Benefits of On-Campus or Online Engagement while Applying to University
5 Reasons the Class of 2022 May Need More Guidance
First, Class of 2022 has had more learning disruption. An entire year spent learning online, is a significant amount of time and teachers recognize this because we experienced it as well. ISD faculty are working to provide additional contact time with students to prepare for the IB world exams, while also helping students to submit quality internal assessments.
Second, Projecting scores and writing recommendations or references is trickier for the class of 2022. Now is a vital time for students to engage with teachers. Ways to engage with faculty includes attending classes in-person. Then, if and when learning online, in hybrid classes turn those cameras on in virtual meets, participate in classes, and attend office hours and additional HL hours on your schedules.
If you and your family choose to continue to learn online, ISD Faculty want to see your faces and hear your voices. ISD Faculty including teachers and Counselors need to hear from students and see their engagement to appropriately describe them as learners at ISD in university letters of recommendation and reference statements.
“How can I build rapport with teachers to facilitate effective teacher recommendations while distance learning?”
US News & World Report, Getting Recommendation Letters During COVID-19 (October 2020)
Teachers report visibility can go a long way. From a teacher’s perspective it is defeating to teach to a screen full of black muted squares and it’s enlightening to see a face on the other side.
We are not yet one month into online learning, but some of us miss seeing student’s faces. Even though it may feel embarrassing for students to take themselves off mute and ask questions virtually, it helps everyone and builds a classroom community that is difficult to do virtually.
Beginning in October, Grade 12 students began requesting letters of recommendation required by US universities. Students applying to UK universities will request faculty write reference statements from teachers. Students speak with College Counselors Ms. Ellen Johnston, and Ms. Tasnuva Ahmed if they need help with this process.
Up to 3 recommendation letters may be required by universities– two from different teachers and one from the College Counselor. The recommendation letters should be from educators who know the student well and have taught them in the last two years of courses.
Students will have the opportunity to request Letters of Recommendation
Students have been provided with a Brag Sheet to share with each teacher. This workshop allows students to provide background information to their faculty. Students can explain why they chose to ask the teacher to write a letter of recommendation and detail their goals for college and beyond. Students can also let faculty know the particular points they would like them to consider when writing the letter – including the course taken – and share their broader application narrative. They can include any key terms that they hope college admissions officers will associate with them. Requesting a recommendation students can tell faculty what they are doing, but faculty are also looking for students to show them engagement and participation in their classes and appointed office hours.
Third, the Class of 2022 may be receiving conflicting message about applying to universities abroad.
Fourth, the Class of 2022 faces more competition for university places.
During the summer, forward thinking students finalized lists, attended summer programs, begun essays and started their applications. Students are encouraged and supported to complete early applications, meet priority deadlines and submit applications well before the stated deadlines as universities and programmes may fill up before the stated deadline due to increased number of applicants applying this year.
Finally, there’s an increased demand for higher education as nations work to resume in-person routines. Universities around the world note an uptick in medical applicants and health related degrees as students seek to prepare to prevent further pandemics. Students in Grade 11, are advised to dedicate time during the school day to exploring countries to study in,
Families can support their students, by sharing expectations for what, where and how to study early on so that Grade 11 students are prepared to apply to universities as early as August 2022 of their senior year.
Ellen Johnston
College Counselor
References:
https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/how-college-applicants-can-get-recommendations-letters-amid-coronavirus?src=usn_college_extrahelp&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Extra%20Help:%20College%20Admissions-Tue%20Sep%2007%2008:08:00%20EDT%202021&utm_term=Extra%20Help:%20College%20Admissions
https://bridge-u.com/blog/five-reasons-why-the-class-of-2022-needs-more-guidance-than-ever/
