College Application Guide 2018-19 - Singapore American School
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College
Application
Guide
2018-19
1Contents Introduction
At Singapore American School, each student and family has a different level of
Introduction 1 familiarity with colleges and how the college application process works. Some
begin junior year with long lists of schools, while others have only vague notions
about what they might want to study or where they might want to go. Some
Timeline 2 of our students are extremely ambitious; others see college as a nebulous
concept and are not yet sure what might come next. We also work with
students who are planning to take gap years or who will spend their first two
Researching Colleges and Universities 3 years after graduation in Singapore’s mandatory National Service (NS). The role
of a college counselor is to guide all SAS students, with their many different
needs, perspectives, and interests, through a process that helps them to find
Building Your List 5 schools at which they will be successful.
The SAS college counselors view a student’s engagement in the college
Admissions Test (SAT, ACT, Subject Tests, Etc.) 5 admissions cycle as an educational experience. Students need to learn to ask
questions, to research, to analyze their research material and then synthesize it,
and to reflect on their inputs. They practice speaking, writing, and organizational
Applying To Schools 7 skills. Most students will craft essays and take tests. So while the college process
is not a formal class at SAS, it provides a learning experience for each student.
And it is the college counselor’s job to help guide and support each SAS
Applying To Colleges Outside the US student through this journey.
Australia 8 Ultimately, the college research and application experience should be about
process as well as outcomes. The best outcome for each student will be both
Canada 9 pedagogical and practical. And the college counselors will offer a positive
process so that all students and families will conclude their SAS experience
feeling supported and having “best fit” outcomes: colleges to which students
Japan 10 are admissible, at which they will be happy and successful, and from which
they will graduate.
Singapore 11
South Korea 11
Applications Outside of the US
Please note that, because most students at SAS apply to university in the US,
UK 12 this planning guide is focused on the US application process. If you are thinking
about applying to universities in Australia, Canada, Japan, Singapore, South
Singapore National Service 13 Korea or the UK, please see the section on “Applying to Colleges Outside
the US.” If you are thinking about applying to non-US universities in countries
beyond this list, please talk to your college counselor. Also, if you know that
Gap Year 14
you will be enrolling in Singapore’s National Service, please see the section
on “National Service” for more information and talk to your college counselor.
After You Apply 15
Glossary of Terms 16
College Application Policies 17
1• •
Timeline Register for any additional standardized tests
you would like to take in the fall of senior year.
For US universities, you have until May 1 to
make your final decision (except in the case
Match and other search options. If you are unsure
how to access Family Connection, see your
• Explore admissions websites for the of an ED acceptance). You must pay the counselor.
In order to ensure a thoughtful application process, schools you are considering and check their enrollment deposit by May 1 to hold your
the college counseling office recommends requirements. enrollment. The college counseling department’s extensive
students follow this general timeline. This plan • Create application accounts (such as the • If you are placed on a waitlist, see your website is full of information about the college
may vary with students’ unique college plans, Common Application, UCAS, school-specific counselor to review your options. application process. Spend time browsing pages
so make sure you discuss your personal timeline applications, etc.) and begin working on your • Once you’ve made your decision, notify other and links. It contains nearly everything you could
with your college counselor. applications. schools you will not be enrolling. possibly want to know about selecting and
• If you are using the Common Application, • Keep your grades up. Your acceptance is applying to college.
Second Semester, Junior Year match your Common Application and Family
Connection accounts.
contingent upon the successful completion
of your senior year. If your grades drop, your Facebook is another way in which you can keep
• Attend individual meeting with your college • If you will be applying to Oxford, Cambridge, acceptance could be withdrawn. up with news about SAS college counseling and
counselor. or medical/dental/veterinary programs in • If you are applying to colleges in Australia, college admission. It is a private group, so you will
• Attend family meeting with your college the UK, submit your UCAS applications and Japan, or South Korea, you will likely be need to go to Facebook, search for “SAS College
counselor once individual meeting has supplements by October 15. completing your applications for those Counseling” and request to join.
occurred. • Draft college essays. • schools during this time period.
• By mid-September you should notify your • If you will be entering Singapore’s NS, attend
• Update your resume on Family Connection
counselor if you will be applying to an Early the SAS NS luncheon. Reference Materials
(under the “About Me” tab).
• Develop a testing plan and register for Decision (ED), Early Action (EA), or other • If you will be attending college in the US and
colleges with October 1—November 15 are not a US passport holder, attend the SAS The SAS high school library has an up-to-date
standardized tests (SAT, ACT, TOEFL, etc.). collection of independent college handbooks.
• We recommend that every junior take the ACT deadlines. Visa workshop.
• Submit Document Request Forms (DRFs) You will also find some of the more popular
or SAT at least once in the second semester of references on the bookshelves in the back of the
junior year. to the college counseling secretary by the
appropriate deadlines (roughly one month
Researching Colleges college counseling center—feel free to come sit
• Secure at least one junior year teacher
from a core academic area for a letter of before the college application deadline). and Universities on our couches and browse!
recommendation. Many colleges will require • Check Family Connection or the counseling
website for the list of college representatives Deciding where to apply is a highly individual One of the best independent guides is the
two letters. Fiske Guide to Colleges, which is easy to read,
• After a teacher has verbally agreed to a letter that will be visiting campus, and meet with decision. Your choices will be influenced by where
those representatives when they are here. you want to study, what you want to study, and interesting, and accurate. Fiske is one of the
of recommendation, fill out the appropriate few resources to utilize feedback from current
“Teacher Rec Survey” on Family Connection • Keep your college counselor up-to-date on your high school grades earned so far. It will
your college plans. also be influenced by personal factors including students and faculty members. Additional useful
and have it approved by your counselor. print resources include Colleges that Change
• Keep a running list of colleges on “Colleges • Consult financial aid requirements and everything from location to class size, from
deadlines for each school to which you are available activities to cost of attending, and it’s Lives, College Admission: From Application to
I’m Thinking About” on Family Connection. Acceptance, the Heap Guides (UK), and the Good
• Attend the essay writing workshop. considering applying. These deadlines may completely normal to change your mind about
differ from college application deadlines. your priorities several times during this decision- University Guide (UK).
• Attend the SAS College Admissions Seminar in
April. making process! For almost every student, there
December, January, and February: are dozens of institutions where you would be Regarding rankings: each year, the US News
• Meet with college admissions representatives & World Report, and several other publications
who visit SAS in the spring. • Complete applications for December 1 (UCAS) happy and successful. This guide is one resource
and January (most US and Canada schools) among many for you to utilize in the college rate colleges. Each publication uses a different
deadlines. search process. methodology to create its list, and each
Summer • If you have been accepted Early Action (EA) methodology is highly subjective. Some draw
in large part from third-party websites like
or Early Decision (ED), please let your college
• Visit campuses (if possible), research schools counselor know. If you have been accepted ED, Web Resources College Prowler or ratemyprofessor.com, and
of interest, and brainstorm responses to essay you must immediately cancel any applications some poll professors, administrators, and high
prompts. you have out to other schools. All SAS students and parents have access to Family school counselors about their opinions regarding
• Complete the “Counselor Recommendation” • If your application has been deferred by a Connection (FC), a college and career information other institutions. Using this information and
questionnaire on Family Connection. college, please talk with your college counselor website. FC allows students to take a personality something called the Common Data Set (data
about next steps. test called “Do What You Are,” complete a career provided by most US colleges and universities),
• Mid-year transcripts will be automatically interest inventory, look at specific careers, and so publishers rank colleges.
Senior Year sent to all US and Canadian colleges in late much more.
December. Directly comparing a school such as UC Berkeley
First semester: Students can create a list of prospective colleges (with 29,000 students) to Tufts (with 6,000 students)
• Meet with your college counselor. March and April: based on a variety of factors, look at graphs is problematic. Yet, that is exactly what these
• Update your list of colleges, including level of • As you receive each decision, please notify (called “scattergrams”) to predict their chances of rating guides attempt to do. And few guides
interest, in Family Connection. your college counselor. admission, and follow the progress of submitted (let alone rankings) take student feedback into
applications. Family Connection also has College account. Just because a for-profit publishing
2 3company has assigned a rank to a school does not
mean that the ranking is in any way reliable. If you
Campus Visits Lastly, it is worth thinking about scholarships.
While merit-based scholarships are available at
In building your list, Family Connection is
invaluable in two ways. First, it allows you to
do use a ranking list, please use it only a guide, If at all possible, try to visit college campuses. some institutions and private scholarships also maintain a list of schools as extensive as you
not as a reliable reference. This is an excellent way to help narrow your exist, applying for scholarships is sometimes choose in the section “Colleges I’m Thinking
college choices. You may find a rural campus more an additional process over and above applying About.” This is a quick way to keep track of
for the school. Is it worth it? Absolutely. But colleges you’ve researched or considered.
Admission Office Representatives appealing than an urban setting, or learn that you
it’s important to budget for the time it takes Additionally, FC has useful data on each college
prefer small schools to larger ones. It is great to
have an opportunity to assess both what you like to accomplish that process. So making sure to that will help you assess whether your admission
Each year SAS hosts over 250 college consider cost of an institution while building your to that school will be “Likely,” “Possible,”
representatives, who come to our school to about colleges generally, and then what you like
about particular colleges specifically. list will ensure that you’re not surprised by any or a “Reach.”
meet with students and members of the college deadlines or expectations.
counseling team. Take advantage of these visits. Simply, a “likely” school is a college for which
Even if you’re not particularly interested in a Any time you visit a college, if you are able, take
a formal tour. Other aspects of a visit may include If cost is a factor, make sure to address this with you are an extremely strong candidate. Using
school, the more information gathered about your college counselor. the scattergrams, you will be able to find “likely”
different types of schools, the easier it will be to sitting in on information sessions with admissions
staff, sitting in on classes, an admissions interview, schools if you see that your grades and test
make a thoughtful college list. These meetings
also provide a chance for you to demonstrate a meal on campus, or even an overnight.
Each school will have different offerings and
Building Your List scores are on the high end of what the college
accepts. A “possible” school is one that generally
interest in the college, which can be a factor in accepts students with profiles similar to yours.
some colleges’ decision-making processes. different policies. Check their websites for more There are likely tens, maybe even hundreds of
information. Whatever you do when you visit, The scattergram will show your scores firmly in
colleges at which each SAS student would be the accept range. “Reach” schools are colleges
Even though admissions representatives are here make sure the admissions office knows that happy. So while you may hear students talking
you’re there! that normally accept students with GPAs and test
to “sell” their schools and recruit good students, about their “first choice” colleges, it is rare scores higher than yours. On the scattergram,
talking with them provides the opportunity to learn that there is only one single, best college for a there will be few to no accepted students at that
about a college and to interact with a member of
the admissions staff. If you decide to apply, the
Considering Cost particular individual. You should be working to
build a list that includes a number of colleges,
school that have a similar profile.
chance to talk one-to-one might make a lasting For each of our families, cost of attendance at any of which you’d be happy to attend if admitted. When you enter your senior year, you will need to
impression, which the admissions representative colleges plays a different role. If cost will play a finalize your list. SAS has a 10 application limit (see
might remember during the selection process. factor in your college choices, there are several If you’re not sure what major might interest you, the policy at the end of this guide). If your list has
You will also have a contact name if you have things to keep in mind when conducting your that’s not a problem. The majority of students more than 10 applications, your counselor will work
a question about your application. search. First, make sure that you understand who begin college in the US do not declare a with you to reduce it to 10 or fewer. It is important
how your financial need status will be viewed at major. There is latitude to try different courses that the list is well-researched and balanced. Every
Uncertain what to ask when the college different colleges. US universities typically have in the first year or two and choose a major later. student should have two or more “likely” schools.
representatives come to visit? Here are different funds available to citizens versus non- Many students apply as “undecided,” waiting Beyond that, there should be an appropriate mix
some ideas: citizens. Additionally, public institutions in the US until sophomore year to declare a major. Except of “likely,” “possible,” and “reach” schools for
• Oftentimes, general questions like “Tell me have different costs for state residents. If you are for a few select majors—such as engineering and your academic profile and preparedness.
about your college” may elicit general answers a citizen questioning whether you have residency nursing—most students take a variety of courses
that are too vague to be useful. A good way to during this time.
get specific answers to is to be specific about
in your “home” state, please review the state
guidelines, as they vary greatly.
Admission Tests (SAT, ACT,
yourself. For example, you might say: “I’m
planning to study technical theater, and I also
You should consider whether any particular skills
or interests—such as visual arts, athletics, theater,
Subject Tests, etc.)
Second, for US universities, all institutions are
hope to play soccer in college. Can you tell me required to include something called the Net music, dance, or scientific research—might be
Nothing seems to cause more confusion, stress,
about theater and athletics at your school?” Price Calculator on their website that estimates a part of your college search. If you know that
and anxiety in high school students than the SAT
• If you don’t know what you want to study or what a family may pay according to various criteria. certain areas matter to you, please share these
and ACT. But how important is your score? If a
get involved with at college, what else are This is always an estimate because many more with your college counselor.
college requires them, then they are significant.
you interested in knowing? Other specific factors determine financial assistance than what is However, your grades are far more important.
questions can yield interesting information, considered on the calculator. Additionally, read the It is important to consider your chances of
And there are many US colleges that do not
such as: “Tell me about the political/social fine print: some calculators apply to all students, admissibility in creating your list. US universities
require test scores at all (see www.fairtest.org
climate of campus,” “What is residence life like and most are only for US students. think the best predictor of college success is high
for a complete list).
at your school?,” or “How do students usually school performance. Therefore, grades earned
spend their time on and off campus?” Third, the US is the most expensive country for and high school courses taken and the rigor of
At colleges that do require test scores, many
• Ask about scholarships or financial aid. It may college tuition. If cost is a factor, it may be worth these courses are the most important factors
applicants will have roughly the same grades,
be difficult to get in-depth answers in a short considering other countries as well. Some less considered. Standardized test scores, if the
positive recommendations, and equally well-
lunchtime visit, but this is a good time to start expensive countries include Australia, Canada, college requires them (you may find a list
written essays. In these cases, the ACT or SAT
a conversation. Japan, the Netherlands, and the UK (where of those that do not at www.fairtest.org),
may break the tie as college admissions officers
• Ask for a direct email address for an a bachelor’s degree typically only takes three are also an important consideration.
consider the ACT or SAT as a measure of
admissions counselor. Be sure to pick up years to earn). predicted ability. The more selective the university,
a business card.
4 5the more important the scores seem to become.
So how important is your score? Scores are
While you may wish to enroll in a test preparation
course, we recommend that you limit your time
especially if scheduling the TOEFL proves difficult.
In Singapore the IELTS is offered more often.
Applications
probably more important than admissions officers in such a program. Grades are by far the most Test sites include the British Council and IDP. The application platforms you will use will vary
say, but less important than you think. important factor in college admissions, so with each college you apply to. It is likely that
we do not recommend students take lengthy
coaching courses that distract from school work AP Examinations at least one college will require you to use the
To SAT or ACT...that is the question and extracurricular activities. Keep in mind that
Common Application. This is an application that
If you are enrolled in an AP class, you will likely sit you can use to apply to more than one school.
research has shown that 20 quality hours of prep If the college gives you a choice of platforms,
The SAT and ACT are used equally by US colleges. will result in the same improvement as a lengthy for an AP exam at the end of that class. You may
Many—but not all—will want to see either the also choose to take an AP exam if you are taking you can be assured that they do not prefer one
preparation course. over the other—but if the Common Application
SAT or ACT. A college will never require both. certain AT (Advanced Topic) courses. AP exams
Most students will perform similarly on both tests, are always tied to coursework in a particular class. is an option, you must apply using the Common
although a few students prefer one or the other. Subject Tests AP exams are content-specific and take place on Application. Other types of applications
In general, if you are happy with your PSAT score, one assigned school day in May each year. include the Coalition Application, the Universal
then you should prepare and take the SAT in Subject tests are one-hour tests administered Application, and school-specific applications.
December or March of your junior year. If you feel by the College Board that cover specific content Most UK universities require at least three AP Sometimes colleges will offer you the opportunity
your PSAT score is not a good indicator of your areas (e.g., Literature, Physics, French). The vast exam results for acceptance. US schools may to bypass certain requirements by applying using
ability, then we would recommend that you take a majority of US Colleges do not require Subject take AP exam scores into consideration, but no their specific application. You’ll want to check with
diagnostic ACT and compare your scores. Tests. The exception is Engineering programs, US schools require AP scores as a part of the your college counselor to make sure this makes
which may require Math and Physics. Please talk admissions process. sense for you.
Please note that the ACT will be moving from with your college counselor about whether you
paper testing to a computer-based format (CBT)
in August 2018. SAS will no longer be an ACT test
should sign up to take Subject Tests. You may list your junior year AP scores on your
application, but don’t spend money asking AP
Essays
center as of that date. We will remain an SAT Subject Tests are designed to be at a similar to send an official score, since these reports are Essay topics for colleges will typically be released
test center. level as Advanced Placement (AP) exams, so we automatically sent to the registrar’s office once you in the spring or summer before your senior year,
recommend you take your Subject Tests in May matriculate rather than to the admissions office. and may change year-to-year. While specific
Once you have decided which test you will take, or June of the year in which you complete the AP exams completed in the senior year are not directions vary from college to college, all will
you can find instructions on how to register on relevant course. You can always retake the test in available until July, long after admission decisions ask some variation of: “tell us about yourself.”
Family Connection. October or November the following year, if you are made. No matter the prompt, the purpose of the essay
wish to raise your score. is for the admissions officer to learn more about
When to take the test
TOEFL and IELTS
Applying to Schools you. The person reading your essay should be
able to draw some conclusions about how you
As the tests primarily measure your reading think and process information, your ethics and/
In the US, colleges and universities each set their
comprehension and math skills, the further into If English is not your native language, or you are or value system, your sense of humor, and/or your
own criteria for determining who gets admitted—
high school you are, the better you may do on the from a country where English is not your official intellectual curiosity. This is very different writing
and how. Each one designs its own application,
test. We, therefore, encourage students to take language, you may need to take the TOEFL (or than the five paragraph expository essay you may
asks different questions, has a variety of deadlines,
the test for the first time in December or March of IELTS, see below). The TOEFL is designed to test be used to. SAS offers essay writing workshops
and sets its own policies. This can become
their junior year, so they have the option of taking your English language skills. Since SAS students in the spring of junior year, and your college
rather complicated as you attempt to keep
the test again later in the spring or early in senior listen, read, write and speak in English every day counselor can help you brainstorm potential essay
rack of what each school wants. Even schools
year. If you are considering applying early action at school, they usually perform well. Talk to your topics and give you feedback along the way.
accepting the “Common Application” usually
or early decision, you should complete all testing college counselor to see if taking the TOEFL ask for individualized supplements specific to
before October of senior year; for regular decision makes sense for you. If you need to take this test, Many schools will require one large essay and
their college.
applications, you can take retake the SAT as late as take it during the spring of junior year, or early smaller, supplemental essays. Make sure you
December of your senior year. summer before senior year, in order to have time check the requirements so you are aware of
Completing college applications may seem
to retake it in the fall of senior year if necessary. the expectations, as they will vary from college
daunting, so you will want to be sure that you give
Your TOEFL score is valid for only two years, so to college.
Preparing for the SAT or ACT don’t take it too early. Be aware that if you plan to
yourself plenty of time to fill them out thoughtfully.
Admissions requirements and deadlines will vary
Like you would for any test, you should prepare
apply to the UK, you must take the IELTS instead
of the TOEFL.
from school to school, so you need to check Additional Information
carefully to ensure you have completed all the
for the SAT or ACT. You can prepare using books
necessary requirements. Your college counselor is On the Common Application and often on other
or free websites (such as Khan Academy for the The International English Language Testing available to answer any questions that you might applications, there is an optional section asking
SAT). Please do not start test preparation more System (IELTS) is a UK English language test that have at any point in the process. if there is any additional information you wish to
than eight to 10 weeks before the test itself; there has gained some currency with North American
is no data to show that earlier preparation leads add. If, after looking at the entire application,
admissions offices. As such, students are at liberty there is something that you have not been
to higher results. to take the IELTS instead of the TOEFL if they wish, able to include that is integral to a college’s
6 7understanding of you as an applicant, this is the It is best to ask teachers you have had in your study. Most courses of study in Australia are three When to Apply
place to write about it. This section is entirely junior year, because they have taught you recently years long. Because Australia is in the southern
optional, and best utilized to discuss exceptional and can speak about you in an academic capacity. hemisphere, the school year begins in February. For international students, Australian universities
circumstances (e.g., learning differences, Letters should come from a core subject teacher Most courses at most universities also have a mid- admit students on a rolling basis, so you may
prolonged illness, poor grades that are unlike and/or a teacher in the discipline you plan to year intake in late June or early July. apply at any time within a year of your planned
anything else on your transcript, your Catalyst pursue in college. It’s not necessary to choose enrollment date. We generally recommend that
project, etc.). Speak to your college counselor if teachers in courses where you earned As. In If you want information about studying in you apply five or six months before you plan to
you are wondering what might be appropriate for fact, if you received a lower grade in a particular Australia or have questions about the application start. This means that students who want to start
this section. course, you may want to have this explained by process, you might want to contact International at the beginning of the Australian school year,
the recommender. You should plan on asking Development Program (IDP) Education Australia, which is in February, usually apply in September
your teachers for a letter of recommendation in an organization established by Australian following senior year. If you want to start university
Extracurricular Activities second semester junior year to give them plenty of universities and the government. IDP Education, in Australia mid-year, in late June or July, you will
advance notice. https://www.idp.com/singapore, offers a range of usually apply in January or February.
Colleges will give you the opportunity to report services, from providing information about courses
your extracurricular activities and interests. After asking the teacher for a recommendation, of study to assisting with visa applications. If you are planning to enroll at the start of
Concentrate on your important activities and list a student must respond to the “Teacher Rec” Australia’s school year, in February, it is worth
them in the order of what is most meaningful survey found under the “About Me” tab in Family Application Considerations thinking about how you will use your time in the
to you. Under the “About Me” tab in Family Connection. Choose the appropriate subject eight months between graduation and the start of
Connection is a section called “Resume” that area questionnaire and fill it out completely. This Most Australian universities only consider your SAT school. This is a great opportunity to have a gap
allows you to track your extracurricular activities, information helps a teacher to recall specifics or ACT scores in making an admissions decision. year experience.
work experience, and other out of school activities. about you, so please fill it out thoughtfully. Once A few Australian universities have programs that
Keeping this document up to date can really you have finished the form, contact your college require two AP scores, and a couple may also ask Australian passport holders applying for a
assist you with completing this section of your counselor. to review your high school transcript. You can look February start should apply when the application
applications. at each university’s website to see if you meet their portals open, usually in September.
Letters of recommendation are kept on file in the standardized testing criteria for entry.
Sending your Official Test Scores counseling office for five years. If you decide to Residential halls (or “colleges” in Australia)
transfer to another college, your recommendation If your qualifications are not sufficient to gain generally offer places on a first come, first serve
When you take an SAT, ACT, Subject Test, TOEFL, letter can be sent. Although a copy will be in the admission, you may enroll in a six- to twelve-month basis, and have a seperate application system.
or IELTS, you are the person who receives and college counseling office, it remains confidential, foundation year program at a school. Success in Therefore, you should submit this application
“owns” the scores. Colleges will require you to and you will not be allowed to read any this program will usually earn you entry into as early as possible. While it may seem strange,
send them your scores directly and officially from recommendations. that university. you may need to apply to the residential college
the testing agency (e.g., College Board, ACT). before you actually submit your university
Australian universities do not require letters of application. Be sure to contact each residential
Additional Recommendations recommendation or personal essays for admission, college directly to find out more details.
Counselor Recommendation or Materials though if you are applying to live in on-campus
housing, you may need to submit supporting
Many applications require a counselor If you think that you might benefit from submitting written materials from one or more character
Canada
recommendation. This is the letter that will provide one (and no more than one) supplemental references.
There are almost 100 universities in Canada.
information about your academic performance, recommendation, an art portfolio, or any
In Canada, the term “college” generally refers
extracurricular activities, and your character and other supporting materials, you should have a How to Apply
to a two-year program or trade school, whereas
values. In Family Connection you must complete conversation with your college counselor. Please
“university” refers to a four-year institution.
the “Counselor Rec” survey. This survey is a set do not send extra materials without consulting There is no one centralized application system
In Canada, while you may be asked to apply
of questions you must answer that will help your your college counselor; colleges admissions in Australia.
to a particular field of study in the application
inform your counselor’s letter of recommendation. representatives may become frustrated with files • Non-Australian Passport Holders—You will
process, you generally have the the ability to
that have too much extra material. need to follow the application directions on
change your intended major within the first
each individual university’s website. Links to
Teacher Recommendations two years of a program.
Applying to colleges websites for all of the Australian universities
may be found on the Universities Australia
Choosing whom to ask to write a recommendation
is important and one of the things you will
outside The US website, http://www.universitiesaustralia.edu.
au/.
Application Considerations
discuss with your college counselor. Teacher Most Canadian universities are mainly concerned
• Australian Passport Holders—If you hold an
recommendation letters focus on academics; Australia Australian passport, you must apply through
with a student’s academic results. They will
teachers address what they have seen in class and primarily look at your results in core academic
the tertiary admissions centre in each state.
in your coursework. Most SAS students applying There are nearly 40 universities in Australia. areas (especially English, Math, Science, and
You can find links to each state’s admissions
to US schools will request two teacher letters of When you apply, you must know what you want Social Studies) in the last two years of high school.
centre here: http://www.tisc.edu.au/static/
recommendation. to study; your courses will all focus on that area of guide/interstate.tisc.
8 9Only a handful of Canadian universities require offer programs entirely in English. The English- graduate), and that intakes for English-speaking attention to start dates to make sure that you are
standardized test scores (SAT/ACT and/or speaking programs are generally very small programs will be in September. You will need to applying for the intake period that you want). You
Subject Tests). Other Canadian universities may and highly competitive. check the admissions deadlines of each university are most likely to applying at some point between
consider standardized test scores, but high school individually. Some SAS students begin applying to December and February of senior year.
academic grades will still be the most important For a comprehensive guide to studying in Japan, schools in Japan as early as January of senior year,
factor in their decision-making process. please visit http://www.studyjapan.go.jp/en/ but most applications will be due in the spring or South Korea
early summer.
Some Canadian universities are moving to a more Application Considerations South Korea has a wide range of universities,
holistic review process for some programs. For a Since our office will need to handle a great deal of most of which offer their programs only in Korean.
few universities and programs, students may be Japanese schools read applications holistically, just paperwork for the Japanese schools, and since we Currently, there are four private international
asked to write one or more short essays and/or as US schools do, though Japanese schools place must put everything physically in the mail, we ask universities and one public university that offer
provide a list of extracurricular activities. a much greater emphasis on SAT and ACT scores. that you give our office at least a month’s notice all of their degree-granting courses in English.
The primary drivers in the Japanese application before you apply.
How to Apply process are SAT or ACT scores (the SAT may be There are three different application tracks for
The application process for Canadian universities
preferred over the ACT in some places) and your
GPA. Every student will be required to submit
Singapore Korean nationals:
• Domestic—students who have never left
is very straightforward. For most universities, it a high school transcript. Students will also be There are many university options in Singapore. South Korea or who have studied outside of
is simply a matter of completing the individual asked to write an essay, usually about your fit with All courses are taught in English. The traditional South Korea for less than three years.
university’s application and then sending in the a particular school and intended major, and to public universities are extremely competitive, and • Overseas: “3 Years”—students who have
high school transcript. Ontario universities have submit recommendations. It is also possible that you must know what you intend to study when studied outside of South Korea for more than
an online application form, OUAC, that allows you will be invited to sit for an interview with a you apply. There are government quotas on the three years, but fewer than 12.
students to apply to multiple universities and panel of professors. number of non-Singaporeans who are permitted • Overseas: “12 Years”—students who have
programs in that province using one application to attend these institutions. Other options here in studied outside of South Korea for all twelve
form. Other Canadian universities all have their SAS students who are Japanese citizens are Singapore are the five public polytechnics, several years of school.
own application forms that can be accessed on usually classified as kikokushijo, or “returning foreign universities, art and design schools, and
their websites. students.” For most programs at most of the partnership institutions such as Yale-NUS. In general, it is easiest to apply as a 12-Year
Japanese universities, these students must student, because the Korean government places
When to Apply travel to Japan to take centralized university Most degree-granting programs in Singapore take a quota on acceptance rates for Domestic and
examinations scheduled during the months of three years to complete. Students may instead 3-Year students.
Canadian universities tend to have later October, November, or December. You will need pursue two- or three-year diploma courses, which
deadlines than some US colleges and universities. to read each school’s application to see whether do not end in a degree but which will likely be You may apply as an international student if you do
The deadlines vary between early January until that school will consider you a returning student pathways to undergraduate degrees in Singapore not hold a Korean passport and you do not have
the end of March. A few of the most selective in the application process. and elsewhere. Korean parentage.
universities have earlier deadlines; make sure
to check deadlines on each school’s website Programs that are taught entirely in English Application Considerations Application Considerations
and talk with your college counselor if you have generally do not require that you take any
questions about this. Japanese language exams. You may be asked to Public universities in Singapore want to see very Many schools in South Korea are moving toward
take the TOEFL, an English language test, even if high test scores. They will require SATs or ACTs a holistic review process, meaning that they
Many Canadian universities operate on a rolling you are a native English speaker. and may also ask for Subject Test scores. They will review test scores, high school transcripts,
basis. This means that the sooner you apply, will expect to see a good number of high AP a list of extracurricular activities, recognized
the sooner you could hear back from them. How to Apply scores as well. Application requirements at accomplishments, awards, and letters of
So students should consider applying to Canadian other Singapore schools will vary widely from recommendation as part of the admissions
universities earlier than their posted deadlines. There is no one centralized application system in school to school. process. You will probably also be asked to
We encourage all students applying to Canadian Japan. Most Japanese universities still operate write several essays.
universities to have all of their applications on a paper-based application system, and it is How to Apply
completed prior to winter break. important to read the detailed directions on each Standardized test scores are by far the most
university’s application website carefully as you There is no one centralized application system in important determining factor in Korean
complete your paperwork.
Japan Singapore. You will need to check each school’s universities’ admissions decisions. SAT and/or
individual website and follow the instructions ACT scores are a must. Korean universities do
When to Apply there on how to apply. not require AP exam scores, but they like to see
Most universities in Japan are liberal arts based,
meaning that students usually spend their first high test scores in general, so it helps to have
The universities in Japan do not have one single When to Apply strong AP and/or Subject Test scores. Your GPA
two years pursuing a broad range of courses and
admissions deadline or intake date; some schools will also play a significant role.
then spend the final two years studying courses
have multiple admissions rounds. Very generally, Each school in Singapore has its own application
related to their major. Japan has both private
you can expect that intakes for Japanese-speaking deadlines. Make sure to check the websites If you are applying to a Korean-speaking program,
and public universities. Most universities in Japan
programs will be in April (nearly a year after you carefully for these deadlines (and pay careful you may be required to sit for the TOPIK, a Korean
teach all of their courses in Japanese, but some
10 11language test. International students applying to about your major, be aware that in order to apply How to Apply Most students headed for NS will apply to just
English-speaking programs may be asked to sit for to the UK, you will have to make a decision about one or two schools in their senior year and then,
an English-language test (IELTS or TOEFL). what you will study. Note that transferring to a Most UK universities use a nationwide system if necessary, will apply to the bulk of their colleges
different subject will usually entail starting your called the UCAS for their applications. UCAS is an during the second year of NS. You do have the
How to Apply degree over from the beginning. online portal where you can search for programs option of applying during your first year of NS
and also apply to universities. UCAS only allows (or in the fall just before you enter), but very few
Each university in South Korea has its own Most degree programs in the UK take three years students to apply to a maximum of five programs, young men apply at this time.
application process. Korean schools require an to complete; the notable exception to this is or courses, so students must select carefully. We
enormous amount of paperwork—even if you are Scotland, where many students take four years to will send all students interested in UK schools You will want to have conversations with your
using an online application system. Each university finish their degrees. an extensive document on how to complete the parents and your college counselor before you
will provide a list of documents they will need for UCAS at the beginning of senior year. decide whether to apply to college during your
the course you are applying in their application Application Considerations senior year or to wait until after graduation (or
guide. The process is complicated, and you must Check to see whether the UK universities to which some combination thereof).
follow directions carefully. SAS will only send The primary factor that UK universities use in you may be interested in applying use the UCAS. If
required documents directly to the universities. making admissions decisions will be your AP exam they do not, you will need to follow each individual Applying during senior year will keep you in
scores. Most UK universities are looking for three school’s application requirements, which can be step with your classmates and will—if you are
You usually do not need to get any documents AP scores in areas related to your intended area of found on their websites. accepted—provide you with more immediate
stamped at the embassy as part of the admissions study. Only University College London and London gratification. Waiting to apply to college after
process. You will, however, need to have School of Economics require—and Cambridge When to Apply enlistment in NS will give you all of grade 12 to
documents stamped at the embassy when you University recommends—that applicants sit for five focus on getting great grades, increasing your
plan to matriculate. AP exams related to their intended field of study. The UCAS has a deadline of January 15, but most SAT/ACT, AP and Subject Test scores, and giving
You can go to each university’s website, look up international students apply earlier than this, more thought to career and college pathways.
When to Apply the program in which you are interested, and see because slots in UK programs are generally given US colleges also may have a preference for
whether you have qualifying AP scores. Fortunately, out on a first-come, first-served basis to qualified young men who apply during NS, because they
The timeline of applications in South Korea varies UK universities are very transparent in their applicants. We ask that all seniors applying are often more mature and thoughtful applicants.
from school to school and from year to year. requirements, so the results are more predictable to university in the UK let our office know by If you choose to apply to colleges in your
Please check deadlines carefully. In general, if you than the US. completing Document Request Forms (DRFs) no senior year, we ask that you review the SAS
are applying to a university for entry into the first later than December 1. Please note that, unless 10-Application policy. That policy should factor
semester (which will usually start in March), you Some UK schools may also consider SAT, ACT, you have submitted DRFs by that December 1 into your decision of how many schools you
will apply sometime in June or July. Some students and/or Subject Test scores. A few UK universities deadline, you may not start a UCAS application decide to apply to.
(usually 12-Year students) may choose to apply for may request and review your high school over winter break and ask that your college
a spring semester intake; this semester will usually transcript. counselor have the school materials completed Please note that, if you apply to college in your
start in August or September. by January 15. senior year and are accepted, you will have to ask
Students without qualifying test scores can often the school for a two-year deferral. All universities
Most students may apply to Korean universities
in two separate rounds. This means that if you are
apply to a one-year foundation course in order
to qualify later for entry to a degree program at Singapore National Service in Singapore permit two-year deferrals, and
most US colleges do as well. UK and Canadian
not admitted to a university in the first round, you a UK university. universities, on the other hand, rarely allow two-
may be eligible to apply in the second round. If you are a male Singaporean citizen or Permanent year deferrals, so you should plan to apply to
Universities in the UK will ask you to write a Resident, you must complete National Service (NS) universities in those countries only as your time
Since our office will need to handle a great deal of personal statement about your interest in and before beginning university. Regardless of whether in NS is drawing to a close.
paperwork for the Korean schools, and since we commitment to your intended course of study. you plan to apply to a few universities during your
must put everything physically in the mail, we ask This may involve writing about relevant high senior year and defer your start date, or if you plan If you are applying in your senior year, please
that you give our office at least a month’s notice school courses you have taken, internships to wait and apply to college while in NS, you must make sure before you apply that the institution(s)
before you apply. or other work experiences, material you have request your recommendations and complete to which you are submitting an application will
watched or read, and/or pursuits you have standardized testing while in high school. allow you to request a two-year deferral should
UK engaged in outside of the classroom. Your college you decide to attend. When you make an
counselor will also write you a reference letter
based on your demonstrated engagement with
When to Apply enrollment deposit, you will again need to confirm
with that university that you are requesting that
The UK is home to over 125 different universities.
Universities in the UK usually ask that students your field of interest. Young men in NS have the option of an extended your space to be held for two years. You should
choose, apply to, and then focus on a single area college application timeline. You might submit only hold a space at a university for two years if
of study (though you may also have the chance to Some courses of study may require you to applications: you are confident you will ultimately matriculate
combine two areas of study, such as French and take specialized admissions tests as part of the • In your senior year; or to that institution.
History or Business and International Relations). application process (e.g., the LNAT for law or • In your second year of NS; or
If you are someone who is certain of the subject the BMAT for medicine). Some universities may • In both senior year and while you are in NS. If you choose to pursue college applications
you want to study in college, a UK university could also require that you take the IELTS, an English after the time of high school graduation, the SAS
be a good choice for you. If you are undecided language test. You may contact The British Council college counselors will continue to assist you and
about registering for these tests.
12 13your family with any questions that might arise.
You will finalize your college list, write your essays,
NS, but this can pose problems based on the
scheduling demands of being in the field and After you Apply holes in the incoming class, which are filled from
the waitlist. Even so, the waitlist is usually a long
and complete and submit your applications the possibility that you may start to lose math shot. Only choose to remain on a waitlist if you
during NS. We will be here to meet with you and and other academic skills when you are in NS). Once you apply, we suggest that you check really plan to attend should you be admitted later.
to help with the submission of transcripts, and your status with each college, making sure they
teacher/counselor recommendations, and other Recommendations: have received and processed everything. Please If you are interested in remaining on a college’s
supporting materials. • Complete a Common Application (or a UCAS allow colleges a couple of weeks to update your waitlist, please contact your college counselor.
application for the UK) in order to familiarize information since they are processing documents Final notification may not come until well into
yourself with the types of essays and other simultaneously for thousands of applicants. the summer so, for safety sake, it’s important not
Timeline: Junior Year information that will be required of you at the to assume you will be accepted off the waitlist.
time of application. Once the college has reviewed your application, Accept an offer of admission from another school.
Requirements: • Attend luncheon for NS-bound juniors and they will notify you about their decision. Students
• Meet individually with your college counselor, seniors with NS alumni hosted at SAS. applying to colleges with “rolling admissions”
first individually and then with your family, to usually receive notification six to eight weeks May 1 Reply Date
discuss your college application plan, process from the time they have a complete application.
and timeline.
• Ensure that all enlistment requirements/
GAP YEAR Students applying early decision or early action Once you have your acceptance letters, you must
decide where to go. The US candidate reply date
will typically hear by mid-December. Students
tasks associated with National Service are Are you ready to begin college immediately applying regular decision will typically hear no is May 1. If you don’t tell a school by then that
completed in a timely manner. after high school? If you are not sure about later than April 1. you’re coming in the fall, they can, and often do,
• Attend all sessions mandated for the junior going to college, doing something different for withdraw your acceptance. You are not obligated
class (e.g., essay writing workshop). a year gives you time to think things over. Even Most students receive one of two decisions from to wait until May 1 if you make your choice sooner.
• If you are planning to apply to college in senior if you are certain that college is in your future, their colleges: acceptances or denials. But a Notify all other schools that accepted you of your
year, complete all tasks assigned to juniors a gap year can be a wonderful way to explore new few students may find themselves deferred or decision not to attend. An email is a great (and
(e.g., securing teacher recommendations; experiences or new parts of the world. For most waitlisted. simple) way to do this.
taking SAT/ACT at least once). students, there is little downside to a productive
gap year. This may involve working a full-time job,
Recommendations: volunteering for an organization, or traveling.
Defer
• Attend the NS session at the College A gap year may allow you to become more
Admissions Seminar hosted in the spring by Students who apply early decision or early action
independent, gain real world experience,
the college counseling department. are sometimes deferred, which means the college
and often times, focus on what you want
• If you are not applying to college in senior will wait until the regular decision cycle to decide
to achieve in college.
year, secure at least one teacher letter of whether or not to accept you. Deferrals can be due
recommendation. to the need to see your first semester grades from
If you plan to take a year off, we still recommend
• Develop a standardized testing plan with your senior year, or because the admissions office is
that you take part in the bulk of the application
counselor. unsure of the strength of the rest of the applicants.
process during your senior year. Take the required
• Attend luncheon for NS-bound juniors and If you are deferred, you should talk with your
tests, request recommendations, and explore
seniors with NS alumni hosted at SAS. college counselor about how to proceed.
college choices while you are a senior here at SAS.
• Register to attend an Open House visit to the If you apply and are admitted, at most colleges
Basic Military Training Centre to familiarize A deferral is not necessarily a bad thing. Some
you can then defer the starting date for a year.
yourself with what the basic training phase of students who are deferred are admitted later.
Almost all colleges will allow deferment if you
NS will be like. If you are deferred from a school to which you
write a letter of explanation and give them proper
applied early decision, you are released from any
notice (usually by May 1). The only stipulation is
binding commitment. You can apply, be admitted,
that you cannot attend another college during
Timeline: Senior Year your year off.
and choose to go to any college that accepts you.
Requirements:
• Meet with your college counselor at the start Waitlist
of the year to either (1) begin finalizing your
college list and working on essays, or (2) if you You may find that, when you receive admissions
are not applying to college as a senior, confirm decisions in March, you have been put on a
a timeline that will suit your specific needs. “waitlist.” All colleges admit more students than
• Ensure that all enlistment requirements/tasks they have room for in a freshman class because
associated with National Service enlistment are they realize not all students they admit will choose
completed in a timely manner. to enroll. Guessing the “yield” is a difficult task—
• Complete your standardized testing by especially as more students apply to more schools
graduation (in rare cases, students may plan each year. If a school underestimates the number
to take some type of test while completing of accepted candidates who enroll, there will be
14 15You can also read
