Student Services department

For any student, but particularly for those who are applying from overseas, the college application process is complicated by the variety of choices available, including majors, countries, and universities, the different tests that must be taken, and the lack of any standard application procedures or guideline. Therefore, in Colegio Internacional de Caracas, students are asked to complete a pre-application process by the end of their junior year, so that you will be prepared to apply to college by August of you senior year.  I will be meeting with you in your TOK class to help you complete this process, which will include:

1. Careful and objective self-evaluation of interests, ability, and academic achievement: There are more than 4000 colleges and universities in the U.S., and  more than one hundred in both Canada and the U.K., which are the countries where most CIC graduates continue their education. In order to choose and be admitted to the school that is right for them, you must know your own interests and needs, and realistically assess your strengths, weaknesses, family resources, and academic credentials. Although liberal arts colleges in the U.S. do not usually require students to declare majors upon application, and even prefer students to be undecided, having a general idea of their educational objectives and eventual career plans can help you make informed decisions. Therefore, a career exploration component should be included in this process. Universities in the U.K. and other countries usually require students to apply directly  to a specific program of study.
2. Research into colleges: taking into account differences in selectivity, academic programs, extra-curricular activities, location, size, and costs, just to name a few of the characteristics that differentiate colleges and universities. You can use the internet, college handbooks, and college search software in order to get information, and they should investigate at least 20, in order to begin to develop the final list of colleges and universities you will apply to in your senior year.
3. Registration and preparation for the SAT I and II, and the TOEFL: Students who wish to enter universities and colleges in the U.S., U.K., and/or Canada and who are not citizens or residents of an English-speaking country, and even those U.S. citizens or residents who speak a language other that English and who have resided outside the U.S. for an extended period of time, should take the Test of English as a modern languages (TOEFL) prior to the Senior year in case they need to retake it. The SAT I is required by most 4-year colleges in the U.S. and the SAT II Subject tests are required by more selective colleges and universities. Canadian universities also consider the SAT I and II. You should prepare for all tests used in the college application process, including the SAT I and II. These tests are too important to take without at very least some familiarity with the format and instructions. Sample tests and test prep software is available in the Counseling Office, in addition to test preparation courses in CIC and the community. In addition, there are now internet courses available, offered by the well-known Princeton Review and KAPLAN test prep companies, as well less well-known companies. Even the College Board now has an internet-based preparation program for a monthly fee. CIC Students typically all take the SAT I in May, and often retake it in October or November of their senior year. Students usually take the SAT II in June, if they are interested in the colleges that require it (usually very selective) or wish to enhance their scores. They can re-take in November or December of their senior year. Please note that the SAT I has been changed. Students have been taking the new test in Caracas since May 2005.

During the weeks I will be working with you, I will help you register for the SAT I and, if appropriate, the SAT II and the TOEFL. In order to complete this registration, you must bring the number, expiration date, and security code of a U.S. valid credit card (Visa or Mastercard).

1. Communication with colleges: After completing an initial search for colleges according to desired characteristics, you should communicate with the admissions offices of the schools you are interested in, in order to obtain additional information and application forms and to place yourself on the school’s mailing list. This should be done prior to the end of the junior year.
2. Juniors are also asked to complete a resume during the second semester of the senior year. This could include courses taken, awards received, interests, activities, and job experiences. The resume helps the Counseling office prepare your transcript and will help you think about your strengths in preparation for completing application forms. Furthermore, a well-presented and informative resume makes an excellent impression during interviews.

It is strongly recommended that you visit colleges prior to applying, perhaps during the summer following the junior year, particularly if you have not previously spent much time in the country in which you plan to continue their education. This will give the opportunity to visualize schools and to have an idea about the tremendous diversity among post-secondary schools. There are many summer programs in the U.S. and the U.K. for students who are entering 12th grade in the fall. These programs can be very useful, and you should apply by February or March, 2008.
We will be using the College Board internet-based program MyRoad for some aspects of the pre-application process. I presume we will make considerable progress on  your pre-application process during class time. However, please remember that applying to college is time-consuming, and between this year and next you will have to work in an increasingly proactive fashion in order to be successful.

Zoë Losada
losadaz@ciccaracas.com.ve