Counseling News

Debbie McDowell
debbiem@isb.ac.th

All
The High School Counselors continue to work with students who are adjusting to high school and their new classes.  Each week the counselors review a list of students who have D’s or F’s in their classes and check in with these students.  One important aspect of the grade report on Powerschool is the HAL grade.  This score (1-7) indicates how prepared the student is for class as well as how engaged he/she is in the learning process. Don’t forget to check the HAL grade when you look at Powerschool!

Mr. Weiser and Ms McDowell will be participating in a university tour and attending a conference next week.  They will be on the following campuses: McGill University, Concordia University (Canada), Colby College, Bates College, Bowdoin College, Dartmouth College, Middlebury College, and University of Toronto.  They will attend the National Association of College Admission Counseling Conference. Students and parents are welcome to contact another counselor in their absence.

University Presentations for Parents

Tuesday, 17 September:  Why Study Liberal Arts?      11:00 – 12:00   Room 3-203

University representatives from Brandies University, Bryan Mawr College, Oberlin College and Vassar College will speak about the benefits of studying in a Liberal Arts program and attending a Liberal Arts College. They will also present information about the opportunities available to graduates of Liberal Arts colleges such as jobs and graduate schools.

Thursday, 3 October:  Council of International Schools Fair and Workshops

1. Mock Admissions.  Students and parents will review actual applications to a (fictional) university and make decision the decision to admit, deny or waitlist. Experience what it’s really like to make those decisions.
2. How Colleges Evaluate Applications.  Hear directly from the people who make the decisions about applications.  Perspectives from large public universities and liberal arts colleges will be presented.
3. Financial Aid for US Colleges and Universities.

Sign up in the HS Counseling Office if you want to attend the Mock Admissions session.  The seats are limited.  How Colleges Evaluate Applications and Financial Aid for US Colleges and Universities will be available for all who want to attend.

Presentations for Arts Students
If your child is interested in studying fine arts, photography, graphic arts and other art related fields, there are many opportunities to find out more from the university representatives visiting ISB.  In the near future, the following representatives will be on campus and doing presentations during lunch and in the classrooms.
Ringling College of Art and Design-September 19

Academy of Art University- September 20

Savannah College of Art and Design Hong Kong- September 25

Ontario College of Art and Design- September 30 (Also meeting with IB Art students in class)

California College of the Arts (San Francisco)- October 2.  Will also be present at lunch during the parent teacher conferences on 4 October to talk to parents and students about portfolio development and/or critique one piece of work by students.

Grade 9
Freshman Seminar this week had guest Presenter Mr. Rogers (Dean of Academics) pay a visit to discuss Academic Programs in the HS. This included information on the IB Program that most Freshman have heard of but have limited knowledge of. Mr. Davy also this week ran a second session on goal setting, focusing on stepping stones to students dreams.

Grade 11
Junior Seminar took place on Wednesday and Thursday this week.  Counselors provided an introduction to the university search process. The students completed at self-inventory and then completed assignments based on their needs and interests.  Students are encouraged to find universities that are a “best fit” for them. This means that a university is challenging but offers the student academic success with a healthy balanced lifestyle and which has the programs in which they are interested and will lead to the career path to which they aspire. It would a great conversation starter to ask your child what characteristics do they consider to be important in the university they will eventually attend.

Grade 12

• Every Monday, the University Lab will be open for those wanting to work on their applications or seek support from a counselor.
• A workshop on writing a university essay or a personal statement took place on Monday, 9 September.   University Lab and the Essay Workshop were well attended this week by Seniors this week.  Over 50 students participated in the Monday events.
• University of California and California State University Workshop will be on Monday, 16 September at 2:15.  Students planning to apply to these universities are strongly encouraged to attend this workshop!
• Brown University & University of Pennsylvania at NIST–September 26 at 7 pm

The sessions will take place in the NIST Theatre on the fourth floor of the CAB Building (on your left hand side as you enter the gate).

Online registration here: https://www.brown.edu/admission/undergraduate/introduction-brown-university-0

SAT / ACT Prep:  SAT prep can be found on Naviance.  The “PrepMe” program is a comprehensive program available to all ISB students.  Additional SAT/ACT Prep information is available in the counseling office and all Junior and Senior students received an email regarding a 90-day free trial SAT Prep Phone App offered by an ISB alum now working for a multinational tech firm.

Upcoming University Visits (Consult Naviance for any additions or changes)

Please see Naviance for details!