Embedded Files
Hi there! This website is a sort of dedicated website on what one might face when preparing or applying for higher education. Ranging from testimonies or from personal experience, my CAS (service) experience is aimed at providing some advice, insight, and maybe some help on getting you prepared for university prep.
If you haven't already or are curious, please feel free to fill in the forms beside here, but be sure to check out the special "Interviewing an Alumni" section in case your question has been asked.
Interviewing an Alumni
Interviewing an Alumni
One of the main actions of my experience is interviewing some alumni in order to get greater insight into what preparing for (or living in) University may look like. The questions are obtained from surveys such as the one above.
One of the main actions of my experience is interviewing some alumni in order to get greater insight into what preparing for (or living in) University may look like. The questions are obtained from surveys such as the one above.
Interview 1 - Interview with SVP Alumni Kak Marco Victorio
Interview 1 - Interview with SVP Alumni Kak Marco Victorio
View the full interview by clicking on the link above! In this session, Kak Marco describes his experiences with University Life, in particular with going to an overseas University (Glasgow University of Art). Also watch the interview to gain some insights in making your final decisions for your majors, universities, and courses. Furthermore, explore some new venues for applying and preparing for universities.
Interview 2 - Interview with SVP Alumni Kak Chelsea
Interview 2 - Interview with SVP Alumni Kak Chelsea
In this interview, learn from kak Chelsea's unique university experience of joining Universitas Indonesia's International program. Watch the full interview by clicking on the link above and make sure to take notes about the challenges of living abroad and the different perspectives and ways of teaching between local Indonesian and international universities. Gain some unique insights in the time leading up to and after entering University life.
This last interview (also the longest), take notes from the experiences of Kak Stephanie entering an international course program in a local university. Learn about the potential differences between local and international universities, the benefits of applying early, and some personal case-by-case advice in the link above. Also, learn in-depth about the nuances of applying to universities as well as potential options for planning out your future careers.
Some Helpful Sources | Personal Statement
Some Helpful Sources | Personal Statement
A personal statement is something that every University will review whenever admitting students. Writing a personal statement may be intimidating at first, but is actually a very simple task if done and prepared properly. The following are a few pieces of advice, especially for those of you just entering grade 10 or starting out grade 11.
Start Early
Needless to say, one of the keys of having an easier time in grade 11 and (mainly) 12 is to simply prepare everything beforehand. Try to have a firm grasp of what major, college, and place (and country) before entering grade 11. Doing so will allow you to slowly build your personal statement, look for any flaws and mistakes, allowing for a highly refined personal statement. Of course, it is perfectly fine for you to postpone making a personal statement until after you have a firm vision of your future, but ideally you would already have decided by the halfway point of grade 11 (bonus points for those already prepared even before).
Get Inspiration
The internet is a wonderful place where a plethora of sources, examples, and websites can provide you with anything you need. This is the same for anything related to university preparations (I mean it's not like this is the only website providing University advice) in that you simply need to look around in order to find some examples to help get you started on your personal statements. To get you started, here are some examples and sources:
Be adventurous and explore the internet, you'd be surprised how easy applying to higher education really is nowadays.
Writing Style
There is no single objectively correct way to write a personal statement, but the most important part is "to be you" and make that as interesting as possible. Do not simply list down your academic achievements or performance in class, but be sure to show your personality, intentions, motivations, and personal ambition. The personal statement is a chance for you to show your individuality to the university—selling yourself, essentially. In general, you want to show a strong sense of morals/principles, balance, and especially leadership qualities (mention any one of these whenever you can). If you'd like a step-by-step process, proceed to the link below:
Specific Requirements(?)
Each and every educational institution will have some differences in what they want to see from students. For some cases, such as UK and the "UCAS" system, only one personal statement is ever required for all of your application needs. However, it is important to check up on the University's specific requirements for writing a personal statement. One key difference may be in the allowed word count, whereupon you might need to modify your essay by cutting down or increasing your word count. Another factor to consider is that some universities may have specific questions that candidates must answer in their personal statements. In such cases, please adapt accordingly to whatever university/institutions you may apply to, ranging from the main options to the backups.
One constant for all universities, however, is the need for your personal statement to be interesting. Despite not being a requirement, personal statements structured and written in the form of stories are often much more entertaining, interesting, and lively to read for any applicant examiner. Your personal statement should of course be formal, but making a lasting positive impression is also very crucial.
Revision, Help, and Feedback
Refining your personal statement is one of the most important, and time-consuming, parts of actually finishing your essay. Do not be afraid to ask for some help from your teachers or career counselors and get the appropriate feedback. It is crucial that you approach them, get feedback, and fix your personal statement. Be sure to be thorough and address every single flaw, crack, or potential for optimization in your essay. If you have indeed started early, then you should not have problems with finishing your personal statement.
Here are some sources for specific application methods:
Some Word of Advice
Some Word of Advice
Track Your Deadlines!
This should be obvious, but make sure to check all the deadlines for the University applications (especially if you're aiming for a scholarship) and make a sort of timetable to keep track of all the dates. Planning is key in order to balance your studies and your preparations for higher education.
2. Read the Fine Print
Make sure to read all the subject requirements when choosing your universities, courses, and subjects. Be sure that the course you are applying for are in line with your current subjects to avoid any misalignment in the actual D-day. On that note, do not be afraid to change your subjects (for DP *full students) if it does not align with the university course requirements. The first half of grade 11 is a flexible year where subject changes are manageable. Despite this flexibility, it is still always a wiser move to review your future plans and choose your subjects accordingly to avoid any hassles.
3. Having a Target
Surfing the internet will allow you to see not only the specific subject requirements but also the score requirements in order to be admitted into the course (and if any additional tests are required). Focus your efforts on the specific score requirements to make realistic goals for your academic pursuits and do not be complacent in preparing for tests such as IELTS, SATs, or university entrance tests. Alongside your university timetables and deadlines, having a clear and focused achievement goal is crucial in keeping track of your current progress.
4. Be Active!
Grades 10 and 11 in particular, try to be as active as possible when it comes to contributing to society—in most cases, the school. Universities love a student who has experience in participating in competitions, organizing events, and being active in class. Having these will help bolster your CV and record, making it easier for you to 'sell yourself' to any and all universities.
5. Being a Teachers Pet(?)
Just Kidding, but being active in class and actively communicating with your teachers will help you with your reference letters in the future. Being close with your teachers allows you to more comfortably ask them to create a letter of recommendation for yourself and for your teachers to write a highly meaningful reference letter.
Choosing your Careers
Choosing your Careers
It is important to have a clear life goal and purpose before you start applying for University courses. There are many cases where a person either accidentally or unwillingly took a course that is in direct opposition to their own passion. To make sure that what you study is truly what you desire for your future careers, please have a look at the following sources as provided by the "INTO" program in the UK.
It is important that you find a course that matches your personality, career plans, and passion. Be sure to investigate other sources and inquire about what you might do in a given course or subject in any of your university choices so that you don't get caught off-guard or regret your decision in the future. And not only in the long-term, but you also need to make sure that (as DP students) your chosen subjects align with your University courses and requirements.
Tips: Always be on the look out for programs such as the "INTO program"
Sometimes these programs can be in line with the universities that you are aiming for and are will be very beneficial and convenient for you to seek out and explore.
Of course you don't have to limit yourself to the "INTO" program specifically, but always carefully read and search for these kinds of offers and programs.
About the "INTO program"
Supporting you to study abroad in the UK, US, Australia or China
INTO helps students from around the world achieve their dream of studying overseas at university. We support international students to apply for entry to an undergraduate or graduate degree program and work with universities to create unique preparation programs designed for those students who don’t yet meet the university’s requirements. So, whether you're eligible to apply for a degree program, or require some additional preparation before your degree, we can help! Our undergraduate and postgraduate pathway programs support students in improving their English and developing their subject-specific academic knowledge. With our support, we’ll help to ensure that you comfortably settle into life in a new country and are ready to succeed in your degree. We've helped thousands of INTO students secure their place on some of the best university courses overseas, and go on to find successful careers. Are you ready to join them?
Choosing your Academic Courses and Universities
Choosing your Academic Courses and Universities
Something that you will have to do, especially if you have yet to enter the IB Diploma Programme or are still in the first year of the IBDP, is extensive research and surveys on your potential university options. It is never as simple as finding the University with the best employment rates, academic ratings, or a simple run-down of their facilities (though of course, these are usually very good indicators). It is important that you try to investigate deeper by inquiring from alumni testimonies, previews of the university's courses and facilities, and the kind of standards the University truly upholds in its institutions. Here are a couple of good reads (and videos) to get your mind started on making the important decisions:
10 steps to choosing a course you are truly interested in
How To Choose The Right Course In Uni? Learn from my mistakes!
Ultimate Guide To Choosing A College Degree
How to choose a university course?
And when choosing Universities to study in, make sure to take a look at some of these sources:
4 common mistakes students make when choosing a College/University
how to choose the best college for you: research, match your personality type, avoid regrets, +more
How to Pick the Perfect University for YOU (5 key tips)
QS Rankings for Universities Worldwide 2022
Tip: if you already have an idea of where to go for your University, one good source to gain further insights is through student vlogs by simply searching it on the internet. Of course, if there aren't any student vlogs for your desired University, you can still obtain a very in-depth look into the life of a University student and maybe even answer some questions you have about University in general.
Page updated
Report abuse