In-Person and Virtual University Visits Return to the British International School of Washington - in-person-and-virtual-university-visits-returnto-the-british-international-school-of-washington
WRITTEN BY
Nick Scherf
September 15, 2021

In-Person and Virtual University Visits Return to the British International School of Washington

In-Person and Virtual University Visits Return to the British International School of Washington - in-person-and-virtual-university-visits-returnto-the-british-international-school-of-washington
In-Person and Virtual University Visits Return to the British International School of Washington

The college counselling office at the British International School of Washington kicked off the 2021–2022 academic year with an exciting lineup of university visits and virtual meetings. These events are for students in upper secondary school, Years 10 through 13, but everyone is welcome. 

 

"We offer a wide variety of events based on student interest," said BISW College Counselor Rob Ramey. 

 

Some events cover comprehensive information about a school, while others focus on school life topics like stress management and organizational skills or college admissions topics like college essays and personal statements. Some meetings are with individual schools, but other universities that complement one another, such as certain Ivy League schools, have group meetings to maximize the chances of getting to know students. Furthermore, representatives cannot always travel to Washington, DC; so, some virtual meetings remain available. 

 

There are many different touchpoints when students can show interest, and students need time to process information. They also need to keep an open mind about other programs and schools. 

 

"Students may think they know what they want to do, but they might change their minds or be surprised when they hear something new," said Mr Ramey, who encourages the students and their families to take advantage of these events. "When there has been a meeting and a connection, a university representative can become a great advocate for a student."

These events can also be a place where students who know what they want to do next can ask questions about the classes and grades that admissions departments like to see on transcripts in applications for different programs. For example, good grades in math and science classes, such as physics, could be requirements for some engineering programs. On the other hand, chemistry and biology could be essential for programs in medicine, and communication skills could be helpful for students who want to study law. 

 

Students should also become involved in extracurricular activities that align with what they might want to do down the road. For instance, students could commit time to a cause or an organization and then, throughout upper secondary school, show their dedication to it. 

 

"People talk about being well rounded, but it goes back to depth," Mr Ramey said. "It is challenging to jump into something new with no track record of engagement. Therefore, students should build up a foundation of what they want to study." 

 

According to Mr Ramey, college exploration should be a four-year process. He shared that the BISW college counselling team meets with families at any time during a student's academic journey. 

 

"Every year of upper secondary is essential," Mr Ramey said. "Grades for Years 10 through 13 can show up on a transcript." 

 

Mr Ramey shared a roadmap for success with college exploration and admissions. Year 10, he explained, is a time when students think about what they like to do—clubs, extracurriculars, and so on. Year 10 students should become involved in activities and think about careers, and they should focus on grades and build good study habits. From the start of the IGCSE program, students should think about how their outcomes could affect their IB experience. It is also an excellent time to begin the college exploration process. Year 11 students should get involved in leadership opportunities and continue concentrating on their grades and studies. They can look at pre-college programs and visit schools in person or virtually. In Year 12, students should continue their college visits and make a list of schools they like, and in Year 13, they should apply. 

 

Undoubtedly, these opportunities will be valuable for the students and their families. The visits, which usually occur during breaks or lunches, may be brief, but they can have a significant and lasting impact. See the current lineup of events for the Fall term below.

 

Date:

 

 

Time:

 

Event/Visit:

 

Wednesday,

9/1/2021

 

 

 

12:50-1:20

PM

 

West Virginia Wesleyan College

D'Andrew Parker

Regional Recruiter

 

 

Friday,

9/10/2021

 

 

12:50-1:20

PM

 

 

Randolf College

Scott Cooper

Director of Recruitment

 

 

Friday,

9/10/2021

 

 

12:50-1:20

PM

 

 

University of Southampton

Crockett Sewell

Country Development Manager - USA

 

 

Saturday,

9/11/2021

 

 

9-11:00

AM

 

 

Revolution Prep Virtual SAT 101 Strategy Session

Register here by Friday, September 3, 2021.

*See attached poster

for more details*

 

 

 

Sunday,

9/12/2021

 

 

 

9:00 AM-

1:00 PM

 

 

Revolution Prep Virtual SAT Practice Exam

Register here by Friday, September 3, 2021.

*See attached poster

for more details*

 

 

Monday,

9/13/2021

 

 

 

12:50-1:20

PM

 

 

St. Mary’s College

Jordan Cartwright

Associate Director of Admissions for Inclusion and Diversity

 

 

Wednesday,

9/15/2021

 

 

 

11-11:20

AM

 

 

George Washington University

Chris Butler

Special Assistant to the Dean of Undergraduate Admissions

 

 

Wednesday,

9/15/2021

 

 

12:50-1:20

PM

 

 

James Madison University

Julie Huffman

Admissions Counselor

 

 

Thursday,

9/16/2021

 

 

 

11-11:20

AM

 

 

Christopher Newport University

Sasha Kirik

Assistant Director

of Admissions

 

 

Monday,

9/20/2021

 

 

 

11-11:20

AM

 

 

Lafayette College

Cristina Usino

Assistant Director

of Admissions

 

 

Monday,

9/20/2021

 

 

 

7-8:30

PM

 

Princeton Review Student/Parent College Night

Register here by Friday, September 10, 2021.

*See attached poster

for more details*

 

 

Tuesday,

9/21/2021

 

 

 

11-11:20

AM

(Virtual Visit)

Join here

 

 

The University of

British Columbia

Chris Weber

Regional Admissions Representative, USA Northeast

 

 

Tuesday,

9/21/2021

 

 

 

12:50-1:20

PM

(Virtual Visit)

Join here

 

 

University of Warwick

Sarah Jamieson

Schools Liaison Officer

 

 

Friday,

9/24/2021

 

 

1-1:30

PM

 

 

Universita Bocconi

Beata Williams

North American Liaison, Guidance and Recruitment Office

 

 

Tuesday,

9/28/2021

 

 

 

11-11:20

AM

 

 

Wentworth Institute of Technology

Robert Giannelli

Assistant Director of Admissions

 

 

Tuesday,

9/28/2021

 

 

12:50-1:20

PM

 

 

College of William & Mary

Caroline Ward

Assistant Dean of Admissions

 

 

Wednesday,

9/29/2021

 

 

 

 

11-11:20

AM

 

 

McDaniel College

Zachery Brown

Admissions Counselor

 

Thursday,

9/30/2021

 

 

 

12:50-1:20

PM

 

 

Macalester College

Adam Van der Sluis

Assistant Director of Admissions

 

 

Friday,

10/01/2021

 

 

 

11-11:20 

AM

 

 

University of Chicago

Karen Schrum

Assistant Vice President, Enrollment and Student Advancement Outreach and Communications

 

 

Tuesday,

10/05/2021

 

 

 

12:50-1:20

PM

 

 

IE University

Cora Morrison

International Recruitment Officer

 

 

Wednesday,

10/06/2021

 

 

 

11-11:20 

AM

 

 

Catholic University

of America

Sarah DiNardo

Associate Dean of Undergraduate Admissions

 

 

Thursday,

10/07/2021

 

 

 

11-11:20

AM

 

 

Brandeis University

Carly Buckholz

Assistant Director of Admissions

 

 

Tuesday,

10/19/2021

 

 

 

12:50-1:20 

PM

 

 

Goldsmiths University of London

William Abraham

International Officer, Americas

 

 

Wednesday,

10/20/2021

 

 

 

11-11:20

AM

 

 

University

of Glasgow

Jay Shamlin

Senior International Officer