Since high school for Brazilian schools runs on a calendar year from February to December with vacation periods in July and December, students may be confused as to how to time-manage their three years of schooling with US/Canada/Europe admissions practices. Although what each student chooses to do and when one chooses to accomplish it, the basics are easy. Here are some suggestions:
Year 1: You would be the equivalent of a freshman (Grade 9) and sophomore (Grade 10) at the same time. You can use the action plan suggestions from CollegeBoard to help you. But after almost a decade working in Brazil- here are some fine points about studying in the US (I can get to Canada and Europe later) I would want you to consider:
A) Create a CollegeBoard account and a professional email address that will become your "business" email. Using your name is a great way to start. Sign up to receive the SAT Question of the Day so you get some practice. Use Big Future to get to know the universities and the program.
B) Decide how you will use your name. Since Brazilians often have, by tradition, long names, you may find that many of the forms don't allow you enough space to put your name in and prompt you to put in as many letters as will fit. My suggestion is to use the same name, no matter the length, that is on your transcripts (confirm how your name is printed with your school) so that everything matches up for recipients of your documents.
C)Get involved in a long-term, committed service project that allows you to develop decision-making skills, confidence, leadership and intense learning. You should spend at least an hour a week on this and document, in your own way, the number of hours and weeks you participate. You will need this information for applications. I find one long-term project and several short term with specified goals brings a nice focus. My services also offer connections and development of skill-building service projects.
D) Make an extra-curricular/academic log in Excel or Google Docs. This can be simple or more detailed, depending on your style and will be updated throughout your three years of schooling. It should include sports, academic awards, piano lessons, math tutoring, MUN meetings and travels, etc. Basically, anything you do outside of the classroom that contributes to the development of you as as an individual can be added. You only need to add the hours and weeks per year spent with a description of what it is that you do. Descriptions will end up playing a very important part in the way you "label" yourself within these activities that many other people also do, so make sure the activities give you a chance to have growth and learning to share and show others.
E)Try to attend as many college fairs as possible and check with me, the local newspaper or Casa Thomas Jefferson to see when they are available in your area- or the area closest to you.
F) If possible, study abroad in July on a college campus. You can see a comprehensive list on a website called Enrichment Alley or visit university websites and search for High School programs. What course(s) should you take? Either one that enriches your studies (you excel in Math and want to take a higher level course) , reinforces your studies (you need to improve your English) or engages your area of future interest (You may want to study medicine so you take a pre-med course). Make sure you request copies of your transcripts and a letter of recommendation from your course(s). If they are sealed- leave them that way! Schools abroad will require that you, your educational consultant or your teachers send information like grades and recommendations sealed and with official stamps.
G) If you plan to do a course in July, be prepared to ask your teacher (in the subject you want to study or one whom you are close with) for a recommendation in February. Let them have time to write it- and sit down with them- tell them why you want to study during the summer, where, and what you want to focus on in their class to improve your skills. It is okay to have your teacher write it in Portuguese and take it to Casa Thomas Jefferson or elsewhere to be translated. In this way you give them guidance and focus for your letter. Many schools do online applications, so you will have to be prepared to show your teacher how to upload the recommendation in English (this could be tricky so maybe it is best to ask the translator to send you an electronic copy). You will need to start searching for courses the beginning of the Brazilian school year, but know that many applications and courses are only starting to be available, and you must keep checking the sites. What should a teacher write? Stay tuned for my article on teaching recommendation writing. Be careful of the idea that it is okay to write your own recommendation and then have a teacher sign it! If you are not sure what to do, ask the program advisor!
H) Take a look at which standardized tests you may need. There is the ACT, an alternate to the SATs, and while it is 100% viewed by all 4-year universities, it is not as widely required. Next, we have the SAT Subject Tests, designed to show excellence in certain subject areas, and usually required with regular SATs if you want to enter into a declared program such as Engineering. For US universities, the English proficiency test in the form of the TOEFL (most Brazilians will have to take it. Only some waivers apply) is the most commonly used admissions requirement. Study material can be found online at ACT and TOEFL websites, through CollegeBoard for the SATs, or through the coaching company that works via Internet in Brasilia with the American School of Brasilia. See me for more details about the coaching company.
F) Google College Comparison Sheets, view a few different samples, create your own and plug in information as you find colleges that interest you. Information should include admissions requirements of each school as well as your own personal requirements (big city, soccer team, etc), should you have any. College lists should have 2-3 dream schools, 3-5 target schools, and 2-3 safety schools. Expect this list to be refined after you take time to do college visits and/or interviews, study university profiles and freshman class admission stats, change your mind, receive your standardized test scores, etc. Remember you are looking to matriculate into UNDERGRADUATE programs. You cannot do law school or med school without doing four years of undergraduate studies. And unlike Brazilian university, you do not have to know what you want to study before you apply. So add schools that have a variety of programs that may interest you.
G) Should you do all this if you are not sure where you want to study? Sure! Why not?!? It only adds value to your skills and knowledge. After all, you can always get accepted to a university abroad in Year 3, ask for a deferral, study for the ENEM/Vestibular and weigh your options once you have those results. That is the real secret- to enjoy the ability to give yourself OPTIONS with careful planning.
H) Should you believe the US News and other rankings? Only if you believe that the criteria they use to give rankings is fair. Remind me and I will tell you what that is. Better to do your own research and find the right match for you!
No comments:
Post a Comment