Future Pathways

Fostering open communication and cooperation among students, families, and counselors, the program empowers students to take ownership of their destiny and make informed, long-term decisions. Application processes demand equal attention, and success is found when students allow their insights and self-discoveries to guide them. 

In essence, Future Pathways embodies the institution's commitment to supporting students as they transition to become agents of positive change and promoters of a more peaceful and sustainable world beyond the nurturing environment of United World College Costa Rica. 

Responsibilities of All Stakeholders 

Embracing collaboration, the vital roles played by students, families, counselors, and faculty members are recognized as equally important parts of the whole. This collective effort emphasiz self-advocacy, support, and guidance. The following outlines the key responsibilities of students, families, counselors, and faculty members in contributing to a successful outcome for each student. 

Students 

• Demonstrate Self-Advocacy and Initiative: Take full ownership of the pathway search and application process. Recognize the importance of presenting one's best self to universities through dedicated effor 

• Utilize Available Resources: Use the resources provided by Future Pathways Counselors and Ambassadors to facilitate the pathway search and application process. 

• Invest Time and Energy: Dedicate the necessary time and energy to the pathway search and application process to ensure thorough exploration and preparation. 

• Demonstrate Respect: Treat the pathway search and application process with the same respect as an academic class. Engage fully in the process and treat all stakeholders respectfully, including university visitors, counselors, family, and peers. 

• Maintain Communication: Take proactive measures to schedule meetings with the Counselor, conduct research, complete required forms, and meet deadlines. 

Families 

• Provide Support: Offer unconditional support to the student throughout the pathway search a application process, focusing on strengths and talents independent of admission decisions or test scores. 

• Facilitate University/Program Exploration: Assist the student in understanding various university options through visits, research, and meetings with college representatives. Listen attentively to the student's impressions and help gather relevant information. 

• Financial Aid Assistance: If applicable, assist in completing financial aid forms and gathering necessary documents per each college's requirements. Speak openly and honestly with students about what resources are available for the family to provide and what the students will have to manage on their own regarding finances. 

• Encourage Independence: Avoid taking over the process for the student. Instead, empower them to stand independently by allowing them to apply their learned lessons independently. Remain open and supportive to hearing new ideas and possibly letting go of preconceived pathways. Please note: The College does not support using university agents or professional essay writers as these practices are not aligned with our values of personal integrity, responsibility, and accountability. 

Counselors 

• Provide Guidance and Support: Lead and support students throughout the university research and application process, offering suggestions, feedback, and problem-solving assistance to empower th to make informed decisions. 

• Facilitate University Engagement: Coordinate presentations by university representatives and provide information on various topics relevant to the application process. 

• Write Recommendations: Craft holistic recommendations highlighting the student's positive qualiti as a member of the UWC community. 

• Manage Documentation: Submit grades/transcripts, predicted IB scores, recommendations, and college documents to universities on time. 

• Advocate for Students: Advocate for students' best interests and support planning for a gap year, if desired. 

Teachers 

• Support Student Engagement: Encourage students to actively participate in the pathway search and university visits. When possible, introduce interesting roles and career pathways related to the teacher’s academic field of study 

• Provide Academic Guidance: In the role of mentor, offer guidance and support to students  balancing academic responsibilities with pathway planning activities. 

• Write Recommendations: Work collaboratively with counselors to provide student recommendations to highlight their academic achievements and contributions to the college community. 

University Application Process 

Universities seek organized, self-motivated applicants. Therefore, in the university application process, it is expected that each student will assume full responsibility for their journey. While the Future Pathways counselors offer guidance and represent students to universities, students mu remain vigilant regarding all requirements and deadlines. Ultimately, students are accountable for researching universities, writing essays, completing applications, preparing for and taking placement or language proficiency tests, and managing due dates, and all other associated tasks. Historically, many of our students apply to multiple countries as they seek to discover the breadth of options available to them. In the last several years alone, the Future Pathways Office has assist students with applications in nearly 20 countries! Though we fully encourage this scope of applications, we also push students to understand the realities of attending universities in differe places, especially around the potential financial viability. 

Students receive the full support and dedication of time from the Future Pathways team for one complete application cycle. Suppose a student chooses to wait to apply to universities after a gap year. In that case, we will be fully available to them to support that process with all of the resources we have, as well as individual meetings. Suppose a student applies during their time at UWC Costa Rica, receives a financially viable offer, and chooses to decline all options to take a gap year. In that case, the Future Pathways team will still support them where possible in future application processes. Still, the priority of the office is always students going through the application process for the first time. 

For students who plan to attend university in the United States and are unsure about taking a gap year, it is typically recommended to move ahead with applying. Most universities in the United States have a process by which students can request a one-year deferral. Outside of the United States, it is much less common to offer deferrals. 

Creating a Balanced University Application List 

A balanced university list is crucial in the admissions process. It ideally includes 2-3 “likely colleges” to which they believe they are well-suited and will meet or exceed admissions standards; 2-3 “target colleges,” which are closely aligned to their aims and where they believe they will be a strongly competitive applicant; and finally, 2-3 “reach colleges” which may be a well-aligned fit but have highly competitive admissions where the majority of applicants are equally strong. This balance ensures that students face a "dilemma of choice" in the spring semester, with multiple college acceptances to consider. 

Davis Foundation Need-Based Scholarship 

The Davis Foundation provides a scholarship to assist UWC graduates who choose to study in the United States at any of 100 partner institutions: http://www.davisuwcscholars.org/partners. No separate application is required—if a student applies to a Davis partner college and submits their financial aid application, they will automatically be considered for their Davis funding. 

Note: Davis funding is not guaranteed for all UWC students. It is need-based and applied after a review of financial documents. As part of the partnership agreement between the Davis Foundation and the universities that receive funding, universities must meet the full calculated needs of students they admit to receive this funding. 

1-19 enrolled students = $15,000 per year per student 

20-39 enrolled students = $20,000 per year per student 

40-59 enrolled students = $25,000 per year per student 

60-79 enrolled students = $30,000 per year per student 

80+ enrolled students = $40,000 per year per student 

Supporting Individual Growth with Extracurricular Involvement and Leadership 

An important expectation of a student’s journey at UWC Costa Rica is extracurricular involvement and leadership, both through the co-curricular office and through individual student initiatives. Students are encouraged to identify areas outside of class in which they wish to grow and develop, and to progressively increase their involvement in activities they are passionate about over time. This is a priority for a student’s individual goals in the future, and can each play a significant role in university/program/internship admission. Students are encouraged to participate in co-curricular and community service activities actively and to take initiative to take on leadership roles for short- and long-term projects and/or put themselves forward as candidates for various elected leadership positions.