Trailblazing the IvysTrailblazing the IvysAvoid the potholes…Avoid the potholes…

AgendaAgenda►Walk-through of my high school careerWalk-through of my high school career►Outline the to-do’s and not-to-do’s durOutline the to-do’s and not-to-do’s dur

ing each yearing each year► Importance of major components in the aImportance of major components in the a

pplication (ie. Grades, SAT’s etc.)pplication (ie. Grades, SAT’s etc.)►Reflections upon the application processReflections upon the application process►TipsTips

Profile: Dorcy ChenProfile: Dorcy Chen► EducationEducation

Split between China, Singapore and CanadaSplit between China, Singapore and Canada► Schools : 14 to dateSchools : 14 to date

High school: Martingrove Collegiate InstituteHigh school: Martingrove Collegiate Institute► Extra-curriculars (in school) : Cheerleading, Swim, Prefects, LeadersExtra-curriculars (in school) : Cheerleading, Swim, Prefects, Leaders

hip, Amnesty, Yearbook, Newspaper, Student Government, Music Chip, Amnesty, Yearbook, Newspaper, Student Government, Music Councilouncil

► Extra-curriculars (outside of school) : Kids Help Phone Student AmbExtra-curriculars (outside of school) : Kids Help Phone Student Ambassador Council, Terry Fox Foundation, Canadian Cancer Society, Passador Council, Terry Fox Foundation, Canadian Cancer Society, Projects Abroadrojects Abroad

► Awards: Math contests, leadership awards, excellence in school life Awards: Math contests, leadership awards, excellence in school life awardsawards

► Admitted into UPenn through regular decisionAdmitted into UPenn through regular decision

GRADE 9GRADE 9

► GradesGrades► Extra-curricularsExtra-curriculars

- joined 10 differen- joined 10 different t clubsclubs

- by the end of the - by the end of the year, I was only in 5 year, I was only in 5 clubs and 1 sports clubs and 1 sports teamteam

► VolunteeredVolunteeredTerry Fox FoundatiTerry Fox Foundati

ononCanadian Cancer Canadian Cancer

Society - Relay for lifeSociety - Relay for life► Had funHad fun

► Focus on gradesFocus on grades► Try on and experiment wiTry on and experiment wi

th different extra-curriculth different extra-curricular activitiesar activities

► Have funHave fun

WHAT I DID: WHAT I SHOULD HAVE DONE:

► VolunteeredVolunteered► Sisterly bonding timeSisterly bonding time

Aka. babysittingAka. babysitting

► Interesting, fulfilling aInteresting, fulfilling activitiesctivities

► Have fun!Have fun!

GRADE 9 SUMMERGRADE 9 SUMMERWHAT I DID: WHAT I SHOULD HAVE

DONE:

► GradesGrades Less focusedLess focused

► Extra-curricularsExtra-curriculars Took on leadership poTook on leadership po

sitionssitions Still on 5 clubs, 1 teamStill on 5 clubs, 1 team Started a cheerleading Started a cheerleading

teamteam► VolunteeringVolunteering

Started working for KiStarted working for Kids Help Phoneds Help Phone

► Work hard on academWork hard on academicsics

► Start developing a focStart developing a focus in extra-curricular us in extra-curricular activiesactivies

► Think about picking a Think about picking a universityuniversity Or at least decide if an Or at least decide if an

American university is American university is right for youright for you

GRADE 10GRADE 10WHAT I DID: WHAT I SHOULD HAVE

DONE:

GRADE 11GRADE 11► Did not know if I wantDid not know if I want

ed to go the States for ed to go the States for universityuniversity

► Decide whether AmeriDecide whether American universities are sucan universities are suitable for meitable for me

WHAT I DID: WHAT I SHOULD HAVE DONE:

WHY?Good for:• Determining focus (ie. grades, extra-curriculurs etc.)• Time management (ie. planning your SATs• Preventing frustration and anxiety caused by indecision

Generally speaking, it’s easier to achieve a goal when you have one.

► Allowed them to dropAllowed them to drop► Maintained a high aveMaintained a high ave

ragerage

GRADE 11 - GradesGRADE 11 - GradesWHAT I DID: WHAT I SHOULD HAVE

DONE:

GRADESGRADES► Importance/ ImpactImportance/ Impact► GPAGPA► Course SelectionCourse Selection► TrendsTrends► Things to look out forThings to look out for

Adjustment periodsAdjustment periods Other commitmentsOther commitments BalanceBalance

► TipsTips

Importance of Grade 11 GradesImportance of Grade 11 Grades►Used for both Canadian and American EarUsed for both Canadian and American Ear

ly Acceptancesly Acceptances►Usually the first ones admission officers loUsually the first ones admission officers lo

ok for when they view your transcriptok for when they view your transcript

►BUT…BUT…

GPAGPA►Grade Point AverageGrade Point Average►Every course countsEvery course counts►Only 90’s count as A’s in the StatesOnly 90’s count as A’s in the States

Course SelectionCourse Selection►Pick the most challenging course that you Pick the most challenging course that you

can do well incan do well in► IB, AP courses will be indicated on the appIB, AP courses will be indicated on the app

licationlication Other programs like gifted, enriched etc. are nOther programs like gifted, enriched etc. are n

ot shownot shown

TrendsTrends► Are your grades on a upward climb or a downwaAre your grades on a upward climb or a downwa

rd descent?rd descent?

Things to Look Out ForThings to Look Out For►Adjustment PeriodsAdjustment Periods

Grade 11 tends to be a big leap for a lot of peoGrade 11 tends to be a big leap for a lot of peopleple►More specialized courses (ie. in sciences)More specialized courses (ie. in sciences)►More in-depth material (the real IB program starts)More in-depth material (the real IB program starts)

►Other CommitmentsOther Commitments Senior positions in extra-curricular activitiesSenior positions in extra-curricular activities SATsSATs

TipsTips►Understand university requirements beforUnderstand university requirements befor

e choosing your coursese choosing your courses►Borrow textbooks over the summerBorrow textbooks over the summer►Understand the teacher’s style of teachiUnderstand the teacher’s style of teachi

ng, marking and his/her requirementsng, marking and his/her requirements

► Took on too many extra-cTook on too many extra-curriculur activitiesurriculur activities

► Allowed them to affect mAllowed them to affect my gradesy grades

► Focus on one or two activFocus on one or two activitiesities SpotlightSpotlight FocusFocus

► Do not bite off more than Do not bite off more than I can chewI can chew Greater positions = greater Greater positions = greater

responsibilitiesresponsibilities► Do not let them negativelDo not let them negativel

y impact your academicsy impact your academics

GRADE 11 - ExtracurricularsGRADE 11 - ExtracurricularsWHAT I DID: WHAT I SHOULD HAVE

DONE:

► Neglected to plan my Neglected to plan my SAT scheduleSAT schedule Did not make the May tDid not make the May t

esting dateesting date Had to take it in June, Had to take it in June,

right before examsright before exams► Did not allow sufficienDid not allow sufficien

t time to study for my t time to study for my SATsSATs Summative season takSummative season tak

es place at the same ties place at the same timeme

► Plan your SAT schedulPlan your SAT schedulee When to take your SAT When to take your SAT

I’s and SAT II’sI’s and SAT II’s Allow back-up if possibAllow back-up if possib

lele► Allow for plenty of stuAllow for plenty of stu

dying timedying time Some subject tests covSome subject tests cov

er Grade 12 materialer Grade 12 material

GRADE 11 - SATsGRADE 11 - SATsWHAT I DID: WHAT I SHOULD HAVE

DONE:

Tips for the SATsTips for the SATs► Take a few practice examsTake a few practice exams► Finish it in one sittingFinish it in one sitting

Get comfortable with the formatGet comfortable with the format► STUDYSTUDY

On the day of…On the day of…► Bring a watchBring a watch► Prepare for a long waiting periodPrepare for a long waiting period

Bring something to relax you/ readBring something to relax you/ read CoffeeCoffee Food/ beveragesFood/ beverages

► Did not interact with teacDid not interact with teachers closely enoughhers closely enough ► Build a good rapport with Build a good rapport with

themthem► Make sure they know who Make sure they know who

you areyou are They can't write about you They can't write about you

if they don't know you.if they don't know you. Don't be afraid to tell them Don't be afraid to tell them

what you have accomplishwhat you have accomplished inside and outside of sced inside and outside of school during conversations. hool during conversations. HUMBLY.HUMBLY.

GRADE 11 - TeachersGRADE 11 - TeachersWHAT I DID: WHAT I SHOULD HAVE

DONE:

► PartiesParties► Went to Argentina for Went to Argentina for

a 2-week medical vola 2-week medical volunteering tripunteering trip

► Study for my SAT IIsStudy for my SAT IIs► Prepare for essaysPrepare for essays► Prepare for next yeaPrepare for next yea

r’s coursesr’s courses

GRADE 11 - SUMMERGRADE 11 - SUMMERWHAT I DID: WHAT I SHOULD HAVE

DONE:

► Worked hardWorked hard► Thank goodness that’s Thank goodness that’s

overover► Grade 12 grades are very iGrade 12 grades are very i

mportantmportant► On top of needing them fOn top of needing them f

or American Universities, or American Universities, you need these grades as you need these grades as a safety net for CDN univea safety net for CDN universitiesrsities

► Some universities like MISome universities like MIT will ask for your latest cT will ask for your latest course averages on the apourse averages on the application.plication.

GRADE 12 - GradesGRADE 12 - GradesWHAT I DID: WHAT I SHOULD HAVE

DONE:

► Taken the SAT II’s dTaken the SAT II’s during Decemberuring December Pros: new Grade 12 maPros: new Grade 12 ma

terial is fresh in my miterial is fresh in my mindnd

Cons: conflicts with a vCons: conflicts with a very heavy pre-Christmery heavy pre-Christmas workloadas workload

► Taken them earlier.Taken them earlier.

GRADE 12 - SATsGRADE 12 - SATsWHAT I DID: WHAT I SHOULD HAVE

DONE:

► Wrote the majority of Wrote the majority of them over Christmas them over Christmas BreakBreak Pros: no distraction froPros: no distraction fro

m school workm school work Cons: no ChristmasCons: no Christmas

► BrainstormBrainstorm► DraftDraft► EditEdit► EditEdit► ReviseRevise► ReviseRevise► Repeat processRepeat process► EARLIEREARLIER

GRADE 12 - EssaysGRADE 12 - EssaysWHAT I DID: WHAT I SHOULD HAVE

DONE:

► Presented them in a dPresented them in a disorganized mannerisorganized manner ► Organized the presentOrganized the present

ation of my extra-curration of my extra-curricularsiculars

GRADE 12 – ExtracurricularsGRADE 12 – ExtracurricularsWHAT I DID: WHAT I SHOULD HAVE

DONE:

Being accomplished is only half the story, the other half is packaging and selling it.

► Left them until the last few weLeft them until the last few weekseks

► Asked teachers that like me anAsked teachers that like me and knew me welld knew me well

► Note: I used my principal as a rNote: I used my principal as a reference instead of my guidaneference instead of my guidance counsellorce counsellor Make sure you know at least oMake sure you know at least o

ne of them well enoughne of them well enough

► ResumeResume► What you want the letter to acWhat you want the letter to ac

complishcomplish► A verbal summary of your best A verbal summary of your best

attributesattributes► AnecdotesAnecdotes► TimeTime

Watch out for Xmas break/ ThWatch out for Xmas break/ Thanksgiving break when schoolanksgiving break when schools are closed.s are closed.

They are due at the same time They are due at the same time as report cards, don't let teachas report cards, don't let teacher pull out a last-minute reccoer pull out a last-minute reccommendation letter (We all knommendation letter (We all know how last minute work turns w how last minute work turns out!)out!)

GRADE 12 - RecommendationsGRADE 12 - RecommendationsWHAT I DID: WHAT I SHOULD HAVE

DONE:

►Take time to fill them out.Take time to fill them out.►There is alot of administration stuff involvThere is alot of administration stuff involv

eded In some schools, administration is lost with AIn some schools, administration is lost with A

merican paperwork and this takes time.merican paperwork and this takes time.

GRADE 12 – APPLICATION FORMSGRADE 12 – APPLICATION FORMS

► Submitted 2 days if nSubmitted 2 days if not minutes before the ot minutes before the deadlinedeadline Pros: nonePros: none Cons: mother almost sCons: mother almost s

uffered heart attackuffered heart attack

► Submitted EarlySubmitted Early► Applications are revieApplications are revie

wed in the order receiwed in the order receivedved

► In case of unforeseen In case of unforeseen circumstances (ie. syscircumstances (ie. system crashes, power otem crashes, power outages)utages) better safe than sorrybetter safe than sorry

GRADE 12 - ApplicationsGRADE 12 - ApplicationsWHAT I DID: WHAT I SHOULD HAVE

DONE:

► What I prepared for:What I prepared for: "Why do you want to go to t"Why do you want to go to t

his school?"his school?" "Why do you want to study i"Why do you want to study i

n the States?“n the States?“ Know about the school and tKnow about the school and t

ry to make yourself "fit in“ry to make yourself "fit in“ Be relatively well-versed in cBe relatively well-versed in c

urrent affairsurrent affairs Arrive earlyArrive early Dress appropriatelyDress appropriately

► Be specificBe specific► Talk about myselfTalk about myself► Use stories, not point formUse stories, not point form

► Vague, unspecific locatioVague, unspecific locationsns Ie. second cup on Spadina Ie. second cup on Spadina

(there are at least 2 on any (there are at least 2 on any given corner)given corner)

► Leaving before your interLeaving before your interviewer has fully left if the viewer has fully left if the interview is conducted in interview is conducted in a casual settinga casual setting

GRADE 12 - InterviewsGRADE 12 - InterviewsWHAT I DID: WHAT TO AVOID:

GRADE 12 - Early Decision/ Early GRADE 12 - Early Decision/ Early ActionAction

► Did not know enough aboDid not know enough about the school at that poinut the school at that point to make up my mindt to make up my mind

► Did not have enough preDid not have enough preparation for applicationparation for application

► Bypassed this optionBypassed this option

► Researched schools earlyResearched schools early► Gotten my application toGotten my application to

gethergether Comes in handy because yComes in handy because y

ou don't have fill out the Coou don't have fill out the Common App after for Regulammon App after for Regular Decisionr Decision

► Gotten my reccommendaGotten my reccommendations letter earliertions letter earlier

WHAT I DID: WHAT I SHOULD HAVE DONE:

WHY?

Statistically easier to get accepted through Early Decision or Early Action.

Useful ResourcesUseful Resources►Collegeboard.comCollegeboard.com►Theu.comTheu.com►Collegeconfidential.comCollegeconfidential.com►Commonapp.orgCommonapp.org►Us Us

Thank you Thank you ……any questions?any questions?