Debbie McDowell
debbiem@isb.ac.th
Wow! The school year is off and running! Already September!
Grade 12
Many seniors have been in to meet with their university counselor this week. And Senior Family Conferences are underway. Please speak with your child to find out if they have begun their university essay review with their counselor and confirm the date for your Family Conference.
Next week, seniors will be attending Senior Seminar #2. The topics to be covered include: requesting transcripts for university applications, linking student’s UCAS account to ISB for their UK applications, and as always, dates and deadlines. Seniors will have some time in class to work on applications and essays as well.
Grade 11
PSAT
All Grade 11 ISB students are scheduled to take the PSAT at no cost to the family on the morning of Wednesday, October 4. The PSAT serves as practice for the SAT and is also the National Merit Qualifying Test for American citizens. For some ISB students, the PSAT may not be relevant to their university applications/planning, and therefore they do not need to take the exam. Please complete this OPT-OUT FORM by Friday, August 25 if you DO NOT want your child to take the PSAT.
On the day of the test, students will report directly to the MPB at 7:30 AM. This year, the PSAT will be digital; students will take the exam on their own school provided devices. Here is a slide presentation on the PSAT/NMSQT and how the test will be different in its new digital format. Here is a SHORT VIDEO that explains the changes. Students taking the PSAT must download the Bluebook app where they can practice test questions and the new digital format. All test takers will go through a digital readiness check in school on September 12.
If you’re unsure if your student should take the exam, please contact your student’s counselor. If you have general PSAT questions, please email Curt Nichols at curtn@isb.ac.th.
Parent University Coffees
The university counselors will host the first Parent University Coffee on Friday, September 8 @ 9:00 AM in the MPB 1. The topic will be “Introduction to ISB University Counselors and the University Counseling Program” and is open to all parents of students in grades 9 through 12. Mark your calendars and join us to find out more about university counseling at ISB!
2023 Greater Bangkok University Fairs and Events:
ISB will be hosting the Greater Bangkok Fair on Wednesday, 20 September from 2:00-4:00 pm. Please join us on that day! We will have over 220 universities from over 20 countries! University representatives will be set up in the Rajendra and Elementary School Gym.
There will be multiple evening events sponsored by other international schools around the city. Registration will be required at these events. Information about registration will be provided soon.
Wednesday, 20 September
- UK University Event @ Harrow International School
- Global University Talk/Panel @ Concordian International School
- Canadian University Talk @ St. Andrews International School, Sukhumvit 107
- US Mock Admissions @ Shrewsbury International School
Thursday, 21 September
- Tea & Biscuits: An Evening with UK Universities @ Bangkok International Prep & Secondary School
- US Mock Admissions @ International Community School
- Australian University Talk/Panel @ Wellington College Bangkok
- US & UK Art Portfolio Evening @ Shrewsbury Riverside
- Stay tuned for more information about times and registration!
University Visits
Remember to always check the list for virtual and local events that students/parents can join. Virtual and off campus events can be found here.
Future University Visits:
- Thursday, 7 September @ 11:00: Miami University, Oxford, HS Conference Room
- Thursday, 7 September @ 3:00: Yamanashi Gakuin University, HS Conference Room
- Tuesday, 12 September @ 3:00: Lawrence Technological University, Counseling Conference Room
- Monday, 18 September @ 11:00: City University of Hong Kong, HS Conference Room
- Monday, 18 September @ 3:00: McGill University, MPB 3
- Wednesday, 20 September @ 2:00: Greater Bangkok Fair, HS Gym(Rajendra) & ES Gym
- Monday, 25 September @ 11:00: Indiana University-Bloomington, HS Conference Room
- Monday, 25 September @ 11:00: University of San Diego, TBD
- Thursday, 28 September @ 11:00: Hult International Business School, HS Conference Room
- Thursday, 28 September @ 3:00: University of British Columbia, MPB 1
Watch for future visits from: University of Boston, Berklee College of Music, Pepperdine University, Bucknell University, Tio Business School and others.
For more university counseling information, please check the ISB University Counseling website. There you’ll find university research tools, transition resources, recordings and slide shows from Parent Coffees and other presentations, virtual and off campus university visits, information about testing and how to sign up for the SAT at ISB, a database of summer programs, and the ISB School Profile.
Kindly,
Debbie