Simplifying the University Application Process (英文版)

With the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) results released, YCIS and YWIES students are preparing to disperse across the world to their respective universities for their undergraduate studies. Deciding on which university to attend is not always easy, therefore, students often look to the expertise of the School’s University Guidance Officer (UGO) when making this crucial decision. The YCIS and YWIES UGO Team comprise a total of 20 advisers with expertise in higher education. The counsellors hail from different countries and have strong professional backgrounds. Some served as former admission officers at British and American universities; others were university lecturers, teachers, coordinators, and counsellors. They bring with them a range of skills, knowledge, and experience to benefit each one of our students. Nicholas Strong and John Yi Liu are the two Regional Coordinators for all the YCIS and YWIES UGOs. This time, we spoke to Nicholas about the role of the UGOs and how they ensure that students apply to universities that best suit their academic and social needs.

What is the objective of the UGO?

The rationale behind university guidance is simple. University Guidance Counsellors help students to realise their full potential and explore the different options available to progress from high school to their professional careers. We work in partnership with students, their parents, teachers and other relevant stakeholders in order to maximize all available opportunities,  locally and globally, for all students.

What kinds of professional skills and background do your UGO teams and individual counsellors have?

The team includes former US and UK Higher Education (HE) admissions tutors and selectors, university lecturers, subject teachers, social and emotional counsellors, IB coordinators; some are bilingual and trilingual; some have specialist knowledge of HK, UK and US HE systems. In short, they bring, as a network, an unrivalled set of skills, knowledge experience and judgement for the benefit of students.

What do you think about this year’s offers? Are you satisfied with them? Are there any changes and new features in this year's admissions compared with last year's?

I am delighted with the success of the students this year, and we have seen some excellent offers from across many countries, different degree programmes, and from very different higher education providers.  There is, of course, always room for improvement, and the UGO Team strives every year to increase their students’ chances, whatever their ability, to gain admission to the most relevant and valuable higher education programmes. I think the offers we have received this year reflect two main things.  Firstly, the rapidly changing nature of the admissions landscape globally, and secondly the excellent achievement of students across the ability range. 

Could you explain how our UGO team helps students with their applications to universities? What kind of guidance would you give them?

·Helping them to identify any skills/experience gaps

·Guiding them through the plethora of varied global application systems

·Preparing them for specialist admissions tests such as UCAT, BMAT, SATs, ACTs, & TSAs.

To read more about YCIS and YWIES students’ university acceptances and the role of the UGO, click on “Read More” below

[UNIVERSITY GUIDANCE] University Guidance: Supporting Every Student  升学指导：支持每个学生

[2018 OFFERS] Global Graduates: Our Year 13 University Offers 13年级的大学录取通知书

[UGO TOP TIPS] University Guidance Counsellor’s Top Tips  升学指导顾问的重要提示