Education Session 4

Audience: Both
Inspirations: 3, 7

In one of the most comprehensive IB curriculum reviews, college and admissions counselors will need to revisit how they currently maneuver IB counseling and university placement. By understanding the narrowing of four distinctive tracks to what will align to two HL courses with SL subsets, we will provide guidelines on how to best prepare for successful transitions.

The session will elicit important considerations, spark innovative discussions and collaboratively discuss ways stakeholders can advocate for their students in the new maths courses beginning 2019, first exams 2021.

Audience: Both
Inspirations: 3, 5, 6

In the quickly evolving profession of international admissions, how do we navigate the many demands for higher numbers and more prestigious admissions? How do we maintain our integrity? How do we support students in the most important decision-making process of their young lives?

The panel will reflect on the state of affairs in international higher education today and how we can make a meaningful impact despite the tensions we face as school counselors and admissions officers. From institutional pressure for prestige to parental pressure, from the stress of meeting enrollment goals to the impact of geopolitical developments, this talk will leave us with a sense of purpose for the important work that we do in advising the next generation of global citizens as they transition to higher education.

Audience: High School
Inspirations: 3

Ten provinces and how many ways to do admission? And now an application for scholarship and residence to boot? What’s going on, eh? From very straight forward to increasingly complex, Canadian universities admissions processes open the door to diverse experiences for international students. From counselors to counselors, learn about applying to more than one province and what that means for the students living and studying in Canada.

Audience: High School
Inspirations: 1, 4

At International ACAC, “international” is more than just a word. Counselors in different parts of the world handle diverse challenges: from local applications to colleges in less-researched countries, to counseling students from unique backgrounds.

This panel discussion brings together veteran counselors from India, China, and Europe to exchange their experiences and stories from K12 counseling in a global world.

Audience: University
Inspirations: 2, 4, 5

Despite being one of the top recruitment markets for many colleges and universities worldwide with increasing demand for overseas higher education, Vietnam remains a challenge for admission and recruitment efforts. The lack of understanding about college recruitment coupled with complex administrative regulations leave college representatives with little access to students from public high schools.

On the other hand, the non-existent counseling service means students rely heavily on agents or in many cases their friends. This reality results in the inconsistency of college applications from Vietnamese students.

This presentation aims to provide insights into the nuts and bolts of the system and offer suggestions to colleges and universities for better informed admission decisions.

Audience: Both
Inspirations: 3, 5, 7

In this day in age, 83% of international prospective students resort to social channels to research universities. It’s time we meet students where they are, and we don’t mean once or twice a year - prospective students are on their social platforms every single day.

Whether your institution/office has a digital presence or not, this session will help you tackle which effective platforms to utilize and build content for your particular audience. Recruiters experiencing travel budget cuts will find this session most beneficial.

Audience: High School
Inspirations: 3, 7

Did you know that some of the most competitive universities are now filling over 50% of their incoming freshman class through the Early Decision/Early Action deadline? Did you know that the acceptance rate during the Early round is two to three times times that of the Regular round? Get the sobering statistics and suggested strategies to help guide students and parents to succeed in this new reality.

Audience: Both
Inspirations: 1, 5

Besides metropolises like Shanghai, Tokyo, Seoul, and Bangkok, can you name five Asian cities that you have been to? The disparity in educational opportunities available across Asia makes it much more difficult for some students to shine than others.

This session will speak to ways for both sides of the desk to collaborate to get the best and brightest students from all over Asia. We plan to answer questions like:

• What educational opportunities are available across Asia, and how do they align with major policy initiatives that are shaping the Asian market?
• What different recruitment strategies can be applied effectively adapt to the varying policy and economic landscapes that exists across Asia?
• What are key regional factors to bear in mind when evaluating students with diverse backgrounds?

Come to share insights on different areas of education in Asia, to discuss unconventional recruitment methods that have been applied to effectively in different regions, and to build an understanding of how recent education changes are affecting an array of educational institutions in Asia. Much like the game of Mahjong, different tiles can be used by different institutions to allow them to play their best hand.

Audience: Both
Inspirations: 1, 2, 6

Have you ever wanted to level the playing field? Do you wonder if it’s possible to create new paradigms on how to define merit? Can you re-imagine the future of standardized testing? Join us for an inspiring, compelling discussion on what we do and how we can enact change, within our schools and the larger admissions ecosystem.

This is a moderated panel of thought leaders committed to making higher education more diverse, inclusive, and accessible. Panelists will discuss their trajectories and the challenges they’ve faced. They’ll share personal stories about what motivated them to push for change. Leave with fuel on how to translate your ideas into action.

Audience: High School
Inspirations: 3

Data visualization technologies have opened opportunities for counselors to gather and understand student school experiences on an almost ongoing basis. This level of understanding creates opportunities for counselors to develop curriculum that is more holistic and better addresses the needs of each student.

Join counselors from schools in Brussels, Hong Kong, and Shanghai, as we share our stories and provide tools and strategies that have worked in each of our contexts.

Audience: Both
Inspirations: 3, 4, 5

Bring the world to your students! College representatives and high school counselors come together in this session to share tips, ideas, and best practices for planning a college fair.

This session will examine case studies and dissect the unique factors that contributed to their success. Attendees will leave with fresh ideas, and helpful tips for increasing university attendance, deeper parent and student interaction, and improved engagement between all stakeholders.

Audience: University
Inspirations: 2, 5, 7

Almost all of us spend our private moments watching videos on YouTube, Instagram and Snapchat. Will we also do more of this ‘video watching’ in the admissions office? Several institutions now ask students to respond to a supplemental video prompt. Some ask students to submit short videos in lieu of interviews. What role do such videos play in the admission decision? How does the logistics of videos work? Is there bias based on body language and overall appearance of the student?

In this session, we will discuss the present status of the college video essay. We’ll also make some educated guesses about its future.

Audience: High School
Inspirations: 3

With UK universities receiving many more applications than places available each year, the Personal Statement and Reference are a key part of the UCAS application as admissions tutors try to distinguish between qualified candidates from around the world.

In this session, we’ll examine what makes effective UCAS Personal Statements and References in addition to common mistakes, misconceptions, and “bad advice”, as well as comparing the differences to US College essays. With the aid of workshop examples, we’ll explore how to best counsel students in not only writing and rewriting their personal statements, but also guide them to pursue activities and reading that may be reflected in their personal statement to help them stand out. With a panel from a range of UK institutions, plus an experienced international school counsellor, we will aim to help you prepare your students to make the strongest applications, no matter where they want to study.

This session serves to delve deeper into these areas than the pure mechanics of the UCAS application to offer practical tips and suggestions for counselors both new to UK admissions, but also those who want to enhance their knowledge and techniques.

Audience: University
Inspirations: 1

Research shows that institutions, organizations and businesses whose staff experience a higher level of intercultural skills perform better in strategic outcomes. Let's go beyond structural organizational changes and explore opportunities to improve individual intercultural skills by utilizing objective, measurable outcomes in relation to international student transitions upon arrival, the success of study abroad, campus programming and leadership training in the diversity and inclusion space.

This session will focus on using the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) and Intercultural Effectiveness Scale (IES) and discuss practical solutions and outcomes for implementation and strategic decision making. Representatives from Doane University, Indiana University and the University of Alabama will present strategies for cabinet level Diversity and Inclusion coaching, campus wide assessments, study abroad pre-travel orientation and as a tool for international students as they transition to U.S. institutions.

Audience: Both
Inspirations: 1, 4

A lawsuit in the fall of 2018 accused Harvard University of discriminating against Asian Americans in its undergraduate admissions process. Where did this lawsuit come from, and what does it mean for the future of college admissions? This session will look at the history of diversity and affirmative action in the US, review the Harvard Trial and its outcome, and look toward the appeals court process.

We know that this lawsuit is unlikely to have an immediate impact on international admissions, but it could have an impact on college diversity and the college experience more broadly. It also raises questions of what colleges value in the admissions process -- including race, ethnicity, athletics, money, alumni connections, faculty connections, and personal qualities -- and how students are communicated in letters of recommendation.

Audience: University
Inspirations: 1, 4

Clara Priester - REAC, EducationUSA East &South Africa

With one of the largest and fastest growing college-bound populations, economic growth and intercontinental connectivity, Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) must be an integral part of campus recruiting, admissions and internationalization if your institution is serious about the benefits of cultural and educational diversity.

This session offers insight and tips from U.S. recruiters and admissions officers on why recruit in SSA, how to get started, and if you're already recruiting in Africa, how to enhance recruiting strategies.