College Champittet University Handbook 2014-2015 Guidance Counsellor Aisling Demaison [email protected] College Champittet University Handbook 2014-2015 Contents College Champittet Guidance Counselling Service …………………………… 4 Factors to consider when choosing a University …………………………….5 Studying in the UK ………………………………………………………………………..6 Applying to UK Universities …………………………………………………..7 Researching UK Courses and Universities ………………………………7 The UK Application Process …………………………………………………...8 Personal Statement ………………………………………………………………..9 The Reference ……………………………………………………………………….10 After Applying ……………………………………………………………………….10 Applying to the UK - Grade 14 Timeline …………………………………..11 Studying in Ireland...…………………………………………………………………………..14 Studying in Switzerland …………………………………………………………………….16 Studying in France …………………………………………………………………………… 19 Studying the US …………………………………………………………………………………. 23 Applying the US Colleges …………………………………………………………. 24 How an applicant is assessed for admission ………………………………25 The US College Application ……………………………………………………….27 The US Application Essay ………………………………………………………….28 US Application Tests …………………………………………………………………28 Applying to the US – Grade 13 Timeline ……………………………………. 29 Applying to the US – Grade 14 Timeline ……………………………………..30 Studying in Canada ………………………………………………………………………………34 Studying in Australia & New Zealand …………………………………………………….36 The information in this handbook has been located from various sources online and data is valid for 2014- 2015 only. Please check all up-to-date data and requirements. Page 2 College Champittet University Handbook 2014-2015 Appendix Page 1. Useful links and information when applying to UK Universities…………….....38 2. SAT & ACT Information and Dates…………………………………………………………..40 3. Links and Information for Applying to US Colleges…………………………………..42 4. Financial Aid and Financial Certification for a US Visa………………………………46 5. Studying in the Netherlands…………………………………………………………………….48 6. Studying in Germany ………………………………………………………………………………50 7. Lists of Swiss Universities ……………………………………………………………………….53 8. IB Requirements for Swiss Universities……………………………………………………57 9. French Baccalaureate Requirements for Swiss Universities……………………….61 10. Career Guidance Useful Links ………………………………………………………………….67 11. Student Profile Questionnaire …………………………………………………………….......70 12. Teacher Recommendation Questionnaire ……………………………………………….71 The information in this handbook has been located from various sources online and data is valid for 2014- 2015 only. Please check all up-to-date data and requirements. Page 3 College Champittet University Handbook 2014-2015 College Champittet Guidance Counselling Service College Champittet offer a comprehensive service that guides and supports students throughout the university application process, beginning in Grade 7 and continuing throughout Grade 12. The program includes: Information regarding: career exploration, the international application process, interviewing techniques, preparing an effective resume, writing personal statements and essays, and relevant tips to assist with higher education research. University Visits and Fairs: . Numerous colleges and Universities visit College Champittet each year to educate students about the diverse programs around the world. Students can meet with representatives from the UK, US, Canada and other EU countries. Students will be given information about University open days and International career fairs. Students can sign up to our facebook page and student magazine to receive regular updates. The information is also clearly posted around the school. Interview Preparation: Students are given the opportunity to work on interview techniques in preparation for any interviews they may have. Admissions Testing: . Advice and preparation for PSAT and SAT testing for the US entrance exams. UK entrance exams including the BMAT, CAT, ELAT, HAT, IMAT, MAT, MLAT, OLAT, PAT and STEP. The information in this handbook has been located from various sources online and data is valid for 2014- 2015 only. Please check all up-to-date data and requirements. Page 4 College Champittet University Handbook 2014-2015 Factors to consider when choosing a University In Grades 12, 13 & 14, each student should: . Take time to reflect and evaluate goals and values, assess your academic strengths, your special talents, skills and other aspects that distinguish you. This assessment is necessary in determining schools that offer an excellent university environment in which you will be most productive and happy (and therefore, successful). Research appropriate courses, programs, and school so that your applications are effective and fulfil your specific academic, athletic, musical, social interests and any other elements that are important to you, as well as your future objectives. Be aware of the academic profiles required by highly selective colleges and universities. Universities may ask to receive bulletins from the last three years. Meet application deadlines both for universities and College Champittet when submitting application materials and requesting letters of recommendation and transcripts. Please note that universities have different deadlines depending on countries and application systems. Be aware of any required tests. Register on-line by the deadlines to take standardised tests, such as BMAT, UKCAT, LNAT, SAT, ACT, TOEFL, or IELTS. Submit all required forms and request all testing organisations to submit official standardised test results to universities. Verify your correct name on all official documents and use the same name on all documents (the name on your passport). Also, notify the school of any changes in name or address. The information in this handbook has been located from various sources online and data is valid for 2014- 2015 only. Please check all up-to-date data and requirements. Page 5 College Champittet University Handbook 2014-2015 Studying in the UK The academic system in higher education in the UK is course (subject) based. Students apply for a specific course to pursue in University, such as English, and focus solely on the one or combined subject program they have selected to study. The majority of the undergraduate degree programs in the UK (except for Scotland) take three years to complete. Within this system, there are no general education requirements and few elective subjects outside of the course area. If you have a specific interest in a subject area and are certain this is the subject you would like to study at university, then the UK system is a good choice. If a student would also like to focus in one or two areas of study and not have to take classes in other areas, this system provides that opportunity. Some of the course areas are more open to an interdisciplinary approach than others, such as European Studies or combined honours programs. In Scotland, courses are four year degree programs and have a more general approach that also allows the student to study more elective subjects. While students still apply for a course, the system is more multi-disciplinary and allows for greater flexibility in changing courses. Applications to all UK public universities are completed through the UCAS system (www.ucas.com). Students may select a total of five courses, which could include several courses at the same university. Usually, conditional offers are based only on predicted grades that are submitted by the Guidance Counsellor to UCAS. Every course from each university lists the entry profile for predicted grades that are required for acceptance into the course. The UCAS application system is very straightforward, with clear explanations of the entry points required, specific courses offered at every university, suggestions for writing the personal statement, and a tracking system for following university offers. This system is advantageous for students who did not perform well academically until Grades 12 & 14 and with those whose predicted grades are much better than their term grades. For this subject-based system the students need The information in this handbook has been located from various sources online and data is valid for 2014- 2015 only. Please check all up-to-date data and requirements. Page 6 College Champittet University Handbook 2014-2015 to choose their subjects carefully in order to ensure they select subjects at High level which relate to the course they plan to pursue at university. Students’ applications are accepted by the tutors in specific departments at the university. (This course based system is common in Europe.) UK universities have several tuition structures: UK and EU students generally pay the same fees (except for Scotland) while international students pay a much higher tuition. Applying to UK Universities The country known as the United Kingdom (UK) is comprised of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Universities in all four of these lands are subject to the same government regulations and processes, but the system of education in Scotland is different from that in other parts of the UK. Thus the application process is consistent throughout Great Britain, but what you experience as a student would be different, depending on whether you enrol in Scotland or elsewhere in the UK. Researching UK Courses and Universities The UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) website is the best place to begin the research process. Go to the UCAS website www.ucas,com and click on “Course Search”. You can then search by course or by