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.