Why Liberal Arts Colleges are the perfect lillypad for your next leap.

This week I read a blog from an international student who just completed her first year at a small liberal arts college.  She raved about her experience of being welcomed into her small college environment, her orientation where she felt welcomed, and her classroom experiences where her professors were on a first name basis.  She said   “they knew that our learning system may differ and they were very open to us asking questions. I was able to converse frequently and freely with my professors, and learn extensively through the process.”  These simple factors speak to the heart of my argument  that international students thrive at liberal arts colleges,  and that smaller liberal arts colleges provide a springboard towards great things, and in some cases, towards graduate degrees at the best universities in the world. Leapfrogging from small liberal arts college to "big name" graduate degree program is a common pathway, and one that should not be ignored.

So as our Class of 2017 begins building their long list of colleges, I would urge them to consider some of the following factors of why they should include liberal arts colleges on their  list.  A lot of these ideas can be explored at greater depth by reading  Loren Pope’s book Colleges That Change Lives.

1. The value of good undergraduate teaching:   I know that in the media and rankings we always hear about the big name universities, like the Ivy League and others, but it’s important to keep in mind the goals of those institutions.  They are primarily research institutions. Their professors are hired because of their published research, and their ability to be published again in the future. They are hired because they are people who are meant to be at the “top of their field”.  These top professors may indeed be leaders in their field, but by no means does this mean they are good teachers. Meanwhile, it is unlikely that these ‘top’ professors are going to be teaching the year 1 or year 2 undergraduate students, but instead, focusing their attention on their own research and  graduate level teaching.    

In contrast, liberal arts colleges often hire professors who are not only leaders in their field, but also enjoy teaching and being around undergraduate students. They hold office hours, study sessions, and often host students for dinners at their homes.  Why?  Because they honestly enjoy interacting with students.  I remember my first year seminar professor inviting us to his house behind the campus. He showed off his collection of Russian memorabilia and fed us pizza. In this simple gesture, he showed that he could be trusted, and I often went to him with concerns during my first year at college. He was a needed mentor during a year when I had lots of questions about my future, including “Do I belong here?”   

2. Size matters: If there is one single factor that will most likely impact your experience at university, it is the size of the student body.   I often have students say to me “I don’t want to be on a small campus, I’ll feel so confined, like everyone will know my business… I need a big urban school.”   It is then that  I play this game with all my students.   I say  “How many students are at UWCSEA East?” 

It is very rare that I have a student guess correctly.  We have roughly 2,600 students on our campus.  I then ask “Do you know all of them?”   Then I say, imagine that all of those students were living on campus, and try to imagine the scale of things;  we would likely take up this corner of Tampines.  You certainly wouldn’t know everyone and you would be at a place that might feel very comfortable in the fact that you can walk to class and know some people and not feel lost in the crowd.

In contrast, being at a larger university can be very different. Your introductory courses are generally quite large.  Would you be brave enough to ask a question in a lecture hall of 500?  Are you the type of learner who can sit back and take notes all day, or do you need to engage and discuss topics?  These are important questions to ask yourself.  

3. Urban vs. rural? This might not be as important as you think: Yes, a lot of liberal arts colleges are away from the cities. This is partly intentional. At college you are meant to think, write,  reflect, and LEARN!  This is hard to do when there are car horns blaring and a million distractions of a big city.  You will have your entire life to live in a bustling city… so living on a beautiful green campus can actually be a welcome opportunity.  Meanwhile,  when we speak to students at liberal art colleges that are “in the middle of nowhere” they often say that life is so busy on campus, they don’t really notice the location.  We also have students who opted for urban campuses who say the same thing.  One of my former students who went to  Fordham University (which is right next to Manhattan) said “I rarely leave campus. All my friends and activities are on campus, so why would I leave?”   

3. Writing matters:  When you are hired at your first job, the basic minimum requirement is that you will be able to think, write, and speak clearly.    Although this may be overly simplified, the idea is important.  No matter what happens with the world of technology, you will need to be able to transmit your ideas to others clearly, and whether that is via hologram or plain old email, you’ll need these skills. So why is this important?   Consider  yourself in that lecture hall of 500 people. The odds that you will be assessed in that course in an essay format is extremely low. It is most likely that you will sit a multiple choice test.  

Liberal arts colleges provide the format to really improve your writing skills. When you have a class with 22 people (much like your experience at UWCSEA) your professor will assign essays. He or she will mark your essays, provide feedback, and you will become a better writer. So when you’re ready to write your application to graduate school, or your Master’s thesis, you will have the core skills to do so.  

4. Big fish in a small pond:  Our UWCSEA students love being a part of something more than just academics. Our alumni go off to join clubs and societies of all sorts at university.  This is, in fact, a major reason that our students are so “desirable” in the admissions process, because the colleges know they will receive a great student but also someone who is actively engaged in life outside of the classroom.  At some universities the leadership roles in the clubs and societies are highly competitive and reserved for senior students. One of our alumni described the 3 month application process to gain membership in one university club.

The advantages of being a big fish at a small pond are many.  You can be the leader of a club, start a new society, or become involved in student government because it can be much easier to do so a at a smaller college than at a larger institution.  It is easier to stand out in the crowd when the crowd is 2,500 students and not 30,000!   This makes a difference when you are applying to graduate schools or ready to apply to your first job because you will have proven leadership skills.  

Finally, as we head into the summer holidays, my final piece of advice for the Class of 2017 is to go visit a campus!!!   I don’t care where it is….  Either here in Singapore or overseas.  Be an investigator and explore the campus, understand the size and scale, and try to see what the university values through the things that are emphasized.   You wouldn’t buy a house without checking out a few …. So don’t pick a university without going to see what one looks like!   Enjoy this time of exploration and “shopping”.  At this point, you’re the one who gets to pick the colleges that go on your list and if you’ve picked wisely… the universities will hopefully  pick you next year.  

Have a great summer!!  See you in August!   

Greetings from the UAC,

We hope everyone had a restful Spring Break!  

Over the last year, I've been thinking a lot about numbers, and wrote an article for The International Educator, a publication that goes out to international schools.

I hope you enjoy!  

Sincerely,

Robbie

My Love/Hate Relationship With Numbers

By Robbie Jefferiss

04/05/2016

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Numbers and I have a long-running love/hate relationship. Memories from trigonometry class make my palms sweat. Spreadsheets make my body temperature rise—and not in a good way! I walk quickly past our math department in constant fear that a student will stop me and ask for help with Algebra. But after years working in the world of college admissions, you can’t escape the inevitable impact of numbers when it comes to our students’ applications.

GPAs, SAT scores, Predicted IB grades, and many other objective tools for assessment are ever-present in our counseling offices. The numbers on transcripts are faceless and cold. How difficult it becomes as a counselor when your realize your favorite student’s chance at being admitted to his or her dream college may be dashed, based in part on not having the right numbers. Your favorite student. The one that you love to see walk into your office. The one who is honest, caring, insightful, and joyful. Yet you know that she may not make it past the second reader due to a number, or a combination of numbers.

Unfortunately, numbers don’t show a student’s starting point, or the growth that has occurred in the interim. They’re only a polaroid picture—a Saturday morning’s effort—and, in most cases, the end product of a very long equation that could fill a mathematician’s mile-wide chalkboard.

How much I wish that this number on the transcript could be “hyperlinked.” A simple double click would reveal videos of early morning study sessions in the library, or late nights at the kitchen table after the soccer game, unshowered, bologna sandwich in hand, doing Chemistry homework. Click again to see a pile of assignments, quizzes, and tests that took place to achieve that one, lonely, singular number on a page.

Can we boil down all these efforts so concisely? Can we quantify knowledge and student potential so easily? Can the counselor’s barrage of adjectives bring context to these numbers in a few short paragraphs? If only there were an adjective that could articulate the blood, sweat, and tears. And yes, there are tears!

This is why I don’t love numbers… but also why I’m thrilled to hear colleges talk about their holistic review process, particularly in the context of U.S. admissions. I love to hear admissions officers recite teacher comments and excerpts from my students’ essays. I love knowing that, yes, someone is reading these applications and, yes, my favorite student is more than a number in their eyes.

However, the other side of my brain does love numbers. Maybe it is the right side, the part that tries to bring order to uncertainty, the part that loves black and white. It’s the same part of my brain that is fond of the U.K. admissions process.

Here, on the university website, a cold, heartless minimum IB score is indicated, and perhaps the exact courses you need along with it. No long conversation or explanation will be necessary when a student is not accepted; they simply did not have the right numbers. Case closed.

Here, I envision a tweed-clad, grey-haired man at the gates of the university, stating in a dry Oxford accent, “You did not meet the conditions to your offer… now move along young lad.” Part of me thinks, “Thank you old chap,” for now there will be no guessing. No guessing as to whether or not an admissions officer found the essay fascinating. No wishful thinking to entertain the notion that the student’s volunteer work saving endangered snow leopards in Bhutan struck a chord with an admissions reader. Thank you old man. You saved me from writing long emails to unhappy parents wondering if they should have signed their child up for extra violin lessons or if they should have had more leadership on their resume. No, they simply didn’t meet the objective conditions.

I am under no illusions. I realize that my students’ most desired universities will not follow Bard College’s move to an essay-based application, or Goucher’s essay and two-minute video application. I also know that the SAT and ACT will not fold from lack of test takers.
The challenge lies in perfecting the dance an international counselor must do each year, along the fence separating multiple educational systems, always careful not to exclude certain countries, and not to “be too American” or “too British” in our wording or approach to families. Meanwhile, understanding that for many families, all of this is completely alien. It’s a fine line and a delicate balance.

Conversations in our offices are rarely short. “Are my SAT/IB/GPA numbers important?” a student asks. “Well, that depends,” we typically respond. “Please come in, take a seat, have some tea, and I’ll explain.”

It’s fair to say that numbers will remain a part of the equation for our students and for the counselling office for the foreseeable future. So each autumn, I will continue searching the thesaurus for adjectives that bring my students’ numbers to life. In the winter, I will subject my anxious pupils to an off-pitch rendition of Tom Petty’s classic tune, “The Waiting is the Hardest Part.” But most importantly, in the Spring, when decisions roll out, I will remember that my favorite student will remain joyful, honest, insightful, and happy—no matter where she goes to university, and no matter how you add up her numbers.

Robbie Jefferiss is University Advisor at United World College of South East Asia (UWCSEA) East Campus in Singapore.

Universities, Life, Journeys, and Roundabouts

Driving in the UK, it is very noticeable  that there is a lot of open space. There is flat land, and hilly land, and  there are wide roads, and narrow roads.  There are two - lane roads, motorways, back roads, side streets, one-way lanes that pretend to be two-lanes and there are many, many roundabouts.

As Pamela is driving we start a conversation about all the roundabouts and link the roundabouts to life in general, and university decisions and life outcomes, more specifically. 

Life is like a roundabout. 

There is always a new path and there is always a way to get back on your original path, if you so need to. There is also always a way to turn around and try a new path or turn around and go back to where you started. 

Students and families may think that there are only a few places (paths/roads) that will lead to the final destination : success and happiness. These few paths generally seem to be known as highly selective universities all around the world. These places are seen as short cuts or "sure cuts" to ensure life outcomes.

We are not saying do not apply to highly selective universities, we are not stating that highly selective universities do not lead to success; what we are trying to convey is : there are also other paths. 

We encourage families and students to explore those paths as well. Also explore the paths that are less travelled. 

It is important for students to recognise all the role models around them and recognise the people they respect. Students should investigate these individuals. They should ask their parents,  aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings, neighbours, grandparents, friends' parents about their life path.  

Some questions to consider:

Did you, oh someone I think is very successful, go to university?  

If not, here's a great place to begin to discuss what makes this role-model successful.

If yes, where did you, successful person, study for your undergraduate degree?

Did you pursue a masters? Where?

The places where these successful people work, did other equally successful individuals they work with attend the same institution? 

Are people in a student's life just as successful if they did not attend a famous institution? 

We would say, for the most part yes.

We say it over and over again, and Frank Bruni has written a whole book about it, Where you Go is Not Who You Will Be. It is not where you go that matters. It is what you do when you are there that really matters.

Travelling in the UK we met many of our former students attending very different institutions. All of them were very happy with their choices, even if it was not their first choice university. All of them were making the most of the opportunities afforded to them at their universities. All of them were creating avenues for success for themselves.

However, despite everything we say, if attending a highly selective institution is a life ambition, know there are many paths to get there:

• be accepted and attend as an undergraduate student 
• complete undergraduate studies somewhere else, do really well, apply to graduate programmes right after your undergraduate degree, at your dream university
  
• apply for PhDs or MBA programmes at dream universities after working for a little while
  

Anything is possible.  There are many paths.

Have many dreams and many first loves when it comes to university choices. 

There will be flat roads, and ups and downs on hilly roads. There will be times when you will be able to see for miles and miles ahead and there will be times when the path is unclear. There will be yet other times, you'll have to stop to let incoming traffic through.  There will be times when you do not see other cars coming your way and times when you just have to rest on the hard shoulder.  There will be times when you keep up with traffic, other times when you slow down, and yet other times when you overtake others.

Just remember there is more than just one path. 

Life in general is like a roundabout: you can keep going on the same path, try new paths, or turn back around. 

There are always possibilities, you have to be open to them to see them and explore them.

Running a Flawless Campaign

This week the entire nation of Singapore will take the day off and vote. This is simply awesome!  In this bustling hub of commerce, the nation will stop what they are doing  and head to the polls and vote.  This made me consider my days from the not so distant past, when I lived in Washington D.C., a city packed with lawyers, politicians, lobbyists, ambassadors, and journalists.  The buzz in “the district” was palpable and you couldn’t help but follow what was happening in Congress, at the White House, or the World Bank.  I was glued to CNN during the Obama election and watched from the Washington Monument when he was inaugurated.  How quickly I became infatuated with politics and the real guts it took to run for office. It’s not easy, and you really have to put yourself out on a limb and “stick your neck out”.   

It was during this time that I met a very wise College Counselor from the St. George’s School in Rhode Island, who told me his theory. He said for a student applying to college is like running for a political office.  Oh yeah, I thought,  Well I love politics… so this ought to be good.  

He kindly broke it down for me piece by piece.

The student is the candidate who needs to go out into the world and impress the voters. Each candidate should have their platform in which they are running on.  The platform may focus on a specific talent, an overall contribution you will make for the voters, or perhaps your academic prowess. Your platform may also include your unique background and skills.

The voters are the universities, and as we know, the voters often have different priorities and opinions. Do the voters value your commitment to service? Do they value very high academic scores? Do the voters really care about the arts or sports, or outdoor education pursuits? Do they care what type of roommate you will be?  

Will the voters see your candidacy as authentic? Can they see your real desire to get their vote, or is your candidacy a last minute decision made on December 31st (The application deadline).  Will the voters see a fit between your values and theirs?    

Ugh.. but these voters can really be very fickle changing their mind from year to year!  One year they want trombone playing scientists,  the next year they want a mathematician who can tap dance.   

Now of course, every candidate needs donors. You guessed it Mom and Dad, you are the donors!  The donors are a necessary part of every campaign whether you like it or not. The donors will often have influence towards which votes the candidate should go out and get, and how far and wide the net is cast.  The major risk is that the  donors have TOO MUCH influence on the candidate, and the voters can see it!  (ie. don’t let your dad write your college essay!)   The voters want independent candidates who can speak for themselves and express ideas freely, unhampered by their donors.  

Finally, every candidate needs a good campaign manager and that’s your University Advisor. Don’t worry about this part, you have some of the best in the business at UWCSEA!  The campaign manager is your biggest supporter, your biggest cheerleader, and your biggest advocate. They’ll spend the late nights helping you craft your platform and finding the voters that will love to hear your message!  The campaign manager will also have to be brutally honest with you sometimes. They’ll tell you when your platform is weak. They’ll tell you when you’re aiming towards the wrong voters and they’ll tell you when your messaging has gone astray. You may be tempted to fire your campaign manager after an early defeat in the primary elections; but stick with them and trust their judgement, they’re in it for the love, not the money.   

If you do this right you will take time to think about  your platform, and  REALLY think about the voters who share your values and interests. If you take the time to craft your message and listen to your campaign manager, your election will be flawless and you will have the most  amazing three (or four) years in office!    

Robbie Jefferiss

University Advisor

UWCSEA - East Campus

 

That 'Useless' Liberal Arts Degree Has Become Tech's Hottest Ticket - Forbes

As students start thinking about returning to school, we thought we'd share this article with you. Here's an excerpt:

Engineers may still command the biggest salaries, but at disruptive juggernauts such as Facebook and Uber, the war for talent has moved to nontechnical jobs, particularly sales and marketing. The more that audacious coders dream of changing the world, the more they need to fill their companies with social alchemists who can connect with customers–and make progress seem pleasant.

The New SAT Format

Here is a link to an article from the New York Times where the author shares his view of the new format of the SAT exam, which will be adopted as of May, 2016.   The current SAT format will be offered for the last time in January 2016.  The SAT is part of the university admissions process for many, but not all, US colleges and universities.

A preview of the new SAT format will be offered in the October 14, 2015 PSAT (Preliminary SAT) for Grade 10 and Grade 11 students who would like to experience the new format in a no-stakes environment.   The ACT is an alternative to the SAT which is viewed as equivalent by US colleges and universities.   More information about testing options in the US is available on the UAC website.
The Big Problem with the New SAT (NYTimes, May 4, 2015)

ACT or SAT? Take a Quiz to find out which test is best for you.

Greetings from the University Advising Center!

We hope everyone is having a great spring break.  Over the last few months we've had a lot of students asking us about which test to take, the ACT or SAT.  For those in the Class of 2016, it really is an option.   Our friends at Arborbridge, a test prep company have put together a quiz that can help you decide which test to take.

Meanwhile, if you are in the Class of 2017, we are recommending that students take the ACT. This is primarily because the SAT is changing in the spring of 2016 and there are still a lot of questions about how the "new" SAT will work; at the same time there is limited test prep material available for the new version.  If you want more information on why this recommendation is being made, this article highlights many of the reasons for taking the ACT if you are in the Class of 2017.

What to do with a Waitlist Offer?

It has been an exciting week for us in the UAC as our grade 12 students are receiving news back from universities around the world. Good news and bad, we've been pleased with the maturity and strength of character shown by our Grade 12 students.


In the U.S. some universities have waitlists, and this can be confusing to students. So we have put together a little guide to walk you through it.

I got Waitlisted….. Now what do I do?

What is a Waitlist?
Colleges and universities in the U.S. offer students a spot on their waitlist so that they have a pool of additional  students to admit if they have spaces available. Higher education institutions want to have the exact number of first-year students on campus and they use the waitlist to ensure they get that number.
This means you are an admissible candidate but they didn’t have room for you in the class.  The university will wait to see how many admitted students say YES to their offer by placing a deposit by May 1st.  If they don’t have enough deposited students, they go to the waitlist to fill spaces.
It’s usually starting around the 3rd week of April when colleges will try to predict if the number of deposits from admitted students are coming in on target and how many spaces they might have for students on the waiting list. Some colleges make offers of admission before May 1 while others wait until all deposits from admitted students have been received after May 1.

Stay ON or Off the Waitlist?  

OFF
If you are happy with your other university options and don’t want to be on a college’s waitlist,  it is best to respond right away  and say “No Thanks.”  This is a courtesy and lets the college know who is interested and who is not.  This frees up space on the waitlist for seriously interested students, some of which could be your classmates, so do the right thing and respond accordingly.

ON

If you do want to pursue the waitlist at a university, follow these steps: 

1.     Respond to whatever directive they’ve given you. You are not officially on a waitlist until you respond to the university.  This can be  responding to an email, or checking a box on their online portal, etc.   There is usually a time limit placed on this that states you must reply by a certain date to be on the waitlist.

2.     Email or meet with your Advisor to discuss your situation and think about what you might add to your application at this stage to show you’ve remained an engaged student at school and are keen to enroll at their university.  This type of follow up could include: 

-       A letter from you - (This is required and can be an email attachment, but should be done in a proper letter format addressed to our admissions representative - see your advisor if you need their details).  The letter should bring the admissions committee up to date on your academics and activities since you have applied being sure to include accomplishments, experiences, etc. Include a statement about your continued interest in the college; what do you continue to find compelling about their institution?  If it is the truth.. you can include a statement  that if you were offered a place at their university you would definitely enroll.  This can be a  key statement because they only move people from the waitlist who are keen to enroll. But don’t say this unless you mean it and you would, in fact, enroll. Because your word in this case is equivalent to a verbal agreement and promise. 
-       An additional letter of recommendation-  It is sometimes possible to include a letter of recommendation from someone new and different - someone you didn’t have write for you before. Maybe a G12 teacher who knows you well.  Speak to your University Advisor before approaching any teacher.
-       Another connection- If you or your family have a “connection” at a college that is your first choice  (alumnus,  friend of the family, relative) contact that person and explain your situation and ask for his/her  support.


3.     You need to show SIGNIFICANT, AUTHENTIC interest in a college to  get offered a spot from a waitlist.  Think about communicating with the college representative once a week in a meaningful way (not just to say “Hi”).

4.     Some colleges will make offers to students on the waitlist in late April.  Most will wait until after May 1.  You should therefore plan to place a deposit at one of your colleges by May 1st, be hopeful for your waitlist option, but be excited about the university you’ve deposited to. You may only deposit at ONE school; depositing at two schools is called “DOUBLE DEPOSITING” and is considered a violation of the rules.

Waitlist movement? 
Waitlists are hard to predict. They vary from year to year.  Some colleges last year only took 2 or 3 international students off their waitlist.  Other places may take 20 or more.  It depends on their number of deposited students.  

Coordination
It is important that you are in contact with your University Advisor in this process so efforts are not duplicated and that we are “in the loop” with your efforts.  Please CC us on all emails to the university and check in with us about your status.  

East University Advisor Joan Liu's article in NACAC Bulletin

Our very own Joan Liu was featured this month in the National Association for College Admissions Counselling (NACAC) Bulletin.  NACAC is the largest professional organization of college counselors in the world and its readership exceeds 13,000.  Joan's excellent article shows a deep understanding of how international students approach the US college admissions process. Great Work Joan!  

Eight Tips for Counseling International Students at US High Schools by Joan Liu, University Advisor at United World College of South East Asia, East campus and OACAC Vice President for Inclusion, Access and Success. 

The IB is temporary, but what UWC leaves you with is forever : Amu's Reflections on UWC and University

"I'm in a state of relative calm right now as I write this as my toughest exams of my first semester at university are behind me. I have just one left (beginner level Kiswahili) and then I'm off to sunny, beautiful South Africa for Christmas break. Shoutout to everyone reading this - I miss UWC and Singapore so much! I digress. The first semester of university has been similar to my first one ever at UWC - a massive jumble of trying to figure things out. Where classes are, where is it cheap to eat; how little homework can I get away with doing and still keep a solid GPA (they do GPAs in America!) ... I came to uni with this in mind: before anything else - I'm going to have a fun first semester. Putting that in the front of my mind meant I was not killing myself trying to do every piece of reading, going to every extra credit lesson, sleeping at 2am every night and passing up getting to know new people. Deciding from the get-go to seek balance made it come a lot easier than it did when I was in the tumultuous beast we lovingly refer to as the IB. Don't get me wrong - I have been working hard - haha! It hasn't all been meeting new people and seeing new places. In terms of academics, I'm so thankful for the intense training of IB. Three papers, a presentation and two midterm exams in five days? Is that all? Are you sure? No problem! My time at UWC has taught me invaluable time management skills. Most importantly - don't multitask! Do one thing at a time, focus and do it well. Then pick up the next thing and repeat. Shout out to Mr O'Connor for that life lesson.

My favourite thing about uni is the total control I have over my time. No more curfews! Woohoo! Time in between classes is in abundance and so there really is no excuse for unproductivity. Plus, there is plenty more time to do things that interest you, as well. Uni classes are like a buffet - so many different options. So, everybody's academic experience is really different. A lot of my courses this semester were to do with development, trade and humanitarianism and they overlapped well, which I suggest. Next semester, I've set up a completely different set-up with a focus on creative writing. How cool is that?!

One of my greatest frustrations was being in class with many people who have not experienced cultures other than their own and take offense when you bring up a different perspective rather than respect and think about it. I think coming from a UWC inevitably places that curse on us. But if I had to pick a curse, it would be this one! My suggestion? Patience. I have had to keep reminding myself how privileged I am to have gone to a school as phenomenal as UWC and that it is unfair of me to hold it against others that they have not had the same privilege.

There's so much more to write but I could go on for days!

My overall advice to you all as you decide what university you're going to, is to think with your heart. Gather all you can about what it will feel like to live there and be a part of that community. Prioritise what's important to you: diversity? a particular range of courses? the opportunity to study abroad? extracurriculars? and go to a university that fits that rather than one with a fancy reputation. You need to be happy, or else everything will suck. For four years. That's 48 months.

Have a great rest of your year and soak it all in - you are in one of the most magical places in the universe. Every time I (or any of the other UWCers here) explain what UWC is, the usual reaction is, "What?! That is the coolest thing I've ever heard! I'm so jealous!" 

The IB is temporary, but what UWC leaves you with is forever.

"All I know is in retrospect.." Jamie looks back and discusses life at Yale - NUS

Jamie Buitelaar on Life at Yale - NUS

It's been - what, eleven months? - since I sent in my application, ten since I was accepted, and two since I moved in to college. 

Frankly, I have no idea how to respond to this information, now that it's laid out in front of me. All I know is in retrospect, the process seems incredibly short - applying, getting in, getting to know other admits, moving in, starting college life...this all seems to have happened over the course of about a week.

Now that I'm actually studying, there are other things to think about. How do you explain a parallax angle in a single, uncomplicated sentence? Should I sign up for ballroom or bhangra? What would Confucius' fanboy Xunzi say to Socrates if he came over for tea? 

And yes, that last one was actually a real assignment.

The readjustment has happened and while I am still in close contact with old friends, I am also having heaps of fun with the new environment I'm in. 

As someone who applied to all of one university, I can't say whether I ultimately "chose" the right school out of my offers. What I do know is that I'm in the right place - or, at least, the place that seemed like home three weeks in. 

To close, let me be cheesy and thank, with utter sincerity, the East UAC, because I would NEVER have gotten here without them. To the teachers who wrote my recommendations - woah, you guys must've really worked some word-magic. Either way, thank you so much, to UWCSEA, for not only supporting me while I was on campus, but helping ensure I was taken care of afterwards as well. 

I'm out of cheese - see you guys later! For those of you starting the applications process (early action/decision people, hats off to you), best of luck, and please don't worry - the other side is 100% worth it.

How Can Parents Best Support Their Child Through The University Application Process? - Dr Mallika Ramdas

Our Guest Blogger is Dr Mallika Ramdas, Head of University Advising, UWCSEA Dover Campus.  Mallika looks at the role of parents in the University Application Process.

How Can Parents Best Support Their Child Through The University Application Process?

The answer to this question is actually quite a simple one: by letting their child be in the driver's seat of the exploration and decision-making process, by respecting their child's choices, and by engaging in honest and mutually respectful conversations about any constraints (such as financial ones) that may limit the young person's range of options. Happily, universities around the world now offer a wide selection of courses or educational models (single subject, combination courses, liberal arts and sciences, and other variants) to enable students who do have cost, climate, family proximity, or other considerations to find options that would be a good fit for them. 

Most importantly, we believe that parents should be 'a cheer squad, not a nag squad,' in their child's university application process, to quote renowned adolescent expert, Michael Carr-Gregg.  Celebrate your child's aptitudes, abilities, and passions; understand your child's cultural and social preferences and values, or help him or her to explore what those may be; and allow these to shape your child's university selection process.  Sadly, too many young people are made to feel that they simply don't match up to their parents' very high expectations, or even worse, to some external (and often highly questionable) measure of success - the name and fame or ranking of the universities they get into. 

On this note, you may be interested to read a hard-hitting but powerful blog post written by a former ivy-league US university admissions officer and mother, titled 'Parents: let Harvard go.' 

We would also encourage you to read a thought-provoking article written by our very own colleague, Johanna Fishbein, in the forthcoming edition of the College magazineDunia, titled 'Don't Take it Personally: Thought on the Holistic Admissions Process.'

Happy reading, and enjoy supporting your children as they begin the journey towards life beyond school - they're counting on it.

The IB is your Passport to a World of University options- How to choose? Article by Robbie Jefferiss

Here is a quick article I wrote that will be published later this year in the IB magazine for students. It is a quick guide to searching for a university in the global context and may be useful to our grade 11 students just beginning their research. 

Enjoy, 

Robbie 

If you’re an IB student, you made the right choice. The long hours of work spent on your internal assessments, extended essay, and all the other parts of the IB Diploma are going to pay off.  You will have a passport to a university virtually anywhere in the world.  After two years of the IB program, academically, you’ll be ready for anything they throw at you.   

As the number of IB Diploma Program graduates has grown, so has the number of universities around the world that are eager to enroll IB students.  Why?  Well, research has proven that IB students are simply better prepared for the demands of university level work. Completing an Extended Essay, juggling CAS activities, and studying topics in depth is exactly the types of things you’ll be doing when you’re in university.

Yes you’re prepared, but how will you decide where or what to study at university?  It’s a tough decision, but here are a few tips on how to start your search and find the university that is the best for you….

Know Thyself. 

The students who are most successful when it comes to finding and applying to university are the ones who know what they are looking for- obvious right?   Well, not always. Ask yourself a few of these questions.  What do you value?   Do you value service learning? Sports?  Rigorous academic debates?  Study/Life balance? Social justice?  Music and the Arts? When you’re researching universities you can ask the question, “Does this university value the same things that I do?”  If they do, your application will be music to their ears, because you are seeking the same thing that their university provides.  Like many university advisors have said in the past “finding a university is a match to be made not a prize to be won.” 

Think about the IB subjects you’ve loved and why

There are virtually thousands of topics you can study at university and it’s easy to get overwhelmed when looking at university brochures.  As a starting point, consider why you chose the IB courses you picked. What projects have you enjoyed the most? Was it the marketing project in your IB Business course?  Your Biology dissection lab? Creating your Visual Art portfolio?  What topic did you write your extended essay on and why? All of these things may translate into a possible university course.  If you’re still undecided… that’s OK. More on that next…

Know the system you’re applying to 

Asia, Australia, Scotland, USA, Canada, Europe…  there are so many possibilities when you are an IB Diploma graduate!  However, their systems vary greatly, not only in how they deliver higher education but in how they accept their students.  Let’s take the UK for example. Most UK universities will ask you to pick a course of study, and once you are there, it is likely you will specialize in this subject from day one.  So if you’re the type of student who has known you wanted to be an architect since the day you picked up your first LEGO set, then this might be a good fit.  If you’re undecided on what you might like to study, the U.S. might be the best fit as you generally won’t be asked to pick a “major” subject until your second year, instead focusing on a broad general education, for which, as an IB student, you are already well prepared. Meanwhile, many universities in Asia, Scotland, and Canada, will allow the flexibility to choose a general area to start (Arts or Sciences) and then specialize later on.  Do your homework and investigate the universities and how each program will work, the courses you’ll take, and how you will be assessed in those courses. 

Find out from the admissions offices at those universities you are interested in how you’re evaluated against other candidates. Is it purely on your IB results or IB predictions? Or is it a more “holistic” process, which will include essays and references as part of the applications?  To what extent do the universities want to hear about your extra-curricular activities?

Think carefully about Money. 

It’s a reality that in most parts of the world, Higher Education is expensive. Even if you’re applying to universities in countries where tuition for higher education is free (yes, these countries exist, even if you’re not a national in that country.) you still need to consider living costs and other fees.  Find time when you can have a serious chat with whomever is going to help you finance your university to discuss how you will fund your education. It’s not an easy conversation, but the sooner you have it, the better.  There is nothing worse than having a student get accepted to universities, only to find out later on that it is not financially possible to attend.  If you are going to need financial aid, start the research on this as early as possible.

Don’t get wrapped up in rankings or league tables

Rankings can be very deceiving. Especially when trying to rank universities in different parts of the world. Often times theses rankings are based on the quality and quantity of the research conducted at the university, which is usually conducted at the Master’s or PhD level by top professors whom you might not see much of and doesn’t necessarily translate into good learning experience for first and second year students. If you’re going to use rankings, look for ones that are ranking the best undergraduate teaching, highest student satisfaction, or highest graduation rates; these measures will have a greater significance for you. Meanwhile, you should look at all rankings with some skepticism because (Warning! TOK question coming up).  “To what extent can we truly measure student happiness at university?”

Admissions standards are not a reflection of the overall quality 

If you research a university that has a threshold of 25 points for entry, this doesn’t mean the university is substandard; it may mean that they respect the demands of the IB program and the strength of its graduates.  In fact, some universities in the UK have lowered their IB requirements knowing that IB students are very well prepared.   In some systems, they flip the process. It might be very easy to get in, but you have to 'prove yourself' once you arrive. It's easy to get in, but it's harder to stay. 

Meanwhile, a university that only accepts 10% of its applicants (like the Ivy League universities in the U.S) should not be considered "better" in terms of the quality of program because it is harder to get in- it's simply a matter of numbers and popularity.  There are universities who accept 40-60% of their applicants offering the same high quality of academic program.  

The Big Picture

My students often mock me because I use this expression WAY to much, “Let’s look at the big picture.”   The big picture is that in 3-5 years you want to come out of university and hopefully find a job. You might want to make lots of money, you might want to help others, or you might want to save the world from environmental collapse.  That part is up to you.  The question is what are employers looking for? They want someone who can communicate clearly in writing and in oral presentations, solve problems, work as part of a team, plan, organize and prioritize?  Any of these sound familiar?  Yes, you’re already doing most of them as an IB student right now.  So keep up the good work, keep building these skills, and the rest will take care of itself.