Drawing Your Roadmap to College ISHCMC American Academy October 9, 2014
Tony Ngo Co-founder of Everest Education B.A. and M.S. Stanford, M.B.A, Harvard Business School
Fact or Fiction Colleges seek applicants who are well-rounded
YOUR JOURNEY TO A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION www.e2.com.vn | +84 12 58 323232 | info@e2.com.vn
But let’s go back in time… YOUR JOURNEY TO A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION www.e2.com.vn | +84 12 58 323232 | info@e2.com.vn
Tony in middle school YOUR JOURNEY TO A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION www.e2.com.vn | +84 12 58 323232 | info@e2.com.vn
What’s so great about going to a top international school? YOUR JOURNEY TO A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION www.e2.com.vn | +84 12 58 323232 | info@e2.com.vn
Amazing Classmates and Peers
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Diversity and Unique Life Experiences
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Access to People Changing the World
David Kelley John Taylor The “Taylor Rule”
Condoleezza Rice U.S. Secretary of State
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IDEO
Planning and Hard Work YOUR JOURNEY TO A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION www.e2.com.vn | +84 12 58 323232 | info@e2.com.vn
The U.S. accounts for nearly half of the top 100 universities in the world
2014 2013
Belgium Brazil Israel Russia Taiwan Turkey Sweden Switzerland Singapore China France S. Korea Canada Hong Kong Netherlands Japan Australia Germany UK US
50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0
Source: The Times Higher Education YOUR JOURNEY TO A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION www.e2.com.vn | +84 12 58 323232 | info@e2.com.vn
U.S. College and University System Liberal Arts Colleges Community Colleges State Universities Vocational / Technical Private Universities
YOUR JOURNEY TO A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION www.e2.com.vn | +84 12 58 323232 | info@e2.com.vn
There are significant scholarships available for international students ~345 ranked U.S. colleges offered financial aid to at least 50 international undergraduates during the 2012-2013 school year Average scholarship totaling $17,721 (1) Some top-ranked schools are especially generous
(1) Source: U.S. News annual survey, 2013 YOUR JOURNEY TO A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION www.e2.com.vn | +84 12 58 323232 | info@e2.com.vn
The Top 10 U.S. Universities with the Highest Average Aid to International Students # International Undergrads with Fin Aid
Avg Aid to Intl Students
University of Chicago (IL)
57
$56,414
5, National Universities
Williams College (MA)
80
$54,671
1, National Liberal Arts Colleges
Yale University (CT)
347
$53,774
3, National Universities
Skidmore College (NY)
80
$53,523
45, National Liberal Arts Colleges
Harvard University (MA)
530
$52,758
2, National Universities
Amherst College (MA)
146
$52,433
2, National Liberal Arts Colleges
Wesleyan University (CT)
83
$51,450
17, National Liberal Arts Colleges
Stanford University (CA)
110
$51,331
5, National Universities
Trinity College (CT)
146
$51,003
36, National Liberal Arts Colleges
Dartmouth College (NH)
260
$50,285
10, National Universities
School name (state)
U.S. News rank
Source: U.S. News annual survey, 2013 YOUR JOURNEY TO A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION www.e2.com.vn | +84 12 58 323232 | info@e2.com.vn
But US college admission rates are declining‌ School
2005
2014
Amherst
18%
13%
Boston
38%
34%
Brown
16%
9%
Cornell
31%
Dartmouth
School
2005
2014
NYU
32%
33%
Northwestern
33%
13%
Stanford
13%
5%
14%
UC Berkeley
27%
17%
18%
12%
Michigan
63%
32%
Duke
23%
11%
Notre Dame
29%
21%
George Washington
39%
43%
UPenn
29%
10%
Harvard
11%
6%
Virginia
39%
29%
M.I.T.
16%
8%
Wesleyan
28%
23%
Middlebury
23%
17%
Williams
21%
18%
Source: http://www.ivywise.com/admission_statistics.html YOUR JOURNEY TO A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION www.e2.com.vn | +84 12 58 323232 | info@e2.com.vn
‌is it becoming harder to get into college? Percentage of Students Applying to 7+ Schools, 1990 vs. 2011 1990
2011 9%
29%
Applied to 7+ Schools Applied to 6 or Less Schools
Source: Survey by the National Association for College Admissions Counseling YOUR JOURNEY TO A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION www.e2.com.vn | +84 12 58 323232 | info@e2.com.vn
How do you better compete for one of these spots? YOUR JOURNEY TO A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION www.e2.com.vn | +84 12 58 323232 | info@e2.com.vn
Planning and Hard Work YOUR JOURNEY TO A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION www.e2.com.vn | +84 12 58 323232 | info@e2.com.vn
Fact or Fiction College admissions officers are likely to look at your Facebook page
YOUR JOURNEY TO A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION www.e2.com.vn | +84 12 58 323232 | info@e2.com.vn
The Key Areas Colleges Care About Academics
Extracurricular
Before the Application
Application Essays
Letters of Recommendation
The Application Process YOUR JOURNEY TO A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION www.e2.com.vn | +84 12 58 323232 | info@e2.com.vn
Testing
Academics
Academics
Extracurricular
Before the Application
Are you ready to engage in a university classroom? Grades, but where you stand relative to class average do matter even more Have you challenged yourself intellectually?
Tip #1: take rigorous courses in areas that interest you, including dual enrollment and AP classes YOUR JOURNEY TO A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION www.e2.com.vn | +84 12 58 323232 | info@e2.com.vn
Testing
Extracurricular
Academics
Extracurricular
Testing
Before the Application
Service, arts, sports or even work, but sports is generally the weakest. Are you a member or a leader? Can you start something new you are interested in? What are you learning through this involvement? How are you maturing?
Tip #2: take leadership roles in your activities YOUR JOURNEY TO A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION www.e2.com.vn | +84 12 58 323232 | info@e2.com.vn
Testing
Academics
Extracurricular
Testing
Before the Application
SAT scores matter even more for international applicants Best to take the exam in 11th grade TOEFL or IELTS as well to demonstrate English proficiency SAT II for at least two subjects, ideally one by end of 10th grade
Tip #2: take a diagnostic SAT by late 9th grade or early 10th grade to know where you stand YOUR JOURNEY TO A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION www.e2.com.vn | +84 12 58 323232 | info@e2.com.vn
Major changes to the SAT are coming Changes
Back to 1600 point scale More analysis of information Use of citations as evidence Variety of texts: scientific, historical, informative, and literary Emphasizes process as much as results
Consequences More thinking, analyzing, and explaining Less memorizing test tricks Support assertions with concrete information Source criticism Better illustrates a student’s ability to grapple with Universitylevel materials
Less tricks and more important to prepare earlier. YOUR JOURNEY TO A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION www.e2.com.vn | +84 12 58 323232 | info@e2.com.vn
Application Essays
Application Essays
Recommendations
The Application Process
Essays are crucial so your candidacy stands out Who are you as a person? Why are you different than every other smart international candidate? Why is this school a great fit for you?
Tip #4: show it, don’t say it (and you have 650 words) YOUR JOURNEY TO A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION www.e2.com.vn | +84 12 58 323232 | info@e2.com.vn
Letters of Recommendation
Application Essays
Recommendations
The Application Process
Request letters of recommendation from people who have seen you grow and develop Titles of recommenders are less important than their insight Give them plenty of time!
Tip #5: approach recommenders 3 months before deadlines YOUR JOURNEY TO A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION www.e2.com.vn | +84 12 58 323232 | info@e2.com.vn
Fact or Fiction You should start your college applications the fall of your senior year YOUR JOURNEY TO A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION www.e2.com.vn | +84 12 58 323232 | info@e2.com.vn
Your College Roadmap Snapshot Self-Assessment
Academics
G.P.A: Class Average: Strongest subject: Favorite subject:
__________________ __________________ __________________ __________________
First Name: Last Name: School: Current Grade: Email: Phone: Dream School:
___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________ ___________________________
Extracurricular
Testing
Extracurricular #1: How long : Achievement: Key learning:
_____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________
Taken the SAT? Yes / No / Diag If no, when will you? ________________ If yes or diagnostic, what were your scores: - Math : ________________ - Critical Reading : ________________ - Writing : ________________
Extracurricular #2: How long : Achievement: Key learning:
_____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________ _____________________
Taken the SAT II?
Yes / No / Diag
Taken the TOEFL?
Yes / No / Diag
Taken the IELTS?
Yes / No / Diag
YOUR JOURNEY TO A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION www.e2.com.vn | +84 12 58 323232 | info@e2.com.vn
Average H.S. GPAs at Various Top U.S. Colleges
Most competitive
Top Liberal Arts
Public Universities
Stanford
4.18
Harvard
4.04
Carnegie Mellon
3.72
Emory
3.75
Bowdoin
3.80
Colgate
3.66
UCLA
4.21
U.I.U.C.
N/A
Source: National Center for Educational Statistics YOUR JOURNEY TO A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION www.e2.com.vn | +84 12 58 323232 | info@e2.com.vn
Generally top 5-10%
Generally top 20-30%
Average SAT Scores at Various Top U.S. Colleges
Most competitive
Top Liberal Arts
Public Universities
Reading 25% 75%
Math 25% 75%
Writing 25% 75%
Stanford
670
770
690
780
680
780
Harvard
700
800
710
790
710
800
Carnegie Mellon
630
730
680
780
640
740
Emory
640
740
670
760
650
750
Bowdoin
670
750
660
740
670
760
Colgate
620
720
640
720
620
730
UCLA
570
680
610
740
580
710
U.I.U.C.
540
660
690
780
590
680
Source: National Center for Educational Statistics YOUR JOURNEY TO A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION www.e2.com.vn | +84 12 58 323232 | info@e2.com.vn
You can get into a great university with the right preparation YOUR JOURNEY TO A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION www.e2.com.vn | +84 12 58 323232 | info@e2.com.vn
Target, Reach, and Safety Schools Reach (2+ Schools)
Target (4+ Schools)
Safety (2+ Schools)
Think about a reach school as that dream school Perhaps SAT inline but grades a little lower in one or two subjects
You really want to attend
Your stats match their admissions standard Aim for acceptance at 75% of your target schools
Very confident that you are going to be accepted Your stats exceed all the requirements, and the subjective parts of your application will blow admissions officers away
YOUR JOURNEY TO A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION www.e2.com.vn | +84 12 58 323232 | info@e2.com.vn
Your E2 Roadmap to College
Academics
Extracurricular
Testing
9th and 10th Grade
11th Grade
• Build great study habits and establish foundation study skills • First 2 years establish 2/3 of GPA in application • Read, read, and read things that interest you • Take at least 1 SAT II Subject Test
• Most important academic year to show improvement and/or that you are challenging yourself • Read, read, read…and write, write, write • Will need ~2 recs from teachers • Take at least 1 more SAT II Subject Test
• 1st semester or quarter still important • Research majors that most interest you in college • Develop your list of Reach, Target, and Safety schools • Make a calendar with all deadlines and create a schedule
• Explore and find what you enjoy • Individual or team • Creative, physical, service, intellectual • Look for early opportunities for leadership • “Penalty” for not doing something
• Focus on the 1-2 most interesting activities – go for depth • Strive for excellence, become an expert and leader • Learn from each experience
Reflect and write: • What was your proudest achievement and why? • What did you learn about yourself? • Did you have an impact on others?
• Take a practice SAT – where are you already weak / strong • Develop an action plan to improve specific areas (i.e., critical reading) • Focus on mastering foundation skills, not test taking tips • What schools are attainable in your range?
• Ideally take SAT for real to give you time if needed • Re-learn foundation concepts • But also practice test taking tips specific to the SAT • Take the TOEFL or IELTS
• Last chance to re-take SAT • Make and keep to a timeline to complete your applications
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12th Grade
Where E2 Can Help Test Prep
English
We view test preparation holistically to increase scores and reinforce confidence that extends beyond the exam. Focusing on the SAT and SSAT.
We build our instruction around the American Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts. Application Essay Course.
Applied Math We bring math to life with a mix of stimulating real life examples, in-class games and collaborative drills.
Computer Programming
Private Tutoring
Through select school partners (including ISHCMC), we are offering computer programming classes.
We offer individualized tutoring to address all needs and provide one-onone counseling as well as small group formats.
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Our SAT Courses Average 341 Point Increases
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Know Where You Stand Now on the SAT Free trial class: Friday, 6:30-8:30pm in District 7 Free diagnostics: Friday, 4:30-6:30pm in District 7 Saturday, 10am-12pm in District 2 Sunday, 10am-12pm in District 2 Come talk to us now, or register through info@e2.com.vn
YOUR JOURNEY TO A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION www.e2.com.vn | +84 12 58 323232 | info@e2.com.vn
Your Journey to a World Class Education
www.e2.com.vn and tony.ngo@e2.com.vn 32K Hoang Quoc Viet, Q7 | 10B Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Q1 | 214 Nguyen Van Huong, Q2