How to gain entry to Overseas Universities

Based on over 12 years Experience in Chiang Mai

By Jon Hartmann BA (Hons), Grad.Dip Ed, Careers Cert.Career CounsellorPrem Tinsulanonda International School

Pre-requisites

Career counselling (grades 9-11)should lead to good course selection .(myroad.com,pastoral care programme,,work

experience, careers day)

University research (grade 11/12) should lead to good University selection.

Course selection is the most important Application can then take place.

Advice

Do Work Experience or ShadowingTalk to Alumni of UniversitiesTalk to admission officers at FairsSettle on ONE country Take aptitude test (Hascit Test at Prem)Make a family decisionBase decision on reality ,academic and

financial

Factors to Consider

Credentials of the student both academic and others.

Nationality of the Student English requirements of University Country applying to Dates and Deadlines Specific Universities

requirements Cost Scholarships

Nationality of the student/English requirements

Thai/Non native English student to UK, USA,Canada,Australia

For Undergraduate courses Universities will need guarantees of English ability

May need to do TOEFL or IELS (CMU). Bridging courses available at the University

May need school verification of ability and length of English education.

eg Melbourne University: “Completing the final two years of secondary education at a school where English is the medium of instruction and assessment and gaining a satisfactory pass in English in the final year”

Dates and Deadlines

USA:1st January ,some earlier

UK January 15th

Canada February

Australia November after graduation

Need to know the dates, deadlines and specific details of each countries systems and each University applied for.

Country Applying to.

UK

a centralized system allowing 5 choices for one fee

Apply online

Apply before January 15th

www.ucas.com

USA.

USA Individual applications to individual

Universities are accepted. Deadline is mostly the 1st January

Most accept “The Common Application online” Require student essays, references,

curriculum vitae and grades May require SAT score. Will require school transcript from grade 9-12.

USA.

USA has the most diverse and complicated system of application. Consider early application.

Some Universities have their own Application forms, some have an International supplement, some have earlier and later closing dates, some require an interview.

My Advice is: Check each USA Universities entry criteria and application process thoroughly.

Australia

Australia

Much later than the other ESC due to Southern Hemisphere.

Can apply as late as November for February intake.

Individual applications to Universities

Canada

CanadaDirect entry to the University

Entry around February (UBC Feb 28th)

SAT maybe

Application require personal statements, grades, references

What credentials do students need?

A Transcript with GPA A standardised Test Score SAT or IB Diploma

or AP. Higher grades determine the quality of the

University and course you can successfully apply for.(SAT scores for average entry published and match ranking)

Higher grades will help students applying for merit based scholarships.

Hints for a successful application

Include School profilePersonal essay skillfully written.Documents easy to read and attractively

presented References from an alumni if possible.Everything very professionally presented

and all in one parcel or online.

School Profile

References

Personal EssaysBoston University Essay: Who or what influenced you to apply to BU?

“Communications, Mr. Hartmann! I love it! But, what school?”

As I had never considered Communications previously, I was absolutely in the dark about what school was the perfect fit for an ambitious student willing to study communications.

Without hesitation, Mr. Hartmann suggested a name I was quite familiar with, yet unsure of its strengths, “Boston University.”

Boston University? I knew it was a great school, well recognized for many specializations, but was it really that famous for Communications?

Seeing my puzzled face, Mr. Hartmann expanded on his suggestion.

“Boston, as you know, is the city for education in the United States. Smack in the middle of such a city, Boston University contains many schools of different educational fields, one of which being Communications. The Communications College offers majors in mass communications, film and television, journalism… Practically everything you can ask for in communications is there with a liberal arts program so you can try everything, explore, and come to your final major without any problems. Aside from all the studying you have to do, you are free to take part in the hundreds of sports teams, clubs, and more! Plus, you are literally in the middle of the city, so you are really able to balance between school workand the fun you need in college life. I mean, what more can you ask for?”

I knew it was Mr. Hartmann simply informing me of a school, but everything about his description of the school was instantly attractive. To be able to enjoy the city life as well as be productive in my studies of Communications was something not many schools could ever offer. One usually has to choose between the two, but here was a school capable of fully offering both.

Completely satisfied with knowing what to study and where to go for that study, I knew I did not have to ponder any further about which collegewould be the perfect fit. I knew where I had to go, and where I had to get in to have the best four years of my life.

Uncertainties

Quotas : need for nationality balance sex ratio, need for a % of underprivileged.Special Missions: Trent University

Canada

Will give enormous support to Burmese students.

Other ways to help yourself

Special Guidance: Agencies, Experts on the USA, publications,Good Universities guide,

College Dirt.com, alumni accounts, admission officers counselors.

The KEY Question:What slant will most aid your success???

NO SUBSTITUTE FOR GOOD GRADES

Scholarships

Scholarships :USA has the most!Merit based:academic/sporting/artsNeeds Based: income/Automatic or special applicationPSAT for grade 11’s

Examples from PTIS

Sonja2006: IB score of 44 Barnard College, Columbia University IVY LEAGUE

Examples from PTIS

EMMY2007 London School of Economics / IB score of 38 second best Business School in Europe

Examples from PTIS

Art: 2008 IB certificate, classical guitarist DVD,

Australian National University ranked 16th in the world One of two Internationals allowed for this course.

Examples from PTIS

Ishaan 2009 IB Score of 40 University College London ranked 7th in the world

Examples from PTIS

- Gun 2010 Carnegie Mellon University (CMU)  ranked top ten in the world for Engineering

Examples from PTIS

- Prangphisut (Fah) Daengdej 2011 New York University (Abu Dhabi) one of the most selective University in the World accepting less than 5% of applicants

My Conclusion

Conclusion: Students from PTIS who have outstanding academics, great references and a history of service and leadership can gain entry to the world’s finest Universities.