Dear Students and Parents,
The Easter holidays are just around the corner, so it’s a good time to reflect on a very busy and productive term and to look at what lies ahead in the final stages of the academic year.
With the end of school fast approaching for Year 13, students in Year 12 have been intensifying their university research and Year 11 are getting ready to embark on their work experience. To add to this we have also had a steady flow of university visits so things have been busy on all fronts.
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Year 13 – Well done!
We are very proud of each and every one of our students' university offers as they continue to roll in. Offers received include:
United Kingdom
United States
Canada
Europe
Hong Kong
Students are now getting closer to making their final decisions of where to go on the next exciting stage of their journey. Many students are having to decide between different countries and majors, and this process can understandably be complex and time consuming with many different and important factors to consider.
In our most recent session, the HEO gave advice on how to work through this complicated process and to tackle some of the difficult issues that may arise.
See Powerpoint >>
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Requesting the IB Results Service
The HEO will request students’ official IB results to be sent directly to universities. This is essential to confirm university places and needs to be submitted by the deadline of 21 April. In order for us to do this, students need to complete a google form which was emailed on 8 March. NOTE: no more than six (6) institutions worldwide can be selected. Of these six (6), not more than one (1) institution can be selected from the US and one institution from Canada.
This service is provided free of charge but if students wish to add to their requests after the deadline, they have to do this on their own and a fee will be incurred. For more information, please click HERE.
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Pre-departure briefing - 31 May
1 - 3 pm - Save the Date!
Our last session with Year 13 will be on the day of their graduation, right after their rehearsals. The HEO organize an annual and informal workshop preparing them for the transition from school to independence. It will be a fun and informative session with several of our own alum sharing their experiences, answering questions and addressing issues such as cultural adjustment, friendships, living on a budget, etc. These sessions will be split into country destinations and are conducted in complete confidentiality without any adults present. These sessions have proved to be very popular and highly beneficial and are a wonderful way to say farewell to our graduating cohort.
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Every student in Year 12 has now had at least one individual counselling session with their HEC. Plans, concerns and strategies have been discussed, and it’s been wonderful to get to know the students on a more personal level. Students are now strongly encouraged to use the wide selection of resources available to deepen their research, and to make further and regular appointments to see their HEC.
For a copy of the resources available please click HERE.
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SAT Update
As you now know, new security measures will be taken for all upcoming international test dates which unfortunately includes a decrease in available international testing dates.
As such, upcoming dates are now as follows:
- June CANCELLED, but SAT Subject Tests still available
- May session still has a few seats spare, and more will be allocated on an ongoing basis. The deadline for registration is 7 April and if you are planning to take the test in May, you are strongly encouraged to check availability every few days.
For your reference, please see below the anticipated future testing dates for the NEXT academic school year 2017-2018:
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Date
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Available Tests
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Oct 7, 2017
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SAT and SAT Subject Tests
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Nov 4, 2017
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Subject Tests only
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Dec 2, 2017
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SAT and SAT Subject Tests
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Mar 10, 2018
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SAT only
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May 5, 2018
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SAT and SAT Subject Tests
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Jun 2, 2018
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Subject Tests only
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We HIGHLY encourage students to consider taking the ACT.
Remember: ALL US universities accept the SAT or ACT for their admission test requirements.
ACT Update
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Test Date
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Registration Deadline
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April 8, 2017
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March 3, 2017
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June 10, 2017
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May 5, 2017
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September 9, 2017
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October 28, 2017
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December 9, 2017
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April 14, 2018
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June 9, 2018
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Upcoming Workshops
To help students make their university applications stand out from the rest, and to understand the nuts and bolts of the admissions process, the HEO are holding several important workshops after Easter:
Friday 19 May, day zero, 9.30 - 12.00 - Writing University Essays (All students to attend)
Wednesday 7 June, 1.30-2.20 - UCAS
Workshops on Common App and Hong Kong will be confirmed soon.
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Year 11 have been busy writing resumes and cover letters to help them secure work experience in June. For a copy of the presentations given by the HEO.
To help students identify their strengths and interests and match them with potential career clusters and university majors, students have completed several personality and career profiles.
For a copy of these presentations and resources
Parents are strongly encouraged to sit down with their child and to discuss the results of these profiles as they often provide not only valuable insight, but also can enlighten and inspire students to pursue particular pathways and goals.
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Coffee Corner:
This year, the HEO will be holding monthly coffee mornings in the DP Centre
to keep parents informed on what is happening in the complex arena of Higher Education
and to address any issues, questions or concerns.
Time: 08:30 - 09:30
Venue: 4/F Diploma Center
Session:
Thursday 30 Mar
(HK, UK & Europe)
Register Here
Wednesday 26 Apr
(US & Canada)
Register Here
Friday 2 Jun
(Australia & New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, Korea and others)
Register Here
Tuesday 13 Jun
(Cost, Scholarships and Financial Aid & Competitive Courses)
Register Here
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With two successful and well attended mini university fairs behind us, (the Scottish University fair held on Thursday 9 March and the Canadian fair on Friday 17 March), we are looking forward to another busy schedule after Easter:
Wednesday 19 April - Queen’s University. Canada
1.30 pm - 2.20 pm
Wednesday 26 April - Hong Kong University Fair (HKU, HKUST & CUHK)
1.30 - 2.20 pm
Monday 5 June - Australia & New Zealand University Fair
1.30 - 2.20 pm
View calendar
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3way Conference
Thursday 20 and Friday 21 April
Ms Blomfield and Mrs Jackson will be available on both days to see students and parents in the HEO on the 4th floor. Please do not hesitate to drop by. If you would like to make a meeting in advance, please kindly book via our online system or email us on heo@dc.edu.hk
Make appointment to meet HEC:
Ms Susie Blomfield (unavailable from 4 to 5.30 on Thursday 20 April)
Mrs Marisa Jackson
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HEO Feature
Looking Beyond the Ivy League and Elite Institutions
One of the biggest challenges that HECs face is the presumption of many students and their parents that attending an Ivy League institution will guarantee instant success, wealth and happiness.
However what many people don’t know is how far this can be from the actual truth. The following article gives a very interesting insight into which institutions do guarantee a great job straight out of college: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/12/payscale-college-majors_n_5804072.html?utm_hp_ref=college-admissions
Furthermore, there are over 4,000 institutions in the US, so applying to the top 10% in the US gives students a wide range of 400 excellent institutions to choose from! The article below gives you a great insider’s view into just some of these valuable alternatives which definitely need researching: http://www.townandcountry.ph/people/heritage/in-search-for-schools-look-beyond-the-ivy-league-a1768-20170301-lfrm2
As the term draws to a close, we wish everyone a wonderful and well deserved Easter break. In particular we wish our amazing Year 13 the very best of luck in their exams. They have been an incredible group to work with and we are looking forward to seeing them embark on their next exciting adventure. One last piece of advice from us as they approach the homestretch:
“Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle.”
– Christian D. Larson
Kind regards
Susie Blomfield and Marisa Jackson
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