Building the Coliseum The Adviser’s Role in Shaping Futures

1. Building the ColiseumThe Adviser’s Role in Shaping Futures

2. The advising process • Quantitative aspect • Finances, logistics, academic profile • Qualitative aspect • Student aptitude, interest and objectives • Collaborative aspect • Network of support – Internal and External

3. Our student • Academically gifted • Severe financial constraints • Passion for Mathematics • Personality: Reserved and quiet • Recipient of Beaconhouse scholarship

4. Common absolutes • Building the right rapport • Support from heads • Parental involvement • Reaching out • The extra effort • Managing expectations

5. 1. Building the right rapport • Advisor presence in school admissions • A1 forms • Generating interest - Creative approach • Developing familiarity • Understanding student expectations

6. 2. Support from heads • Provide the right facilities • Availability • Room for external support • Set realistic expectations • Encouragement, trust and support

7. 3. Parental involvement • Keep them onboard – From the start • Partner in providing motivation • Provide rationale for academic plans • Balance between foreign and local options

8. 4. Reaching Out • One step at a time • Seniors, colleagues, partners • For information • For financial help • Keeping the student’s dignity intact

9. 5. The extra effort • Short listing universities • The application process • Things go wrong • The essay • The SAT score • Emails and phone calls

10. 6. Managing Expectations • The pressure cooker – Student, parent and advisor • Backup plans – alternate fields • Reality of college funding • Motivation and positivity

11. The universities respond… • Princeton • The Ivy League apathy • University of Wisconsin • 50 % ( $ 18,000/year due) • Minnesota State • 40 % ( $17,000/year due) • Ohio State • International Scholarship capped at $ 4,000/year

12. And that one envelope arrives • Brandeis University • Ranked Overall 33rd in US Universities • Student’s first firm choice (early decision) • Secures admission in Brandeis University with a funding of $ 242,404 (4 years tuition, books and boarding) • Includes funds for one round-trip air ticket each year between the United States and the student’s home country

13. Final thoughts and way forward • Recognize success in local placements • Promote our campuses and students – locally and internationally • Emphasis on the early action • Improving our written skills • Extracurricular Profiles

14. Questions and answers Thank you for your time