs. Need-Aware

▪ Domestic student vs. International student

▪ Financial Aid adversely affects decision (except need-blind schools)

▪ Doug Thompson List for International Financial Aid (link here)

QUESTIONS?

THANK YOU!