The Importance of Attending University Visits

Living and studying in Singapore have many advantages; to begin with we’re part of a very  multi-cultural community.  Singapore is also a modern, clean, and safe country.  The travel opportunities around Asia and the chances to volunteer in different countries in this region all add to the positives of living in Singapore.  However, for those interested in pursuing degrees in North America or Europe, the disadvantage is that we are very far away for students and their families visit to university campuses.  We believe that visiting different universities is an extremely valuable way for students to identify a place that will be a good fit for them.  Walking around campus, meeting current students and sitting in on classes is a great way to get a feel for a particular place.  However, in the absence of an actual visit, another important element of a student’s research and skill-building is the opportunity to meet university representatives who visit UWCSEA East.

It is a testament to the reputation of UWCSEA that even without a graduating class this year, we have been very lucky to have so many university representatives walk through our doors. Representatives have met with students and presented about the university system in their country, how universities make admissions and financial aid decisions, and what is appealing and unique about particular colleges and universities.

Last week we wrote about networking online and this week we are extending that thought.  We encourage Grade 11 students to meet and network with university representatives.  These professionals are looking to generate interest in their institutions.  They come with brochures and business cards, and many welcome student contact after the visit.  We expect that the visitors this year will return next year and several will offer interviews to potential applicants.   Attending presentations by university representatives can give students valuable practice in meeting and interacting with admissions professionals.

While attending the presentations by university representatives, students should be developing a  list of important factors in their ideal university.   We want them to consider their interests, expectations and future plans and how those match with what is on offer at various universities.   It’s important for them to find a place that offers the courses and activities that they would like to pursue.  Location and setting may have an impact; weather may be another factor to consider.  Students should ask representatives, therefore, questions about what student life is like in the broadest sense, and find information about the services and support offered to international students, opportunities for internships and work experience, and prospects for graduate school and employment.

With this in mind, here are some questions students can ask at the next university visit:

• How large are the freshman classes?   How easy is it to get to know professors?
• Are these research opportunities for undergraduates?  What are the most popular majors?
• What type of housing is available?   Are the residence halls co-ed?  What are gender-neutral bathrooms?
• Is it mandatory to sign up for a meal plan?   Are there options for those with food allergies or other dietary restrictions?
• What is the university best known for?  What percentage of the student population/teaching faculty is international?  What kind of advising system is in place?  Where do graduates go after they leave?

Universities differ not only in size and location, but also in political leanings and global orientation.  It is important to dig beneath the surface of glossy brochures and get a sense of what the experience of attending a particular university would be.  When students listen attentively to visitors’ talks, it’s possible to glean a few things that they highlight about their schools.  Much of the information given at university visits can be used in application essays to show an understanding of a particular school and demonstrate genuine interest in it, which is a tipping factor in admissions at some colleges.

Upcoming university visits are listed in the UAC’s Google Calendar on our UAC GoogleSite.  If your family has the chance to visit universities that your child is considering, by all means do so.  If you won’t be able to travel to see university campuses firsthand, or in the meantime, please  encourage your Grade 11 child to start their university research by attending university visits at the UAC.

Social Media: Digital Footprint, Networking, and University Admissions

Over the past few weeks there have been several conversations on campus centered around the Internet, specifically the use of social media.  We, at the University Advising Centre (UAC), thought it was a good idea to chime in on the topic. We’ve made a splash in the world ourselves. We have our GoogleSite, this place on Blogger, we’re even on Twitter. We see the importance and the advantages of reaching out to students and families via the Internet.  Recently, at school, there was a panel discussion on the role of blogging in the classroom. Two of our teachers even blogged about that session: one prior to the event; the other post the event.  It was a timely discussion as students applying for admissions around the world have turned to blogging about their experiences via the New York Times. This proves that there is a network that is created as a result of blogging. This proves that there is a network where students are able to reach out and help each other. This proves that there is a network of peers waiting to be discovered. Reading first hand, through the posts, about the admissions process, adds value to the experience. Students realise that they share so many experiences with others. What better way to gain information than from your peers?

We, at the UAC, see the value of the connections made via the Internet; university admissions departments are also turning to Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Blogs. These tools are generally used for marketing and advertising purposes, but there is a trend to use social media more as an asset for admissions purposes.  As we started tweeting about visits from university representatives, university admissions officers re-tweeted us, followed us, and favourited our tweets. As a result, we’ve been able to establish contacts and make connections in a very short span of time. As students and parents follow us or follow admissions pages on Twitter, or as they Like official pages on Facebook, we ask students to be mindful of their digital footprint and to consider the impression that they are making.  While we urge students and parents to use social media for all of its advantages, we also urge caution in order to protect online reputations.

Here are our top five tips to consider as you think about your digital footprint:

1.     Did you create your email address when you were 13? Are you still cuteboy12 or pinkflowers? It may be time to change your email address to indicate your name.

2.     Before you Like a page on Facebook consider your privacy settings. Are your photos or your status updates available to your friends, friends of friends, and to members of the groups you belong to? It’s sometimes hard to do, but please do think carefully before you post photos, change your status update, write on other people’s walls, or comment on people’s photos. If you Like an official page, you will be informed about campus news and happenings. You can ask questions (make sure you don’t ask them something that is easily available on their website). In addition, you can make connections with current students. Recognise that it is a two-way street. You can see the happenings of the university and if your privacy settings are not right, university admissions staff are privy to your doings online too.

3.  University websites generally have a link to their official blogs. We recommend you follow these to gain information and see the current trends at the university.

4.     If you do not use Twitter solely for professional purposes, we recommend you protect your Tweets.  The advantage of Twitter (as we have discovered too) is the ability to follow specific professors and receive campus news. This information may go a long way in helping you write your college essays.

5.   YouTube is a tool that university officers use widely. When you subscribe to university channels you will gain lots of information (keep in mind, it is used for marketing purposes). Please think carefully before you post a comment. Ensure you consider all other videos you have liked or uploaded before you make yourself known to the YouTube channels of universities.

There are so many ways to make connections with students, professors, and admissions officers, to research universities, and to create your own personalised networks.  We want you to use them to acquire all the information you can devour, and to use your online presence to your advantage.  We do, however, also need you to think carefully about your actions online and offline.  

If you were to only take a few things  away from this article, we’d like you to use social media to gain information, to connect with people, and to form communities. Please take this opportunity to look at your digital footprint and analyse the aspects of your life that will become a permanent, public image. Happy, safe surfing and networking.

SATs and Standardized Testing for US Admissions

Many high school parents have been wondering and worrying about the SAT, a standardized test that is part of the admissions process for many US universities.  This information below is intended for Grade 11 students and their parents.  The best thing parents of younger students can do is support their children in focusing the first two years of high school on their academic studies and community life, and not on preparation for standardized admissions tests.  The role of standardized testing in US admissions is evolving, so parents are advised that this information may change from year to year.

Students in Grade 11 who intend to apply to universities in the US should sit down soon and make a plan about which standardized tests they will need to take and when is the best time to take them.  Most US universities will allow students to submit either the SAT or the ACT (with Writing) as part of their admissions requirements. More detailed information about these standardized testing options is found on the Admissions Testing tab of the UAC Google Site.

Most students perform in the same range on both the SAT and the ACT; however some students may find that one test works better for them than the other.   Most students are more familiar with the SAT.  The main difference is that the ACT is more a measure of mastery of curriculum and less of an aptitude test.  While both tests contain reading comprehension, math and writing components, the ACT has a section that tests scientific thinking, and it does not penalize for wrong answers.  The SAT tends to place more emphasis on vocabulary and English grammar rules, and has more questions that measure reasoning ability.  Students who take the ACT more than once are allowed to submit only their best overall score to universities, while students who take the SAT may find that they are required by some universities to submit the results of all of their SAT sittings.

UWCSEA-East will become a private test center for the SAT starting in January 2013.  This means that only UWCSEA students will be allowed to take the test on campus.  Instructions on how to register for this option will be distributed to Grade 11 students in October.  Students must follow UWCSEA’s specific instructions before registering with the CollegeBoard.

We recommend that students take the SAT for the first time in January or May of Grade 11; the ACT is offered in April and June; if students feel it would be worthwhile to try a second time, both tests are offered again in October of Grade 12.   We discourage students from taking these standardized tests prior to Grade 11.  Taking the test too early or too often can be counterproductive and negatively affect students’ grades, which are definitely more important to American universities than standardized test scores.

Studies have shown that familiarization with these standardized test formats may modestly improve students’ scores.  There are several methods of preparation to suit different learning styles:

• Study guides are available for purchase in Singapore bookstores or can be reviewed in UWCSEA’s library.
• There will be a commercial SAT preparation course offered by Testtakers on campus starting in mid-November for several Saturday afternoons prior to the January 26th SAT test.
• Starting next month, all Grade 11 students will have access to a school-based online subscription called PrepMe for SAT test preparation at no cost.  PrepMe allows students to practice on their own online, at times convenient to them, with immediate feedback.

About 30 colleges and universities have additional testing requirements beyond the SAT Reasoning Test.  SAT Subjects Tests focus on a single subject.  Some universities will accept the ACT with Writing in lieu of both the SAT Reasoning Test and SAT Subjects Tests; it is important that students check the websites of each university they are considering to determine which tests are accepted.   We advise students to plan to take SAT Subject Tests, if needed, in June of Grade 11, or October or November of Grade 12.

Several studies have suggested that standardized testing is not a strong predictor of success at university.   More than 800 US colleges and universities do not use standardized testing in their admissions process.   However, students who apply to these institutions should be aware that if they do not submit scores, there will be a heavier weighting on their grades and teacher references, so it will help to have a strong academic profile.

When US universities consider standardized testing in their admissions process, it is only one of many parts of a holistic application review.  Universities do not have published minimums or cut-offs for scores.  Students should not focus on SAT preparation at the expense of their IB subjects or commitments at UWCSEA.   Planning ahead can help make this aspect of US admissions more manageable.   University Advisors are here to answer any questions students might have.