International Education - College Admission Counseling

Federal Funding for International Education Needs an Overhaul

Jared Hobson — Sat, 07 May 2011 03:03:49 +0000

Today the Chronicle of Higher Education published a commentary I wrote. It was about programs in international education funded by under Title VI of the Higher Education Act. I used to work for programs funded by Title VI, and was a grantee a couple of times.
While I think there is a role for federal funding of international education, I’m not in love with the way things are done under Title VI. Apparently, some other people don’t love the programs either, as they were given a big cut in the latest budget deal.
You can read my entire commentary here.
But the interesting thing is that it all started because I was reading about the cuts in the Chronicle and made some comments, reflecting on the story. I touched a nerve, I guess, and the global editor called me up and asked me if I’d like to write a commentary.
Goes to show you that it pays to leave comments. So why not leave one of you own right down below this page??
Thanks!
Mark Montgomery
Educational Consultant and International Educator

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International Applicants: What Will You Study?

Jared Hobson — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 15:06:28 +0000

As mentioned in our first post in this series, this post will discuss how students at U.S. colleges and universities determine what they will study or what they will major in. Unlike international schools, choosing a major at a U.S. institution does not necessarily mean you have determined what you will do for the rest of your life. Sure colleges and universities have pre-professional programs in engineering, health care, business, etc., however most students studying in the U.S. do not actually pick a major until they are in their second or sometimes even third year of college-level work. Once in college, you will not only be exposed to academic disciplines you have not seen before, but you also may find that your “dream major” is not what you thought it would be. Therefore, when looking for schools, you should choose schools that not only offer your “first choice” academic program, but also have a variety of other majors you might be interested in, just in case you change your mind.
Reality is that most people will switch careers several times throughout their professional path, so choosing the perfect major right now is not all that important. Not only can someone’s career path be driven by changes in the economy, but it can also be driven by how the person changes and evolves over their lifetime. So what you study in college will not necessarily determine your life-long career path.
However, it is important to study what interests you in college. If you are not interested in what you are learning about everyday, you are not going to be a successful student. Educational consultants have tools to help you determine what your interest may be. However, most students applying to colleges and universities in the U.S. will state that they are “undecided” on their applications. Not only is this practice accepted in the U.S, in some cases it is encouraged. Having time to discovery who you are and what your path may be is part of the college experience.
We hope you have found this series on applying to colleges and universities in the U.S. helpful. Please feel free to contact us if you have any further questions about the college search and selection processes.

Great College Advice

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International Applicants: What You Need to Know About Standardized Tests

Jared Hobson — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 01:04:13 +0000

Previous posts in this series have provided information on the American higher education system, helped you conduct research on colleges and universities you are interested in, provided general insights into how the application process works and detailed information on academic transcripts. This post will discuss another important aspect of the application process, the standardized test.
Most colleges and universities in the U.S. will require international applicants to submit two different types of standardized test. The first is a test that shows your proficiency in English, which is often the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or the IELTS (International English Language Testing System). Many schools will require a minimum score on one of these exams for admission.
The second standardized test that is often required of all applicant is the SAT or ACT. These standardized tests focus on commonly taught subjects, such as reading, writing, mathematics, and science. Both exams are not offered in every country, however if you do have a choice in which exam to take, be sure to read our information on the difference between the two exams.
When evaluating your application, some colleges and universities will often use your TOEFL score or your IELTS score instead of the score you receive on the Critical Reading section of the SAT or the English and/or Reading sections of the ACT. It is important to discuss the standardized test reviewing policies with an admission representative from the institutions to which you will apply.
It is also important to research which exams are required at the schools that interest you and sign up for the appropriate exam as soon as possible. In several countries, these exams are offered infrequently, so exam dates often fill up quickly. You also need to take either the TOEFL or IELTS early in case you need to retake the exam to improve your score.
Educational consultants can help you analyze your standardized testing scores and provide information on how your scores will affect your overall application. We can also assist you with finding resources to help you improve your standardized testing scores.

Educational Consultant

The post International Applicants: What You Need to Know About Standardized Tests first appeared on College Admission Counseling.

International Applicants: How Do Your Grades Compare?

Jared Hobson — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 00:52:58 +0000

So far, this series has provided information on the American higher education system, helped you conduct research on colleges and universities you are interested in and has provided general insights into how the application process works. This post will dive into your academic transcripts and discuss how to analyze your GPA.
Academic Transcripts
As mentioned in the previous post, your academic transcripts are the most important piece of your application. Since you are more than likely attending a school that has different curriculum requirements and grading procedures than what is offered in the U.S. It is essential that you make sure colleges and universities are able to understand your transcript. If your secondary school does not send transcripts in English, then you must have them officially translated. You should also make sure your secondary school sends information on the curriculum you are completing, as well as an explanation of grading procedures. Finally, you should follow up with the institutions to which you are applying, in order to determine if they have any questions regarding your grades or courses.
The Mid-Year Report
Most colleges and universities will require you to submit a mid-year report of your academic performance in your final year of secondary school. This progress report lets the admission officers know how you are doing in your current classes. Often international secondary schools post only end of term exam grades and do not have official grades for the courses you are currently taking. It is important that you work with your current teachers to provide some type of information on your current academic work. It does not necessarily need to be a letter grade, but can also be a comment about your performance. If this requirement proves to be a concern for you, contact the college admission office to discuss alternatives.

Converting Your GPA
One of the most difficult aspects of the application process for international students is determining how your grades compare to a U.S. GPA. Most colleges and universities will state the average GPA of their applicants. Unfortunately there is no definite way to create a direct translation of most international GPAs into a US GPA. Most admission representatives will research the curriculum you are enrolled and estimate if you have an A average, B average, etc.
For example, if you are enrolled in the International Baccalaureate program, a score of a 7 or 6 may be considered an A in the U.S. system (which would approximately be a 3.7 to a 4.0 GPA). If you are enrolled in the A-level program, a score of A or B would more than likely be considered an A in the US system.
Curriculum and Class Rank
Not only are your grades important, but so is the challenge of the curriculum you are taking. High level courses in the International Baccalaureate program (along with obtaining the full IB diploma) are going to be considered more challenging than standard level courses. In India, a student who is enrolled in the math/science track is going to be considered to be taking a more challenging curriculum than a student who is enrolled in the commerce track.
Most colleges and universities will want to see a profile of your school that describes what type of curriculum is available to you. They will also be looking for information on your class rank. They will want to see how your grades and curriculum compare to the other students enrolled at your school.
Educational consultants definitely help their international clients to determine how U.S. colleges and universities may view their curriculum and grades. We can provide insights on how your transcript may be viewed in the U.S. admissions process.
Our next post will guide you through the standardized tests that are required for international students.

Educational Consultant

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