Policies

• Application limit: The university counselling team will support a maximum of 10 applications per student per application cycle. 

  • This policy benefits students because it encourages serious, strategic and competitive applications while reducing the stress that comes with an unmanageable volume of applications. Having an application limit sends a strong message to universities that an application from a Tanglin student is a serious one and is in line with other Singaporean International schools.

  • The UCAS form with its five university course choices counts as one application for application limit purposes.

  • All campuses of the University of California system are counted as one application under their single application.

  • The Canadian Ontario application counts as one application.

  • Applications to Singapore will also be counted as one application. 

  • All other applications are counted individually.

• Application cycles: Our team will work with and support students for two application cycles. It is counted as an application cycle if a student submits a university application.

• Honesty & integrity: Students are expected to be honest and forthcoming in all aspects of their interactions with universities, teachers, and counsellors. They must be truthful and accurate in listing activities and awards, and ensure that all essays/personal statements are their own work. 

  • Students must adhere to Tanglins academic honesty policies, including the use of AI.

  • Students must declare if they are working with an external agent to their counsellor.

• Internal deadlines: Our team sets internal deadlines that are well in advance of university deadlines. This encourages students to proactively and responsibly work on their applications and ensures equitable support across all students. Students are expected to meet all internal deadlines.

• Working hours: Counsellors are available during normal school hours in line with the working days as outlined in the Tanglin academic calendar. Time differences, weekends, and school holidays need to be taken into account when requesting assistance or meeting deadlines.

• National Service & Gap Year: Students who will be doing NS after graduation are expected to fully participate in the university and post-grad planning process during Y12 and Y13. We typically recommend that they submit university applications during the fall after graduation and request a one year deferral. Two year deferrals are rare, but may be available at some universities. It is the students responsibility to check with institutions regarding this.  

• US applications: 

  • Early decision obligations: Students may only apply to one university under the binding early decision policy. If a student chooses to apply ED, they are indicating that this university is their top choice worldwide. If accepted under an ED agreement, the student commits to attending and must withdraw all university applications, worldwide.

  • Waiver of right to view recommendations: Counsellors and teachers' recommendations are confidential and not reviewable by students. Tanglin honours the FERPA agreement, which is an agreement between schools and universities to keep students' recommendations confidential. Universities value our school documents and trust their credibility precisely because they are confidential. All confidential school documents are sent directly to universities through our team.

• Disciplinary reporting: Our team abides by the Statement of Principles of Good Practice of the International Association of College Admissions Counsellors, which requires high schools to report to US universities any major student disciplinary infraction including suspensions and expulsions.

Roles and Responsibilities

Student’s role

• Reflect on their personal interests, strengths, needs, and goals

• Proactively engage in the process and take ownership by scheduling, preparing for, and attending meetings with counsellors

• Research universities to find the best fit based on their unique criteria and preferences

• Attend relevant workshops and sessions hosted by both UGC staff and university reps

• Understand all entry requirements and admissions criteria for all universities they are applying to and ensure they meet all stated requirements

• Meet all internal and external deadlines

• Register for testing and request official standardised test scores to be sent by the testing organisation to universities

• Create application accounts, fill in application forms, submit application, ensure application is complete, and manage various application portals

• Write and revise personal statement and essays

• Communicate effectively and transparently with parents, counsellors, and university reps

• Alumni are expected to follow the same timeline  for preparation of materials during Sixth Form and proactively work with their counsellor after graduation

Counsellor’s role

• Identify the unique interests, strengths, needs, and goals for life after Tanglin for each individual student

• Teach students how and what to research about country, university, and course options

• Share resources and tools to support the research process

• Help students understand entry requirements and "best fit" to find a university that meets their individual strengths, needs, and goals

• Ensure students build a short list that includes a mix of likely, target, and reach schools

• Establish an application strategy across universities and countries

• Give feedback on personal statements, essays, and CVs

• Provide preparation for admissions interviews

• Review application forms

• Send official documents including: references, predicted grades, transcripts, recommendation letters

• Plan for gap years, national service, and future career exploration

• Supporting academic, merit, and sports scholarship applications

• Empower students to take ownership of the process, find information, and make decisions

Parent's role

• Provide support and guidance to your child and engage in impartial dialogue

• Empower your child to take ownership of the process and decision-making

• Understand your family's finances and the cost of higher education in different countries and universities. Have open conversations about university fees and any budgetary or geographical constraints

• Listen and discuss options, be their cheerleader!

• Use the university counselling office as a resource. Ask questions and seek up to date guidance given the ever changing landscape of university admissions

• Attend parent information evenings, coffee mornings, and individual meetings