DUBAI AMERICAN ACADEMY Senior College Night

1. DUBAI AMERICAN ACADEMYSenior College Night Information for Senior Parents and Students September 2012

2. Counselor AssignmentsClass of 2013 Assignments are determined by student last (family) name: Mrs. Elizabeth Morris A-H Mrs. Carey H-P Mr. Robbie Jefferiss R-Z Jan Evans, HS Counseling Secretary

3. Tonight’s Program • Staying organized • Deadlines!! • Parts of an application • Division of Responsibilities • Handouts/Questions

4. Organization is Key! • Figure out a system • Naviance/Family Connection • List of universities • Deadlines • Requirements • Communication with your counselor

5. DEADLINES, DEADLINES, DEADLINES • KNOW YOUR APPLICATION DEADLINES!! • It is the student’s responsibility to inform counselors of their deadlines • Different Types of Application Deadlines • Early Decision • Early Action • Regular Decision • Rolling Admission

6. DEADLINES, DEADLINES, DEADLINES • Deadlines vary from school to school, country to country • Typical Deadlines: • Early Deadlines—mid-October to mid-November • Regular deadlines—December to February • IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT YOU COMPLETE APPLICATIONS BEFORE THE WINTER BREAK!!

7. PARTS OF AN APPLICATION

8. The Application • Most applications are found and completed online- submitted electronically • Application Clearinghouses • US-Common Application • UK-UCAS • Ontario-OUAC • Two parts of an application- Student application and School Documentation

9. Essay/Personal Statement • Check to see what is required by each university • Start writing early!! • Answer the question • Student’s voice • Revise, revise, revise

10. Resume • Might be required by some universities • Can be advantageous to expand upon activity information in the application • High School activities only • Use Family Connection to create resume

11. Interview • Carpe Diem • Prepare • Location • Mock Interviews

12. Teacher Recommendations • Know the requirements from each university UK/US/Canada • Teacher recommendations • Student Process - • TLOR Request Form • Gentle Reminder if early application • Thank your recommenders!

13. Counselor Recommendation • Global letter • Completion of the Junior Questionnaire– Naviance • Parent Survey - Hard copy/Email attachment • Set up a time to meet with your counselor

14. Testing • SAT, SAT II, ACT, TOEFL, IELTS(other entrance exams admissions tests- BMAT -Cambridge/Oxford – TSA) • Check University and/or Course requirements—all are different • Students MUST request the testing organization to send official score reports to universities (This can be done on line at any time.) • October 6, 2012 - SAT @ DAA • October 27, 2012 – ACT – • November 3rd SAT in Dubai • December 1st SAT @ DAA SAT: www.collegeboard.com ACT: www.act.org TOEFL: www.toefl.org

15. Supporting Documents • High School Transcript • Semester grades in all HS courses (9-12) • Previous school transcripts • Mid-year transcripts in February • IB Predicted Grades • Recommendation Letters • School School Report and Profile

16. How are supporting documents sent to universities? • First Step: List all of your colleges in Naviance • Electronic • US-Common App/Naviance • UK-UCAS • DHL

17. How Do Colleges Make Decisions? • USA- Most Holistic: read transcripts, essays, letters of recommendations, test scores etc. Small school vs. large school. Committees. • Canada- Less Holistic: read transcripts and essays but more focused on IB predictions • UK- Least Holistic: IB predications, one personal statement, and one letter or recommendation- Conditional offers • Europe- depending on the country/university can vary greatly.

18. DIVISION OF RESPONSIBILITIES

19. Division of Responsibilities • Student’s Responsibility • -Research college/universities • -Request TLORs- speak to your teachers • -Send test Scores to Colleges via SAT & ACT • -Talk with University reps • -Fill out applications including Essays • -update My Colleges on Family Connection • -Keep copies of all forms • -Keep accurate records of all on-line applications & mail • -WATCH DEADLINES – late/ last minute applications are never great applications.

20. Division of Responsibilities • Counselor’s Responsibility • -Help students develop and round out a good list • -Maintain Accurate transcripts/grades • -Manage sending of all school documentation • -Maintain records of what was sent & when • -Remind Students of upcoming deadlines • -Provide information of upcoming events • -Coordinate the teacher’s letters of recommendation • -Help students compile all of the pieces needed for their applications • - Monitor overall process and be an advocate!

21. Division of Responsibilities • Parent’s Responsibility • -Guide from the back seat but let your student drive! • - Do your best not to compare your student with other students or siblings- this is an individualized process. • -Discuss openly the financial restrictions for funding university studies- $$$$$ • -Prepare any financial documents necessary (FAFSA, CSS Profile, Cert. of Finances, Bank Letters) • -provide application fees as needed (keep records) • -Assist students in management of deadlines • -Proofread applications and essays (when asked) • -Assist in gathering information

22. What to Expect during the Process

23. Counselor Contact Information • Elizabeth Morris (A-G) • e.morris_daa@gemsedu.com • Amy Carey (H-P) • a.carey_daa@gemsedu.com • Robbie Jefferiss (R-Z) • r.jefferiss_daa@gemsedu.com • Jan Evans, HS Counseling Secretary • j.evans_daa@gemsedu.com • DAA Telephone: 04 347 9222

24. ResourcesHandouts Questions?