Office hours:
Office hours:
8:00am-3:30pm, Mon-Fri
8:00am-3:30pm, Mon-Fri
E: ttaguchi@aisct.org
E: ttaguchi@aisct.org
Welcome to this exciting time of life where you get to decide what to do (and where!) after graduation. My goal is to help you identify and build on your strengths and passions so you can find the best fit for you. As you get in touch with what brings you fulfillment and research the many options available to you, I hope you will find the best fit university or postsecondary option for you. This will look different for each individual and shouldn't be based on the most prestigious universities or how you compare to your peers. Let's focus on finding the university that nurtures your potential and supports you towards becoming a person that makes a positive impact in the world.
Welcome to this exciting time of life where you get to decide what to do (and where!) after graduation. My goal is to help you identify and build on your strengths and passions so you can find the best fit for you. As you get in touch with what brings you fulfillment and research the many options available to you, I hope you will find the best fit university or postsecondary option for you. This will look different for each individual and shouldn't be based on the most prestigious universities or how you compare to your peers. Let's focus on finding the university that nurtures your potential and supports you towards becoming a person that makes a positive impact in the world.
Check the High School Course Catalogue for AISCTs course offerings and credit stipulations.
The American International School of Cape Town provides a rigorous US high school education, offering 20+ AP classes, and is fully accredited by WASC.
TIMELINES
TIMELINES
What Do I Need To Do To Prepare For University?
What Do I Need To Do To Prepare For University?
Explore and engage with extracurricular activities (e.g., clubs, sports, community service, fine and performing arts, work, and other in-or out-of-school activities) that align with your values and strengths
Create an activity log to track all your extracurricular activities, summer experiences, academic honors, and other achievements.
Develop your time management and study skills. Your grades starting in 9th grade matter! Your grades and cumulative GPA are used for many reasons (and opportunities!) moving forward.
Mandatory PSAT: Take the October PSAT as a 9th grader. The school will register you and you will take the test on a normal school day.
Take an interest assessment to explore possible college majors and careers. Use insight from tools such as these to help plan your high school classes.
Meet with your school counselor to explore clubs, classes, and discuss course selection. Start building a relationship with them by doing this regularly.
Parents: Start exploring how to pay for college.
Athletes: Familiarize yourself with the NCAA and NAIA athletic recruiting requirements.
Plan a summer experience that helps you explore a passion or interest.
Summer reading: Expand your vocabulary and your world.
Grade 10
Grade 10
Do the Values Exercise to see if your ever-evolving self has new priorities. If they’ve changed, assess whether you want to change your current activities so they align with your values.
Continue participating in non-academic extracurricular activities. See if you can deepen your involvement or take on a leadership role in the activities you’ve already been doing. Or step outside your comfort zone and try something new.
Update your activity log.
Stay focused on keeping your grades up!
Take AP Seminar, and challenge yourself academically by taking one other AP class, if appropriate, in an area of interest.
Mandatory PSAT: Take the October PSAT as a 10th grader. The school will register you and you will take the test on a normal school day.
Attend a local college fair.
Meet with your school counselor at least once a year to discuss course selection. Continue building this relationship by asking lots of questions about new courses and suggestions for ways to develop your interests.
Parents: Continue researching how to pay for college and set up a college budget.
Visit a college or two locally or while you're on vacation.
Read more about possible college majors and careers to better plan out your high school classes. Use MaiaLearning to search for careers.
If you think you may play Division I or II sports in college:
Research US collegiate athletic options. This is one helpful resource: https://interstride.com/blog/International-student-athlete-guide/
Register for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Clearinghouse.
Register for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes (NAIA) Eligibility Center.
Familiarize yourself with National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) requirements. Then double-check that all of your courses are NCAA-approved. Not all high school classes count towards their requirements.
Let your high school counselor know if you’re considering college athletics.
Testing
If you're taking an AP class this year, plan to sit for the AP exam (May). If you're concerned about your readiness, check in with your teacher for advice.
Summer reading: Continue expanding your vocabulary and your world.
Continue exploring your interests during the summer. This could be through a job, internship, volunteer experience, job-shadow, or self-designed project.
Grade 11
Grade 11
AUGUST - DECEMBER
Check in with the Values Exercise. Has anything changed?
Stay consistent with your non-academic extracurricular activities if your values and priorities haven’t changed. If they have, try something new. Continue to look for ways to explore and deepen your interests in these activities. Try a leadership role if you haven’t already.
Continue to update your activity log.
Start your college search by attending a local college fair and a few college admission rep presentations at your high school.
Explore your college interests by sorting the college criteria on www.Corsava.com. Then use those preferences to searches for a few college matches.
Start a preliminary list of colleges to visit using the results of your college match searches. Have a family meeting to block out dates for college visits throughout 11th grade.
If you can't visit a university in-person, take advantage of the great virtual tours available here:
Keep your grades up. Eleventh grade marks are the last ones some schools will see before making an admissions decision.
Take an aptitude or career assessment such as YouScience to learn more about your interests and strengths, which will change as you grow and learn.
Continue challenging yourself academically with higher level AP or advanced classes.
Schedule a meeting with your school counselor to discuss the colleges you are interested in. Tell them about your college preferences and ask for their suggestions of colleges that might be a good fit for you. Continue to develop your relationship with your counselor.
Testing
Take the PSAT/NSMQT in October. This test qualifies US Passport holders (and permanent residents) for the National Merit Scholarship. Non-US passport holders do not take PSAT this year.
Stay on track with your SAT testing timeline and study schedule. Plan to take the SAT at least once this year, preferably twice. Take advantage of free study resources on Khan Academy and College Board.
Athletic Recruitment
Double-check that your classes meet the NCAA Clearinghouse requirements
Complete online athletic recruitment forms for each college you're considering. You'll find these on the college's website under "athletics."
Once you’ve completed the online recruitment forms, make your sports resume and recruitment videos.
Spread out your correspondence with coaches by sending the resumes and video a few weeks after you complete the online forms.
Fine & Performing Arts Students
Sign up for Performing & Visual Arts College Fairs.
Create an admissions requirements spreadsheet for fine and performing arts programs.
You most likely need to create a portfolio and audition materials, so spend 11th grade year working on pieces.
JANUARY - JUNE
Investigate summer experiences.
Register for senior year classes. Remember colleges will want to see a strong senior year course load including five academic core classes.
Continue visiting colleges. Use local colleges to sample certain types of schools (single-sex, small liberal arts, larger university, etc.)
Start building your college list based on your values and your research.
Start researching scholarship opportunities.
Complete the Letter of Rec questionnaire and request letters of recommendation from two academic teachers from junior year.
Testing
Select testing dates. Most likely your first SAT will take place between October and May.
Take the AP exams in May.
Athletes
Send your sports resume and video to college coaches and fill out the athletic recruitment surveys on the college websites.
Fine & Performing Arts Students
Explore how the audition and portfolio process works for college admission.
Build your portfolios and audition videos.
Set up a meeting with your school counselor to ask questions about college choices, your senior year schedule, testing, and anything else you're curious about.
JUNE - AUGUST
Participate in summer experiences (research, reading, internships, community service, fun stuff).
Refine and finalize your college list. Be sure it reflects a balance of admission probabilities (safety, target, and reach schools).
Research the type of applications required for each school on your list, as these vary.
Complete the Common Application.
For those applying to the UK, start writing your personal statement. The structure is TOTALLY different for the US vs. UK statement.
Visit more colleges.
Research the admission requirements and deadlines for schools on your list and create a spreadsheet to organize information. Research to see if an interview is offered or required at each school.
Create a scholarship spreadsheet to list deadlines and requirements.
Grade 12
Grade 12
AUGUST & SEPTEMBER
Confirm your final college list, application deadlines, and requirements.
Write your college-specific supplemental essays.
Ask an expert outside reader to review your Common Application and personal statement.
Continue to research scholarships, adding requirements and deadlines to your list.
Set up on-campus or local rep interviews with colleges.
Check in with your recommendation writers. Update your Letter of Rec Questionnaire and ask for a letter of recommendation from your school counselor.
Apply to scholarships throughout the school year.
Parents: Start preparing financial aid paperwork and develop a deadlines list.
SEPTEMBER - NOVEMBER
Complete and send out all EA and ED applications for US schools no later than late October. (These deadlines are typically around November 1. )
UK applications opens beginning of September, and closes January 31st. Medical programs, performing arts and Oxford/Cambridge deadline is mid-October. Some programs require a specific test to be taken before applying (BMAT for medicine, LNAT for law, etc.) Do your homework and prepare early!
Many portfolio-based arts programs have December 1st deadlines. And some universities require submission by December 1st to be considered for scholarship opportunities. Schedule a meeting with your school counselor to review your college list to get his or her feedback and review your application deadlines, and ask any questions you may have.
Attend high school presentations and programs.
If planning to attend university in the US, apply for financial aid using the FAFSA (US passport holders only) and CSS/PROFILE (all students, if required).
Completed final college visits.
Send SAT and AP test scores to your universities (through College Board) after checking whether they allow self-reported scores.
Ask your school counseling office to deliver letters and transcripts to universities.
DECEMBER
Regular Decision (RD) deadlines are typically around January 1. Complete and send out all RD applications no later than mid-December. Give yourself a relaxing holiday break by completing your applications before November 15.
JANUARY - MARCH
January: If deferred, send an email to your region/state/country admissions representative. Reaffirm your interest in the school and offer any updates (activities, achievements, awards, etc).
Wait for application decisions from the US, UK, etc.
MARCH - APRIL
U.S. Universities have until April 1 to release decisions.
Local applications for South African universities are open from April - July 31.
Plan visits to accepted colleges, if needed, in order to make your final college choice.
Attend local admitted student events when possible.
Evaluate financial aid packages and scholarship offerings to figure out how to pay for university.
Students need to enroll and submit a deposit by May 1.
MAY
Take AP exams.
Notify your school counselor of your college decisions and scholarship opportunities.
If you've been waitlisted, this is a good time to send a)your “I'd like to stay on the wait list" form and b) the email to your designated admissions rep which states your interest in the school and offers updates (activities, achievements, awards, etc).
Sign-up for campus housing if you plan to live on campus.
Work with university on obtaining a student visa if applicable.
JUNE - AUGUST
If applying to South African universities, make sure you apply to exempt your SA matric requirements. See details here:
Continue saving for university.
Check your email for waitlist notifications.
Attend orientation sessions.
Sign up for meal plans and register for classes.
Find out what you need for your dorm and classes, and go shopping.
Contact your future roommate(s).
Make travel and move-in arrangements.
Set up a bank account on or near campus.
Continue applying for scholarships.
Set up a meeting with an academic advisor at your university to plan your classes.
Enjoy the fruits of your labors - soak up all of the opportunities for learning, fun, connection and growth at your university! Take advantage of the many resources, clubs and supports the university offers. Congratulations!!! You did it!!
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
University Visits & Parent Workshops
University Visits & Parent Workshops
University Visits 2024-2025
University Visits 2024-2025
2024
AUG 22, 2024 - University of Calgary, lunch visit 11:10 -12
SEPT 3, 2024 - SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design), Workshop in D6 (Ms. Nyathi's room) 9:50 - 10:30am (MUST RSVP TO MS. HACKING IN ADVANCE)
SEPT 4, 2024 -California College of the Arts, lunch visit 11:10 - 12
SEPT 4, 2024 - University of Denver, Cornell University, University of Connecticut, Washington College, University of Wisconsin-Madison, College of the Holy Cross, University of California-Berkeley, Johns Hopkins University; 3 - 4:30pm in the Little Theatre.
SEPT 5, 2024 - EDUCATION USA FAIR, AT COLLEGE OF CAPE TOWN, 2 - 5 PM.
SEPT 6, 2024 - Hult University, lunch visit 11:10 - 12
SEPT 9, 2024 - University of British Columbia (CAN), lunch visit 11:10 - 12
SEPT 12, 2024 - University Visit - SRH Berlin University of Applied Sciences, & Universidad de Navarra (Spain), lunch visit 11:10 - 12.
SEPT 19, 2024 - Massey University (New Zealand), lunch visit 11:10 - 12
SEPT 20, 2024 - IE University (Spain), lunch visit 12:50 - 1:45
SEPT 27, 2024 - Babson College (USA), lunch visit 11:10 - 12
OCT 25, 2024 - St. Andrews (Scotland), lunch visit 11:10 - 12
NOV 20, 2024 - CBS International Business School (Germany and SA), lunch visit in LITTLE THEATRE 11:10 - 12
NOV 21, 2024 - Vega School (South Africa), lunch visit 11:10 - 12
DEC 9, 2024 - Nyenrode Business University (Netherlands), lunch visit in the MEDIA CENTER, 11:30 - 12
JAN 23, 2025 - YOUTH FOR UNDERSTANDING SOUTH AFRICA, Intercultural Exchange Student Programs, lunch visit in the courtyard, 11:10 - 12
FEB 4, 2025 - STADIO, lunch visit 11:10 - 12. (Online study programs)
FEB 4, 2025 - IE University (Spain), lunch visit 11:10 - 12:00
FEB 5, 2025 - Lynn University (USA), lunch visit 11:10 - 12
FEB 13, 2025 - Regent's University London and MPW (UK), lunch visit 11:10 - 12
FEB 19, 2025 - STADIO, lunch visit 11:10 - 12. (Online study programs)
FEB 24, 2025 - Durham University (UK), school tour and visit 10:00-11:00, University of British Columbia & University of Toronto (CAN) - lunch visit 11:10 - 12 in hs courtyard
MARCH 5, 2025 - American Musical and Dramatic Arts University (UK), workshop in Studio A, 9:50am -11:10am (must RSVP to Ms Hacking and get permission from Block 2 teacher to attend)
MARCH 14, 2025 - Leeds Conservatoire (UK), workshop in Studio A, 8:50 - 9:35am.
MARCH 25, 2025 - Africa Media (Africa Media, (photography and videography training academy, Mossel Bay), lunch visit 11:10 - 12:00
MARCH 27, 2025 - Bard College (USA), lunch visit 11:10 - 12:00
Parent Workshops
Parent Workshops
August 26, 2024, 8:15 - 9:15 - Gr 6 - 8 Parents - Meet the Counselors, Information about camp, mental health resources and university prep.
August 27, 2024, 8:15 - 9:15 - Gr 9 Parents - Meet the Counselors, Information about camp, mental health resources and university prep.
August 28, 2024, 8:15 - 9:15 - Gr 10 & 11 Parents - Meet the Counselors, Information about camp, mental health resources and university prep.
August 29, 2024, 8:15 - 9:15 - Gr 12 Parents - Meet the Counselors, Information about camp, mental health resources and university prep.
STANDARDIZED TESTING
STANDARDIZED TESTING
SAT Schedule 2024-2025
**Register at Collegeboard.com 1 month prior to exam**
Aug. 24, 2024
Oct. 5, 2024
Nov. 2, 2024
(offered in Cape Town, not AISCT)
Dec. 7, 2024
March 8, 2025
May 3, 2025
June 7, 2025
(offered in Cape Town, not AISCT)
Schedule & Information
Schedule & Information
The SAT is an entrance exam used by most colleges and universities to make admissions decisions. Although many schools in the US are no longer requiring the test (test-optional), it is still advisable to take it as it is recognized globally and can help with acceptance into universities in the UK, Europe, etc. as well and open doors for scholarship opportunities. All students should plan to take the SAT at least once during 11th grade.
- IMPORTANT: register using the legal name, not nickname, exactly as it appears on the passport. Omitting a middle name is fine, as long as the first and last name are correct and match the passport.
REMEMBER: PROPER PREPARATION PREVENTS POOR PERFORMANCE
Students should prepare by taking free practice tests on College Board and Khan Academy!
If interested in a formal paid preparation course, AISCT is hosting Higher Ground Learning for an SAT prep course from February 24 - March 6, 2025. Please reach out to Higher Ground Learning for more information.
Schoolhouse also offers free online tutoring groups for SAT prep, as well as an SAT bootcamp.
FINANCIAL AID
FINANCIAL AID
Scholarship/Financial Planning Resources
Scholarship/Financial Planning Resources
UNIVERSITY/COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES
UNIVERSITY/COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES
USA
American University, Washington, DC
Arizona State University
Boston College
Boston University
Brown University
Brigham Young University
Clarkson University
Colorado State University
Drexel University
Duke University
Emory University
Florida Institute of Technology
Florida State University
Fordham University
George Washington
University
Georgetown University
Harvard University
Howard University
Indiana University
lowa State University
Johns Hopkins University
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Michigan State University
New York University, NYU
North Carolina State University
Northeastern University
Northwestern University
Ohio University
Oregon State University
Penn State University
Princeton University
Purdue University
Rice University
Rutgers University
Stanford University
Syracuse University
Texas A&M University
Trinity College
University of California Berkeley
UC Davis
UCLA
UC San Diego
UC Santa Barbara
UC Santa Cruz
University of Alaska
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Florida
University of Hawaii
University of lowa
University of Massachusetts Amherst
University of Miami
University of Michigan
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of Oregon
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pittsburgh
University of Rochester
University of San Diego
University of San Francisco
University of Southern California
University of Washington
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Utah State University
Virginia Technical Institute
Wesleyan University
Washington College
Washington State University
Washington University
COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY ACCEPTANCES
AUSTRALIA
University of Sydney
CANADA
Concordia University
McGill University
McMaster University
Oueen's University
Ryerson University
University of Alberta
University of British Columbia
University of Calgary
University of Ottawa
University of Toronto
University of Waterloo
Western University
FRANCE
American University of Paris
ESSEC Business School
IFA Paris, Fashion School of Design and Luxury Business
GERMANY
Cologne Business School
Jacobs University Bremen
University of Applied Sciences - Munich Business School
INDONESIA
Institut Teknologi Bandung
ITALY
Bocconi University
NETHERLANDS
Eindhoven University of Technology
Erasmus University College
Leiden University
University of Amsterdam
University of Groningen
Utrecht University
NEW ZEALAND
University of Auckland
SOUTH AFRICA
Rhodes University
Stellenbosch University
University of Cape Town
SPAIN
EU Business School, Barcelona Global Business School (GBSB)
IE University
Universidad de Navarra
SWEDEN
Stockholm School of Economics
UNITED KINGDOM
Durham University
Imperial College London
King's College London
London School of Economics
Queen Mary University of London
Royal Holloway, University of London
University College London, UCL
University of Bath
University of Bristol
University of Edinburgh
University of Exeter
University of Glasgow
University of Leeds
University of Manchester
University of Nottingham
University of Oxford
University of Saint Andrews
University of Sheffield
University of Sussex
University of the Arts London
University of York
RESOURCES
RESOURCES
Check back for more resources coming soon!
Check back for more resources coming soon!
CAREER GUIDANCE/UNIVERSITY SEARCH/CV CREATOR, ETC. (SIGN IN WITH YOUR GOOGLE SCHOOL ACCOUNT):
https://www.maialearning.com/v3/user-login
UNIVERSITY GUIDANCE WEBSITES (GLOBAL FOCUS)
https://www.theuniversityguys.com/
UNIVERSITY GUIDANCE WEBSITE (SPAIN, UK, IRELAND FOCUS):
https://thevillagehq.com/university-speaking/
UNIVERSITY GUIDANCE WEBSITE (US FOCUS):
https://www.collegeessayguy.com/
UK SPECIFIC GUIDANCE (UCAS):
Application site for the UK (UCAS)- tons of resources!
Research specific areas in the UK
Chat with current students in courses of interest
Subject Tasters - Find out what it is like to study specific courses
***NEW*** THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO STUDYING IN EUROPE:
https://about.bridge-u.com/ultimate-guide-to-studying-in-europe-ebook
HOW TO WRITE YOUR UNIVERSITY CV/RESUME/ACTIVITIES LIST:
https://www.bestcolleges.com/blog/college-application-resume/
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/activities-resume-for-college
https://www.collegeessayguy.com/blog/guide-college-activities-list-common-app-example-application
HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR BEST-FIT UNIVERSITY:
https://schoolbuff.com/worksheets/
HOW TO BUILD YOUR UNIVERSITY LIST:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0wwsKViWfc
SEARCH FOR INFO ABOUT US UNIVERSITIES:
https://www.appily.com/virtual-college-tours?utm_source=referral&utm_medium=youvisit
RECOMMENDED BOOKS FOR UNI PROCESS:
College Match: A Blueprint for Choosing the Best School for You, by Steven R. Antonoff
Admission Matters, by Sally P. Springer, Jon Reider, Joyce Vining Morgan
VIDEOS TO WATCH:
PBS VIDEO FOR PERSPECTIVE IN YOUR UNIVERSITY APPLICATION PROCESS:
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