3. The 11/12 Counselors
Name: Jennifer Melton Name: Lisa Ball
Call Sign: Hollywood Call Sign: Panther
Surnames: A~I Surnames: O~Z
Home: Richmond, Virginia Home: Dallas, Texas
Power: Kindness Power: Prudence
Name: Curt Nichols Name: David Birchenall
Call Sign: Big Time Call Sign: The Gaffer
Surnames: J~N Surnames: Various
Home: Rochester, New York Home: Galashiels, Scotland
Power: Judgment Power: Judgment
4. About Us
• Collectively we account for over forty years of experience as
college and university counselors.
• Our travels to visit universities span the globe, including extensive
travel in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Europe, the Middle
East, Singapore and the US.
• We are long-standing members and leaders of the National
Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), the
Overseas Association for College Admission Counseling (OACAC)
and the American School Counseling Association (ASCA).
• We regularly lead workshops on college and university admissions
topics for our peers.
5. The Bottom Line
We have:
• A strong, extensive network of professional relationships with the people
who will read your applications
• A vast working knowledge of tertiary education systems and their
admissions practices and procedures around the world
• The ability to quickly access the answers to your questions that we cannot
readily answer ourselves
6. Our Philosophy
We believe students must be experts on their colleges
We are encouraging, and we provide honest, data-driven counseling
We believe college admission is a match to be made, not a trophy to
be won
We seek to help find colleges that fit
We operate with integrity and confidentiality
7. Our Program To Help Students
Junior Year Senior Year
• Initial Counselor-Student Meeting • Senior Profile
• Junior University Kick-Off • Senior Application Night
• Parent Survey in Naviance • UCAS Application Meeting
• Second Counselor-Student • CommonApp Workshops
Meeting, Including Parents • Counselor-Student Meetings
• US Mock Admissions Session • Meetings with Parents, as
• Application Essay Writing Requested
• US College Essay Workshop • Application Essay Writing
• UCAS Personal Statement • US College Essay Workshop, Part 2
• Request Teacher • UCAS Personal Statement, Part 2
Recommendations • College Interview Workshops
9. Resources: Online & Books
Online Books
• University Sites • Parent Transition Resources
• The Naked Roommate
• Reviews • The Global Nomad’s Guide to University
Transition
• Letting Go
• Country/Region Specific Search
• Country Specific Guides
Engines
• US - College Board College Handbook
and Book of Majors, Fiske Guide to
Colleges
• Rankings – QS World
Rankings, Country Specific Rankings • UK - HEAP Guides
• Canada – MacLean’s
12. Resources: College Visits
Visitors to ISM Visiting Campuses
• Ideal to visit while classes are in
• Visitors from around the world session if possible (Spring Break?)
• Increased interest in the • Sit in on a class
Philippines as a destination • Talk with students!
• Lunch time visits • Talk with professors
• Eat in dining facilities
• Evening visits
• Visit residence halls
• College Fairs • How do people move about campus?
• Alumni Visits (cars, bikes, walking)
• Where do students congregate?
• How do you feel walking around on
that campus?
• Is it competitive? Supportive?
• Meet with admissions
representative
15. The Role of the Parent
• Communicate openly with your son/daughter
• Help create list of criteria to evaluate universities
• Be transparent about budget and finances now
• Prepare any necessary financial documents
• Help your son/daughter stay organized
• Help plan college visits
• Help your son/daughter balance being a teenager, student, and
university applicant
• This is your son’s or daughter’s process, and they learn a lot from
taking on this responsibility
16. Student Expectations
• LIKE each university to which you apply
• OWN the process!! Research, test registration, organization
• Be an EXPERT on each university
• Be ORGANIZED
• Know each deadline
• Know test requirements
• Know the ISM and application processes
• Know essay requirements
• Know username and passwords
• Initiate communication with your counselor regularly
• Communicate early with teachers about recommendations
• Continue communication with your parent
• Be respectful of counselor’s time
17. School Responsibilities
• Provide general guidance and counsel
• Manage sending of all school documentation
• Maintain records of what school documents were sent and when
• Provide workshops and information sessions related to the college
application process
• Coordinate teachers’ letters of recommendation
• Advocate for students during the admissions process
• Build relationships with universities
• Support students emotionally throughout the process
19. Selecting Universities
Personal Assessment University Assessment
• Characteristics
• Learning Style
• Location
• Strengths/Weaknesses • Size
• Interests • Access to family or friends
• Environmental Needs • Majors
• Social Needs • Personality or Vibe
• Data
• Retention rate?
• % of international students?
• Career Office
• What is job placement?
• What services are offered to assist
students in finding internships/jobs?
20. Next Steps
• Academic performance
• Engagement both inside and outside of the classroom
• Conversations at home about expectations, limitations, financing, etc.
• Student reflection on self
• Identify priorities
• Research universities
• Junior Parent Survey in Naviance – Due March 4, 2013
• Summer planning
• Bearcat Career Experience Program
• University Visits
• Summer Programs
• Continue Researching Universities
• Refine University List
• Application Essays
• Senior Profile in Naviance
21. Today’s Program
1. Opening and Welcome
2. 45 Minute Sessions Session 1 1:45 - 2:30
Session 2 2:40 - 3:25
Session 3 3:35 - 4:20
Rm 3009 HSMC Lofthouse A Rm 3051 Lofthouse B Lofthouse C LT
3. 4:30 - 5:30 Little Theatre (LT)
