APPLYING TO U.K. UNIVERSITIES

to the COVID-19 pandemic, many schools have made a move to “Test Optional.” Please consult with your guidance counsellor aboutschool-specificpoliciesfor testing.

Letters of Recommendations

Generally, three letters of recommendation are required for a U.S. application. The guidance counsellor letter is intended to be an overall assessment of the candidate and will review the student’s academic record, co-curricular interests and accomplishments, citizenship, personal qualities and areas of particular strengths. Academic references are required from one or two teachers. These should be from teachers of core subjects who know the student well. Please request these letters from faculty, in consultation with a guidance counsellor, by the end of the Grade 11 year. Most schools, especially the selective ones, want to create a well-rounded class of highenergy students who have both the capacity and the inclination to handle the academic workload and, at the same time, contribute to the campus community. All schools are interested in out-ofclass activities. They want to see the student has committed significantamountsofsustained time to special interests, skills or talents. They are also interested in seeing if a student has assumed a leadership role in these activities.

Writing Requirements

Most schools will ask a student to write one or more personal essays. This is an opportunity in the application to give the UniversityAdmissionsOfficera personal look at each student— how they write, think and what kind of ideas they have. Therefore, it is essential that to spend time preparing this part of the application. Remember, we have writing professionals to support students. They are skilled in helping share a student’s best self while maintaining their allimportant personal voice.

NCAA

Athletes who wish to play for an NCAA institution at the Division 1 or 2 level must ensure they are cleared through theNCAAEligibilityCenter (eligibilitycenter.org). Students complete the application form in their Grade 11 year and request that we send transcripts from HSC on their behalf. They will also need to have their ACT orSATtestscoresofficially sent to the NCAA from the appropriate organization. NCAA is a complicated procedure with very strict rules. Student althletes should begin work with their guidance counsellor early.