Applying to The United States 4800 Higher Education
Institutions 900 majors
Slide 2
Graduate: Masters and Doctoral Degrees Medical School M.D. 4
years Law School J.D. 3 years Graduate School Ph.D. 3-5 years
M.A./M.S 2 years M.B.A. 2 years Undergraduate: Bachelors Degree
M.Arch 2 years Community Colleges Associate Degree 2 years
Colleges/Universities 4 years Colleges/Universities 2 years Dental
School D.D.S. 4 years
Slide 3
Features of U.S Higher Education System Different from other
systems around the world -a best fit for the institution is key
-the college will consider the all round student U.S. bachelors
degrees usually take 4 year to complete; associate degrees take 2
years Credit System Runs from Sept to May 2 terms, or semester
(16-18 weeks); trimester or 3 quarters (10- 12 weeks) and Plenty of
choices Liberal Arts Colleges [eg Claremont Mckenna, Scripps,
Amherst] Highly specialised institutions [eg Embry Riddle
Aeronautical Engineering University]
Slide 4
Undergraduate Degrees in the USA Bachelors degree = four years
Associate Degree = two years Not standardized/ No central ranking
body Different to degrees in the other major destinations for WIS
students: o Flexibility o Emphasize a broad, well rounded
education: o Math, science, the arts, social sciences and language
- before finally need to choose a specialization.
Slide 5
Undergraduate Degrees Diversity of choice Not standardized No
central ranking body Different process and admission polices at
every institution Flexibility Emphasize a broad, well rounded
education: Math, science, the arts, social sciences and
language-before finally to choose a specialization. Therefore
offers not based on scores alone
Slide 6
Undergraduate Program [Education USA] Core courses (General
Education) Elective courses Major courses Internship Study abroad
Co-op Bachelors Degree
Slide 7
The Application Process for Regular Decision [Education USA]
January-May 2014: Research and take SATs June August 2014:
-Register for re-sits and Subject Tests -Filter your choices
-Request Teacher References [subject teachers] -Draft College
Essays September December 2014: -Take the tests -Request transcript
-Submit applications January March 2015 Some non- Common App
university application deadlines April May 2015 By May 1, decide on
one college that you will attend. June August 2015 -Apply student
visa -Pre-departure -Freshman orientation
Slide 8
The Application Components Online Applications Common
Application (www.commonapp.org)www.commonapp.org University of
California (http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-
apply/apply-online/index.html)http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-
apply/apply-online/index.html Non Common Application: Eg. Texas at
Austin, Parsons, Georgetown High School Transcript English Language
Proficiency (TOEFL or IELTS) Standardized Tests (SAT or ACT)
Letters of Recommendation (School Report and Subject References)
Statement of Purpose/Application Essays Evidence of financial
support (required for the I-20 visa form)
Slide 9
The Common Application-Standardized application process for
first-year and transfer applications at undergraduate level 456
member institutions www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/Memb ers.aspx
www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/Memb ers.aspx Students must check for
supplements and extra materials required on college website Other
systems such as Cal State Mentor, UC Regents, CUNY, SUNY,
individual schools online application Application Forms
Slide 10
West Island School Support Documents Student transcript grades
from Y10-Y13 School Profile Explanation of English medium of
instruction/explanation of CEEB codes Certified copies of IGCSE
certificates (or previous school transcript) Secondary school
report/counselor recommendation Two/three teacher evaluations
International Supplement
Slide 11
Examples of Destinations for WIS Students 2012 and 2013 entry
20122013 University of PennsylvaniaCornell [2] University of
Chicago [3]UCLA [2] Scripps CollegeUC Berkeley [2] Rhode island
School of DesignNYU New York UniversityNYU Stern Bentley
CollegeUniversity of Southern California NortheasternOTIS College
of the Art University of Southern CaliforniaSouthwestern University
of MarylandPortland State Pratt Institute New YorkUC Santa Barbara
University of Wisconsin -MadisonUC Santa Cruz
Slide 12
Examples of Offers Made to WIS Students for 2014 entry Offers
2013 Cornell [2]Chicago Columbia [2]NYU University of
PennsylvaniaBabson College UC Berkeley, LA, SD, SB, Riverside,
Irvine Syracuse University of Southern CaliforniaMiami ParsonsRhode
Island School of Design LynnLoyola Marymount Texas at DallasTufts
SyracusePace
Slide 13
Letters of Recommendation Tutor writes counselor recommendation
Two or three subject teachers [must be currently teaching the
student] Evaluates how well students meet the requirements Paints a
picture that highlights the student as an unique individual Choose
recommenders who know your abilities best Give recommenders plenty
of time to write your letters
Slide 14
A very important part of your application - helps in the Final
Decision It demonstrates your Writing skills Analytical ability
Critical thinking Aims and aspirations Uniqueness There are no
right or wrong answers to a college essay question Remember : be
yourself and start early
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-in/essays/tips-for-
writing-an-effective-application-essay-college-admissions
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-in/essays/tips-for-
writing-an-effective-application-essay-college-admissions Lunchtime
activity run by Ms Tang this term Personal Essay
Slide 15
The IB and ID Diplomas IB Diploma- Is widely accepted in
addition to the standardized admission tests (ACT or SAT) where
required. The rigorous nature is factored in the evaluation for
admission University recognition directory
http://www.ibo.org/diploma/recognition/directory/index.cfm
http://www.ibo.org/diploma/recognition/directory/index.cfm May
qualify for Advanced Standing credit (receive a score of 5 or above
on Higher Level examinations) Check with individual school to
determine how credits may be granted CAS is very important. ID
Students- ID Students will need to contact college directly to ask
if their package will be accepted. CAS is very important.
Slide 16
Its never too early to apply to schools, do research Be
optimistic but realistic when applying to colleges Keep a copy of
all your applications Check email regularly for any requests for
information from schools or updates on the admission process Check
out upcoming information seminars and fairs Advice to students
Slide 17
Finance Your Studies Scholarships Merit Based Need Based (Need
Blind US citizens with socioeconomic background not considered Need
Based international student socioeconomic background is considered)
Online Resources www.fundingusstudy.orgwww.fundingusstudy.org
www.finaid.orgwww.finaid.org
http://www.usscholarshipguide.org/http://www.usscholarshipguide.org/
EducationUSA Weekly Updates
Slide 18
www.fundingusstudy.org
Slide 19
EducationUSA Hong Kong
Slide 20
Destinations of WIS Students 2013 Country% UK39.74 HK17.31
US11.54 Australia8.33 Canada7.05 Others3.2 Gap Year9.62 Employment
and Military1.92