Student responsibilities in the university application process
How RGSV’s UC department prepares students for university
Year 12
Year 13
What criteria colleges and universities use to assess students?
University and course selection
Applying for competitive courses
You must undertake thorough research into courses which interest you
You must check whether you meet the specification for the course
You should visit the universities which interest you before applying
You should pay more attention if you decide to apply early
You should check any additional tests which may be required for your subject
If the course requires evidence of work experience, ensure you complete it before applying
Make yourself aware of what your referee is saying about you
Resources for researching courses and universities
Things to consider when visiting a university Course
INTRODUCTION TO UNIVERSITY COUNSELING
Selecting university options is a challenging and enlightening experience, offering our students a valuable opportunity for selfdiscovery. It encourages them to reflect on their identity, values, and future aspirations. A crucial component of a student-centered approach to university counseling is the expectation that students will take charge of the process, bearing the responsibility for their self-assessment, research, and application writing, all of which are essential for making informed choices.
At Reigate Grammar School Vietnam, the University Counseling Department supports students in building upon their academic and social experiences at RGSV to secure admissions to colleges and universities worldwide. We offer guidance, support, and counseling to students and parents as they explore schools, make decisions, select and visit universities, and complete applications.
To support these goals, the UC Department has developed this guide. We hope it serves as a valuable resource throughout Years 12 to 13, addressing many aspects of the university application process.
RGSV’S COUNSELING SERVICES
Our comprehensive counseling program guides and supports students throughout the university application process, formally beginning in Year 12 and continuing throughout Year 13. Some highlights of the program include:
• A general university meeting organized for all interested parents and students that provides a general overview of the university application process.
• A university presentation for Year 12 students and parents detailing all aspects of the university application process.
• Initial individual student consultations in Semester 2 of Year 12 followed by meetings with both students and parents in Year 12 and throughout Year 13.
• Consultations with students to discuss their choice of countries and the different academic systems in them, as well as the selection of schools, university courses and/or disciplines, depending on the system.
• Providing information and materials such as university brochures, catalogs, guides …
• Advice on standardized testing, including the SAT, the ACT, the TOEFL and the IELTS.
• Identifying schools that are a good fit depending on the student’s interests, academic strengths, athletic skills, and other factors relevant to the student.
• Assistance and guidance in preparation of applications including personal statements, essays, mock interviews, and contact with university representatives.
• Counselor/referee letters of recommendation that strongly support student’s candidature to appropriate universities.
• Advice on extracurricular and summer activities.
• Counsel on how students can effectively communicate with universities in all aspects of the application process.
• Maintaining relationships with universities and contacting representatives to support individual applications.
• Organization of university visits from admissions representatives in the UK, continental Europe, US, Canada, Japan, and other countries.
• Assistance with the University Fair, where students and parents can attend and meet with admissions officers from international institutions.
• Designing the Global University Visit Tour that enables students to explore the colleges in advance.
• “Best Fit” advice after conditional offers and acceptances in the spring.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE UNIVERSITY APPLICATION PROCESS
For students in Year 12 and 13, embarking on the university application process marks the initial step towards personal independence. While it is complex, demanding, and time-intensive, it also offers an exciting opportunity for self-discovery. Engaging in thorough research, completing applications, and crafting personal essays provides a chance to reflect on your identity, values, and potential future paths. This process involves making significant decisions, fostering self-reliance and confidence, and contemplating life independently, beyond the family environment.
At RGSV, the UC Department emphasizes that students are at the center and in control of their university application journey, supported by a team of counselors, teachers, and parents. Regardless of where you choose to apply globally, selecting the ideal college or university requires significant effort. It is vital to consider your goals and aspirations, assess educational components that will ensure your success, and engage actively in the process by reading, questioning, and visiting various campuses.
In pursuing these goals, students are expected to embrace the following responsibilities:
• Take the time to reflect on and evaluate your goals and values. Assess your academic strengths, unique talents, skills, and other qualities that set you apart. This self-assessment is crucial for identifying schools that provide a supportive university environment where you can thrive and find happiness, leading to success.
• Research suitable courses, programs, and institutions to ensure your applications align with your academic, athletic, musical, social interests, and future goals.
• Be informed about the academic profiles required by highly selective colleges and universities. If your academic record doesn’t meet the competitive requirements, we might not fully support your application.
• Adhere to application deadlines for both universities and the UC Department for submitting materials and requesting recommendation letters and transcripts. Be aware of varying deadlines across countries and application systems.
• Familiarize yourself with any necessary tests, register online respecting deadlines for exams like the BMAT, UCAT, LNAT, SAT, ACT, TOEFL, or IELTS.
• Submit all necessary forms and request that testing organizations send official test results to universities.
• Notify your counselors of your application outcomes and your final decision, completing any final forms requested by counselors or the IB coordinator to facilitate sending your final transcript and making your IB results available to your university.
HOW RGSV’S UC DEPARTMENT PREPARES STUDENTS FOR UNIVERSITY
YEAR 12
In Year 12, students will focus on excelling in the initial year of their A-Level or IB Diploma program. The grades earned during this year play a crucial role in university applications, as institutions may consider predicted grades or semester results. Alongside adapting to the demands of the Diploma, this year is pivotal for exploring the various university options, courses, systems, and institutions that capture your interest. Participating in the following activities is essential to discovering the school and course that best align with your needs:
• Take active roles in extracurricular activities and initiate activities at RGSV and outside school that interest you
• Research universities and courses
• Attend University Fair
• Actively participate in university visits and presentations at RGSV and outside school
• Begin your Creativity Activity Service
• Take the Standardized Tests, if appropriate
• Begin attending individual counseling sessions throughout the second semester
• Start planning summer activities and university visits
• Attend workshops/events organized by the UC Department
YEAR 13
Your final year at RGSV is the period to finalize your university applications or plan for a gap year. Ensure you stay organized and meticulous in meeting deadlines, crafting essays, and submitting applications to universities that align well with your academic and personal goals. Students are expected to:
• Regularly meet with your counselor to discuss your options, finalize your University list, and receive feedbacks on related matters.
• Provide counselor and teachers with your Brag Sheet if you need the Letter of Recommendation
• Attend all sessions and workshops for applications
• Continue to meet with visiting university representatives and attend presentations
• Stay focused on your studies
• Continue your involvement in extra-curricular pursuits
• Keep informed and connected to all counseling communications
• Meet all university deadlines, standardized testing requirements, and submit all necessary financial information
• Discuss your final choices with counselors and respond to acceptance offers
• Notify the UC Department of your application outcomes and your final decision
WHAT CRITERIA COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES USE TO ASSESS STUDENTS?
• Counselor and teacher recommendations, which will focus on:
* Character: open-minded, international
* Critical and creative thinking skills
* Communication skills
* Self-motivated learning
UNIVERSITY AND COURSE SELECTION
The most difficult decision for most students is the choice of university and course. There is a bewildering array of options - campus universities, collegiate universities, combined honours, degree apprenticeships and so on - and students need to spend quite a lot of time and energy in narrowing down the choices.
The key to finding the best university for you is knowing what you want… and knowing what you want requires you to know who you are. This important piece of self-knowledge applies wherever you decide to study in the world. Remember, you are at the center of the university application process; you are the person deciding what are the best “fit” universities for you. Selecting your schools first requires a self-assessment of your academic standing, educational values and goals, interests, talents, and aspirations. Once you know what is important to you, then you will be able to research universities to select the systems and schools that fit your criteria.
Students also need to do their research carefully and be realistic in their approach. Students should be ambitious and apply for very popular courses or universities, but balance these with some less competitive choices. Some extra research into slight variances in the area of study may pay dividends.
Finally, it goes without saying that students can give themselves the best chances of success by working hard and obtaining the highest grades of which they are capable. We will do our utmost to help them, both in this and in making their applications to university.
APPLYING FOR COMPETITIVE COURSES
YOU MUST UNDERTAKE THOROUGH RESEARCH INTO COURSES WHICH INTEREST YOU
Consult university websites but look beyond the online prospectus at departmental information on the content of the course and details of applications and acceptances if available. Unifrog will tell you the success rate for last year and the average IB/A-Level grades of last year’s successful applicants. Use this information. It would be foolhardy to apply for the five most competitive/popular courses in your subject based solely on league tables. You may receive fewer offers than you deserve and the offers you do receive are likely to be identical, thus leaving you with little choice.
YOU MUST CHECK WHETHER YOU MEET THE SPECIFICATION FOR THE COURSE
Most universities publish entry profiles, which outline requirements in detail. Do not ignore information which could be crucial e.g. GCSE requirements in addition to the A Level/ entry grades. This is particularly true of Medicine and Law but can also apply to oversubscribed courses, e.g. English, History, Psychology, Economics and Physiotherapy. Admissions Tutors often look for reasons to reject applicants so you must be sure that you do not fail to get through the first admissions sift through ignorance of the requirements. This information can be found on digital.ucas.com/search. If you feel that your GCSE grades were disappointing and do not reflect your true ability, due to genuine extenuating circumstances, then discuss this with your tutor so that mention can be made in your reference.
YOU SHOULD VISIT THE UNIVERSITIES WHICH INTEREST YOU BEFORE APPLYING
This is essential when choosing a college at Oxford, Cambridge or Durham. Vital information is often provided on open days. It is also usually possible to arrange visits and tours on days other than open days, like summer time. Also, try to reach out to some current students and ask for information. If visiting a university is difficult then check if a virtual tour is available via the internet. Remember, you are going to be spending a minimum of three years at university so time well spent in preparation will help to prevent disappointment later. Visit with a purpose.
YOU SHOULD PAY MORE ATTENTION IF YOU DECIDE TO APPLY EARLY
If you are applying to Oxford or Cambridge or for Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Medicine, the UCAS deadline for receipt of your application is 15 October
For US Applications, there are two main types of early applications: Early Decision (ED) and Early Action (EA). Early Decision (ED): This is a binding agreement. If you apply to a school ED and are accepted, you are committed to attending that school and must withdraw all other college applications. This option is ideal if you have a clear first-choice school and are sure about attending if accepted. ED deadlines are usually in November, with decisions released in December. Early Action (EA): This is a non-binding option, meaning you can apply to other schools and are not obligated to attend if accepted. EA also has early deadlines, typically in November, with decisions being released in December or January. Some schools offer Restrictive or Single-Choice Early Action, which limits your ability to apply early to other private institutions.
If you are not applying for any of these it is essential that you apply early if you want to receive an offer from a competitive university for an oversubscribed course. You should aim to be ready with your application by the start of the autumn term.
YOU SHOULD CHECK ANY ADDITIONAL TESTS WHICH MAY BE REQUIRED FOR YOUR SUBJECT
The UCAT and LNAT tests have been introduced to help some universities (including Oxford and Cambridge) in selecting students for Medicine, Dentistry and Law respectively. Make sure that you download the practice tests and make yourself fully aware of the requirements. You MUST register to take LNAT and UCAT so make sure that you meet any deadlines they impose.
Also take into accounts some standardized tests which are exams designed to assess students’ academic readiness for college and are often used in the admissions process including: SAT, ACT, AP Exams, TOEFL/IELTS.
IF THE COURSE REQUIRES EVIDENCE OF WORK EXPERIENCE, ENSURE YOU COMPLETE IT BEFORE APPLYING
Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Professions allied to Medicine and Initial Teacher Training all require applicants to have evidence of work experience. You should keep a daily record of what you have observed and participated in so that you can reflect upon it in your personal statement. You should also ask for references from the placement provider so that you can send copies to the admissions officers if they want them.
MAKE YOURSELF AWARE OF WHAT YOUR REFEREE IS SAYING ABOUT YOU
Your reference should complement, not duplicate your personal statement. Your personal statement should hook the reader from the start. It is particularly important to grab the attention of the admissions officers from the first paragraph of the statement. If you feel you have a unique selling point then this is where it should be mentioned. BUT best to avoid jokes! Your sense of humour may be very different to that of the admissions tutor!
RESOURCES FOR RESEARCHING COURSES AND UNIVERSITIES
University Websites: Directly visiting the websites of universities you’re interested in can provide valuable information about their programs, campus life, and application requirements.
College Fairs and Open Days: Attending these events, whether in-person or virtual, can provide insights and allow you to ask questions directly to admissions representatives.
Other resources: Students applying to UK universities must apply through the UCAS site (www.ucas.com ) for most courses (except for Art Foundation and other Foundation Year courses). This site has all the information students need to research courses, universities, get advice for writing the personal statements, and more.
• unifrog.org is great for seeing which courses you can access with your likely A Level/IB grades. You should have a login for this site.
• prospects.ac.uk Information on the graduate job market. It also includes information that might help with that taxing question: ‘What am I going to do after studying ‘x’ subject at university?’
• theguardian.com/education/universityguide Useful for league tables in individual subjects.
• thestudentroom.co.uk A forum for university applicants. It includes useful help on tackling admissions tests and advice on student finance.
• healthcareers.nhs.uk There are a lot of options apart from studying Medicine! Take a look on this website and the recording of our Health Careers Evening on the Careers Presentations team.
• https://educationusa.state.gov/
• collegeboard.com for booking SAT or ACT tests
THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN VISITING A UNIVERSITY
COURSE
• How is the course structured?
• How much choice do I have in terms of the modules?
• How is the course assessed?
• What is the division between lectures/tutorials/seminars/lab sessions?
• How does the supervisory system work? e.g. Am I assigned to a tutor?
• What university do you think has the second best department for e.g. Dentistry?
ACCOMMODATION
• Is accommodation guaranteed in the first year?
• Is it guaranteed in your final year?
• What is the cost of accommodation?
• What are the standard of rooms like; e.g. ensuite/single rooms/double rooms/ how far from lectures/ noisy/what is there in terms of desks, cupboards, furniture?
• How do you go about getting accommodation in your second year?
• What kinds of accommodation is available for students in town?
• How much is the cost of accommodation in the town?
ON-CAMPUS FACILITIES
• Is there a good student union?
• Are there good sports facilities?
• Is there a lot going on; e.g. clubs and societies?
• How good is the elite sport?
• Is there plenty of opportunity for those who love e.g sport/music/drama but who are not at an elite level, to find their level?
• How big a commitment is elite sport?
• Are there banks/shops/launderettes on campus?
• How near is the campus to town?
• How good are transport links with the town?
THE TOWN/CITY
• Is it a huge city or small town/village?
• If it is a small town, is it near to a big city?
• How good are transport links between the town and the university?
• Are there theatres/cinemas/sports events/concerts etc in town?
• What is the nightlife like?
• Is it an expensive place to live?
• Are there plenty of opportunities to get student jobs?
AND FINALLY
Students and parents are very welcome to contact the UC Department at RGSV with any questions.
