UC Newsletters Article Index
Index of University Counseling Newsletter Articles
Researching and Selecting Universities | 搜尋與選擇大學
Thinking of hiring an independent university counsellor? Read this before you make any decisions - Spring 2023
Parent survey results: what aspect of the college process do you need more information on? - Fall 2022
Why the 10 school limit? Because it's in the best interest of our students - Fall 2022
Double depositing: Neither ethical or necessary - Spring 2022
How safe are universities? That's a question meriting research and a proactive mindset - Spring 2022
Our greatest challenge: getting students to REALLY research universities - Winter 2022
Do you know what a liberal arts degree REALLY means and where it can lead? - Summer 2021
A new university counselling initiative: Year 12s will be sharing their research into universities - Summer 2021
Program flexibility: a key consideration in finding "best fit" universities - Spring 2019
Can you recommend any good safety schools? - Spring 2019
The urban bias: bright lights don't always mean best fit - Winter 2019
Offers have rolled in. Now what? Factors to consider when making a final university choice - Winter 2019
What’s a ‘best’ college? – Winter 2018
How NOT to select a university: “Let’s just apply to Harvard and see what happens!” –Fall 2017
Honors programs and honors colleges: for the right students, definitely worth looking into –Fall 2017
Applying to several countries? Fine if it’s for the right reasons – Summer 2017
Bigger vs. smaller universities: which is better? – Spring 2017
US Early Decision and Early Action plans: pros and cons to applying early – Spring 2017
My son is considering universities I’ve never heard of. I’m fine with him casting his net wide, but how can we tell if a university is good? – Summer 2015
Liberal Arts: UK is increasingly getting into the act –Fall 2014
Students know they need to research potential schools. The challenge is getting them to do it –Spring 2014
Considering a summer program for your teen? Here’s our buyer’s guide - Spring 2014
Tips for making the most of a summer college tour –Spring 2013
What do shopping for shoes and finding the right university have in common? –Spring 2013
Beyond prestige: how to tell if a student has really researched a prospective school –Fall 2012
Articles Translated into Chinese
College rankings: at best, they’re a place to start and that’s all – 警惕大學排名
FAQs regarding standardized tests: includes a recommended timeline for ACT/SAT completion - 關於考試的常見問題及建議完成考試的時間
When is it appropriate to talk to kids about colleges and careers? – 何時合適與孩子談論大學及就業？
The CIS rumor mill: don’t be a victim! – 謠言工廠：別成為受害者！
What should I be doing now? College related advice for parents of younger students –「我現在應該做什麼？」給低年級學生家長的升學建議
Talking to kids about grades and college: what helps and what hurts – 與孩子談論成績和大學：什麼有效，什麼有害
Identifying and addressing distorted thinking in the college process - 識別及應對申請大學時被扭曲的觀念
What makes for a quality extra-curricular experience? 有品質的課外活動應該是怎樣的？
Independent university agents: why we’re NOT fans – 為什麼我們不支持私人升學顧問？
What’s wrong with the let’s apply to Harvard and see what happens approach? 我們試著申請哈佛，看看會發生什麼」，這種做法錯在哪裡
What’s a “Best College? Should Students Opt for the “Best” College They Can Get Into?ABSOLUTELY! But First, Let’s Make Sure We Agree on What “Best” Means - 何謂「最好的」大學學生應該選擇他們可以進入的「最好的」大學嗎？當然可以！ 但首先，我們必須確定自己認為的「最好的」學校意味什麼。
Country-specific resources for financing a college education. 各國大學教育資助
Tips for making the most of a summer college tour 充分利用暑期參觀學校
Using a Gap Year to Reapply? We Asked Several Universities What They Think of the Idea 用空檔年重新申請大學？ 我們詢問了幾所學校對此的看法
Why doesn’t the college process work smoothly for everyone? 為什麼不是每個人的升學經歷都很順利的？
The over-scheduled student: more is not always better 日程過滿的學生：更多不總等於更好
Too many CIS students have a problem called sleep deprivation 太多漢基學生遭受睡眠不足的健康問題
Which CIS grades play a role in college admissions? A breakdown by country 不同的大學會查看什麼？細分在申請過程中大學將會（以及不會）參考的漢基學生成績
Scholarships: they’re available but you have to be willing to dig 國際學生可獲得獎學金，但須主動搜索
College Rankings｜大學排名
Top 10 Reasons Why Your CIS University Counsellors HATE College Rankings - Winter 2024
Colin Driver's Breaking Ranks will change how you look at college rankings - Winter 2023
Still believe in college rankings? Let Malcolm Gladwell show you the error of your ways - Fall 2021
College rankings: why you need to be suspicious – Spring 2018
College rankings: at best, they’re a place to start and that’s all – Winter 2017. 警惕大學排名
How reliable are college rankings? Proceeding with caution is highly recommended –Spring 2013
Standardized Tests | 標準測試
Is There an SAT in Your Child’s Future? It All Depends - Spring 2024
Is the subject test dead? We can only hope - Fall 2021
The University of California system tosses out the ACT/SAT. Will other universities follow? Summer 2021
Thinking of sitting for standardized tests before Year 12? Definitely NOT recommended - Winter 2021
What does test optional really mean? - Fall 2020
A bad test at a bad time: why don’t we offer College Board’s RediStep?- Fall 2018
Subject Tests: a comprehensive look at what they are, advice on which ones to sit for and a recommended timeline for completion. - Summer 2018
FAQs regarding standardized tests: includes a recommended timeline for ACT/SAT completion – Spring 2017 - 關於考試的常見問題及建議完成考試的時間
To retest or not to re-test: what is a ‘good enough’ standardized test result? – Summer 2017
The PSAT/NMSQT: what you need to know –Fall 2017
Why are some US institutions abandoning SATs and others aren’t? The reasons may surprise you – Fall 2016
FAQs about test-optional US colleges – Spring 2015
ACT vs. SAT: which is better? – Summer 2013
The TOEFL: not a foot disease nor is it likely to play a part in your child's college process - Fall 2013
SAT’s: to prep or not to prep, that is the question – Winter 2012
Career, Mentorship and Internships| 有關職業、輔導及實習的文章
Considering a Summer Program for Your Teen? Here's Our Buyer's Guide - Winter 2024
Focus on medicine: No reason to feel that HK and UK are the only viable options - Spring 2023
Medical school aspirants: HK and UK aren't the only options - Summer 2022
The 4th industrial revolution is here: What skills does it require? - Summer 2022
What can someone do with a degree in psychology? You’re in for a surprise! Summer 2021
Medical School Programs: Beyond UK and HK, fabulous programs abound - Spring 2019
Hotel and hospitality management degrees: they’ll challenge your expectations! – Spring 2018
Where could a Classics degree possibly lead? You might be surprised – Spring 2018
When is it appropriate to talk to kids about colleges and careers? – Fall 2018 何時合適與孩子談論大學及就業？
Summer internships: a few considerations before making final plans - Spring 2017
InterQuest results: how they can help in the college process – Winter 2017
Do you know someone with designs on being an architect? –Spring 2016
Internships: how they can help and how to get one – Spring 2015
CIS’s mentorship program: where our alumni help our students – Summer 2015
Career Corner: will there be a doctor in the house? –Spring 2014
Career Corner: laying down the law –Summer 2014
Helpful advice for conversations on career choice –Summer 2013
Debunking Rumors and Myths | 揭露謠言與神話
We asked several university representatives what they think of the trend toward using a gap year to re-apply to selective unis that denied applicants on the first try. They’re not big fans. Learn why - Summer 2018
The myth that needs to die: colleges are looking for ‘well-rounded’ students – Spring 2017
The rumor mill: do universities have quotas? Fall 2017
Hot rumor: CIS students are disadvantaged by sitting for the Chinese Subject Exam –Winter 2016
Colleges prefer IB students who take AP courses. Right? WRONG! – Winter 2015
Your CIS University Counsellors are anti-Ivy League!!! – Spring 2015
Rumor of the Month: The Class of 2015 had no graduate with a perfect IB score. CIS is going downhill! – Fall 2015
“I’m applying early decision because it will help me get into my dream school!” – Spring 2013
Silly rumors update: 2 whoppers are debunked – Winter 2013
The CIS rumor mill: don’t be a victim! –Fall 2013 ? Or 謠言工廠：別成為受害者！
Wellbeing & Success in the College Process | 大學申請之成功秘訣與心智健康
In the Pursuit for Prestige, Is the Price Worth the Cost? - Spring 2024
Are You Putting Too Much Pressure on Your Child during the College Admission Process? - Spring 2024
What REALLY Matters in a Quality College Experience? And How You Can Help - Spring 2024
Class of 2024 survey results: how are they managing their college process thus far? Summer 2023
Year 12 survey results on wellbeing: how students manage academic and college stress and what you can do to help - Spring 2023
What's on the minds of our Year 12s and how parents can help - Fall 2022
Academic Integrity: a core CIS value with implications for university admissions - Winter 2022
Disclosing a mental health diagnosis to universities: considerations and advice on how to proceed - Winter 2022
Are you putting too much college pressure on your child? Our quiz will help you identify any red flags - Summer 2022
Listening and Clarifying: Two essential components to a successful college process - Winter 2021
What's a "best" College? How parents define the word can have far-reaching implications - Winter 2021
A cautionary tale: much can be learned from one CIS alum's university and career experience - Spring 2021
University Counselling and Career Advancement Program Overview: How we support students - Fall 2021
What's new in the University Counselling and career Advancement program? Several recent initiatives are highlighted - Fall 2021
How the UC program supports parents: what we do and when we do it - Winter 2019
Year 11 & 12 Parent Survey results: where are our parents feeling the most pressure in the college process? - Summer 2019
Why are parents of CIS gap year students so enthusiastic about the gap year experience? - Summer 2019
Unhealthy assumptions can lead to unhealthy students - Spring 2019
How pressure distorts student perceptions – Spring 2018
Questions we wish more parents would ask – Fall 2018
Identifying and addressing distorted thinking in the college process - 識別及應對申請大學時被扭曲的觀念
The Class of 2017 weighs in: what they have to say about their college process – Summer 2017
Talking to kids about grades and college: what helps and what hurts – Winter 2017 與孩子談論成績和大學：什麼有效，什麼有害
Interview: A CIS mother shares her college process experience – Winter 2016
The ‘dream school’ myth: how parents can help – Fall 2016
Tips from our head girl on helping your child through a successful college process – Spring 2016
Advice to parents from our graduating Class of 2016 –Summer 2016
What’s a successful and healthy college process? Inspiring responses from our Year 12 parents – Spring 2015
Perfectionism: it’s anything but perfect – Summer 2015
How would you define a successful college process? Our Year 13s respond – Fall 2015
Warning signs of a possible outbreak of senioritis – Winter 2015
The two simplest ways to help your child be successful and healthy – Fall 2015
How the college process changed my son: two Class of 2015 parents share their experience - Fall 2015
The over-scheduled student: more is not always better – Spring 2014
Too many CIS students have a problem called sleep deprivation – Spring 2014
Quotes about college from the parent perspective – Spring 2014
The pressure for prestige: a continued area of focus and concern – Fall 2014
Get out of the way – here comes the snowplow parent! – Summer 2014
Year 13 parents: getting the most out of the coming year – Summer 2013
What should I be doing now? College related advice for parents of younger students – Fall 2013 「我現在應該做什麼？」給低年級學生家長的升學建議
Why doesn’t the college process work smoothly for everyone? – Winter 2013
What our Year 13s learned from their college process – Spring 2013
Students with learning differences are not disadvantaged – Summer 2013
Managing your stress – Fall 2012
Parents who have “been there, done that” share what they wish they had known before their college process started – Fall 2012
Food for thought: competition can’t be bad…can it? – Winter 2012
Grades, Courses and Admissibility | 等級、課程與招生
Do University Counsellors Get Students into University? - Winter 2024
FAQs about Expected Grades: What parents need to know - Summer 2023
Chat GPT and AI: What are the implications for college admissions? - Summer 2023
A closer look at recent CIS admission statistics - Spring 2023
Where can my kid get in? Recent trends and perspectives on admissibility in the COVID Era - Spring 2022
The New Reality: Applications are UP and acceptances are DOWN ay popular US and UK universities - Summer 2022
IBDP Course Selection: Tips for our Year 11 families - Winter 2021
Yes, acceptance rates are down at some US universities: but that's the exception, not the rule - Spring 2021
Has your college applicant been waitlisted? Answers to your frequently asked questions -Spring 2021
The new IB Math courses: Most universities have yet to publish guidelines - Winter 2019
UK Clearing: What you need to know - Spring 2019
My kid loves rugby! Resources and tips for parents of prospective college athletes – Fall 2018
Expected Grades: of particular interest to parents of current Year 12s, your FAQs are answered - Summer 2018
Which CIS grades play a role in college admissions? A breakdown by country – Winter 2018
We asked several university representatives what they think of the trend toward using a gap year to re-apply to selective unis that denied applicants on the first try. They’re not big fans. Learn why. - Summer 2018
Gaming the system: should students try to enhance their admissibility by gaming the system? – Summer 2017
Expected grades and IB results: more US universities are comparing them when confirming offers – Fall 2017
Are universities really harder to get into? The answer may surprise you – Winter 2016
What you should know about American university acceptance rates – Winter 2016
FAQs: everything you need to know about expected grades – Spring 2016
Advice on IBDP course selection and university admissions – Winter 2016
Addressing US application concerns: is it really harder to get into college now? – Summer 2014
Are international students disadvantaged? Do admission quotas exist? – Spring 2014
Parents often ask: “What IB scores are required to get into…?” – Fall 2014
Extra-curriculars and community service: how much do they really matter? – Winter 2013
What makes for a quality extra-curricular experience? - Winter 2013 Or 有品質的課外活動應該是怎樣的？
Admissibility: students need to develop a balanced list of schools – Spring 2013
What to do when IB and A level results arrive – Spring 2013
The dreaded denial letter: happens to the best of us – Winter 2012
Completing Applications 完成申請
So What Exactly Goes into Those Recommendation Letters? What You Need to Know - Spring 2024
The UCAS personal staement: changes are in store for 2025 applicants and beyond - Spring 2023
Social media and college applications: what you should know - Fall 2022
What exactly does rolling admissions mean? - Summer 2022
Do you know what distribution requirements are? Check out our glossary of college terminology - Summer 2022
To ED or not to ED: Help in determining if early decision is the right decision - Summer 2021
Early application plans: they're not for everyone - Fall 2021
The student interview: helping applicants take advantage of a great opportunity - Winter 2019
Important considerations for supplemental recommendation letters – Winter 2018
What exactly goes into a recommendation letter? - Winter 2013
Missing documents dept: what to do if the university asks - “Where’s the transcript? ” - Winter 2012
Universities of Interest | 感興趣的大學
HULT International Business School: For Those Made To Do - Spring 2024
The Land Down Under: Why Our Students Should Consider Australia - Winter 2024
Grinnell College: A Small Liberal Arts College that Punches WAAAAY above Its Weight! - Winter 2024
In this issue, we highlight the Netherlands in general and Maastricht University in particular - Summer 2023
Western University: A research intensive Canadian University where individual passions meet collective impact - Winter 2023
Rutgers University: A world-class public university offering a richly comprehensive and cross-cultural experience - Fall 2022
Jacobs University: Study at Germany's most international university - Winter 2022
University of Binghamton: A Jewel in the SUNY crown - Spring 2022
Carleton University: Opportunities await in Canada's capital - Summer 2022
Take a good look at Scotland featuring world class universities offering enticing and flexible options - Winter 2021
University of Glasgow: 560 years of tradition and innovation - Winter 2021
Minerva: a recent CIS alum weighs in on her very unique university experience - Fall 2021
Duke Kunshan offers a Duke education in mainland China - Winter 2019
University of Navarre: a rich university experience with a Spanish accent - Summer 2019
Bryant University: offers an immersive combination of business, liberal arts and entrepreneurship - Fall 2019
The Cal State System: UCs aren’t the only outstanding California option – Winter 2018
Overseas American Universities: a US university education is readily available outside of the US – Winter 2018
American University of Rome: a quality US university experience in a world-class city – Winter 2018
A great experience for the right student: CIS alums share their Oxbridge experience – Spring 2018
Hampshire College: a unique liberal arts experience – Fall 2018
Trinity College Dublin: where old and new meet in Ireland’s capital city – Winter 2017
University of Rochester: rich in research opportunities, program offerings and flexibility – Spring 2017
Japanese Universities: great options for students looking to stay closer to home – Summer 2017
Babson College: haven for the entrepreneur – Summer 2017
Exeter University offers flexibility and choice in the UK –Fall 2017
Going Dutch? Universities in the Netherlands have much to offer – Spring 2017
The University of Waterloo: better than Stanford? – Winter 2016
Monash University: where down under does NOT mean down and out – Spring 2016
HKUST: sometimes, the very best things are in your own backyard –Summer 2016
Quest University: a cutting edge Canadian liberal arts program – Fall 2016
What a CIS graduate has to say about her women’s college experience – Spring 2015
Sciences Po offers something very unique in the social sciences – Summer 2015
Minerva: reinventing the college experience from the ground up – Fall 2015
Potpourri/薈萃
What happens when you put 70+ Hong Kong based university counsellors in the same room? Summer 2023
Why do university students decide to transfer? - Winter 2023
How well do you know college-related terminology? Take our Quiz!!! - Spring 2022
Coming attractions: A heads-up on our university counselling program for Year 12 families - Winter 2021
Are CIS students shifting away from the US? - Fall 2020
COVID-19 overview: how have universities responded? - Fall 2020
COVID-19 and the Class of 2021: what are the implications? - Fall 2020
Why are some universities coping with COVID better than others? - Fall 2020
MAIA: More than a replacement for Naviance - Spring 2019
How do primary students view colleges and their futures? CIS Year 6s provide interesting and entertaining answers - Summer 2018
Independent university agents: why we’re NOT fans – Spring 2018 為什麼我們不支持私人升學顧問？
Making the most of college: how to hit the ground running – Summer 2017
Have you ever wondered why your CIS University Counsellors don’t promote prestigious university acceptances? - Summer 2015
A typical day in the University Counselling office – Winter 2013
Recommended Reading/Films | 推薦閱讀
Never Enough Is the Perfect Antidote to Achievement Culture - Winter 2024
Breaking Ranks, written by a former university president and law school dean reveals the many reasons why college rankings should be disregarded. - Winter 2023
Madeline Levine's Ready or Not delivers practical advice to help families cope with today's troubling uncertainties - Fall 2022
Jeff Selingo's Who Gets in and Why is a highly readable and comprehensive look into the hidden world of US admissions - Winter 2021
Recommended!!! Netflix's Varsity Blues takes a sobering look at the 2020 US admissions scandal - Spring 2021
The Mindful College Applicant is a much needed guide to a healthy college process - Fall 2020
Act Natural takes a historical and comical look at parenting - Winter 2019
The Orchid and the Dandelion: Seeks to answer the question "Why do some kids cope better than others?" - Spring 2019
The Stressed Years of Their Lives by Dr. B. Janet Hibbs and Dr. Anthony Rostain explores why mental health issues among university students are exploding in number, and how parents can better prepare students for a healthy university experience - Summer 2019
At What Cost? Defending adolescent development in fiercely competitive schools – Winter 2018
The Campus Cure: a parents’ guide to mental health and wellness for college students – Spring 2018
The Drama of the Gifted Child: The Search for the True Self - Summer 2018
The Gardiner and the Carpenter challenges how we define good parenting – Fall 2018
The Pressured Child: freeing our kids from performance overdrive – Winter 2017
The Gift of Failure: how the best of parents learn to let go so their children can succeed –Spring 2017
Excellent Sheep: the mis-education of the American elite – Summer 2017
College Unranked: ending the college admission frenzy – Fall 2017
The Teenage Brain: a neuroscientist’s survival guide to raising adolescents and young adults –Winter 2016
The Chosen: the hidden history of admission and exclusion at Harvard, Yale and Princeton – Spring 2016
Coming Out of the Cage: journey of a tiger mom –Summer 2016
David and Goliath: underdogs, misfits and the art of battling giants – Fall 2016
Recommended movie: Ivory Tower - Spring 2015
Where You Go Is Not Who You’ll Be: an antidote to college admissions mania – Summer 2015
How to Raise an Adult: break free of the overparenting trap and prepare your kid for success – Fall 2015
Colleges That Change Lives: 40 schools that will change the way you think about colleges – Summer 2014
The Price of Privilege: how parental pressure and material advantage are creating a generation of disconnected and unhappy kids – Fall 2014
Financing College | 資助大學
Making sense of US financial aid award letters: If you're confused, you're not alone - Spring 2021
Interested in qualifying for home fee status? Summer 2021
Scholarships: they’re available but you have to be willing to dig –Winter 2017
Country specific resources for financing a college education –Spring 2014
Country-specific resources for financing a college education. 各國大學教育資助