Last spring, in Too Few Extracurricular Activities? Take a Closer Look!, I explained that U.S. admission officials are aware that international applicants often pursue fewer outside-of-school activities than their American counterparts. But I also pointed out that international students don’t always realize that their after-school, weekend, or summer pursuits are worth sharing with admission committees, even if they’re not organized or official activities such as sports clubs or debate societies. I reminded readers, too, that writing poetry, fiction or blogs, caring for a sick relative or younger sibling, cooking, dancing, hiking, swimming, etc. are all interests that admission officials will want to know about.

This week, via the College Confidential “Ask the Dean” column, I heard from a young woman in Africa who is involved in several church and volunteer projects and is also working on a novel. She wanted to know how to convey this information to admission committees when she applies to U.S. colleges in a few years. I realized when I read her message that, although my earlier blog had instructed international students to report their extracurricular interests and endeavors to colleges, I never fully explianed how this can be done. There are, in fact, several approaches. You can read about them here, in my “Ask the Dean” response: http://www.collegeconfidential.com/dean/archives/how-can-international-student-convey-accomplishments-to-admission-committees.htm

Keep in mind that most college applications don’t provide adequate space to explain your activities, only to list them very briefly. While this is often a problem for American students, it can be an even bigger one for international applicants, whose undertakings may be very different than those of the typical American applicant. So do take advantage of the “Additional Information” section of most applications and/or use your essays to tell admission folks about your activities.

Most colleges also allow you to send a resume (curriculum vita). However, if you follow the standard formats, you really won’t have any place to explain your activities any more thoroughly than you did on the application itself. So you might want to consider an “annotated resume.” This is when you not only list your activities but also briefly explain the ones that aren’t completely clear. It’s also a good opportunity to let your sense of humor shine through. And it’s fine to brag a little bit, just don’t go overboard.

EXAMPLES:

Standard resume entry:

Volunteer, Saint Agnes Hospital, May 2008-present

Annotated Activities List:

Volunteer, Saint Agnes Hospital, May 2008-present

I’m not the world’s youngest doctor, as some of my “patients” initially believe. I’m just a teenage volunteer, whose duties include chatting with children with cancer to help them to relax as they await chemotherapy. I have found that I not only enjoy this work but I’m even good at it. One (real) doctor told me that he can even tell when I have been with one of his patients because the patient enters the examination room calm and smiling.

You don’t need an “annotation” for every item on your activities list, but do make sure your admission readers will understand what you do and never abbreviate unless the abbreviations are recognized world wide

Starting this month (October 2009) the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and its rival exam, the IELTS ((International English Language Testing System) will face a new challenger: The Pearson Test of English Academic (known as PTE Academic) Read the rest of this entry »

Shahdabul Faraz, better known as “Shad” is a high school senior in Canada who is now navigating the college admissions maze. He’s fortunate that he doesn’t need to apply for financial aid, which should boost his admission odds and help to expand his college options, but he’s also working hard to make sure that his tuition money is well spent. Shad, unlike many other prospective international students, isn’t only considering those colleges that are most renowned in his home country. Instead, he’s putting a lot of effort into researching schools that he feels will be the best matches for him. All of the colleges on his list would be considered “prestigious’ by those in the know, but they’re not necessarily household names in Canada … or even throughout the U.S.

Below, you’ll see Shad’s answers to an “Admissions Without Borders” questionnaire. It’s the first in a series of blogs featuring current international applicants. If you, too, are in the midst of applying to U.S. colleges as an international student and would like to respond to these questions, please let us know in the “Comments” section.

-NAME:

Shahdabul Faraz

-CURRENT COUNTRY:

Canada

-HAVE YOU LIVED IN ANY OTHER COUNTRY? IF YES, WHERE AND FOR HOW LONG?

I was born in Bangladesh and grew up there for most of my life. Around six years ago, I moved to Toronto, Canada where I am currently attending high school.

-WHAT WERE YOUR SAT (OR ACT) TEST RESULTS? TOEFL?

SAT: Verbal 700; Math 730; Writing 660; Total:2090

- WHY DO YOU WANT TO ATTEND COLLEGE IN THE UNITED STATES?

Although universities in Canada provide an overall good quality of education, I prefer the multidimensional aspect of American colleges. In the U.S., the college life is not only about academics, but also about getting involved through sports, volunteering, activism and other extracurricular activities. In other words, I am looking for a college experience that is not one-dimensional but is rather a mixture of different activities. I believe a college in the U.S. will provide the best of both worlds by allowing me to not only excel academically but also in my non-academic pursuits. I also do prefer smaller class sizes and extensive study abroad programs which are available at many U.S. colleges.

-PROSPECTIVE MAJOR:

Right now I am interested in biology, chemistry, and philosophy.

-PROSPECTIVE CAREER GOAL:

Medicine or law. (As you can tell, I have not fully decided yet.)

-TO WHAT COLLEGES DID YOU APPLY OR DO YOU PLAN TO APPLY?

Although this list is tentative, as of now, I plan to apply to Emory University, University of Chicago, Wake Forest University, Brandeis University, Tufts University, and University of Rochester. I am also applying to some liberal arts colleges such as Carleton College, Davidson College, Grinnell College, and Macalester College.

-WHY DID YOU SELECT THESE SCHOOLS?

I wanted a good mix of schools so I chose some research universities as well as some smaller liberal arts colleges. I, however, do prefer a smaller environment which is why even the research universities I have chosen are fairly small in size. I have dedicated hours of research to each of these schools which is how I narrowed down my search. I was looking for colleges where I could get the benefits of a research university as well as the advantages of a liberal arts college. For example: I wanted a school where there would be available not only research opportunities and study abroad programs but also a tight-knit community.

-HOW DID YOU FIRST HEAR ABOUT THE COLLEGES ON YOUR LIST (PARTICULARLY THE LESSER-KNOWN ONES, IF ANY)?

I heard about some schools from a family friend who had previously applied to U.S. colleges. He told me about certain colleges such as Grinnell and Macalester, among others. This started my interest in American colleges and I began researching on the Internet, where I stumbled upon some other schools.

- ARE YOU ASKING FOR FINANCIAL AID? IF YES, DO YOU NEED A LOT OF AID OR A LITTLE?

No, I am not asking for financial aid. I will be able to pay full tuition to the schools I am applying to.

-WHAT ASPECT OF THE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS PROCESS HAVE YOU FOUND TO BE THE MOST CONFUSING OR FRUSTRATING?

The grading scale in Canada is different than the grading scale in the U.S. Recently, I learned that even within counties, grading scales are often not the same. This uncertainty about how my grades will be viewed has probably been the most frustrating aspect of the whole process. After calling some colleges, I learned that international students are often viewed in the context of their school and/or country. Therefore, the grading scale should not be a cause for concern for international students. Apart from this initial uncertainty, the college admissions process has so far been a positive, enlightening experience.

-HAS ANYONE IN PARTICULAR BEEN HELPING YOU WITH YOUR U.S. COLLEGE SELECTION AND APPLICATION PROCESS (e.g. SCHOOL OFFICIAL, PARENT, PRIVATE COUNSELOR, EVEN A WEB SITE, ETC.)?

My parents have been supportive during the process, offering encouraging suggestions along the way. As for the application process, I have found college forums on the Internet particularly helpful. These forums often have students (many of whom are international students) who are willing to help newcomers.

- WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO ANOTHER INTERNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT WHO IS CONSIDERING APPLYING TO COLLEGE IN THE U.S.?

Use the resources you have. If you can, go on the Internet and you will be able to find a significant amount of information. Whether you need to know about academic requirements, SATs, student visas or financial aid, you can be sure that there are people out there who can and are willing to help. Also, try not to focus on rankings. They do not tell you the whole story. Just because you are at a higher ranking institution does not mean you will be happier there. How do you know whether you will be happy at a college of not? It depends on the fit which is whether the college has what you are looking for and vise versa. To determine a fit, you need to move beyond rankings. Research thoroughly and you will find a school where you will truly be happy. Remember that happiness leads to motivation. Motivation leads to hard work. Hard work leads to success. Lastly, approach your applications with an open mind and have enough time to revise. Use your essays to tell a unique story and make it convincing. Make an offer that the colleges cannot refuse. Good luck!

- WHAT WERE YOUR ADMISSION RESULTS?

I don’t know yet!

While watching my 12-year-old son play baseball this summer, I started chatting with Caroline Gear–a fellow baseball mom in the adjacent lawn chair.

Caroline Gear supports her son's baseball team

Caroline then explained why: She is the Director of Programs at the International Language Institute of Massachusetts, which is located in my home town, Northampton. She told me that many of the students at ILI are international students who want to attend college in the U.S. but must first improve their English language skills. Read the rest of this entry »

This week I read some interesting statistics in The Chronicle of Higher Education. The article was quoting a recently-released Unesco publication, the “Global Education Digest 2009,” which “examines new trends in student mobility.” A decade ago, according to this report, one out of every four students who studied abroad did so in the United States. But–although the overall number of “mobile students” grew by 53 percent between 1999 and 2007, the American share of that market did not. By 2007, only one in five “internationally mobile” students chose the U.S.

Australia, Canada, France, Italy, Japan, and South Africa, on the other hand, have all seen increases in the percent of international students who enroll in their institutions.

My thoughts:

As educational opportunities expand globally, students who wish to study outside of their home nations have more options than ever before and should consider looking beyond the U.S. to meet their needs, if they are not doing so already.

BUT … students who are committed to studying in the U.S. –especially those not seeking financial assistance–may benefit from the new trend to go elsewhere because U.S. college officials hope to continue to attract international candidates, and they may be worried that prospective U.S. collegians will be welcomed elsewhere instead and won’t be filling the beds–and the coffers–in their institutions.

For international students eager to attend college in America but unable to find the means to do so, the next best thing could be to enroll in a U.S. university’s overseas “satellite” campus. While “Education City” in Qatar may be the best-known (and booming) American higher-ed outpost, according to a recent issue of The Chronicle of Higher Education, India is eager to get into the game:

“Kapil Sibal, India’s new minister in charge of higher education, might actually do what many Indians have long hoped for: shake up the country’s dysfunctional higher-education system. He may also do what many Americans have wished for: open India up to foreign universities.” Read the rest of this entry »

Some good news from a press release this morning (6/9/09):

Stanford Graduate School of Business today announced the launch of a new private loan program through Star One Credit Union to provide financial assistance to students admitted to the School’s MBA, PhD, and Sloan Master’s programs. An especially welcome relief to international students, the custom loans, which cover tuition and living expenses, will be available to those without a U.S. co-signer.

Read the rest of this entry »

I first “met” Lainey Hughes on the College Confidential discussion forum, where she effused about her experience at Stephens College in Missouri:

” … Everyone is so friendly here and they all want to come visit my family in Ireland! I have made some really wonderful friends here and I feel like they’re my family now. When it comes to Thanksgiving/Winter/Spring breaks, I’m never short of offers for places to stay. Read the rest of this entry »

As part of the Admissions Without Borders sporadic “Inside Scoop” series, Judi Marino, Director of Transfer and International Student Enrollment at Florida Institute of Technology, offers some anecdotes and advice, below. Judi has worked in the international admission arena at Florida Tech for over 20 years. She also served on the Council of International Schools Higher Education Committee for Latin America for eight years. She is an active member of the Overseas Association of Colleges and Schools, Council of International Schools and NAFSA: Association of International Educators. Read the rest of this entry »

This winter I received an in-box full of email messages from Donnie,** a young man from Ghana who wants to attend college in the United States. But when I compared Donnie’s college list to his grades, SAT scores, and other academic qualifications, I worried that he was aiming way too high. In fact, because Donnie will require a lot of financial aid, I suggested other less selective colleges to add to his roster, although I was still concerned that he would not be admitted to any of them. Unfortunately, I was right. All of Donnie’s U.S. applications were denied. Read the rest of this entry »