Wellington Today Wellington Today 2018 en | Page 32
2018
EDUCATION FOR LIFE
COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY GUIDANCE
NAVIGATING UNIVERSITY APPLICATIONS
– how Wellington prepares pupils for higher education
Pre-application: choosing the right country,
course and university
For each pupil, the path to higher education is a long and very
personal journey, which will ultimately lead to an important life
decision. This decision shouldn’t be rushed or taken lightly, which
is why Wellington pupils are encouraged to start thinking about
their options early on. This process begins in year 9 as part of our
system of career awareness and development talks. During these
we outline the importance of planning out subject choices in
later years that will be appropriate for the pupil’s intended path.
This process becomes more focused in year 11, when pupils are
advised on how to make their IB subject choices match up with
their higher education and career hopes.
Understandably, preparations for university applications increase
in year 12. At this point, Wellington’s higher education support
team will ensure that each pupil has a solid working knowledge
of the wide range of courses and college/university choices that
are appropriate to their future aspirations. Pupils are then given
the advice and support necessary to help them narrow down this
range of choices into a workable number of applications. For some
sixth formers, their intended path will already be extremely clear
to them, whereas others may be less certain about their options.
In each case, Wellington ensures that each young adult is given the
right guidance to allow them to make realistic and appropriate
applications to the universities and colleges that will suit them best.
This vital ambition is achieved through a process of continual
conversation and feedback. Pupils are made aware of the
different requirements specific to each country and, in
many cases, individual institutions. From grade and subject
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requirements to more character-based individual essays and tests,
pupils are shown what they will need to do to make a successful
application. Equally importantly, pupils are taught to take the
cultural side of higher education into account before applying: will
they be happier in a bustling city-based university, for example?
Or would a quiet, rural campus with a low student population
make for a better fit?
Of course, many young adults may think that a certain course or
career path will suit them perfectly when it’s an abstract concept,
though the reality may be an entirely different matter! With this
in mind, Wellington offers opportunities for pupils to get a taste
of their intended career through summer programmes and work
experience positions. We have found that this works equally well
for pupils with definite plans for their future as well as those who
are unsure of themselves: as in either case, the experience will
give them insight into a future career path and help them decide
if it’s something that they wish to commit to.
Complementary to Wellington’s advice and guidance is the
input of university representatives who visit the College and
are available for pupils to meet. Wellington maintains excellent
relations with reps from dozens of top universities across the
world. By forging links between our pupils and the reps, who
spend time with the pupils in order to understand their character
and aspirations, Wellington gives each applicant the best possible
chance of a successful outcome.
During applications: tackling the task Post-application: completing the process
Once pupils are armed with the knowledge and insight needed
to make their higher education application choices, Wellington
ensures that they are supported through each stage of every
application they make. This can be a lengthy and sometimes
slightly overwhelming process for some pupils, so the higher
education support team is always on hand to offer advice, review
applications, talk through personal statements and suggest useful
revisions where necessary. Many higher education institutions
also require references, so applicants are helped to choose which
teachers will give the most appropriate and relevant references
which will complement what they themselves have written in
their personal statements. Once our pupils have completed their applications they will
hopefully find themselves in a confident and relaxed state of
mind, prepared to concentrate fully on the examinations before
them. Then, the final stage of the applications process occurs
after their IB results come in and they must choose from the
various institutions who have given them an offer.
In most cases, multiple drafts of personal statements and
essays will be required until the application is sufficiently honed
and ready to be sent. This continual process of revision and
feedback allows each pupil to craft an application which properly
showcases their skills and characteristics and ultimately portrays
them in the best possible light.
In each case, pupils are supported through this final phase of their
application, not only by offering guidance on making the most
appropriate choice from their offers, but also by providing all the
necessary post-exam paperwork that many universities require
to confirm their offer. This can range from the authentication of
IB results, to transcripts, copies of references and other teacher-
related credentials.
Preparing pupils for the next step
At each stage of the applications process, Wellington endeavours
to ensure that each pupil is given every opportunity to plan
out their future education goals and then achieve them. From
discovering which subjects they are passionate about, to choosing
appropriate, realistic course and university options, to securing
offers, Wellington is with each pupil every step of the way.
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