HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELING'S 6TH COLLEGE ADMISSION … · essay may seem counter-intuitive and...

SINGAPORE AMERICAN SCHOOL

HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELING'S 6TH ANNUAL

COLLEGEADMISSIONSEMINAR

2015

2015 College Admission Seminar

Welcome to the SAS College Admission Seminar!

We hope you leave well informed and confident that your child has the resources available to successfully negotiate the college admission process. In most cases, the session title explains the information covered, but detailed descriptions are also provided in this booklet to help you decide which sessions to attend. Unless otherwise indicated, sessions are designed for both students and parents.

We understand that individual questions may arise after the presentations. We encourage you to contact the SAS counselors after today’s program with any further questions.

SAS High School Counselors

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SCHEDULEOPENING 9:00 – 10:05 AM

Auditorium Grade 10 Families: College Admission Overview

Drama Theater Grade 11 Families: Application Review

SESSION A 10:15 - 11:00 AMAuditorium Writing Your College Essay

MS Library Testing and Test-Prep

M301 Highly Selective College Admissions

Drama Theater College Admissions Myth Busting!

Library Theater Information Overload: Where Do I Start My College Search?

S203 (Health Room) Taking a Break: Singapore National Service

H301 Successful College Visits

SESSION B 11:10 - 11:55 amAuditorium Writing Your College Essay

MS Library Testing and Test-Prep

M301 How US Colleges Award Money: Financial Aid & Scholarships

Drama Theater Admission ‘Interviews’: Do they matter?

H301 The Application Process: The Who, What and How

S203 (Health Room) Applying to University in the UK


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Grade 10 Families: College Admission Overview Auditorium

This “big picture” session is designed to give sophomores and their parents a broad overview of college admission. You will learn about high school courses and grades, APs, extracurriculars, involvement, admission testing, and all of the other elements that come together on a college application. You will be provided with practical advice on the issues of choosing, applying, and being admitted to colleges and universities.

Presenters: Dale Ford and Trevor Sturgeon

Grade 11 Families: Application Review Drama Theater

In this session participants will engage in an exercise where they take on the role of a college admissions officer. This eye-opening session will give families the opportunity to participate in the presentation of applications to an admissions selection committee, as well as to experience how application materials and institutional priorities allow you to decide which students are accepted or denied. Through this exercise participants will learn how many real world variables affect an admissions decision.

Presenters: Dan Grayson, former Associate Director of Admission, Tufts University

OPENING SESSIONS


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Writing Your College Essays Auditorium

You’ve mastered the essentials of academic writing for your classes, but unless you’re accustomed to writing personal narrative, many aspects of the college essay may seem counter-intuitive and contradict some of what you’ve learned about “the rules” of formal writing. We will discuss how to choose a topic, find your voice, and showcase your individuality. Your best essay can only be written by you! We will also discuss common pitfalls and where you should go for help when you get stuck.

Presenter: Laura Severin, Senior Associate Director of Admissions, Yale-NUS CollegeTarget: Students

Testing and Test-Prep MS Library

The SAT is changing in a year. Confused about it or other college testing requirements? Learn about the AP, PSAT, SAT, ACT, TOEFL, and IELTS. Which tests might you need to take? When should you take them? What are strategies for preparing for the tests?

Presenter: Jeremy Craig, TestTakers SingaporeTarget: Students and parents

SESSION A DESCRIPTIONS


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Highly Selective College Admissions M301

Have you set your sights on a highly selective university that accepts fewer than 5 - 20% of applicants? How do highly selective universities make decisions since most of their applicants have fantastic grades (top of their high school class), high test scores, and extensive resumes? If this describes you and you are considering such colleges, strategy can play an important role in the outcome of your application. In this session, we’ll cover the range of “tip factors” that can sway the admissions committee, the “cluster effect” - where it matters and where it doesn’t, the advantages of applying early (when appropriate), some alternative approaches and programs, and the role of family finances. Some factors are in your control and some are not, but being aware can help you maximize your chances and manage your expectations.

Presenter: Ann Infante and Rich ModicaTarget: Students and parents

College Admissions Myth Busting! Drama Theater

Have you ‘heard’ a rumor about college admissions but are not sure if it is accurate? Do you have questions for an admissions officer that you were always too scared to ask? Come to this myth busting sessions where a former admissions associate from a highly selective school will answer all your questions. This will be a highly informative and engaging session where you get a chance to look behind the closed doors of the admission office. This is a highly interactive session so come prepared with all your questions.

Presenter: Dan Grayson, former Associate Director of Admission, Tufts UniversityTarget Audience: Parents and students

Information Overload: Where Do I Start My College Search? Library Theater

Sure there are tons of great resources and everything is “on-line” these days, but how do I start wading through all of it? Come get a few practical strategies for identifying what information you want and need to know - and then, how and where to find the ideal colleges for you. You will get familiar with how Family Connection can help you throughout this process. Once you start, it will be exciting to consider all of your possibilities!

Presenter: Katie FreemanTarget: Students and parents


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Taking a Break: Singapore National Service S203

Singaporean citizens and most Permanent Residents must complete two years of National Service before beginning college. How does this impact the college application process? When will NS begin? When should students apply to college? Is it possible to apply and defer? Learn about this topic and - assuming their military schedules will allow it - get some first hand comments from recent SAS graduates currently serving NS.

Presenter: Dale FordTarget Audience: Students who will be doing NS and their parents

Successful College Visits H301

Afraid that your mom will monopolize the college tour guide with endless questions meant to highlight how great you are? You can either cringe with embarrassment or learn how to collaborate with your parents to plan successful college visits. This session will lay out how to organize your college visits and recommend what to ask and see before, during and after the tour.

Presenter: Sue Nesbitt Target: Students and parents


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Writing Your College Essays Auditorium

You’ve mastered the essentials of academic writing for your classes, but unless you’re accustomed to writing personal narrative, many aspects of the college essay may seem counter-intuitive and contradict some of what you’ve learned about “the rules” of formal writing. We will discuss how to choose a topic, find your voice, and showcase your individuality. Your best essay can only be written by you! We will also discuss common pitfalls and where you should go for help when you get stuck.

Presenter: Laura Severin, Senior Associate Director of Admissions, Yale-NUS CollegeTarget: Students

Testing and Test-Prep MS Library

The SAT is changing in a year. Confused about it or other college testing requirements? Learn about the AP, PSAT, SAT, ACT, TOEFL, and IELTS. Which tests might you need to take? When should you take them? What are strategies for preparing for the tests?

Presenter: Jeremy Craig, TestTakers SingaporeTarget: Grade 10 students and parents

How US Colleges Award Money: Financial Aid & Scholarships M301

This session will provide an overview of need based financial aid and merit (scholarship) awards. The importance of the financial aid application will be highlighted. You’ll learn about need-aware and need-blind colleges, competitive pricing and preferential packaging (tuition discounts as an enrollment management tool), the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the CSS Profile, and develop a timeline for what needs to be now, and throughout senior year.

Presenter: Ann Infante and Rich ModicaTarget: Parents

SESSION B DESCRIPTIONS


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Admission ‘Interviews’: Do they matter? Drama Theater

This session will focus on the various conversations that could place between students and admissions directors, as well as alumni, and how these conversations come into play and impact the review process. Students will also get some tips on how they can prepare and handle themselves during these conversations. Finally, there will be a live, unscripted sample interview between a (former) admissions associate and one of our students!

Presenter: Dan Grayson, former Associate Director of Admission, Tufts UniversityTarget: Students and parents

The Application Process: The Who, What and How H301

This session provides an overview of what the next 8 months will look like, what do to, when, and WHO should do what. It will focus on what you can expect and what your child should be doing to ensure a smooth and positive college search and application process, along with what parents can do to support their child through this process.

Presenter: Trevor SturgeonTarget: Grade 11 students and parents

Applying to University in the UK S203

Every year, a number of SAS students successfully apply to and attend UK universities. Since degrees in the UK are subject-focused (in contrast to the broader degrees offered in North America), students need to have decided on a clear interest. This session will explain how to investigate “courses” (majors), describe the SAS classes students should take, discuss other qualifications necessary for admission, and provide advice about writing the personal statement. It will also help you understand what is expected in terms of “demonstrated interest”. Finally, it will include a brief discussion of what it takes to be a successful applicant to Oxford or Cambridge Universities.

Presenter: Steve PetragliaTarget: Students and parents considering the UK


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Lisa Ball

Lisa has worked as a school counselor for 20 years, including 15 years with international students in Manila, Argentina, Abu Dhabi, and Cyprus, before joining the SAS counseling team this year. She has a wealth of experience both as a personal counselor and college advisor. Well known in the field of international college admission, Lisa has served the Overseas Association for College Admission Counseling as President-Elect, and represented counselors in Texas and international schools as a delegate to the National Association for College Admission Counseling Assembly. Lisa is a frequent presenter at US and international conferences on topics related to college admission and the transition to higher education. She has worked in both the AP and IB systems, been an application reader for a selective US university, visited the campuses of more than 175 universities in the US, Canada and Europe, and has served on the advisory board of Texas Tech University.

Dawn Betts

Dawn Betts joined the high school counseling department in 2006. Before that, she was an SAS middle school counselor, and also taught high school wellness and physical education. She is the faculty advisor for the SAS Peer Support program. Dawn has two Master’s Degrees, one in Education and the other in School Counseling. Dawn has presented at schools and conferences in Southeast Asia on Eating Disorders Treatment and Prevention. Previously Dawn has worked with college counseling, she currently works exclusively with ninth grade SAS students.

MEMBERS OF THE SAS COUNSELING

DEPARTMENT

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Dale Ford

Dale Ford, a Nationally Certified School Psychologist, worked in Illinois public schools for nine years before moving overseas in 1990. Dale was President of the Overseas Association for College Admission Counseling in 2004 and an Executive Board member for nine years. A delegate for overseas counselors to the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) assembly, Dale was honored by NACAC in 2005 for his “dedication and integrity while honorably serving as the President of the Overseas Association.” In 2007, OACAC presented him with their Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his outstanding service to the association. Dale served on the product development Advisory Board for Naviance/Family Connection. He has been a consultant to international schools in the region and is a frequent speaker at international college admission conferences.

Katie Freeman

Katie Freeman joined SAS in 2013 and has worked as a counselor for 15 years. She has worked in public high schools in Los Angeles and Colorado, as well as in New Delhi and Jakarta assisting students with college admission to universities around the world. She has visited many university campuses in the US, Canada, and the UK. Katie holds a Masters in Educational Counseling and enjoys helping students develop strong self-advocacy skills and confidence enabling them to challenge themselves appropriately and grow as individuals.

Ann Infante

Ann Infante has worked with secondary school students for 28 years, eleven as an English teacher and the past seventeen as a school counselor. She has a Master’s Degree in Counseling and has served in numerous leadership roles including Department Chair and Director of College Counseling at high schools nationally and internationally. This is her fourth year at SAS and she is interested in helping students develop strategies to achieve a healthy school/life balance, especially during the college search and application process, an important milestone in thedevelopmental journey to adulthood.


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Rich Modica

Rich joined SAS in 2013-2014. Originally from Massachusetts, Rich was a teacher for thirteen years prior to becoming a high school counselor. Rich has previously worked in California, Guinea, South Carolina, and New Hampshire, and has served as a counselor in Oman, and at Korea International School where he was the Department Head. In addition to coordinating all aspects of the counseling program at KIS, he oversaw the development the school’s first K-12 Comprehensive Guidance Program including a college counseling program. Rich has visited a large number of colleges and universities in the US, Canada, and the Middle East.

Sue Nesbitt

Sue has been an SAS counselor since 2009 and has worked in international schools in Asia for the past 20 years. Sue works exclusively with SAS grade 9 students. Before SAS, Sue was a counselor at the American Embassy School in New Delhi, the American International School in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and at the International School of Bangalore in India. She holds a Masters in Educational Counseling and her special interest areas include the effects of technology on teens, multicultural counseling, and transition. Sue has 3 children: a daughter who graduated from SAS in 2013, a 12th grader who is about to be launched, and a 5th grader who has enough energy to fuel a turbine. In her free time, Sue enjoys reading, running, and cycling.

Steve Petraglia

Steve is an experienced counselor who has worked with students in the US and internationally at the primary, secondary and post-secondary level. Steve’s worked as a counselor in Qatar where he created the college counseling program at Al-Jazeera Academy, and then served as a K-12 counselor for the entire school. Steve joined SAS in 2013-2014 from Munich International School where he was a high school counselor providing a full range of services including teaching a college preparation class and assisting students with the college selection and application process at universities around the world. In addition to his knowledge of US admissions, Steve has significant experience in UK university admission.

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Trevor Sturgeon

Trevor has counseled international school students for the past 15 years. He was formerly head of counseling at the International School Manila and joined SAS in 2008. Trevor has been actively involved with the National Association of College Admission Counseling and with the Overseas Association of College Admission Counseling where he has served terms as VP for Communications and Technology, and most recently, VP for Finance. He enjoys working with all types of students, helping them find colleges that are the right fit, and guiding them through the application process.

Malissa Takacs

SAS is pleased to announce that Malissa Takacs will be joining the counseling department in August. As a licensed counselor, Malissa has worked in the field of college admissions and counseling for the past 14 years. She comes to SAS from Carlbrook School, a college preparatory boarding school in Virginia, where she has been part of the College Counseling department for the last 8 years - serving as the Director for the past 5 years where she oversaw all aspects of the college counseling process, worked closely with students in the boarding school setting, and assisted in the submission of hundreds of applications each year to some of the most prestigious schools across the world. Malissa has visited over 60 colleges, been involved in college admission counseling associations and is a member of the National Association of College Admission Counseling. Prior to Carlbrook she worked as an admission officer at Bluffton University in Ohio. Malissa has also earned a Certificate of College Counseling from UCLA as well as a second masters degree in Higher Education from the University of Virginia, where she was an intern in the Higher Education Department and oversaw several aspects of the admissions process for Masters degree applicants. She graduated from Case Western as a licensed school social worker.

CPE Registration Number: 196400340R Registration Period: 22 June 2011 to 21 June 2017

Accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

40 WOODLANDS STREET 41 SINGAPORE 738547 PHONE: (65) 6363 3403 WEB: WWW.SAS.EDU.SG

SINGAPORE AMERICAN SCHOOL

HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELING'S 6TH COLLEGE ADMISSION … · essay may seem counter-intuitive and...

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