With the university application season underway for a new school year, let’s review some of the tips our SIS alum have shared during their recent visits to campus. Whatever your grade, post-secondary planning is a personal journey that takes lots of consideration and we hope these tips can support you!
Be Proactive
Take advantage of university visits and if possible, even do campus tours. Having first-hand knowledge helps to form a more realistic impression and also helps you consider what really is important to you.
Develop Relationships with Teachers
Teachers will often need to support students with recommendation letters. The better they know you, the more detailed these can be. They can also offer insight into university life from their own personal experiences. These can be very informative as well as offer support through the transition stage.
Be Aware if Your Program is Flexible or Fixed
In some university systems, the program you enter is set and you simply follow the course structure. In others, you have options available within your major area of study. In still others, even as you progress, there is the potential to change your major. As international students, we can choose a system that best supports our goals and meets our need for being flexible or committed to the major we currently want to pursue.
Research the Campus Environment
Not all campus environments are the same. Residential campuses are very different to those where the majority of students live off-campus, like most in European cities. Once you have determined that the university has a good program for the major you want to study, look to see how convenient shops and recreational activities are. Coming from Shenzhen many of us are surprised when things are not as convenient as they are here. This can make a big difference to your experience.
Give Yourself Time to Work on Your Applications
Applications take time, especially if you need to write essays. Writing about yourself is difficult! Be realistic and schedule specific time for this so can also continue to do well in your IB courses.
Know Your Priorities
There are many factors that might be important when settling on a list of universities. These can include geographic location, financial costs, distance from family, accommodation options, climate, how international the student body is and other things like being able to work or access specific services. Talk with people and reflect so you can make decisions that fit you.
We are grateful to have the support from our alum community to share these tips with you!
Jennie Soh, Class of 2022, during her visit 13 September 2023
Whatever your grade, post-secondary planning is a personal journey that takes lots of consideration and we hope these tips can support you!
