Jaime Q：How does an academically mediocre student stand out in college application?
A：Academics are not the only factor in any college application. Although it is true, they are the first thing that any selective institution will consider, they only serve as an enticement for an admissions officer to look further. Strengthening a college application requires close attention to the other components; student essays, recommendations, activities, standardized testing, etc. However, an academically “mediocre” student cannot expect to apply successfully to an academically ‘elite” college no matter how strong the other components are!
Q：Any suggestions on school selection for students who intend to apply for Canadian universities?
A：Canadian universities, like UK universities, do not fit neatly into the US-centric ranking systems popularly referred to when selecting colleges. It is preferable to rank Canadian universities by specialized subject area rather than by institution alone. The QS Top Universities Rankings allow you to filter by country and by broad subject area. This will provide a good sense of which schools in Canada are performing well in which subject areas, and how they rank in terms of the rest of the world.
Q：When is the best time to create a school list and what should a G9 student do in preparation for college admission？
A：A School list can be created at any time in high school. An initial list created in grades 9 or 10 can serve as a broad goal or ambition for the student to work towards. It is not until the second semester of grade 11 that we can get an accurate sense of the GPA, AP (Advanced Placement), SAT, and TOEFL results that any student will be applying with. At this point, the “dream” list of schools is confirmed, and targets become realities based on statistical analyses of a student’s performance to date.
Q：Over the course of writing college application essays, are students supposed to include and elaborate upon their activities/competitions?
A：Activities and competitions may form a part of the application essays and supplemental writings, but it is not obligatory. The essays are an opportunity for students to talk about themselves and reflect on experiences that they define as meaningful in their development. Such experiences may include their growth and development through official activities, challenges in competitions, summer programs, research projects, internships, etc. However, reflection on social and/or academic growth through external reading, family life, friendships, and other less “formal” interactions may be equally valid. The crucial factor is a student’s skill in self-reflection and critical awareness rather than the activity, competition, or informal interaction itself.
Q：Given the fact that ED (Early Decision) admission rates are noticeably higher than RD ones, why doesn't every student attempt to apply through ED by which they will have nothing to lose even if they are denied?
A：This is true! Every student should take advantage of early application opportunities where the admission rates are higher. However, ED, because it is binding, is not necessarily the best option for all students unless the student and family are completely happy with the potential acceptance at that institute. In other words, choosing to apply to a school through Early Decision should only be done if the student is completely happy with the idea of attending that school and withdrawing from ALL other applications if the ED application is successful! There are greater advantages in being able to view multiple offers, and the ability to choose/select a college from a group of acceptances at a later stage, by applying EA rather than ED.
Q：Do UC’s require grades from G12? Is the transcript for g12 seen?
A：The University of California application system bases its admissions decisions on self-reported grades. In other words, at the point of accepting a student for admission to one of their campuses, the UC system has not seen any formal, official transcript from a high school and has relied on the accuracy of the student in self-reporting grades through the online application system. However, after receiving an offer, the student is required to submit all official document to verify the authenticity of the previously self-reported grades. The university will, at that point, see a full, official transcript of the student’s academic achievements in all high school years, including G12.
Q：Is it ok to explore all subject areas in high school?
A：The high school’s core curriculum is designed to ensure that students can explore all subject areas. It is important for the student’s future that they have a broad education across the humanities, social sciences, and sciences. High school is precisely the time when students should be exploring a wide range of subjects.
Q：If my child’s grades in their intended subject area are lower (B’s) do they need to change their intended major?
A：The better question to ask would be, why does my child want to study in an area that they seem to find more challenging? In many cases, studying your “intended” subject at high school is not a prerequisite for studying the same subject at university. For example, majoring in economics does not require a student to have studied this subject in high school; majoring in Sociology does not require studying sociology in high school. Ecology does not require Environmental Science, etc. However, this does not hold true in many areas of STEM where attaining core skills prior to entering university are essential.