Brandon Seol, Patryk Hanczewski, Thomas Wang, Enzo Woo

Semiahmoo Secondary SchoolMay 27th, 2010

Table of ContentUK UniversitiesCanadian UniversitiesCanadian ScholarshipsAmerican Universities

By Patryk Hanczewski & Enzo WooAdmitted to (Patryk) – Cambridge University (attending/ Linguistics), University College London, University of Manchester, University of Edinburgh, Bristol University, McGill UniversityAdmitted to (Enzo) – London School of Economics (Anthropology/Law)

UCAS – University & Colleges Admissions Servicewww.ucas.co.uk All UK university

applications are done through this siteYou can apply as individual (no buzzword

required) or part of the school’s UCAS number 46042.

A more detailed overview of the application process:www.ucas.co.uk → Apply → Apply – guided tour

Everything you need is on this site!

Where to Start?Choosing a university or college

Research according to your criteriaChoosing a course

Undergraduate courses are chosen directly e.g. Chemical Engineering, English, Medicine

Typically 3-year courses (medicine is 6-year), and you specialize into your field

Check entry requirements

Course RequirementsFor IB Diploma

Cambridge & Oxford typically require 39-41 points (mostly 7’s and 6’s in Higher Level subjects)

Other good universities usually require 34+Exams, e.g.

BMAT for medicineThinking Skills Assessment (Oxbridge, UCL & others)

for certain coursesSupplemental/previously written work

For some courses, may need to send an essay from high school

May need to answer some questions about the subject (generally not more than 500 words)

Not like the essays demanded by American universities

When to Apply – Three Important Dates15th of October

For all medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine and veterinary science courses

For all courses at Oxford and Cambridge15th of January

For all courses other than those listed above, except for...

24th of MarchFor applications of certain art and design

courses

How to ApplyRegistration through UCAS

Personal detailsUniversity & course choices

Up to total of 5 choices (e.g. 5 universities or multiple courses at one university)

Cannot choose Cambridge & Oxford in the same year (they are mutually exclusive )

EducationEmployment

Not as heavily emphasized as with North American universities (you can leave this section blank)

Personal statementReferenceCost of applying

Personal StatementOne personal statement for ALL courses chosen

Try to find common themes when writing about your chosen courses if they are very different

Do not mention universities and colleges by nameHow to write it can be found, as everything, on the

UCAS site47 lines/4000 characters

Tell universities and colleges about suitability for courses

Demonstrate enthusiasm and commitment i.e. why you stand out from the crowd

Mention personal interests and hobbies and link them to your chosen courses

Generally the most crucial aspect of your application (besides grades)

ReferenceOnly one reference required for all course

choicesShould be written by a teacher that can

write about you and your suitability for the course(s)

After receiving it from your referee, type it into the field on UCAS yourself

Cost of Applying£9 (~13 CAD) if applying to just one course

at one university or college£19 (~28 CAD) if applying to more than one

course, university or college

What happens next?UCAS processes your applicationUCAS sends you a welcome letter by mail

confirming your personal details and choicesChosen universities and colleges can view

your applicationUniversities and colleges decide whether to

make you an offer or notYou can track your progress on the UCAS site

Types of OffersConditional offers

University will offer a place if certain conditions are met, usually based on exams

Most commonMust meet conditions by 31st of August

Unconditional offersTypically after you and your university and

college choices know your test resultsUnsuccessful application

Can try again next year

InterviewsCan get an international interviewApply by 23rd of September if you do not want

to travel to England for interview (usually in December)Everything on UCAS must be done → reference,

personal statement etc.May apply for phone interview/email for a

phone interviewLooks for your knowledge in your chosen fieldInterview sample questions available online

e.g. excellent mock interview clips on Cambridge site

Replying to OffersHave to narrow down university and college

choices1 firm acceptance1 insurance acceptanceDecline all others

Must reply before the deadline!

Applying to Cambridge & OxfordAgain, choose one or the other, never both

Early deadline for all courses: 15th of OctoberChoose the course you are interested in first

Need to send an independent overseas application form (Cambridge) Deadline 15th of October

Then choose the college you would like to live inThe college is the “home” at the universityProvides educational support (computers, welfare,

library etc.)Entertainment, clubs, sports and other resources

Check YouTube for informational clips on Cambridge

Additional Informationwww.thestudentroom.co.uk

Forums about universities, courses, accomodation, tuition fees and student life

Worth visiting

By Thomas Wang & Enzo WooAdmitted to (Thomas) – Washington University in St.Louis (attending/ biochemistry), Tufts University (biomedical engineering), University of British Columbia (sciences)Admitted to (Enzo) – Queen’s University (attending/commerce), University of British Columbia, University of Toronto, University of Western Ontario (all commerce)

DeadlinesLate February/ Early March but subject to

changeBe aware of “special programs” – research

what the universities have to offerSupplements may have separate deadlines

YOU DON’T HAVE TO WORRY YET

Fields1. Find what you are interested in – rankings

don’t mean much if your top choice of university is mediocre with the program you desire

Arts/humanities/politicsBusinessEngineeringSciencePre-professional (med, law, dentistry)For Canadian school rankings:

http://oncampus.macleans.ca/education/rankings/

Method of ApplicationOUAC (Ontario Universities’ Application

Center)Separate application for different universitiesSupplemental packages for different

programsInternet vs. Download Application formSelf-reporting (ex. UBC)SEND TRANSCRIPTS EARLYDecide which schools you are going to apply

FINISH YOUR APPLICATIONS EARLY

By Enzo Woo (recipient of several entrance scholarships, district scholarships)

Major scholarshipsLoran scholarship

TD Canada Trust scholarship

Major Entrance Scholarships

Loran scholarshipDeadline: October 20 (This is for 2009 and

is not updated yet)Levels:

Loran Award (up to 30 available, 15 of which are Weston Loran Awards; $75,000

Loran Finalist Award ($3,000 one time award, 42 available Loran Provincial Award ($2,000 one time award, 40

available) Lots of honourable mentions with no cash T_T

How to apply School sponsorship- 3 students per school Direct pool- unlimited

Eligibility CriteriaBe in the graduating year of uninterrupted full-time studies in

high school. minimum cumulative average of 85% Hold Canadian citizenship or permanent resident statusPlanning to attend an accredited, Canadian public university

Selection CriteriaCharacter, service and leadershipstrong moral character who have demonstrated

academic excellence and potential as leaders. They are curious by nature, interested in a wide

range of subjects and willing to take meaningful risks.

Loran scholarship

TD Canada Trust scholarshipDeadline: October 31Levels

Each scholarship is valued at up to $70,000 and includes –

Up to $10,000 for tuition per year $7,500 a year toward living expenses 20 in totalPlusAn offer of paid summer employment Mentorship Opportunities Invitations to annual gatherings, networking

opportunities and events

How to apply: online applicationEligibility Criteria

Are in their final year of high schoolObtain a minimum overall average in their most

recently completed full year of school of 75% Must be Canadian citizen or permanent resident

and will attend an approved Canadian college or university

Selection CriteriaStrong characterOutstanding community leadershipFinancial status

TD Canada Trust scholarship

Entrance Scholarshipsautomatic or separate applicationMany schools offer this (ex. UBC, McGill,

U of Toronto, Victoria, SFU, Queens, Waterloo)

Awards range from a few thousand dollars to full tuition costs for 4 years

Highly competitiveScholarships often have their own

deadlines and requirements (ex. School nominations)

By Brandon SeolAdmitted to- Swarthmore College (attending/ Economics & Political Science), Cornell University, Johns Hopkins University (BME program), UC Berkeley, Williams College, Middlebury College, Rice University, University of Michigan, UBC

Which schools should I apply to?What type of school do you want?

Universities or Liberal Arts Colleges?What field do you want to study?Talk to people attending the universities /

people who have applied to the universitiesSchool visits / college fairsUniversity websites

Online chat rooms, request view books, etc.www.youniversitytv.com (on-line tour)http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.co

m/best-colleges (rankings)

What is a University?National universities are usually more known in

both America and the international community.Ex. Harvard, M.I.T, Cornell, UC Berkeley

National universities greatly focus on research, which leads to publications, increasing their reputation.

Universities usually have large sports programs, which also increases their visibility to the public. Ex. Duke (basket ball) , Cornell (Hockey)

What is a University?National universities have a tremendous

amounts of money to put into researchMore beneficial to engineering and pure

science students.They tend to be larger in size, which means

they have a larger alumni base who can donate more money to the school in later years.

What is a Liberal Arts College?A liberal arts college is one with a primary

emphasis on undergraduate study in the liberal arts.Top LACs (Williams, Swarthmore, Amherst)“Liberal arts" refers to studies that provide general

knowledge and intellectual skills instead of more specialized artistic, occupational, or scientific skills.

Liberal arts colleges, even the top ones, such as Amherst and Swarthmore, are usually not as well known as other schools such as Harvard, Yale, and Princeton in the international community.

Are Liberal Arts Colleges right for me?Liberal arts colleges focus on undergraduate

educationSmaller class sizes with professors who can provide

more attention to their students. Ex. Amherst= 1,697 students, Cornell = 13,931 students

If you intend to go to graduate school after graduation, then it is definitely an option.Ex. 90% of Swarthmore alumni who attend graduate or

professional schools earn graduate degrees at University of Chicago Harvard, MIT, Columbia, NYU, University of Pennsylvania, Princeton, Stanford, and Yale.

Are Liberal Arts Colleges right for me?Liberal arts colleges also do research, but

their smaller budgets make it harder for them to compete with research at national universities.

SAT Reasoning / SAT SubjectsTesting opportunities: May, June, Oct, Nov,

Dec, Jan.When to take them?How Do I prepare?Which subjects should I take?

How many do I need to take? Most schools require two Schools that require (suggest) three; Harvard and

Georgetown Many State schools make it optional Our school code for College Board is 821805

Extracurricular Activities / AwardsAbout depth not breadthQuality over QuantityShow leadershipRelate them to your areas of interestMake them show in other areas of your

application

RecommendationsAsk ahead of time!!! (3 weeks recommended) Ask teachers that know different aspects

about youProvide a letter politely asking for a

reference, when it is due and how it needs to be submitted (To you, online, in a sealed and signed envelope, etc.)

Provide a resume with your requestProvide a thank you card afterwardsAdditional Recommendations

EssaysTHE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF YOUR

APPLICATIONStart thinking now! Find a book with sample

entrance essaysAvoid clichésDo not have to be about grand topicsDo not focus on talking about your achievements;

talk about what you learned and experiencedSchool-specific topics – think about what the

school is looking for

Essays (Why……?)As you start the application process, you will

realize that most schools require supplemental essays with the personal statement.

Most of these essays are similar because most of them ask you why you want to attend their institute.

It is very important for you to show them that you are a perfect “fit” to their university community and to tell them what you can do for the university community.

Essays – Mrs. PorpaczyEssays should show who you are and what you

can bring to a university in a creative way.Read lots of sample essays from books like

Harvard’s 50 Accepted Essays As a university entrance essay writer, you need

to be particularly aware of your audience.You should avoid anything that may sound

mundane like Twitter commentary, or is too grandiose or spiritual. (Please note: Although you may be tempted to use it, believe it or not, taking IB is not a big enough challenge to use as an essay topic.)

When do I apply?Early Decision / Early ActionEarly Decision IIRegular Decision

Early Decision / Early ActionEarly Decision – binding commitment

You can apply to other non-binding schools but must attend if accepted

e.g. Duke, Columbia, Cornell, NorthwesternNon-restrictive Early Action

Do not have to attend if accepted / can apply to as many as you wish

e.g. U Chicago, U Michigan, Notre DameSingle Choice Early Action

Do not have to attend if accepted, but can only apply to one during the early round

e.g. Stanford, YaleApplication Deadline; Oct. 1 – Nov 15Notified in mid-December

Deferment

Early Decision IIBinding commitment – must attend if

acceptedApplication deadline; Jan. 1st – Jan. 15th

Notified mid Februarye.g. Amherst, Swarthmore, Middlebury Advantages of EDII?

Regular DecisionSome schools only have regular decision

e.g. Harvard, Princeton, University of California, etc.

Application deadlineMost private universities / LACs: Jan 1st – Jan 15th

Many state schools have different deadlines e.g. UC’s – November 30th

Notified late March / early April Rolling Admission

Applications are reviewed as they are submitted The earlier you submit, the better chance of acceptance E.g. University of Michigan

Financial AidMostly need-based

Not awarded based on the quality of the applicant but how much financial need they demonstrate

Need-aware / need-blind admissionNeed-aware – the fact that you have applied for

financial aid can affect your chancesNeed-blind – whether you apply for financial aid or

not does not affect your admission decisionUniversities practicing need-blind admission for

CanadiansColumbia, Princeton, Upenn

Universities practicing need-blind admission for International studentsHarvard, Yale, Dartmouth, Amherst, and MIT

Financial AidPublic universities generally do not give

financial aid (ex. UC Berkeley, University of Michigan)

Awards come in the form of grants, loans, and work-study

Some schools offer merit based aid (few with separate applications) (ex. WashU, USC, Rice)

Merit aid is same concept as Scholarship which is determined on the quality of applicants.

CSS profile: https://profileonline.collegeboard.comMuch easier to fill out and send to colleges onlineWay for university to determine how much “need”

you require (EFC: Expected Family Contribution)Items to fill out: Student and parents’ professions,

assets, income, benefits, expensesUsually due in February for regular decision, but

recommended to start earlyFAFSA is only for US citizens

Financial Aid - Documents

Financial Aid - DocumentsIDOC (Institutional Documentation Service):

https://idoc.collegeboard.com/idoc/index.jspMainly income tax return formsWill be warned by colleges that require it in

FebruaryDue in beginning of March

Many also require International Declaration of Finances

THIS IS A LOT OF PAPERWORK, SO MAKE SURE TO START WELL

BEFORE THE DEADLINE

Leave your choices open for Canadian Universities!!!

MOST IMPORTANTLY

Believe in yourself and APPLY SHAMELESSLY

FOR EVERYTHING