November 2018

Dear Students and Parents,

Happy November!

It has been a busy month here in College Counseling! An astounding 86% of the Class of 2019 (191 out of 222 students) have submitted an application already! We are eagerly awaiting the results of many of those applications during the coming month or so!

For now, there is much to share. Please read through all that has been provided below, and, as always, please email me if you have any specific questions or if there is any information you feel should be addressed.

Also, please be aware that all past newsletters can be found on our Social Media Mash-Up page, an aggregation of all of our various outlets: our blog, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. If you are on any of these platforms, please follow and engage with us!

 Here are some important items for everyone:

• Note: More information is forthcoming about the exam period. Keep in mind that seniors will not sit for exams this year but instead will be engaged with a host of exciting programming. Seniors are expected to be at school through the end of the day on Tuesday, December 18.
• Note: Using an international credit card and FlyWire to pay for applications? Please be aware that it can take up to 2 weeks for your application payment status to change from "processing" to "submitted." We have been assured that this does not interfere with an application's completion, though.
  
• Applying for financial aid? A reminder that the FAFSA is available.
  
• Learn more about Transcripts and Quarter 1 Grades...
  
• What do I do if a college reports that application materials are missing?
  
• Here are some tips on interviewing...
  
• Some reminders about supplements...
  
• What happens when Plan A doesn't work out?
  
• Why you shouldn't base your applications on early round results...
  
• Keep thinking about college visitors…
• Should I send it? Submitting Additional Information… 
• Here's a pretty interesting opinion piece against double-majoring. Check it out!
  
• Reminder: Please plan to submit all application materials at least two weeks in advance of posted college deadlines. Many students who applied after October 18 for November 1 deadlines are now scrambling to make sure all of their materials have been received. Avoid the panic! Submit early! 
• Reminder: Please plan to submit all standardized test scores at least three weeks in advance of posted college deadlines. Your College Counselor does not have access to your scores and may not do this on your behalf. Log into your account, and submit from there. 
  
• Reminder: Update Cialfo and Naviance... and check them both daily! Of particular import is checking the accuracy of your Naviance "colleges I'm applying to" list! That is the office list! Be sure it is precise!

• Note: We will formally assign college counselors to juniors in the winter, shortly before we begin meeting with juniors in classes and individually! Until then, continue to direct all inquiries with your Academic & Personal Counselor, Ms. Song Han.
• Some etiquette reminders on standardized testing…
• College visitors are important!
  
• Here is a great TED Talk about passion…
  
• Note: College Counseling will host a Junior Parent event on the night of January 10, 2019, ahead of our annual College Week, which will run Monday, January 14 through Friday, January 18. During this week, juniors will officially kick-off their work with College Counseling with daily classes, and parents will have a host of programming options as well. Be sure to note this on your calendar! More information soon!
• Parents: Did you miss the October 4 Parent Event? Watch the video here!

• Consider attending college rep visits at TAS…

• Now is a good time to begin thinking about scheduling some visits to college campuses!

• Read something!
• Looking for a new hobby to pick up?

As always, if you have any questions that you cannot find answers to, please be sure to check the FAQ on the blog and be sure to let us know so we can address them! Please send any questions you would like addressed to me at neillj@tas.tw. 

In closing, while it is a busy time of the year, it is also a wonderful opportunity to reflect on all that has happened so far, from coursework to sports, performances through volunteer work. Keep it up, students!

Have a great month!

Mr. Jeffrey Neill

Director of College Counseling

No. 800, Sec. 6, Chung-Shan N. Rd., Taipei, Taiwan
Phone: +886 (2) 2873-9900
Fax: +886 (2) 2873-1641
School website: https://www.tas.edu.tw