Ishcmc aa drawing your roadmap to college 2014 10 09 (summary)

Drawing Your Roadmap to College ISHCMC American Academy October 9, 2014

Tony Ngo Co-founder of Everest Education B.A. and M.S. Stanford, M.B.A, Harvard Business School

Fact or Fiction Colleges seek applicants who are well-rounded

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But let’s go back in time…

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Tony in middle school YOUR JOURNEY TO A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION www.e2.com.vn | +84 12 58 323232 | info@e2.com.vn

What’s so great about going to a top international school?

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Amazing Classmates and Peers

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Diversity and Unique Life Experiences

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Access to People Changing the World

David Kelley John Taylor The “Taylor Rule”

Condoleezza Rice U.S. Secretary of State

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IDEO

Planning and Hard Work YOUR JOURNEY TO A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION www.e2.com.vn | +84 12 58 323232 | info@e2.com.vn

The U.S. accounts for nearly half of the top 100 universities in the world

2014 2013

Belgium Brazil Israel Russia Taiwan Turkey Sweden Switzerland Singapore China France S. Korea Canada Hong Kong Netherlands Japan Australia Germany UK US

50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0

Source: The Times Higher Education YOUR JOURNEY TO A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION www.e2.com.vn | +84 12 58 323232 | info@e2.com.vn

U.S. College and University System Liberal Arts Colleges Community Colleges State Universities Vocational / Technical Private Universities

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There are significant scholarships available for international students  ~345 ranked U.S. colleges offered financial aid to at least 50 international undergraduates during the 2012-2013 school year  Average scholarship totaling $17,721 (1)  Some top-ranked schools are especially generous

(1) Source: U.S. News annual survey, 2013 YOUR JOURNEY TO A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION www.e2.com.vn | +84 12 58 323232 | info@e2.com.vn

The Top 10 U.S. Universities with the Highest Average Aid to International Students # International Undergrads with Fin Aid

Avg Aid to Intl Students

University of Chicago (IL)

57

$56,414

5, National Universities

Williams College (MA)

80

$54,671

1, National Liberal Arts Colleges

Yale University (CT)

347

$53,774

3, National Universities

Skidmore College (NY)

80

$53,523

45, National Liberal Arts Colleges

Harvard University (MA)

530

$52,758

2, National Universities

Amherst College (MA)

146

$52,433

2, National Liberal Arts Colleges

Wesleyan University (CT)

83

$51,450

17, National Liberal Arts Colleges

Stanford University (CA)

110

$51,331

5, National Universities

Trinity College (CT)

146

$51,003

36, National Liberal Arts Colleges

Dartmouth College (NH)

260

$50,285

10, National Universities

School name (state)

U.S. News rank

Source: U.S. News annual survey, 2013 YOUR JOURNEY TO A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION www.e2.com.vn | +84 12 58 323232 | info@e2.com.vn

But US college admission rates are declining‌ School

2005

2014

Amherst

18%

13%

Boston

38%

34%

Brown

16%

9%

Cornell

31%

Dartmouth

School

2005

2014

NYU

32%

33%

Northwestern

33%

13%

Stanford

13%

5%

14%

UC Berkeley

27%

17%

18%

12%

Michigan

63%

32%

Duke

23%

11%

Notre Dame

29%

21%

George Washington

39%

43%

UPenn

29%

10%

Harvard

11%

6%

Virginia

39%

29%

M.I.T.

16%

8%

Wesleyan

28%

23%

Middlebury

23%

17%

Williams

21%

18%

Source: http://www.ivywise.com/admission_statistics.html YOUR JOURNEY TO A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION www.e2.com.vn | +84 12 58 323232 | info@e2.com.vn

‌is it becoming harder to get into college?

Percentage of Students Applying to 7+ Schools, 1990 vs. 2011 1990

2011 9%

29%

Applied to 7+ Schools Applied to 6 or Less Schools

Source: Survey by the National Association for College Admissions Counseling YOUR JOURNEY TO A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION www.e2.com.vn | +84 12 58 323232 | info@e2.com.vn

How do you better compete for one of these spots?

YOUR JOURNEY TO A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION www.e2.com.vn | +84 12 58 323232 | info@e2.com.vn

Planning and Hard Work YOUR JOURNEY TO A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION www.e2.com.vn | +84 12 58 323232 | info@e2.com.vn

Fact or Fiction College admissions officers are likely to look at your Facebook page

YOUR JOURNEY TO A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION www.e2.com.vn | +84 12 58 323232 | info@e2.com.vn

The Key Areas Colleges Care About Academics

Extracurricular

Before the Application

Application Essays

Letters of Recommendation

The Application Process YOUR JOURNEY TO A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION www.e2.com.vn | +84 12 58 323232 | info@e2.com.vn

Testing

Academics

Academics

Extracurricular

Before the Application

 Are you ready to engage in a university classroom?  Grades, but where you stand relative to class average do matter even more  Have you challenged yourself intellectually?

Tip #1: take rigorous courses in areas that interest you, including dual enrollment and AP classes YOUR JOURNEY TO A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION www.e2.com.vn | +84 12 58 323232 | info@e2.com.vn

Testing

Extracurricular

Academics

Extracurricular

Testing

Before the Application

 Service, arts, sports or even work, but sports is generally the weakest.  Are you a member or a leader?  Can you start something new you are interested in?  What are you learning through this involvement?

How are you maturing?

Tip #2: take leadership roles in your activities YOUR JOURNEY TO A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION www.e2.com.vn | +84 12 58 323232 | info@e2.com.vn

Testing

Academics

Extracurricular

Testing

Before the Application

 SAT scores matter even more for international applicants  Best to take the exam in 11th grade  TOEFL or IELTS as well to demonstrate English proficiency  SAT II for at least two subjects, ideally one by end of 10th grade

Tip #2: take a diagnostic SAT by late 9th grade or early 10th grade to know where you stand YOUR JOURNEY TO A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION www.e2.com.vn | +84 12 58 323232 | info@e2.com.vn

Major changes to the SAT are coming Changes    

Back to 1600 point scale More analysis of information Use of citations as evidence Variety of texts: scientific, historical, informative, and literary  Emphasizes process as much as results

Consequences  More thinking, analyzing, and explaining  Less memorizing test tricks  Support assertions with concrete information  Source criticism  Better illustrates a student’s ability to grapple with Universitylevel materials

Less tricks and more important to prepare earlier.

YOUR JOURNEY TO A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION www.e2.com.vn | +84 12 58 323232 | info@e2.com.vn

Application Essays

Application Essays

Recommendations

The Application Process

 Essays are crucial so your candidacy stands out  Who are you as a person? Why are you different than every other smart international candidate?  Why is this school a great fit for you?

Tip #4: show it, don’t say it (and you have 650 words) YOUR JOURNEY TO A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION www.e2.com.vn | +84 12 58 323232 | info@e2.com.vn

Letters of Recommendation

Application Essays

Recommendations

The Application Process

 Request letters of recommendation from people who have seen you grow and develop  Titles of recommenders are less important than their insight  Give them plenty of time!

Tip #5: approach recommenders 3 months before deadlines YOUR JOURNEY TO A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION www.e2.com.vn | +84 12 58 323232 | info@e2.com.vn

Fact or Fiction You should start your college applications the fall of your senior year YOUR JOURNEY TO A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION www.e2.com.vn | +84 12 58 323232 | info@e2.com.vn

Your College Roadmap Snapshot Self-Assessment

Academics

G.P.A: Class Average: Strongest subject: Favorite subject:

__________________ __________________ __________________ __________________

First Name: Last Name: School: Current Grade: Email: Phone: Dream School:

___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________

Extracurricular

Testing

Extracurricular #1: How long : Achievement: Key learning:

_____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________

Taken the SAT? Yes / No / Diag If no, when will you? ________________ If yes or diagnostic, what were your scores: - Math : ________________ - Critical Reading : ________________ - Writing : ________________

Extracurricular #2: How long : Achievement: Key learning:

_____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________

Taken the SAT II?

Yes / No / Diag

Taken the TOEFL?

Yes / No / Diag

Taken the IELTS?

Yes / No / Diag

YOUR JOURNEY TO A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION www.e2.com.vn | +84 12 58 323232 | info@e2.com.vn

Average H.S. GPAs at Various Top U.S. Colleges

Most competitive

Top Liberal Arts

Public Universities

Stanford

4.18

Harvard

4.04

Carnegie Mellon

3.72

Emory

3.75

Bowdoin

3.80

Colgate

3.66

UCLA

4.21

U.I.U.C.

N/A

Source: National Center for Educational Statistics YOUR JOURNEY TO A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION www.e2.com.vn | +84 12 58 323232 | info@e2.com.vn

Generally top 5-10%

Generally top 20-30%

Average SAT Scores at Various Top U.S. Colleges

Most competitive

Top Liberal Arts

Public Universities

Reading 25% 75%

Math 25% 75%

Writing 25% 75%

Stanford

670

770

690

780

680

780

Harvard

700

800

710

790

710

800

Carnegie Mellon

630

730

680

780

640

740

Emory

640

740

670

760

650

750

Bowdoin

670

750

660

740

670

760

Colgate

620

720

640

720

620

730

UCLA

570

680

610

740

580

710

U.I.U.C.

540

660

690

780

590

680

Source: National Center for Educational Statistics YOUR JOURNEY TO A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION www.e2.com.vn | +84 12 58 323232 | info@e2.com.vn

You can get into a great university with the right preparation YOUR JOURNEY TO A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION www.e2.com.vn | +84 12 58 323232 | info@e2.com.vn

Target, Reach, and Safety Schools Reach (2+ Schools)

Target (4+ Schools)

Safety (2+ Schools)

 

Think about a reach school as that dream school Perhaps SAT inline but grades a little lower in one or two subjects



You really want to attend

 

Your stats match their admissions standard Aim for acceptance at 75% of your target schools

 

Very confident that you are going to be accepted Your stats exceed all the requirements, and the subjective parts of your application will blow admissions officers away

YOUR JOURNEY TO A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION www.e2.com.vn | +84 12 58 323232 | info@e2.com.vn

Your E2 Roadmap to College

Academics

Extracurricular

Testing

9th and 10th Grade

11th Grade

• Build great study habits and establish foundation study skills • First 2 years establish 2/3 of GPA in application • Read, read, and read things that interest you • Take at least 1 SAT II Subject Test

• Most important academic year to show improvement and/or that you are challenging yourself • Read, read, read…and write, write, write • Will need ~2 recs from teachers • Take at least 1 more SAT II Subject Test

• 1st semester or quarter still important • Research majors that most interest you in college • Develop your list of Reach, Target, and Safety schools • Make a calendar with all deadlines and create a schedule

• Explore and find what you enjoy • Individual or team • Creative, physical, service, intellectual • Look for early opportunities for leadership • “Penalty” for not doing something

• Focus on the 1-2 most interesting activities – go for depth • Strive for excellence, become an expert and leader • Learn from each experience

Reflect and write: • What was your proudest achievement and why?

• What did you learn about yourself?

• Did you have an impact on others?

• Take a practice SAT – where are you already weak / strong • Develop an action plan to improve specific areas (i.e., critical reading) • Focus on mastering foundation skills, not test taking tips • What schools are attainable in your range?

• Ideally take SAT for real to give you time if needed • Re-learn foundation concepts • But also practice test taking tips specific to the SAT • Take the TOEFL or IELTS

• Last chance to re-take SAT • Make and keep to a timeline to complete your applications

YOUR JOURNEY TO A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION www.e2.com.vn | +84 12 58 323232 | info@e2.com.vn

12th Grade

Where E2 Can Help Test Prep

English

We view test preparation holistically to increase scores and reinforce confidence that extends beyond the exam.

Focusing on the SAT and SSAT.

We build our instruction around the American Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.

Application Essay Course.

Applied Math We bring math to life with a mix of stimulating real life examples, in-class games and collaborative drills.

Computer Programming

Private Tutoring

Through select school partners (including ISHCMC), we are offering computer programming classes.

We offer individualized tutoring to address all needs and provide one-onone counseling as well as small group formats.

YOUR JOURNEY TO A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION www.e2.com.vn | +84 12 58 323232 | info@e2.com.vn

Our SAT Courses Average 341 Point Increases

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Know Where You Stand Now on the SAT Free trial class: Friday, 6:30-8:30pm in District 7 Free diagnostics: Friday, 4:30-6:30pm in District 7 Saturday, 10am-12pm in District 2 Sunday, 10am-12pm in District 2 Come talk to us now, or register through info@e2.com.vn

YOUR JOURNEY TO A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION www.e2.com.vn | +84 12 58 323232 | info@e2.com.vn

Your Journey to a World Class Education

www.e2.com.vn and tony.ngo@e2.com.vn 32K Hoang Quoc Viet, Q7 | 10B Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Q1 | 214 Nguyen Van Huong, Q2