UK Universities
This workshop will focus on the application procedure through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) as well as universities that are outside of UCAS, including Foundation Courses for students who do not qualify for direct entry. Entry qualifications for different degree courses are also included. Also covered is the proof of language proficiency in order to secure a visa to the UK if a student does not have a UK and/or EU passport. Other topics included are: application procedures and deadlines for OxBridge (Oxford and Cambridge), deadlines for applying to Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine, entry exams required for certain courses at Oxford, LNAT (Law National Aptitude Test) for UK Law (and which universities require it), UKCAT (UK Clinical Aptitude Test) and BMAT (British Medical Aptitude Test) exams for medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine and the difference between the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) and IELTS for UKVI (more security) required for a UK visa.
European Universities
This workshop will focus on the application procedures to universities in different countries; for example, application procedures one must follow when applying to universities in Germany are different from those located in the Netherlands. Also included are details about universities that teach in English and what is required to achieve a visa and acceptance if applying to universities that do not teach in English.
Canadian Universities
This workshop will focus on the application procedures to universities in Canada. Included are entry requirements for various universities with regard to particular degree courses (i.e. Management, Engineering, Science, Architecture, Arts and Sciences, etc.) as well as proof of language proficiency if not native speakers or Canadian. Also included is how to apply through OUAC (Ontario Universities Application Centre) and the direct application procedures to universities in other provinces.
This workshop will focus on the complexities of the application process to the US. CommonApp is a major part of this workshop because it is the most popular service here in Amman. Only two schools here have Naviance so I leave that process up to their counselors. The main focus of this workshop, however, is how important it is for families to choose the right fit university rather than a ‘trophy’ university that may not be the best fit. Other topics included are: Scholarships and Financial Aid, EA and ED, UC application, importance of deadlines and what universities might be looking for in an applicant as well as questions to ask oneself in order to decide what is of personal importance (i.e. location, costs, program offered, opportunities for research, etc.). Also addressed is the need to select one to two reaches, three to four within one’s range and three to four as serious back-ups they would be happy to attend, depending on the number allowed by each local school.
US Universities
This workshop will focus on how to brainstorm ideas such as:
- What university admissions would like to see.
- Importance of honesty.
- How to maintain one’s voice throughout an essay.
- The dangers of having others write the essays for you.
- What different questions they may have, and how to answer creative questions.
- How to research universities in order to be able to answer such questions as ‘Why us’ and ‘Why this program”.
The workshop will also include the differences between personal statements for the UK and for the US.
Personal Statements and
Supplemental Essays
This workshop will focus on guiding parents on how they can provide support to their children throughout the time they are trying to balance their demanding academic programs with the pressure they will be under as they begin the application process.
Parental Support
This workshop will focus on supporting new university counselors, giving them pointers on how to set up a counseling office, pointing out sources that can help them as they learn, pointing out what needs to be addressed as they guide families through the process. I also give them my contact details so they can ask me questions whenever they are unsure of what to do.
New Counselor Support
This workshop will focus on the great importance of course choices made while in Middle School (this is important for Jordanians especially with regard to maintaining a science stream of education from Grade 9-12 if choosing to study science-related degrees at universities. If they choose a humanities-related program at school, then decide to take a BSc at university, they will not be able to work or start a business in Jordan that is science-related) and working hard to maintain a strong or at least consistent academic record for four years previous to applying to universities. Few people here realize that, especially those attending high schools that do not provide university guidance (which is the case in a vast majority of schools in Amman).
Students in Grades 8-11 and their Parents
This workshop will involve a dean of admissions from certain universities speaking to parents about what universities in their country look for in an applicant. The Deans will also go over the complex selection process within their universities as well as other processes that may help parents and students understand the ins and outs of applying.