Studying in the United StatesUniversities and the Admission

Process

Libby Kokemoor

Educational Consultant at Hale Education Group

Pomona College – BA

Introduction

Peter Y Davos

Founder & Managing Director of Hale Education Group

Johns Hopkins University - BALondon School of Economics - General Course

Oxford University - MStudHarvard University - MDesS

UCLA - Certificate in College Counseling

Johns Hopkins Alumni Interviewer for Fourteen YearsFounder/ Co-President of the Johns Hopkins Society of the

UAEJohns Hopkins Alumni Council Member

About the Founder and Managing Director

Who We Are

Independent Educational Consultancy

•Experienced American consultants who studied at top US Universities such as Harvard, Yale, and Pomona. •Years of work experience in university admissions  •Our students have been accepted at universities such as:

Harvard UniversityStanford UniversityYale UniversityPrinceton UniversityColumbia University

University of California-Berkeley University of VirginiaUniversity of Pennsylvania

•An overview of the US university admissions processes

•The variety of university options in US

•The importance of “fit”

•Application requirements

•Questions & Answers

What We’ll Talk About

Why the US?

Variety of ChoiceAcademic FlexibilityHolistic Education

Resources/FacilitiesScholarship Opportunities

What to Consider: FIT

1. Location – Urban, rural, suburb

2. Size – Small, Medium, Large

3. Selection of majors & programs

4. Cost – Public vs. Private

5. Reputation and Ranking

6. Campus Resources & Quality of Student Life

In the US, there are two primary types of institutions: Public and Private. The tuition at public universities is subsidized by state taxes, whereas private schools rely heavily on tuition and private contributions.

Public University• Typically less expensive• Large student body (Ohio State University has 57,000 students)• Wide selection of majors• More in-state students

Private School • Size of the school is smaller (Bates College has 1,800 students)• Class sizes are smaller• Easier access to professors• Small range of majors, but a particular academic focus• Greater geographical diversity amongst students

What Types of Institutions

College selectivity is the "application-to-admit ratio," or the number of students admitted compared to the number of students who applied.

Admission to top-tier universities can be competitive and highly selective, and as such, every piece of your application matters.

Selectivity

University Selectivity University Selectivity

Stanford University 5% UCLA 18%

Harvard University 6% New York University 34%

Brown University 9% UMichigan – Ann Arbor 32%

Johns Hopkins 15% Boston University 34%

Georgetown University 17% American University 43%

When faced with the daunting and somewhat perplexing task of applying to some of the US's most prestigious universities, I reached out to Hale Education Group. Hale supported me every step of the way beginning with the school search and ending with the "submit your application" button. As a result, I was accepted to seven out of the eight universities I applied to, including Stanford and three Ivy League universities. In short, I am extremely thankful to Peter Davos and his team for helping me make this dream come true.

-Hiba, admitted with a full scholarship to Harvard University

Selective Does Not Mean Impossible

What Matters

Academic Record

• Curriculum / GPA

Standardized Test Scores

• SAT /ACT • TOEFL / IELTS• SAT Subject Tests • AP / IB / A-Levels

Extracurricular Activities

Personal Statement

Supplements

Recommendations

Interview

Academic Record

Grade Point Average/Marks• Only high school years count• Get the highest grades possible• Show improvement across the four years of high school• Supplementary coursework

Curriculum• Rigor is KEY!• Honors classes prove you can handle college-level courses• Earn college credit

The TOEFL iBT and the IELTS tests measure your ability to use and understand English at the university level; they evaluate your Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing skills.

All American universities will require you demonstrate proficiency in English prior to being accepted. TOEFL iBT range: 85 - 100+ IELTS range: 6.5 – 9.0

TOEFL / IELTS

ACT vs. SAT

Understand your options! SAT is not your only choice.

Some students prefer the ACT, others prefer the SAT – colleges will accept either exam!

Take a diagnostic test and find out which exam is right for you!

The SAT is a globally recognized college admission exam that tests your knowledge of reading, writing, and math. Currently, each section is scored on a 200 to 800-point scale, making the "perfect" score 2400. • Critical Reading - Math - Writing

• Six international test dates per year (January, May, June, October, November, December)

• Format is changing in May 2016

The SAT I

Harvard BU UCLA NYU

Critical Reading 700-800 600-750 570-720 640-750

Math 720-800 620-780 600-770 650-760

Writing 710-800 600-720 580-750 640-750

A Comparison Current SAT 2016 SAT

• 3 Critical Reading tests (20-25 minutes each)

• 3 Math tests (10-25 minutes each)

• 3 Writing tests (10-25 minutes each)

• 1 Essay test (25 minutes)

• 1 Experimental test

• 5 answer choices for multiple-choice questions

• 1 Evidence-Based Reading and Writing test65-minute Reading section35-minute Language and Writing section

• 1 Math test55-minute section with calculator25-minute section without calculator

• 1 Essay test (optional) - 50 minutes

• 4 answer choices for multiple choice questions

2016 SAT: What exactly is changing? - The Content

A Comparison Current SAT 2016 SAT

• 1/4 point penalty for wrong answers

• Score is out of 2400 800 for Math 800 for Critical Reading 800 for Writing

• Essay is mandatory

• No wrong-answer penalty

• Score is out of 1600800 for Math800 for Evidence-Based Reading and Writing

• Subscores and insight scores available

• Optional Essay will be scored separately

2016 SAT: What exactly is changing? - The Scoring

The SAT II: Subject Tests

LiteratureUS History

World HistoryMathematics Level 1Mathematics Level 2

Biology E/M(Ecology/Molecular)

ChemistryPhysics

FrenchGermanItalianLatin

SpanishChinese JapaneseKorean

These are one-hour knowledge-based tests used for admission and often for course placement. Requirements vary by university and sometimes by major. Foreign language tests are also offered with listening options on specific dates.

Subject Tests

The ACT has four sections. Currently, each section is scored on a 01 to 36-point scale. The composite score is an average of the scores of all four sections, making the perfect composite score 36.

- English - Reading - Math - Science

*optional writing section

• Five international test dates per year (April, June, September, October, November)

The ACT

Harvard BU UCLA NYU

Composite 32-36 27-31 25-33 28-33

Math 33-36 26-31 25-34 29-34

English 31-36 27-32 26-34 28-32

Extracurricular Activities

Demonstration of commitment• Multiple years of involvement• Demonstration of leadership, initiative, and passion

Variety of Interests• Academic• Athletic• Student Government• Cultural / Creative• Community Service• Summer experiences - internships, camps, courses.

Personal Statement

An Extremely Important Part of Your Application• Shows why YOU, in particular, would be a good fit for the

university• Demonstrates analytical and writing abilities• Common Application: 650 Words / 5 Prompts to choose from

Supplements

American University: Picture your journey in the American University community from freshman year to graduation day. Describe the person you hope to become on this journey.

Johns Hopkins University: Why Hopkins?

Letters of Recommendation

• Another opportunity to add qualitative evidence of your admissibility

• The number required can vary. The Common Application requires:

• One from a guidance counselor or school official• One - two from teachers who know you well in related

subject areas to your desired major

• Letters compare you to your peers, comment on class participation, discuss your potential, etc.

Interviews

Optional but strongly encouraged by admissions

Two opportunities:• Face-to-face interview with university alumnus/a (if available)• Admission officer of the university (either via Skype or in person)

DEADLINES!!

• Early Decision• Any time between October 15 and January 1, depending on the

university• Binding

• Early Action• Any time between release of application (July/August) and

December 1, depending on the university• Non-binding

• Regular Decision (varies by university)• November 30• January 1 – 15 • February 1 – 15 • Rolling Admission

What It Costs

The average cost of higher education in the US has increased over 2.5 times the national inflation rate over the last 20 years.

How to Fund Your Education

Sticker Price vs. Real Price•Colleges attract highly desired students by offering merit-based aid, which can significantly reduce the cost over four years.

Merit vs. Need-Based Scholarships•Nearly 25% of international students report universities as their primary funding.•Private universities usually offer more in scholarships than public universities.•Need-based aid is determined by forms such as College Board’s CSS Profile.

External Funding Bodies•External funding bodies include professional, charitable or government organizations with an interest in educating members of society.•Searching for external funding will require time and dedication to sift through listings.•You will then have to submit a separate application for each scholarship.

Finding Scholarships

•Hale students received over 15,000,000 AED in scholarships in 2014-2015.

How to Apply for your F1 Student Visa

Once you have been accepted to a college and confirmed your attendance, you should:•Secure your I-20 application from Admissions•Register in SEVIS and pay SEVIS fee•Complete the DS-160 online application form•Schedule an appointment with the US Consulate and pay the required fee•Receive your F1 student visa

Practical Tips•Try to apply 90 days before you intend to leave•ALWAYS keep a soft copy of your I-20 application•Keep a soft copy of your DS-160 application•Prepare for your visa interview•NEVER lie on the application/in the interview

Mentoring

Proprietary Platform

College List Creation

Strategy

Essay Brainstorming & Composition

Putting it All Together

How HEG Can Help

100% US University Placement Rate in 2014-2015

“Having applied to over 10 universities, most of which were

highly selective, the college admissions process was definitely

not an easy one. The Hale team helped me extensively with the

college selection phase of the application, providing me with huge amounts of information on all the

universities in which I was interested. Most importantly, however, their help

in redrafting and perfecting my essays was paramount in helping

me gain admission to the university of my choice.”

-Zorez, admitted to Tufts University

Thank You

Questions?