Debbie McDowellHS Counseling

PTA Meeting 15 May 2013

Verifying University Applications from ISB

What’s our plans?

1Comments from

Universities

2ISB Plan for

Support

3Counselor

Connections with

University Reps

Concerns from Universities

Applications have been submitted in the past few years that universities have identified as fraudulent.• Essays not written by the student• Activities/service that can not be verified / which is not true

1

Messages from University Representatives

• “We sidestepped all potential problems by not admitting a single person from Thailand this year. I’m not even apologetic about it. Sorry to hear that the muck has washed up even on ISB’s shore.” (Harvard University)

• “The issues with Admissions Office in Thailand are a real dilemma. Future generations of ISB students will benefit from having a process where you can see what the students are sending.” (U Penn)

“I applaud the ISB counseling office and leadership for reacting swiftly to these issues and putting in place “good practices” to assure those of us on the receiving end of ISB applications that we can trust what we have received. It has been quite a year for all of us and I hope the larger community will see the value of doing this and will follow your lead preventing these unethical counseling practices from continuing”.(UPenn)

2 Verifying University Applications from ISB

Providing structure and support for applications.

Verifying Authenticity1. US and Canadian application materials in 2013/14 and beyond will be sent directly from the ISB counseling office after a review by an ISB counselor. Since some parts of the application are submitted online, this will typically involve pressing the "submit" button in the counselor's office.2. Students will also be required to submit a hardcopy of their applications to be kept on file in the event that verification is required. Mid year reports will not be sent to universities without submission of hard copies to the counselor.3. Students and parents must sign an agreement stating they understand that counselors are obliged to report to universities any intentional misrepresentation.4. Students and parents will be required to sign a release form allowing colleges and universities to release a copy of applications to ISB.5. ISB will submit a verified list of each student’s extra curricular activities to universities.

6. Students will be required to inform ISB if outside help is being used.7. US colleges and universities will be informed of these new practices through various means (the ISB counselor recommendation letters, college visits, conversations with college representatives on campus, college admission conferences, emails, and the ISB Profile).8. Counselors and administrators will meet regularly with students and parents in group and individual settings to warn against the use of outside agencies, to explain the new procedures, and to make clear the consequences of non-compliance.9. ISB will have zero tolerance for students that submit falsified application material. If it is established that a student has submitted information that is not true, colleges and universities applied to will be informed, students may not be permitted to participate in the graduation ceremony, and students will face suspension and/or expulsion.

Verifying Applications

Service, Activities and Athletics• Second page of the ISB

transcript• Form completed by the

student and verified by ISB (Activities, Athletics, and Community Service)

Essays and Short Answer• Read by counselor

before submission• Copy of each essay kept

on file in the counselor’s office

Supporting Seniors

• Senior Seminars• Workshops– Essay– Application (UCAS, U Cal / Cal State, Common

App)• University Labs• Essay Review and Advising• Certificate of Activities (new)

3 Connections with Universities

Counselors have a wide range of university connections at ISB and on their campuses.

ISB’s University Reach

• ISB HS Counselors have been on over 80 university campuses (2010-2013)

• ISB HS Counselors have been to 15 international conferences (2010-2013)– Council of International Schools Forum on International

Admissions– Overseas Association for College Admissions Counseling– National Association for College Admissions Counseling– East Asia Regional Council of Schools– European Council of International Schools– other

University Visits to ISB

• In the 2011- 2012 school year, ISB hosted over 300 university visits on ISB campus

• In the 2012-2013 school year, ISB has hosted 280+ university visits on ISB campus

• For the 2013-2014 school year, ISB has already confirmed over 50 university visits on ISB campus

What’s Your Message?Thank you!