Personal Statements Workshop

There will be a personal statement workshop next Tuesday 27/9 in C103 at lunchtime. You can bring your lunch with you. Year 12’s may also attend if interested.

UCAS

For those applying to the UK – make sure your insurance choice is just that, an insurance choice.

“A UCAS review showed 40% of insurance choices were for universities that demanded the same or higher grades than applicants’ top choices.”

Every year students come unstuck and don’t leave themselves a fallback position. If you’re not sure come and chat with me.

UCAS Dates

Students applying from outside the UK or EU, whatever their nationality, need to be aware of the three application deadlines but many universities and colleges will consider their application until 30 June. This does not apply to applications for the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, courses in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine or veterinary science. For all of these, you must apply by 15 October.

Universities and colleges do not guarantee to consider applications they receive after 15 January (or 24 March for some art and design courses), and some popular courses may not have vacancies after those dates. If, after the application deadline (15 October, 15 January or 24 March) has passed, universities and colleges have received enough applications for any of their courses, they will be able to close them. Students should check with individual universities and colleges if they are not sure. Students are advised to apply as early as possible.

Correct names and registering exam results

Each year UCAS matches approximately 400,000 applicants applying through UCAS to the examinations they have recorded on their application. It is important to note that as a UCAS applicant you should enter your ‘First name’ as the name that appears on your legal documents (passport). If you have a name by which you prefer to be known this should be entered in the ‘Preferred first name’ field.

And don’t forget to register for your exam results to be sent directly to universities wherever you are going. This is important. We just had one ex-student excluded from classes at his university because he neglected to get his results sent on!

Till next time…

If you are thinking about Hong Kong universities it is that time of year when the Hong Kong universities hold events and open days to inform students (and parents) about courses and programmes on offer.

The 2012 intake will be an interesting one as there will be a double cohort of students  from the local system and students will be commencing both three year and the new four year degree programmes.  This is the last year in which entry to a three year degree is offered.  After next year all applicants will be applying for the four year degree programmes.

Some excellent scholarships are offered for IB students. Check the websites below for more info.

They are well worth attending for anyone considering higher education in Hong Kong as an option. Perhaps book a cheap Air Asia flight for the October break?

SCAD (HK Campus)

Oct. 29: 12-5 p.m.
     • Tours
     • Opportunities to meet students, faculty and staff
     • Portfolio counseling
     • Portfolio preparation presentation
     • Admission, financial aid and scholarship information
     • Refreshments
     • Register

Discover the University of Southern California 
An opportunity to discover USC’s exciting academic offerings and vibrant campus life
USC is hosting its annual Discover USC Asia reception in Hong Kong in October.  At this event, students and parents will have the opportunity to meet members of the Undergraduate Admission Office, as well as admission staff from various departments, including the Marshall School of Business, Viterbi School of Engineering, and Dornslife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences.  It is a good opportunity to find out more about the academic courses offered, campus life as well as discuss the application process and requirements.

When & Where
Sunday, 16 October 2011
2-4 PM 
J W Marriott Hong Kong
Pacific Place 88
Queensway

RSVP via the USC website

• Have you heard that Coe College was one of Princeton Review’s Best Colleges?
• Have you heard that we were also one of Forbes Magazine’s Best Buys?
• Have you heard that Cedar Rapids was in the top ten of Kiplinger’s Best Value Cities?

Year 13’s – you will be submitting details of their university plans this week during tutor time. Please be prepared. Remember that the internal due date for applications to the UK, Ireland, Canada and the US is November 1st. There are a number of applications started for the UK on UCAS but no American applications have yet been received via Commonapp. Please do start your applications very soon – this weekend if possible.

There are a number of visits coming up in the next month or so.

Swiss School of Hospitality – 26 September (lunchtime B106)
University of Queensland – 20th September (lunchtime B106) “Exercise, Sport and Nutrition Science at UQ”
UBC – 7 October (lunchtime C103) – always popular so be early
Mini Australian University Fair (October) – details coming soon

If you are interested in Drake College (USA) a representative will be dropping some information into the Universities Office next Monday (19 Sept). If you’d like to find out about their programs and some generous scholarships please swing past the office during lunch.

The Asia Virtual Student Fair is on this weekend on September 17th.  Many U.S. universities have signed up to meet with students. The Virtual Student Fair will feature:

•       Booths staffed by admissions representatives, professors, and students who are available for live chat (both text and video chat)
•       Photos, videos, and brochures you can download
•       Undergraduate and graduate areas, so you can easily find the type of program you are looking for
It is free to attend. You can sign up at http://tinyurl.com/3l86zts

News from UQ:
The second Chrysalis International Summer School will run from 11 to 18 December 2011 under the theme “Leading Your Community” and it promises to be a great educational event and a lot of fun. Visit the website www.foundationyear.com/CHRYSALIS.   An IB scholarship is available for students residing in Malaysia. Nominations are available online or from the Universities Office.

Quick links:
For those intending to apply to the USA this is a very useful article – “America’s Top Colleges”
http://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelnoer/2011/08/03/americas-top-colleges/

Worried about interviews? This might be a good resource – http://www.interviewguru.co.uk

Results of the 2011 ‘National Student Survey’ for the UK –  http://www.hefce.ac.uk/news/hefce/2011/nss.htm

Don’t forget that there are many useful resources in the Universities Office. Feel free to drop by and check them out anytime.

Till next time…

Greetings all.

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Till next time…