CIS University Counselor

Winter 2012 Parent Newsletter

From Your University Counselors
While this edition of our newsletter targets typical concerns voiced by our Year 12 and 13 parents, we know that all of our secondary parents will nd useful information here as well. That said, we understand that no newsletter could possibly convey all there is to know about the many aspects of the university application process. PLEASE feel free to email, call or set up a meeting with a university counselor to fully answer your questions and concerns. Appointments can be made by contacting our fabulous admin assistant, Ms Brankie Wong at: bwong@cis.edu.hk Your suggestions for future articles are greatly appreciated as well. Just contact one of the university counselors below. Your CIS University Counselors Sow Fun Dawson - sfdawson@cis.edu.hk Robert Mansueto - mansueto@cis.edu.hk Marc Marier mmarier@cis.edu.hk

Whats inside The dreaded denial letter: happens to the best of us (with additional inspirational words from Mick Jagger) Page 2 Missing Documents Dept: what to do if the university asks, Wheres the transcript? Page 3 Heads up to year 11, 12 and 13 parents: overview and listing of the winters University Counselor events/initiatives Page 4 - 6 New UC initiative: successfully transitioning YOU and your baby to university
Page 6

FAQs: No need to mind the gap year Page 8 SATs: to prep or not to prep - that is the question
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Food for thought: competition cant be bad...can it? Page 11

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Denial: you cant always get what you want

By mid-December, our early admission and early decision applicants as well as some of our UK applicants will be receiving admission decisions and offers from their schools. Typically, EA and ED applications are sent to some of the more competitive universities in America and often to some of their more competitive programs. Understandably, this is a time of high anxiety and anticipation for Year 13s and for their parents. Parents often ask: what can we do to help them through this period or worse yet, through an application denial? One of the qualities we most enjoy in working with teenagers is their high-spirited enthusiasm. Some can really fall in love with their university of choice, and most have not had much experience in dealing with major disappointments, let alone rejection. They generally havent learned or nd it difcult to adopt the adult perspective of not putting too many eggs in one basket. This perspective often applies to how they view their dream college. Even when they tell us they dont, teenagers tend to see an acceptance as the ultimate validation of their self-esteem, and a denial, especially this early in the application process, can be internalized as a blow to their self worth. As university counselors, we have a unique perspective on the admission process. We know that highly competitive universities are receiving applications from top students the world over. Its arguably the most competitive applicant pool on the planet where acceptance rates at some top-rated universities are now approaching ve percent. Click here. And despite our best efforts to help students understand the vagaries and apparent randomness of the admission process from the university perspective, its still difcult for some students to accept a denial. It feels like Its helpful to remember that rejection or failure. the behaviors you model as a

parent when working through disappointment sends a stronger message than any comforting words ever can.

Realistically, parents cant eliminate the childs disappointment at a denial. Resilience is a learned behavior and learning to deal with disappointment is an important life lesson.

Just as importantly, parents cant help with a denial if they havent yet come to terms with the possibility themselves. Its helpful to remember that the behaviors you model as a parent when working through disappointment sends a stronger message than any comforting words ever can. Cushioning the blow entails helping the teenager understand the implications of an admission decision before the decision arrives. It also means validating their feelings and reassuring them that youre willing to listen as they work through the inevitable highs and lows leading to the day of decision and its aftermath. Teenagers typically recover from a denial quickly. Its a rather truncated grieving process, aided by the fact that they soon realize they werent the only ones who received such a decision. The key is encouraging them to formulate a well-researched list of universities made up only of schools that they want to attend but with a range of acceptance rates. They may not like all of the schools on their list to the same degree, but a denial wont hurt nearly as much if they understand there are other sh in the sea. Finally, reassure them that acceptances are coming. Thats the reason we insist on their creating a balanced list of desirable schools. We also tell them that we often have students who in retrospect

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were grateful for a rst-choice school denial because they subsequently attended a university that turned out to be much better-tting. Seen in this light, denial need not be a soul-crushing experience. Or as that great philosopher Sir Mick put it: You cant always get what you want But if you try sometimes, you just might nd you get what you need.

Why hasnt my university received my documents?

Why is our daughters university telling us they havent received her transcript yet? Didnt you send them? Well, as a matter of fact, we did. Well, why are they telling us they dont have it? The deadline was weeks ago. They have it. They just dont know they have it. Or they misplaced it. Or they havent updated their records. (Or the person updating their records made a mistake. Or theyre understaffed. Or theyre overburdened with more applications than they expected) So youre sure you sent off the forms? Absolutely. Would you mind sending them off again? Of course. Well be happy to. ******************* While the chances are good that this wont happen to your son/daughter, in the course of an application season, we handle enough of these calls in our UC ofce to feel its important that you understand what to do should it happen. Even if you decide not to read any further, the key is not to panic. Why are application documents misplaced? During a typical school year, our students will apply to a total of about 1,000 colleges and universities. While we are extremely careful on the CIS end to make sure that all application materials are sent in a complete, timely and documented fashion, the same cannot be said for what can happen at universities receiving thousands, even tens of thousands of applications.

And heres more good news, in fact, the most important news: no students application has ever been rejected over missing school-furnished documentation.

There are many reasons for application documents being misplaced. First, despite their best efforts, it would be impossible for any university to process all application documents perfectly. Even in the age of digital submission, no system is perfect. Humans are imperfect, computers are only as good as the information they receive and the programs which drive them. US universities in particular (unlike the UCAS system which is centralized and uniform) may process documents and account for them in any number of ways.

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In one notable instance a couple of years ago, CIS ended up sending electronically, then faxing, then e-mailing a document that a university claimed was missing. They had, in fact, received the document four times and STILL claimed they didnt have it. Fortunately, as more and more universities transition to electronic submission of application documents, problems like these are occurring far less frequently. Universities are also improving in their ability to update their databases in a more timely fashion as they much prefer not having their phone lines jammed with panicked calls from students and parents. And heres more good news, in fact, the most important news: no students application has ever been rejected over missing school-furnished documentation. The key point to remember is: if a university should contact you claiming theres a document missing, dont panic. Oftentimes, these messages are sent off electronically, and its simply a matter of their database not having been updated. Have your son/daughter call the university admissions ofce and try to determine which documents are missing. In any conversation with a university admissions ofcer, get the persons name and contact information. Ask if the missing document can be sent via email or faxed directly to them. If missing documents cannot be located, simply have your son/daughter contact our University Counseling ofce with their concern. If they can furnish us with the name and contact information of the admission ofcer with whom he/she spoke, thats even more helpful. Well then check our submission records, and happily resubmit whichever form the university claims is missing. Notice were recommending that its the applicant who handles this matter, not the parent. While it may be tempting or even more convenient for mom or dad to take charge, its important for Year 13s to learn that they can do it. If they dont now, theyll certainly have to in just a few months time! Should a university contact you over the Xmas break claiming that theres a missing document, Ms. Wong will be in the ofce through December 21st as well as monitoring her emails throughout the break.

University Counselors Update for Year 11 Parents

Catherine Irvine, our Career Counselor met with a number of Year 11 parents during the InterQuest Results Interpretation sessions in November. Hopefully these sessions helped parents better understand the quantity of information within these reports. They are a great tool to begin discussions about your childs academic future and possible career paths. Many students and parents have been booking individual meetings with Ms. Irvine to discuss the results in more depth and in relation to IBDP course selections. If you would like to make an appointment, please email Catherine Irvine at cirvine@cis.edu.hk or call 2512 5991. She is available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. At a later date, students will be reminded of how to access Family Connections, which is part of the web based program Naviance, that University counseling uses for the post-secondary application process. Family Connections is a great resource for students to begin researching further into university and career possibilities. Although, Year 11 students will be busy with the Personal Project over Christmas, when taking a break from this work, they are encouraged to begin looking into these areas.

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Year 12 Parent Update

The formal part of the college process for Year 12 students begins in earnest after rst term. On Tuesday, January 29th, university counselors will be conducting an evening meeting for all Year 12 students and parents during which the college search and application process will be outlined in detail. Refreshments will be available at 6:30 in the auditorium foyer with the presentation beginning at 7:00PM. Please make every effort to be in attendance as this meeting is critical to your understanding of the college process. Over the course of the second term, individual meetings with each Year 12 student will be held in order to understand individual student interests, to assist each student in researching schools and to help each better dene what he/she wants and needs in a quality university experience. This will be the rst opportunity the university counselors will have to get to know each student. Throughout the spring term, simultaneous with individual meetings, university counselors will also be conducting compulsory workshops focusing on various aspects of the college process including researching tools, essay and personal statement writing, applying to the UK, US, HK, etc. (See our calendar page below for dates.) During this spring term, counselors will also help Year 12 students formulate a plan for completing SAT/ACT exams (if necessary). Year 12 students will also write an initial essay or personal statement. We will also discuss the option of formulating plans for visiting universities over the summer. For students who completed the PSAT, their results along with an explanation of the scoring will occur in January. Well be sending a letter home to parents along with the results summarizing how CIS students performed, how the test was scored, and the role of the SAT in the admission process. Another major Career related event that will have occurred by the time you read this is CIS rst ever Career Fair for Year 12 students. Over thirty professionals from more than eleven different industries shared their insight and industry experience with our students. This event was geared toward Year 12 students, but Year 13s and Year 11 students were invited to attend during the beginning of their lunch. Year 12 students began their Activities Resumes during a CHOICES session Ms. Irvine on November 28th. This summary of co-curricular activities and work experience is an important part of the US Universities application, and it is required for all students when seeking letters of recommendation from their teachers. Students are encouraged to access the template through Family Connections in Naviance and work on the document over the Christmas holiday. A draft will be due to Ms. Irvine shortly after Chinese New Year.

What are the Year 13 students up to at this point?

As you read this, about 40% of our Year 13s will have submitted college applications and a few have already received acceptances/offers. Many Year 13s are still in the process of researching schools, rening their prospective lists, requesting teacher recommendations (if needed) and writing and revising essays and personal statements (again, if needed). January is typically a very busy month in the UC department for submitting applications, especially to US and Canadian schools.

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Regardless of which country your Year 13 is applying to, January is typically the month when most of our application materials are sent out. It never hurts to ask: when are your applications due? University counselors will continue to meet with their Year 13 students on an as needed basis throughout the school year to assist them with any of the application components. As previously discussed, we focus on helping students understand and research college options as well as complete quality application components in a timely and healthy manner. Regarding student appointments, our university counseling ofce is a beehive. When we set aside time for a student who is a no-show, it unnecessarily displaces another student who needed to see us. Please stress with your son/daughter that appointments with university counselors need to be honored, or if necessary, cancelled in a timely fashion. By the time you read this, we will have already held our rst transitioning workshop for Year 13s where we shared results of a recently completed Class of 2012 transition survey (See quotes below). Following a review of the survey results, current Year 13s were themselves surveyed on what information they feel they need in order to successfully transition to university. The survey also explored how they feel their college process is coming along, and we sought feedback on the roll of competition in their college process. In January, we will be holding a panel discussion made up of 2012 alumni for current 13s to discuss various aspects of the university transition. Additional workshop sessions based on Year 13 survey results will be held during the spring semester. Year 13s have indicated that they would appreciate more information on adjusting to dorm life, handling money responsibly, and adjusting to a new culture as well as practical insights on food preparation and laundry. Ms. Irvine met with Year 13 students at the beginning of November to present a workshop on the professional interview. This is a timely presentation as a number of students could be sitting interviews for university admissions over the next few months. Although the university counseling ofce arranges mentors for institutional specic interviews, if there are any students who would like further consultation on the fundamentals of interviewing skills, they are welcome to make an appointment with Ms. Irvine at any time.

What can parents do to help their precious cargo (and themselves) through the university transition process?
And speaking of transition, its never too soon to start thinking about the implications of the coming move both for your Year 13 and for you. To help parents through this process, we will be holding a January workshop where transitioning will be discussed from the psychological as well as from the practical point of view. Well discuss such questions as: How do parents let go? What do you need and your Year 13s need for this process to go as smoothly as possible? We will share the results of this alumni survey as well as the result of a recent survey of parents of the class of 2012 to help us better understand the transitioning challenges ahead, and how Year 13 parents can prepare now. Well also hear from our Year 13s as to what they say they need from you over the coming months. Hope to see you there. Well have plenty of Kleenex on hand!

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And heres a sampling of quotes from the 2012 graduating class on their university transition... Ive never had to live with Americans. What they tell you on TV isnt very factual. Be physically active! Get involved! Transportation and location are more important than you think! Talk to current students. Dont get hung up on the name. International students - theyre nice to have around! CIS students are a lot more privileged than most other students. Culture shock does exist! Be proactive in making new friends, learning to cook. Dont get sidetracked by rankings. Each university truly has its own culture. In March, well be inviting Year 13 parents to a panel discussion where you will be able to ask parents of recent graduates about the emotional as well as logistical components to a successful transition.

UC Events and Activities for January - March

The list of events indicated below summarizes the main UC initiatives of the coming months without including dates as these in many cases have not yet been assigned. Please remember that Moongate is THE resource for checking our university planning calendar.
January - March Events Transitioning Your Year 13 Student to University: this January workshop for Year 13 parents will discuss what parents can do now to assure a smooth university transition for their Year 13s, their families and themselves. Year 13 Panel Discussion on Transitioning with 2012 Alumni to be held in January. PSATs returned and results explained. University visits from : SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies), Imperial College London, Kings College London, UCL, LSE, U of Edinburgh, Royal Veterinary College and more. SAT Testing Year 12 Parent/Student University Counseling Evening: where the entire college process will be reviewed. January 29th, Year 12 University Group Seminars - To be held throughout the 2nd semester, these sessions will focus on University Counseling, UCAS, writing personal statements and essays, how to research universities, etc. Individual Counselling Sessions for Year 12s begin.

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Gap Year FAQs: Dont mind the gap!

What is a gap year? Also known as "year out", "deferring", or overseas experience" a gap year is the term given to a period of time between a student's completion of secondary school and matriculation into college or university. Generally, the gap year has enjoyed more popularity in Europe than in Asia or the US, but here at CIS, we see a small but increasing number of students in our UC ofce who are exploring the possibility. We frequently see parents worriedly inquiring about the possibility of a gap year. Their concerns primarily stem from the misconception that a gap year will adversely inuence a students admissibility, or the fear that once a student embarks on a gap year, he/she is likelier to forego a college education. Providing the students gap year is a full and rich experience, both concerns are unwarranted. What are typical gap year activities? Some students spend the time traveling, others work, and many combine the two into a kind of working holiday. Gappers often engage in international volunteering which can include teaching, or Habitat for Humanity-type projects. Others will earn money while overseas by working in the hospitality industry or by completing an internship in a job relating to a career interest or possible college major. Often students will use a gap year experience to immerse themselves in a particular culture where they will learn or polish an additional language. Who would be a likely candidate for a gap year? Any student who wants a productive year away before furthering education at the university level is a potential candidate. Here at CIS, students who are very unsure about a college major are most commonly those students who see the gap year as an opportunity to better understand potential career paths. Students who may be a bit younger than their year-level peers nd the gap year option attractive, as well as students who feel they need a year to re-energize before plunging into undergraduate studies. Is there a disadvantage to taking a gap year as far as colleges are concerned? No, in fact, quite the opposite: universities nd that gappers are often more focused, mature and motivated than students who go to college straight out of high school. Theres no disadvantage to telling a prospective university that a student is considering or planning on taking a gap year. In fact, for years, Harvard Universitys acceptance letter said something to the effect of: Congratulations! Youre admitted! Now have you ever considered taking a gap year? How does a gap year affect the application process? It doesnt. The senior year student planning on a gap year applies to colleges just like everyone else. The only difference is that the student will defer his/her matriculation for one year, something which universities who have offered an acceptance decision will generally honor enthusiastically. Which schools will hold an admission offer for a gap year experience? Again, generally, all of them, but it never hurts to check individual universities. How does one formulate a quality gap year plan? A quality gap year plan starts with research. There are many online companies who create gap-year experiences and can help tailor a solid yearlong experience. Other students use family or other connections to create a more personalized plan. In either case, thorough and timely planning are

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critical to a quality gap year experience. Ideally, gap year plans should be nalized in time for spring acceptance decisions. Final words? A gap year, realistically, is probably not for everyone. Some students are burning for a college experience as soon as they graduate from high school, and thats ne. But if the student wants a break from the rigors of a formal education, if he/she can thrive in a non-traditional learning environment, or if the student simply wants the experience of being more self-reliant before heading off for a university degree, then an enriching gap-year is denitely worth investigating. As always, your CIS university counselor is happy to advise on all gap year related questions. A CLASS OF 2011 CIS grads Gap Year Experience: Taking a gap year has so far been one of the best decisions I ever made. Not only did it give me time to discover myself outside the rigidities of a school environment, but it also gave me the opportunity to have a serious think about a very big decision; where to go to college. Beyond that, it's been the best year of my life so far. I spent a semester in Beijing studying Chinese and doing internships, followed by a semester on board a boat sailing around the Caribbean while studying marine biology/ oceanography and scuba diving. Lastly I returned to Beijing to do some meaningful work for an organization I interned with previously (the social enterprise JUMP!). In all, I went to some amazing places, met some incredible people, did a lot of learning in unconventional ways, and found out a lot about myself. Now I'm at university fresh and ready to dive back into the world of academia a little bit more aware of what's out there, and with a much clearer idea of what I want to achieve.

SAT Test Preparation: to prep or not to prep - that is the question!

Probably no topic raises more parent questions and angst than the Scholastic Aptitude Test. Below, we answer some of the more frequently asked questions regarding SAT test preparation: 1. Why doesnt CIS offer SAT Test Preparation? 2. How effective is additional test preparation? 3. If desired, when should additional test preparation be completed? 4. Can you recommend a local, reputable SAT prep course? 5. What can I do as a parent to help my son/daughter with SATs? Why doesnt CIS offer SAT Test Preparation? According to CollegeBoard, the non-prot which develops and scores the SAT as well as SAT Subject Tests, the very best preparation for the SAT occurs in the students classes. In other words, seat time in the classroom is the best preparation, and students are obviously receiving this on a daily basis throughout their CIS education. Secondly, students in Year 12 have the option of completing the PSAT which is devised by CollegeBoard to serve as a practice SAT. Administered in October, the PSAT simulates the SAT test experience; questions are similar and results (released in January) include a review of each PSAT question, a likely performance measure as well as tips on how to improve for the SAT. How effective is additional test preparation?

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According to CollegeBoard data which is US based, the average students gain from completing an outside SAT prep course is on average only about 20 points not enough increase, in other words, to make any difference in a university admission decision. While the CB has no comparable data for international students, we suspect that they typically see a larger boost from SAT test prep, but how much more and whether or not its signicant enough to make a difference in an admission decision will depend on many variables: the courses effectiveness, the students receptiveness and effort, etc. Anecdotally, our students tell us that they nd SAT Subject Test preparation to be more effective than SAT Reasoning Test courses, but we have no data to support this. A conversation with a CIS university counselor can help clarify whether or not additional test prep is a good idea for individual students. If desired, when should additional test preparation be completed? While there is admittedly no perfect time, the sacrosanct rule of thumb here: if a student opts for SAT prep, it should be completed at a time when it is least likely to interfere with the students regular academic program. It cannot be overstated that the students academic performance in challenging classes weighs more in an admission decision than any SAT result. Students who sacrice academic performance for SAT prep are putting the cart way before the horse and thereby unnecessarily hurting their admissibility. Prep courses completed over student vacation periods are the best bet. The summer between Year 12 and Year 13 is probably an optimal time for many students. We also strongly feel that SAT prep prior to Year 12 is developmentally inappropriate and runs the risk of further distorting or pressurizing the SATs signicance. Can you recommend a local, reputable SAT prep course? CIS, as a matter of policy, does not endorse for-prot businesses. That said, Caveat Emptor applies here. The SAT test prep industry is unregulated - anyone can hang a shingle and offer a course. Unethical practitioners who charge exorbitant fees and make outlandish promises are unfortunately not uncommon. Comparison shopping is strongly advised; word of mouth is probably the best guide. Additionally, we do have a le of Hong Kong-based SAT prep providers. Again, we offer this as a service, NOT as an endorsement. A nal word on SAT prep While we have no data on what percentage of our CIS students complete prep courses outside of school, we do know that among international schools, CIS students score exceptionally well on SATs and SAT Subject Tests. We strongly believe that their outstanding performance has much more to do with the high quality caliber of instruction they receive here than with any outside preparation. And in case we havent said it enough, your university counselor is best qualied to answer your SATrelated questions.

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What can I do as a parent to help my son/daughter with SATs? 1. Understand what the SAT is and what it measures. It is NOT an IQ test, nor does it correlate with any measure of future lifelong success. Its a hurdle in the college process, but most certainly not the race. 2. Understand the role that SATs play in the college admission process. Students and parents tend to exaggerate their signicance and burden themselves with more anxiety than warranted. 3. Students can be admitted to high quality, competitive US universities without completing an SAT (a growing number of 4-year universities are test optional, click here but read the ne print) or with comparatively lower SAT scores. A student who scores poorly on an SAT need not feel that he/she is therefore condemned to an inferior university experience. Help your son/daughter put this in perspective. 4. Encourage your son/daughter to be a reader. We nd a strong correlation between avid readers and higher scores. 5. Speak with your university counselor whenever SAT related questions/concerns arise.

Food for Thought: competition is a good thing...isnt it?

The great majority of media references to the word competition, indeed how most of us view it, tends to be unquestioningly positive. Successful businesses, we are told, thrive on competition. Sports, games, and any contest one would care to mention could not possibly exist without it. Competition allows us to assess our own skills and abilities and compare them to others, thereby fueling motivation. Hearts utter when we say competitive college. From the classroom to the arena to the boardroom, competition is pervasive. What could possibly be wrong with any of it? A growing body of evidence, however, is suggesting that healthy competition can, in fact be unhealthy, even damaging to young minds. The NY Times article Click here is worth a careful reading for parents and educators. Here in the University Counseling ofce, weve become increasingly aware of the corrosive effects that unbridled competition among students can have on their college process. Its especially apparent when, as often happens, several of our students nd themselves applying to the same highly competitive university. In the past, weve seen misunderstanding and even acrimony not only among students, but also, sadly, even among their parents. Your university counselors strongly feel that the college process is already fraught with more than enough stress without turning it into a competition. We do not subscribe to the belief that some CIS students are better than others simply on the basis of their university acceptances. In fact, there are only a very few studies establishing any credible link between a particular schools graduates and enhanced lifelong happiness and success, and these ndings are at best tenuous. The last thing we want our students to feel is that they are winners or losers based on their college choices. They dont need to start the next phase of their young lives with the false notion that they are advantaged or disadvantaged simply on the basis of which schools accepted and denied them.

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How well the student takes advantage of his/her educational opportunity is a far stronger predictor of success than the name of the college on ones diploma. An oft repeated truism is that two of the most successful businessmen of the past generation, Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, were, in fact, college dropouts. It should be noted, however, that theirs was not the typical path to success, and they were without question highly talented and motivated individuals. Its important to note that motivation isnt created by the colleges reputation; its fed, at least in part, by the quality of the quality of the education and the relationships a student forms with teachers and peers. It cant be stated enough that these motivating bonds and connections are not exclusive to the worlds most competitive or name brand universities. The last thing we want our students to feel is that they are winners or losers based on their college choices. They especially dont need to start the next phase of their young lives with the false notion that they are advantaged or disadvantaged simply on the basis of which schools accepted and denied them. Weve recently surveyed and spoken to our Year 13 students about this issue of competition in their college process. Your university counselors are rmly committed to the philosophy that the best schools for our students are the ones that best meet their academic and personal needs. We hope we are all agreed that our students university process is one place where competition has no place.