Counseling Newsletter

Jeffery Harper
jpharper@isb.ac.th

All:   The Counseling department is still looking for a volunteer parent to be in charge of the College Spotlight board in the high school.  Every week we focus on a different university from the top schools around the world and our volunteer parents have always done a great job.  We’re looking for a parent to continue this much-appreciated job.  See Cathy Curtis if you are interested.

Freshmen – Grade to date checks and grade 10 (2013-2014 school year) course panning with counselors are this Monday and Tuesday (March 11 & 12).  Do you check with your son or daughter to see how classes are going?  Parents may want to visit the ISB on-line “Parent Portal” and access the 2013-2014 Program of Studies for information about grade 10 classes for your children.  It’s a good discussion point as long as you focus as much on the positive as on the “needs improvement” category!

Sophomores:  Sophomore Seminar took place May 6 & 7.   Students took the information that they have learned from their Individual Career Plan to develop an initial course plan for the next two years that will advance their university and career goals. Talk you’re your grade ten student about their course selections for grade eleven.  Choosing classes for grades 11 and 12 will be coming up soon (on-line registration opens on March 20^th).

Juniors:  Junior conferences are in full swing.  Have you made an appointment to see your son’s/daughter’s counselor yet?  Don’t delay!  Juniors should consult the new 2013-2014 Program of Studies about their course selections for their Senior year.  On-line course registration opens March 20.

Seniors:  If you are a U.S. citizen applying to schools in the U.S. you may be eligible for loans, grants, work study, or any combination of the three.  You need to file a FAFSA with the colleges in the U.S. that you have applied to.  Go to https://www.fafsa.ed.gov/  – it’s a free application and might be well worth your time.  Most schools start assigning financial aid in March so time is of the essence.  If you haven’t done your 2012 taxes yet, estimates based on 2011 are accepted.

Seniors applying to universities in Japan, Korea, Australia, South Africa etc. with late deadlines, PLEASE be aware of those deadlines.  They can vary from university to university!! See your counselor if you have any questions.

As you receive your offers for universities, remember that when you make a deposit for a university, you are committing to that university for a year.  You may not deposit at more than one university.  You have to make up your mind!  Remember that, because universities that learn that their accepted students have “double-deposited” will sometimes remove their offer.

Upcoming University Visits (Consult Naviance for additions or changes)

The College Fair (AEO) next Friday will be held in front of the gym to coincide with Parent-Teacher conferences.  The Fair will run from 10:15 – 11:00 and that all parents and students are welcome to stop by the table.  This is a great opportunity to ask specific questions about the university admissions process of the very people who make admissions decisions for their respective universities.