Bangkok Patana School

1. Bangkok Patana School Choosing a University

2. What to consider when choosing a university? • What do universities want? • How to choose your courses? • Things to consider • How to trade up? • IB Diploma • IB Certificates • Country Requirements • Criteria for choosing a university • Sources of Information • Contacts

3. What do universities want? • Most academic students possible that will add to their university (especially highly selective) • Looking for: • Rigor of School and programme (IB and IGCSE) • Rigor of subjects chosen • Academic results in subjects taken (4 years) • Subject requirements for the degree • Pre-college courses, Work experience, ECAs • Proof of independent love of learning

4. How to choose your courses? • Start & end with yourself (Best Fit) • What do you most enjoy? Where do you excel? (strengths & Interests) What makes you light up? • IGCSE and IB keep many doors open (so should you) • So ask lots of questions until end Year 13 • Think outside the box: courses take you to interesting careers • Astrobiologist? Mobile Experience Architect?

5. Things to Consider • Admissions tests (Step Papers, BMAT, UKCAT, SAT, PSAT, ACT, TSA) We love our acronyms! • Subject requirements (keep doors open) • Personality of the university? • Work Experience (Law, Medical, Dental, Pharmacy, Vet, Architecture, Engineering etc) • Keep the student in driver’s seat! • Best social and academic fit

6. How to trade up? • Choose your subjects based on strengths and interests • Work hard and get the very best grades possible • Choose the hardest courses in which you can do well • Arrange work experience • Arrange a pre-college summer programme that will challenge you • Consider SAT Tests (Reasoning and SAT Subject tests)

7. IB Diploma • United Kingdom/Australia: favorably recognized in these countries and a qualification for admission to universities. • USA/Canada: Can be used for admission to university. (Advanced standing) • Other countries world wide: provides entrance to university but some restrictions may apply. • Note: check early with target universities

8. IB Certificates • USA/Canada: Can be used for admission to many universities. (backed up the student’s results, recommendations, essays and SAT results.) • Australia/United Kingdom: recognized in these countries and a qualification for admission to universities, often at the foundation level or Degree Route. • Other countries world wide: provides evidence that students have satisfactorily completed Grade 12 and may allow entry to university.

9. Country Requirements • Note: Academic to Academic • United Kingdom • United States • Australia • Canada • Singapore • Other

10. United Kingdom • UCAS • External Examinations: (I)GCSE &IB • Personal Statement: student • Reference: Tutor • Predicted Grades • Language Proficiency: IELTS (possibly) • Visa

11. United States • Application System- Individual/Common Application/State application system • References (Two): Subject Teachers • Counselor Forms/Reference • Predicted Grades • Transcripts & Diploma • SAT I & SAT II (subject) not all require SATS • Language Proficiency: TOEFL (accept IELTS?) • Essay(1-3): Student • Visa

12. Australia • Australian vs. International Students • Entry Dates: July vs. February • Actual vs. Predicted Results • Individual Application & IDP • IB Diploma • Language Proficiency: IELTS • Visa: country assessments

13. Canada • Individual Applications (Ontario & BC) • Application • References may be required • Transcripts & Diploma • Predicted Grades • External Examination Results • Language Proficiency: TOEFL/IELTS • Visa

14. Singapore • Application • External Examinations (IGCSE and IB) • Transcripts • Predicted Grades • SAT Tests may be needed (not often for IB) • TOEFL & IELTS possible • References possible

15. Criteria for University • Country & Culture • Location (proximity and geography) • Size (university, class size 1st and 3rd year) • Cost (tuition/living costs, internships ) • Financial Aid/Home Status/scholarships • Environment (urban/rural, city campus) • Personality (conservative?, % International) • Learning Style (exams? Projects?) • Housing & Food available

16. University Criteria • Activities (touch rugby, horse jumping) • Faculty (Teaching & Research) • Customer Service • Rankings: someone’s opinion • Facilities & Access: IT, Library, Sports etc • Options: Study abroad, Double majors & Double Degrees • Links to Industry & universities abroad • Internships/Sandwich • Alumni Networks and Careers Support

17. Course Criteria • Link to strength and Interests • Entry Requirements: Reach, Secure & Insurance (5 point range) • Teaching & Content • Informal course rankings “rate my prof” • Assessment: project vs. exams • Theory vs. Hands-On • Depth vs. Breadth

18. Sources of Information • Careers & Resources • University Representative Visits • Education Fairs • Websites (Careers, Keystage 5) • Education Centres (British Council, UK Consortium, IDP, Netherlands, France etc) • Alumni: (Patana & University) & Teachers • Family & Friends • Rankings • Facebook & Youtube • College Tours (by far the best method)

19. Notes • Start now • Do your research • No perfect university only a perfect fit • Organized Files • Deadlines & Documents • Student’s application and the student should be in the driver’s seat.

20. Contacts • Mr Robin Barton • robo@patana.ac.th • Mr Jemison Foster • jefo@patana.ac.th • Mr Andrew Haughton • anha@patana.ac.th • Khun June • mach@patana.ac.th • KhunAe • aoni@patana.ac.th