The Reality of University Applications: Separating Facts from Fiction
Our Year 13 students have started the important process of submitting their applications for universities, looking to take their next big step in life. Some have already received offers!
During this time, parents understandably have lots of questions about the university selection, testing, and application process. To help them to unpick thorny issues, tackle common myths, and explain more about their work with our students, our University & Careers Counselling (UCC) team recently arranged a special Parent Academy on these key topics.
The host of the workshop, our UC Counsellor Rorie Macdonald, further explores the top five misperceptions that parents might have below. But first, did you know?
- In the last four years, Dulwich Pudong graduates have gone on to an incredible 90 university destinations in the UK, Europe, US, Canada, Asia and Australia and New Zealand.
- We are well known for our UK connections but around 20% of students went on to US universities. We now have 39 graduates studying at 28 different universities including Ivy League institutions like Brown University and Columbia University.
- Our UCC Team provides bespoke, personalised support and guidance to students from Year 9 upwards to help them make their choice and apply, with new initiatives to improve parents’ understanding of the process too.
The reality: Universities, particularly in the US, review students holistically. Other factors are also important, for example:
- How much passion does the student show for their subject?
- How has the student demonstrated ‘LIDI’? Leadership, Initiative, Dedication, Impact.
- Demonstration of interest can also positively impact admission
The reality: Test scores, essays, and activities are important, but grades are fundamental. The school transcript is the most important part of the application.
- Universities will consider academic performance trends from Year 10 onwards and course selection related to your interest areas is very important. For example, students interested in studying engineering should select HL Maths AA and HL Physics.
- General participation in any activities (sports, arts, work, volunteering and family responsibilities) are treated equally. Explore genuine interests, there is no need to do everything.
- One exception: University coaches identify athletic recruits very early. These athletes tend to be at National or nearly professional-level abilities
The reality: US universities accept almost all high school curriculums – and the IB is universally accepted and respected.
- There are more IB schools in the US than in any other country.
- University admissions officers are professionally trained and read thousands of IB applications per year. The Extended Essay serves as the capstone project many US universities are looking for.
- When it comes to college credit, many US universities have policies in place to award credit for IB scores, allowing you to save time and save money.
- There are also many IB specific scholarships out there, which speaks to the high regard in which U.S. universities hold the IB.
- Research shows that at universities like MIT and Berkeley, IB applicants are significantly more competitive than in other curricula.
The reality: They may offer peace of mind, but their influence is limited.
- Agents and independent counsellors do not always have the full picture. Be cautious of outdated and inaccurate advice.
- The most outstanding students usually don’t use them, and showing initiative is key.
- School-based UC Counsellors have better relationships with university representatives.
- In the event you want to employ an external counselor, the best outcome for the student is when:
o All stakeholders are communicating with each other.
o Students remain in the driver’s seat of decision-making and essay writing.
The reality: US universities don’t care which high school you came from; they care about context.
- When applications are being reviewed by admissions officers, it isn’t the history of the school or the curriculum offered they care about. It is the opportunities on offer, how students engaged with those, and the socioeconomic status of the school community.
For more information about the support our UCC team provides, visit: Career, College, and University Admission Counselling | Dulwich College Shanghai Pudong
