University Fair & University Applications

Counselor Coffee Talk

AGENDA

• Introductions
• University application planning - year view
• Greater Bangkok University Fair Sept 21
• How to prepare
• IB/AP Data & updates
• Q&A

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HELLO!

We are HS Counseling

Taylor Siedell taylors@rism.ac.th

Deneene Ricketts deneener@rism.ac.th

Lindsey Kamal lindseyk@rism.ac.th

Tawan Waengsothorn tawanw@rism.ac.th (Thai Universities)

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WHAT DO COUNSELORS DO?

• Support Student Learning at RIS

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• Proactively address the personal, social, academic and career needs of all students

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OTHER IMPORTANT PEOPLE

HS COUNSELING

Irene Wong (PowerSchool)

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Nathsinee (Aor) Wangveranusorn

(Secretary)

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HS OFFICE

Nathan Meisner (Principal)

Kate Culbert (A.P.)

Sarah Boulware (Dean of Students)

COORDINATORS

Pavla Poch (AP)

Nicole Sabet (IB)

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INDIVIDUAL STUDENT MEETINGS

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The counselors have a link to Calendly to help students schedule meetings.

In these meetings we support each student’s unique process and timeline. Discussions include:

• Personal statements, essays, and supplements - from brainstorm to final edits
• University research and lists
• Strategies for managing timeline and workflow
• Form, documents, deadlines
• Stress management and the emotional side of the process

Ms. Dee

Mr. Siedell

Dr. Tawan: please email to make an appointment

What does G12 look like?

• Application Year - Lots to do!
• Timing of applications differs significantly by country and university; organisation key!
• Use Maia Learning for research & applications.
• Regularly meet with their counselor for guidance & support.
• Do their best in each class and activity/club in order to finish strong!
• Step into independence and adulthood.

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What is MaiaLearning?

• A Research Tool:
• Access assessment tools to understand self
• Look up the thousands of career options
• Research universities that are a BEST FIT
• Tracking:
• Universities for application
• Letters of recommendation
• Grades/Test Scores
• Document sending

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APPLICATION AGREEMENT FORM

You should have seen & signed this form printed on blue paper.

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If you haven’t, ask your child.

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G12 - Application Timeline

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Testing Recommendations

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• We recommend taking the SAT twice. If student is IBDP, less necessary (still recommended for USA).
• ACT can replace the SAT Subject Tests for some Thai Universities; 1st ACT taken in Dec, Feb, Apr, Jun, Jul; 2nd ACT taken in Jul, Sept, Oct
• SAT accepted by more countries

Students in all Grades

• Focus on what is in front of them
• Do their BEST in each of their classes - ask for help when they need it
• Pursue activities they enjoy in and out of school
• Balance of academics, clubs, sport, FUN, time with friends/family
• SLEEP: 8-9 hours per night
• Time to be quiet & reflect on their life
• They will need your help with all these things

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Greater Bangkok University Fair @ RIS

Wednesday September 21st

University Fair - Sept 21

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University Fair Schedule

Greater Bangkok University Fair

Sept 21: 13:30 - 15:30 @Godbout Hall

14.40-15.30 for parents

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UK Admissions Panel @ Harrow

Sept 22: 17:30 - 20:00

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US Case Studies @ Bangkok Prep

Sept 22: 18:00 - 20:00

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List of Universities

US Case Studies Signup

Deadline not specified; sign up early

UK Case Studies Signup

Deadline Sept 16, 2022

Suggestions for Parents

College Fair preparation

DRIVER & GUIDE

STUDENTS ARE THE DRIVERS

PARENTS, COUNSELORS, OTHER ADULTS ARE THEIR GUIDES

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We ask students to conduct research, speak with the university reps directly, & to take ownership of this process.

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Being able to manage this process independently (with your support) is a good sign your child is engaged with their future planning & ready for independent living.�

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How Universities Evaluate Applicants

Most European Schools

Australia

New Zealand

Scores/Grades-based

Holistic

Grades

Personal essay

Letters of Recommendation

Portfolio

Activities/Clubs

Holistic + Scores/Grades-based

Japan

Hong Kong

South Korea

United Kingdom

The Netherlands*

Canada*

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United States

CRITERIA FOR ADMISSION*

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*Certain Exceptions

Scores/Grades-Based

Scores/Grades-Based

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Scores/Grades-Based + reference + personal statement

Scores/Grades-Based

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Scores/Grades-Based

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holistic

Holistic

STUDENT AIM AT FAIR*

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*Certain Exceptions

info

info

info

info

info

Info

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Impression (but don’t stress!)

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE REPS

• They work in sales/marketing
• They are responsible for applications from this region
• They may be the first reader of the students application
• They are a wealth of knowledge about their institution
• They love meeting prospective students!

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Parent Suggestions

• Have conversations with your child about their future
• What do they want to do?
• Where do they want to be?
• What are their strengths/passions?
• What is the family budget for higher ed?

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Parent Suggestions

• Determine a list of universities to approach
• Research them! What do you still want to know?
• Create a list of questions
• Remind your child they are the DRIVER - they ask the questions, you are moral support
• Come to RIS for the fair!

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IBDP & AP

Current data & helpful tips

May 2022 IB Results Summary

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School Average Points:

• 38/45 - highest average in more than 6 years (world average - 32/45)
• 5.91 - average grade obtained by students who passed Diploma (world average grade - 5.12)

Diplomas awarded: 95% passing rate

Highest Diploma score: 44/45 - two candidates

Distribution:

• 37% of candidates earned 40 points or higher
• 58% of candidates earned 38 points or higher
• 71% of subjects written were above world average

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Core (TOK/CAS/EE) highlights:

• on average +1.84 bonus points; 7 students earned 3 bonus points
• Extended Essay: 5 As; all passing
• TOK: 6 As; all passing

Raising IB Culture at RIS

• TOK + Core Class → skills & pastoral care to support increase in core points
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• Visible Product: TOK Exhibition, Lit&Perf Presentations, Visual Arts Exhibition, CAS Reflections, EE Symposium, Group 4 Project, field trips…
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• Communication:
• Parent Coffees
• Student Deadlines 2023
• Support for students at risk

Goals for this year:

• Developing better online presence
• Visible presence on campus
• Other → please feel free to suggest!

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Y2 May 2023: 24 DP students

Y1 May 2024: 48 DP students

May 2023 Session Reminders

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• RIS Policy: All Diploma and Certificate candidates are expected to take the IB examinations for the courses they have enrolled in. This expectation ensures both course and program integrity, promoting student achievement and instilling in students the value of persistence, commitment and academic preparation through experience.
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• IB Candidate Fees due Sep 15 (with signed invoice statement)
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• Projected Grades for University → Students are only to request through their counselor.

The IB Core and May 2023

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Ways you can engage with your student

• Encourage your student to diversify their reading interests
• TOK Essay Titles May 2023 → have a discussion
• Extended Essay (Due Oct 31) → ask about their research
• CAS → ask about their project
• Internal Assessments → what support do they need?

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TOK Coordinator: Andrew Leighton andrewl@rism.ac.th EE Coordinator: Brittany Redd brittanyr@rism.ac.th CAS Coordinator: Cameron Mulligan cameronm@rism.ac.th

5 YEAR SCORE SUMMARY

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****LAST YEAR WE HAD 38 SCHOLARS WITH AN AVERAGE SCORE OF 4.07.****

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AP Biology

AP Calculus BC

AP World History

AP Physics 2

AP Calculus AB

AP Chemistry

THANKS!

Any questions?

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