Resources by year groups

• This year you get to think about your ELEMENTS courses. Both of these are important as they set a foundation for you before you choose subjects for years 12 and 13.  They also give you a chance to explore subjects that are entirely new!

September & October

• Term 1 is a busy time with vocational assessments (Naviance), your careers work and Options evening (students & parents).

• Yr 11 Career interviews (results will be used in Options process & university/course selection) in school.

• In-school university visits are happening throughout the year. Make sure you take advantage of these great opportunities.

• In-tutortime careers development & exploration program commences - complementing your personal career assessment interview with the Higher Education Counsellor.

• Students/Parents of US citizens and residents: If you will be applying for Federal Financial Aid funding for your university studies you should be considering your financial position and the requirements of the FAFSA or or Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) from this year onwards. You can apply for your pin at any time – you need to supply your name, date of birth, Social Security number, and address. 

• The PSAT test takes place in October. You can take this test to practice for the SATs. If you want to take this test this year contact the Higher Education Office. (This is NOT compulsory but recommended for US bound students as good preparation for SAT.) You can practice for the PSAT and the SATs on Khan Academy's site.

November

• Options discussed with Parents, Teachers, Tutors & HOH. 

• Subject selection is very important for higher education choice so think carefully and be informed!

• You will make your first options choices this month - we will talk about these with you in your interviews and help you in linking with your career & higher education study aspirations 

December

• Keep thinking about your options!

• Keep House Staff/Tutor updated with your extracurricular activities & other useful information as they will be writing your summer school references (as required) and in time, your school recommendation for higher education or further education choices.

• Work hard in your subjects! US universities, in particular, look for a history of your grades (Yrs 10-13), and consistent effort/good grades will be rewarded.

• Post 16 options chosen with the aid of career assessment results & parent/student information sessions

• Mock examinations are held so this is an important time to consolidate your learning 

January

• The "second round" of options will be given out this month - you will need to confirm by the end of the month. 

February - April

• Focus on your upcoming exams, setting study schedules and asking teachers for help on anything you have not quite mastered.

• Read the weekly Vision newsletter "Summer" page to keep up to date with possible Summer programmes or visit the Higher Education Office to talk about setting up worthwhile activities over the Summer such as some work experience or job shadowing opportunities. 

• In March the HE team will run workshops on Building Your Profile.

May-June

• Exams are the big focus – don’t forget that your grades/scores are key elements in university decisions to offer places

• When you get time evaluate Higher Education Destinations (with help from parents, HE counsellor & teachers) & decide BROADLY which country you want to study in post-school and the type of higher education environment you are looking for. 

July – August

• Visit potential Higher Education destinations if possible.

• Work experience /shadowing is recommended to understand more about particular interest areas - especially useful for students considering health or veterinary careers.

• Summer programs at universities are on offer  - see the Summer page on the Vision.

• Research about SAT/ACT test requirements for US universities & enrol in preparation course if needed.

• Take the time to talk to any university students you know – what do they wish they’d thought about or researched before commencing their studies? 

August

• Higher Education Evening for students & parents – with overview of previous year results, application procedure – what we require of you to ensure your applications are processed efficiently, deadlines and more

• Year 13 Higher Education “how to apply” application information workshops

• Complete first draft of personal statement (all other UK applicants) – session in tutor time coming up

• UCAS accounts can be set up from now – you will need to use the school’s buzzword: 'island'

• HEAS deadline not clear? Check the deadlines here and also remember that if there is no deadline specified you must hand in your HEAS form at least three FULL school weeks before the external deadline 

September

• UCAS applications open.  Buzzword is 'islandschool'.

• Applying to OXBRIDGE, MEDICINE, VETERINARY SCIENCE or DENTISTRY in the UK? Your Higher Education Application System (HEAS) form must be handed in early September (Please check the deadline)

• Session on personal statements and college essays in tutor time in 2nd and 3rd weeks in September

• Register for UKCAT/LNAT tests (UK applicants only)

• Register for BMAT / Cambridge and Oxford tests (UK applicants only) with EXAMS OFFICE by mid-September

• Finalise personal statement (all UK applicants) and submit in Gateway by around 30 September

• Predicted grades finalised by around 25 September

• HEAS form (supplied by HE Office) to be submitted by students to HE Applications Officer for every university application. 3 weeks’ notice must be given. Please check the latest deadlines.

• Register for October/November SAT (last chance – don’t forget to nominate where you want results sent). 

October

• Sit UKCAT /LNAT tests(if applicable-consult UCAS website)

• ALL STUDENTS submit their HEAS form 1 by 18 October

• Complete US college essays 

• University of California applications to be prepared 

November

• Applying regular decision to HKU/ CUHK/ HKUST or Universities and Colleges in the USA? Your HEAS form must be handed in before the HE deadline.

• US citizens – remember to prepare your FAFSA information as well, if applying. The FAFSA becomes available in early January each year and there are different deadlines for different programs.

• UK Medics: Sit BMAT exam

December

• Finalise HK personal statements for approval with SHOH/Tutor

• Applying to Universities and Colleges in Canada? Your HEAS form must be handed in during week beginning 3 December.

• Inform HE Office UK conditional offers/US Early Decision/Early Action offers & update Gateway

• Prepare well for any mock exams or tests as these can affect mid-year grades

• US citizens and residents – if applying for financial aid, collate your FAFSA application information. You can apply from 1 January (but get ready for it earlier) 

January

• Submit all other Canadian applications to HE Applications Officer

• Submit all other HK applications to HE Applications Officer

• UK Art & Design courses may have 15 January or 24 March external deadline (be aware!). HEAS forms and Applications need to be submitted one month prior.

• School’s scholarship application due (see website for details) Notify HOH/HE Office if you wish to apply & require a recommendation

• Discuss Australian university choices with SHOH/HE Counsellor 

February

• Inform all UK/Canadian offers to HE Office & update Gateway

• Extra (UK applications) opens for those students who are unsuccessful with offers or change their mind (until end June)

• Midyear Reports needed for some US applications (please check) 

March/April

• Midyear Intake (July) for Australia applications open beginning April and close end April. Limited places, apply direct.

• US decisions begin to arrive – please notify HE Office & update Gateway

• Final Australian university choices need to be given to HE Office and entered in Gateway 

May - June

• Notify US colleges re your decision (deadline 1st May). Don’t forget to decline other offers with a note of thanks.

• UK applicants must note from UCAS Track when they need to reply to offers. Take care to allow yourself some lee-way between your conditional firm and conditional insurance offers.

• Inform of HK/Other offers to HE Office & update Gateway

• ALL STUDENTS must confirm their 1st & 2nd university choice and complete all application information in the Gateway as a requirement before graduation 

• Thank House Staff & teachers for their recommendations & help with the application process

• Prepare well for IB exams!

• Enjoy your graduation celebrations! 

• Taking a gap year or applying to the Southern Hemisphere universities?  Come and see your HE counsellor before the end of term.

July

• IB results!

• Higher Education Staff are available for 2-3 days after results are released to help you with any concerns/queries at school if needed 

• Clearing (UK applicants) available online if you do not meet requirements of conditional offer & the British Council clearing fair at the end of August in Hong Kong gives immediate offers

• Apply to NZ/Australian universities with results if an international citizen. If a domestic student, you can apply from August - with end September deadline  for Australia. Inform of any NZ/Australian offers to HE Office: careers@online.island.edu.hk . Don't leave it till the last minute to apply for halls of residence. Getting into a Hall can be competitive.

We say GOODBYE AND GOOD LUCK! But we invite you to keep in touch with the Higher Education Team 

– let us know how you find your course, university life etc. and share your knowledge with Island School students.