College Counseling Newsletter
April 2019
Dear Students and Parents,
During the month of April, we in College Counseling continue to focus on the seniors and the juniors. The seniors are mostly in possession of all of their college application results; with the exception of a handful of students applying to institutions outside of the US, our seniors will spend the month of April making their final college decision, submitting a deposit by May 1. We will celebrate with them on May 3, an auspicious day in our office known as Cupcake Day! As for the juniors, we continue to work through the initial stages of the process with them, especially as they formulate initial college lists and drafts of essays. Never a dull moment in the College Counseling office!
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! In particular, be aware of our daily Facebook posts, helpful for students and parents alike!
Here are some important items for everyone:
- Read this if you are planning college visits for the summer.
- Reminder: As of March 30, 18 colleges and universities from the United States, Canada, and the UK are scheduled to visit TAS. All Upper School Students can access upcoming visit information on our website, on the screen outside the College Counseling entrance as you enter the D Block Hallway, and for seniors/juniors, all visits are updated in Naviance in real-time. Read this post for more information.
- We have some exciting new offerings in regards to standardized testing that all students and parent should be aware of! And read this if you are considering test prep...
- Here is where your college counselors have visited… and how you can keep track of it!
- Hear our thoughts on the recent college admissions scandal in the US.
- Around the Office: The college counselors describe their most memorable traditions from the college they attended.
- Reminder: Check the School Calendar for all College Counseling events!
Grade 12 (Class Of 2019)
- Reminder: Check Naviance/Cialfo & update your counselor with missing results!
- Reminder: Be sure to visit us on May 3 for Cupcake Day!
- Parents: Please keep these tips in mind this month.
- Most US colleges require a deposit by May 1!
- Do not double deposit! When in doubt, ask your College Counselor!
- Read this if you were wait-listed. It will answer your questions!
- Did you know that colleges can rescind offers of admission for poor academic performance?
- Making your final choice…
- As your plans for next start to take concrete shape, be sure to review our past and current transition topics! There is essential information here that you must consider!
- Reminder: Take some time to thank those who have supported you!
Grade 11 (Class Of 2020)
- Reminder: We invite all Grade 11 students and their parents to join us this Thursday, April 4 at 7 PM in the Auditorium for our final program of the year. Please make every effort to attend.
- If you are sitting for the mock ACT this Friday and are planning to sit for the April 13 ACT, be sure to schedule your test review ASAP!
- Be aware of all that is upcoming at TAS in regards to college visitors! Take advantage!
- Here are reminders about what was covered in our last two college counseling classes, on March 12 and March 26.
- Consider this advice on the college essay!
- Read about our process for requesting teacher letters of recommendation here.
- How to spend your summer wisely...
- Thinking about financial aid? Try the net price calculator created by Wellesley!
- Evaluate likelihood of admissibility on your list.
- Reminder: Teacher recommendation contracts due by May 3.
- Reminder: Revision of one of your three initial college essay drafts due May 3.
- Reminder: Resume due by May 31.
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Reminder: Your Criteria List was due to your assigned counselor last week. This list required a parent signature! The initial college list is due to your counselor by Thursday, April 4.
Grade 10 (Class Of 2021)
- Note: We will meet with sophomores soon to discuss standardized testing.
- If you opted to sit for the April 5 mock ACT, please follow this link for more information about scheduling your test review.
- Sophomore spring is a great time to take advantage of the many colleges visiting TAS. Be sure to know who is coming and when!
- Be aware of some of the modifications to our standardized testing recommendations!
- Here are some other tips on how you might spend your summer!
- Got passion?
Grade 9 (Class Of 2022)
- Reminder: Finish strong. Freshman year performance matters!
- We have posted this before, but have you read it?
- Be sure to finish making your summer plans!
- Stay abreast of some changes and opportunities in regards to standardized testing.
Thank you for your time in reviewing our monthly newsletter. The school year only seems to accelerate from here, so be sure to stay on top of everything. Let us know if there is anything else we might do to be helpful!
Have a great April!
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