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Current Information
Year 13
To: Parents
& Year 13 Graduates- Class of 2010
Re: Missed
UK University Offers
Date: 15June
2010
Dear Parents & Graduates,
I have already explained to all of the graduates and
some of the parents, the step by step process to follow if the conditional UK
university offer is not met on 5 July 2010. Below, please find these steps:
1.
If a candidate misses the conditional offer by
1-2 points, they should contact the university as soon as possible. Many
universities have a strict policy that they will only speak with the
applicant. Three possible scenarios may occur:
1.
Some universities may accept the applicant
despite the missed offer. If the university agrees to accept the applicant,
please make sure to get this verbal offer in writing. The candidate should
directly email the contact person for confirmation. Please keep track of all
contact names during this process.
2.
Some universities may tell the applicant that
they must wait until mid-August for a decision-after the A-level results are
released. The applicant should then immediately contact their insurance
university and clearly advise them of the situation and attempt to secure
housing at their insurance choice.
3.
Some universities may tell the applicant that
they will not be able to accept them into the university. The applicant
should immediately contact their insurance university and secure housing.
2.
If an applicant does not achieve either their
firm or insurance offer, the applicant can enter into clearing which will
occur in August. Please consult the UCAS website for instructions regarding
the Clearing Process. I will be available in Lausanne from 17 August for support
during this process.
I will be at ISL on 5 July but will be leaving on 6 to
attend a conference in Boston, followed by a trip to California. I can be
reached by cell phone as needed. I will not likely have internet access on a
regular basis. Please remember that California is nine hours behind Lausanne
time.
FYI: Official IB
Grades (results) versus Official
High School Grades (Transcripts): These are two different items. Please
clarify what it is that you need. Mr Foley handles official IB results whilst
I handle official High School transcripts.
Sincerely,
Franko Cifizzari
Year 12
To: Parents
of current Year 12 Students- Class of 2011
Re: Letter
of Reference for your child
Date: 18
June 2010
Dear Parents,
Colleges and universities may ask for letters of
recommendations to be written by the school principal, the academic
counselor, and teachers. The number of letters of recommendations varies from
just one in the United Kingdom,
to three or four required for some US colleges. Admission directors
are looking for evidence that a student can be successful in the university
and an asset to their student body. The recommendations are a very important
part of the college application process.
As parents, you have an in-depth knowledge of the
history and personality of your son/daughter. If you have any information or
special circumstances that I may be unaware of that could be included in a
letter of recommendation and would benefit the college application process, I
would appreciate your input. You may also wish to consider the following:
·
Activities your child is involved in (or was
involved with) outside of school and how they have grown as a person from
these activities
·
Difficult situations or extenuating
circumstances that your child has endured that may have affected their
academic performance or their outlook on life
·
Positive/negative qualities
·
Words/adjectives (3-5) to describe your child-
or
·
Anything that you believe I may find useful as
I write their letter of recommendation
Please understand that this is not a requirement but
rather an opportunity. This is
completely optional. Generally, I have found the feedback very useful.
Please email your comments to academic.counselor@isl.ch.
Deadline: Mid-September for Oxbridge/medicine candidates
to the UK; mid-October for all other students.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Franko Cifizzari
·
Parents and students should review their University
Calendar that was distributed at the beginning of the year. An electronic
version is available under the University
Calendars menu.
·
Appointments continue with Mr Cifizzari.
Students should have submitted a list of potential colleges and possible
degree courses (majors) that they may wish to study in university. These
lists may change.
·
Students should plan to visit universities
over the summer holiday or during school breaks. Visiting potential
universities is strongly encouraged as it is extremely beneficial in the
decision making process.
·
Sessions have taken place to help students
complete the Common Application (US) and write a Personal Statement
(UK)/College Essay (US). A rough draft of essays was requested and feedback
provided to students who submitted these. Please remember to submit revised
copies during the first week of autumn term.
·
Careful planning and research now will help to
alleviate much of the stress associated with the application process in the
fall. Depending on the university or programme,
application deadlines begin shortly after the beginning of school. Those
applying to the UK for medicine, veterinary or art and design courses as well
as Oxford/Cambridge/medicine/vet applicants should pay particular attention.
Please, all students should be mindful of both ISL and university deadlines!
Year 11
To: Year 11
& 12— Parents and Students – Class of 2012
Date: June
2010
Dear Year 11 Parents & Students,
On Thursday 24 June 2010, students were shown an
electronic Year 12-13 University Handbook and University Calendars that both
parents and students can use to track expectations for the coming two years. These
can be found under the University
Calendars menu.
Students considering the United States for university
study should sit the PSAT which is offered once a year in October. The PSAT
is offered at ISL on 16 October 2010 (the first day of half term break).
There is only one date per year that this test can be given at ISL. It is
good practice for the SAT and has provided useful feedback for specific skill
areas that require attention as well as helping Year 12 students develop a list
of potential universities. Students will register for this test at ISL at the
end of September 2010.
With the new College Board policy of selective
reporting, students can now sit the SAT examination as many times as they
wish, request feedback regarding the test and report selected results to
universities. Please note that some universities require that the student
send all SAT results. Please go to www.collegeboard.com to register for the
examination. Please make sure the ISL school code 796540 is included in the
registration; this is very important. The SAT provides a measure of general
scholastic ability. The test yields three scores: verbal reasoning, writing,
and mathematical ability. Please, do not send SAT results to any university
at this time.
Any current Year 11 student who has a learning need and
is eligible for extended time on examinations may apply for extended time on
the SAT examination. Parents are asked to contact me directly to discuss the
necessary documentation needed to gain extended time.
If there are any other questions or concerns, please
contact the academic guidance office.
Sincerely,
Franko Cifizzari
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