University Guidance Preparation by Year Group

Year 9 Guidance - Entering Secondary School

Adjusting to the move from Middle School: building study skills.
Try extracurricular activities, find some you enjoy.
If considering HS diploma path to graduate at the end of Y12 - the grade record becomes important as of Y9 (final transcripts reflect four years of study and credits applied towards the diploma).

Academic Focus: Continuing to build study skills and discovering academic interests. Y10 grade records and the transcript are important and may be used for university applications and influence subject choices for Y12.
Your grade record matters. For some university systems (for example U.S., Canada, Asia), you may be asked to submit 3-4 years of school grades (beginning with school transcripts from Y10 or Y11).
How well you do in specific subjects in Y10 and Y11 impacts your IB subject choices.
Keep working on finding extracurricular activities and interests you enjoy and want to pursue deeply.
The Mentor programme - students develop a Passion Project focusing on an area interest. Pursuing other extracurricular or supra-curricular interests through clubs, after school programs, independent reading.

Keep working hard in your classes and developing strong study skills.
Keep working on extracurricular activities, think about summer plans for reading, camps, programs.
Identify academic strengths and interests to select IB Choices in the middle of Y11.
December - take a Morrisby Assessment to explore career and study interests.
Learn about testing needed for university - SAT, English Testing (IELTS/TOEFL/Duolingo), other language testing.
Begin SAT test preparation by taking the the PSAT or mock SATs in Y11. Preparation over the summer between Y11 and Y12 through self-study or test prep lessons.
Explore possible career interests through reading, watching videos, talking with professionals, pursuing job shadowing or internships.
Make summer plans - extra reading, camps, programs, work experience, test prep, visiting universities.
HS Diploma considerations: Students planning to graduate at the end of Year 12 with a High School Diploma should confirm they are on track to complete the required number of subject credits. Families should contact the IB Coordinator to discuss this route.

General information on Admissions By Country

UCAS Subject Guide - info on what you will study in specific courses, helpful subjects to take in secondary school, career prospects

Refine study skills for IB subject work.
Think about & research possible university courses/majors – what do you want to study? UCAS Subject Guide Big Future College Majors
Start to research to understand Admissions By Country
Check university websites about online and in-person open days, taster lectures, tours, webinars. Start joining to learn.
Start taking the SAT (for US and some other countries/universities), recommended to try to finish SAT testing by August of Y13.
January-May: University Guidance Counselors begin working on university preparation with students through presentations, workshops and 1-1 meetings with students.
Make summer plans to draft applications, prepare/complete relevant admissions testing.
Students graduating at the end of Year 12 with a HS Diploma will complete university applications during Y12.
Thinking about a gap year after graduation? Start exploring plans.

Deadlines and Country Specific Instructions for Year 12

General guidance - specific country or university deadlines may differ.

Time to work on completing applications. Check your specific application deadlines and plan when to apply!
September-October: Finalize university courses/majors and list of universities.
September-December: Finish SAT/ACT, English (IELTS/TOEFL/Duolingo) testing for US.
End September: Submit UCAS to Oxford/Cambridge, medicine, dentistry, veterinary, pharmacy courses (internal LGB deadline)
End October: Finish US Early applications.
October-November: Start applications for other countries outside of the UK, or N. America. Continue UK and US applications.
September-December: Submit the student part of the UCAS application (LGB Deadline).
November-January: Submit remaining applications to US, Canada. Suggest completing applications to the Netherlands by December.
January-March: Submit applications to Switzerland, France, Netherlands, other Europe, Asia.
April-May: Finalize acceptances (US/Canada), make firm/insurance choices (UK).
July: Confirm offer with IB exam results.

Deadlines and Country Specific Instructions for Year 13

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