Mr Zey's Hi-Ed Corner, November 12, 2008
 
How do universities and colleges select applicants?
 
This is done in a number of different ways: scrutiny of the student’s past academic achievements; the letter(s) of recommendation; the personal statement, or letter of motivation (this is usually scrutinized for plagiarism!) that the applicant submits; the interview and increasingly and of late, through internet research. These days, almost every teenager has some sort of a web presence. In some cases such a presence can yield valuable information about the person’s character, lifestyle, attitude, hobbies, virtues, vices or weaknesses. Student should be aware of this and avoid disclosing damaging and incriminating personal details. Facebook, My Space, Hyves, Bebo and other social networking places can be accessed by university tutors as well as potential employers. Here’s a quote from Wikipedia:
 
“Several concerns have emerged regarding the use of Facebook as a means of surveillance and data mining. Two MIT students were able to download over 70,000 Facebook profiles from four schools (MIT, New York University, the University of Oklahoma, and Harvard University) using an automated shell script, as part of a research project on Facebook privacy published on December 14, 2005. The possibility of data mining remains open, as evidenced in May 2008, when the BBC technology program "Click" demonstrated that personal details of Facebook users and their friends could be stolen by submitting malicious applications.”
 
Recently, St John's College, part of the Cambridge University, admitted that Peter Linehan, the college's dean, created a Facebook account using the pseudonym Pedro Amigo to spy on university students. It would appear that Facebook in particular is the site where university officials go on ‘fishing’ expeditions.
 
University Applications
This is a peak period for UK and Dutch university applications. This is the time of year to take advantage of Open House visits too. For the Netherlands dates are published at http://studiekeuze.schoolweb.nl/default.aspx
For competitive courses, such as medicine, the deadline for the Netherlands is the 1st of December 2008
DP2 students with gaps in knowledge in one or two school subjects can attend the IB Spring Revision course in 2009. This is a rather expensive undertaking. Further details may be obtained from the site: www.osc-ib.com
 
Second Chance?
In year 2 of the DP programme, some students come to the realization that their subject choices do not allow them to apply to certain courses and careers. This is not a tragedy and there are remedies. The first approach is to apply to a Liberal Arts and Science university course. These universities offer modular courses that enable students to take courses (ab initio) that they missed during the IB years. At the end of three years, successful students obtain the Bachelor degree and continue onto post-graduate studies where they specialize in a particular field. An alternative to this arrangement is a Foundation year. This is a pre-university year at the university, where students catch up on subjects they missed during their IB years.
Examples of Liberal Arts and Science universities: University College Utrecht: http://www.ucu.uu.nl/
University College Maastricht: http://www.ucm.nl/  Roosevelt Academy: http://www.roac.nl/roac/ and Tilburg University Liberal Arts: http://www.tilburguniversity.nl/prospectivestudents/bachelors/programmes/fgw/la/
A good starting point for UK Foundation courses is to visit the UCAS site: www.ucas.com
 
Windesheim Honours College, Zwolle
This is called an HBO+ education because it is a joint venture between a Hogeschool (Windesheim) and a University (Free University of Amsterdam). It is a 4-year long English medium course leading to a Bachelor’s degree. Four courses are currently available under this partnership:

  • Engineering & Innovation

  • Health & Community Studies

  • International Communications & Media Studies

  • Trade, Transport & Logistics

    •

For more details visit the site http://www.windesheim.nl/ and then click on English.
 
Students seeking a university education beyond the Netherlands and the UK should visit my higher education site: http://home.tiscali.nl/fishnet/.
 
Parents and students can contact me by phone during school hours [040-2927673] and by email: mrzey@live.nl

 

Mr Zey's Hi-Ed Corner, September 26, 2008

 

Searching for a course at a UK university

Thanks to the net, this is quite easy. The starting point is UCAS of course and the all important link is at http://www.ucas.com/students/coursesearch/coursesearch2009/   Students do well to take a close look at 'Entry Profiles'.

Another helpful aid is an online UCAS video explaining about the correct applications procedure: http://www.ucas.tv/

I have generated a useful page about opening a UCAS account (necessary step for most UK university applications), which includes tips and pointers about writing the Personal Statement: http://www.isse-school.nl/HiEd/ucas.htm

See last month's issue of this magazine for the UK timeline http://www.isse-school.nl/HiEd/January2008.htm

as well as information about higher education information sessions at the Stedelijk College Eindhoven. There is ample evidence that early applicants receive a better deal than late applicants!

 

Financing university education

Volunteer classroom parent Mrs Anne Edwards explains in some detail about the complicated situation surrounding UK university fees.

It would also be useful to obtain similar information from parents who have had the experience of financing a child at a Dutch university.

 

Searching for a course at Dutch universities

 

The Dutch School Web is the place to do the searching : http://www.schoolweb.nl/home/index.aspx

Visiting institutions during their Open Days is a must. Details of dates are available from Mr Zey

For English-medium info about Dutch higher education go to http://www.nuffic.nl/international-students

 

For those unfamiliar with the Dutch system, higher education has two main types. Hogescholen, which are vocational, training based and universities, which are geared towards research. The table below compares and contrasts the two types of institutions :

 

University (WO)

Hogeschool (HBO)

Three-year theoretical course leading to the   Bachelor qualification

Four-year practical course leading to the bachelor qualification

On average 10 hours a week of contact time. Students do much of the work alone. Relatively high drop out rate.

Full-time instructions and close supervision. Relatively low student drop out rate

Best for students with IB diploma score in excess of 30 points

Recommended for IB diploma holders of less than 30 points

A number of courses, such as medicine, only available at universities

A number of courses, such as Hotel Management and Art, are only available at Hogescholen

Few university courses offer internship, so graduates proceed to either post graduate school, or require a period of training in order to enter the jobs' market.

Graduating students trained and ready for employment, as they have had practical experience during their traineeship. Students can also proceed to post-graduate studies.

 

Eindhoven has the TU/e and Fontys

 

TU/e offers Industrial Design in English at undergraduate level. Click below for details: http://w3.tue.nl/en/services/cec/study_information/bachelors_programs/industrial_design/

 

Fontys, a Hogeschool offers many more courses in English. Click on the link below for details:

http://www.fontys.edu/bachelor.programmes.191364.htm

 

Fontys has its Open Day on Saturday 8 November, starting at 10:00. Don't miss it!

 

Other useful university links:

International Bachelor's Programmes at Utrecht University : http://www.internationalbachelor.uu.nl/

International Bachelor's Programmes at Hogeschool van Amsterdam: http://www.international.hva.nl/

 

Jacobs University of Bremen is an English-medium university in Germany. Click below for details:

http://www.jacobs-university.de/

 

Feedback from one of our recent alumni

In a letter to the school community, Juliette Buiter, who graduated in of 2007, explains the challenges and tribulations of switching over to a Dutch university after years of U.S. and then ISSE experience.

To read this essay go to: http://www.isse-school.nl/HiEd/buiter.htm

 

Hotel , Hospitality, and Event Management

This service-based career has growth potential. Hotel managers may work as general managers, front desk managers, housekeeping managers, or convention and event planning managers. Because of the unique duties of each one, each of the different hotel management positions requires specialized education and training. Switzerland and the Netherlands are renowned centres of training and education.

Links:

http://www.hotelschool.nl/

http://www.mbahoteltourism.com/flash_intro.aspx?id=181&taal=en

http://www.imi-luzern.com/

http://www.glion.edu/

 

Work Conditions

Whilst settings vary according to the activity, from business conferences within a hotel or other venue, to outdoor events to entertainments or arts festivals, the demands are often similar. Events organisers tend not to work 9 am to 5 pm - long hours are often put in especially during the planning stage and as deadlines approach. Leisure events often take place at night or weekends - while those people attending the event are relaxing, the organiser is on duty at 'unsocial' times. Some outdoor activities are necessarily seasonal, with a flurry of activity during the spring or summer. There can be good opportunities for travel abroad e.g. with exhibition work. This style of works nicely combines a good balance between intellectual and physical effort.

 

=======================

 

Two 2007 ISSE graduates dropped by the school recently: Mathew Styles (below left), now at University College Utrecht, specializing in Biology and Gergely Ferenczi, studying Physics at Imperial College London. Both boys are having a fulfilling time and enjoying their university studies.

 

  Parents and students can contact me by phone during school hours [040-2927673] and by email: mrzey@live.nl

 

 

Mr Zey's Hi-Ed Corner, September 3, 2008

Congratulation to last year's graduates for an exceptionally fine set of Diploma results. None of our students scored less than 24 points! Even so, there is a worrying trend that I wish to highlight.

Historically, the IB Diploma was founded to address the unique needs of international schools with internationally mobile parents and students. With the devaluation of national pre-university diplomas in many parts of the world, some national schools are adopting the IB diploma as a means of challenging their gifted students. Universities, particularly in the UK have become aware of this trend and have raised their IB admission requirements. This means that ISSE students aspiring for a UK university career will in some cases be expected to secure an IB diploma with at least 35 points!

  To see what our 2008 graduates are doing now visit the web page below:

http://www.isse-school.nl/HiEd/destination2.htm

 

DP2 Students

You should be actively implementing your higher education plans. A visit to the careers office (room 16) is a must. UK applications should be processed as early as possible as there is strong evidence that early applicants are more likely to obtain offers of places. Here are key dates:

 

September 1, 2008 . Online application processing season for UK and US universities begins.

October 15, 2008. This is the last day for dispatching medical (Dentistry, human medicine and veterinary science) applications to the UK . Cambridge or Oxford applicants to the UK must observe the same deadline. It is important that Oxford and Cambridge applicants, as well as all medical applicants pre-register with me as soon as possible.

December 1, 2008. This is the recommended date for applications to Dutch universities for competitive courses, such as human and veterinary medicine, architecture, economics and some business administration courses. More details are available from

http://studiekeuze.schoolweb.nl/search.aspx?contenttype=4&studylevel=16§or=76

15 January 2009 : Closing date for most courses to UK universities.

Both Dutch (CBAP) and UK (UCAS) higher education institutes receive applications through a central organisation. For most countries outside the EU, there is no centralised bureau for applications. In such cases, each university has its particular application deadlines and requirements. Students do well to visit the web site of their favoured universities and become familiar with procedures and where applicable, download application forms, or complete applications online .

 

More about Oxford and Cambridge universities

Oxford is the oldest university in the English-speaking world and lays claim to nine centuries of continuous existence. It is a collegiate university, with 39 self-governing colleges. On average a quarter of its 18,000 students are admitted from outside the British Isles .

Cambridge University is the second oldest and will be celebrating its 800th anniversary in 2009. It too is a collegiate university.

Their mission is to contribute to society through the pursuit of education, learning, and research at the highest international levels of excellence. This translates into an admission policy that is one of the toughest in the world. For the IB candidate who survives the admission interview, the minimum acceptable qualification is a Diploma of 36-38 points and a combined total of 19 points (maximum possible is 21) in the three Higher-level subjects.

 

ISSE Alumni Association

We enjoyed another memorable reunion on August 23. The alumni website can be a source of inspiration to senior students. Go there by clicking on http://home.vianetworks.nl/users/isse/

 

Higher Education News

There are a number of College Fairs this autumn. The first one, called Onderwijs Beurs Zuid Nederland conveniently takes place at the Beursegebouw in Eindhoven , From Friday October 3 to Saturday the 4th. 10:00-17:00 on both days. More details at http://www.onderwijsbeurszuidnederland.nl/

 

Scope on the Globe higher education fair

The Annual Scope on the Globe higher education fair in Utrecht is on 8, 9, 10 and 11 October 2008. This is one of the largest exhibitions for higher education and career orientation in Europe . The benefit of attending this fair is less than visiting actual universities during Open Days. More details at http://www.scopeontheglobe.com/

 

Higher education information at the Stedelijk College Eindhoven

This is an annual event, which will take place in the evening (starting at 19:00) of 29 October 2008 and on November 29. This is a free service and the only requirement is some competence with the Dutch language. Candidates must first register online and the registrations can only be made from 22 September to Saturday 11 October 2008 . Use the web page http://www.svstedelijk.nl/hbo/index.php in order to proceed with registration.  

Higher Education News

Universiteit Maastricht

It offers sixteen bachelor's programmes. This university is highly regarded. Find out more by clicking on a course.

Programme:

Language:

Algemene Gezondheidswetenschappen (Health Sciences)

Dutch

Arts and Culture

English

Cultuurwetenschappen

Dutch

Econometrics and Operations Research

English

Economics

English

European Law School

Dutch

European Law School English Language Track

English

European Public Health

English

European Studies

English

Fiscaal Recht (Tax Law)

Dutch

Fiscal Economics

Dutch/English

Geneeskunde (Medicine)

Dutch

International Business

English

Kennistechnologie (Knowledge Engineering|Computer Science)

Dutch

Knowledge Engineering | Computer Science

English

Moleculaire Levenswetenschappen (Molecular Life Sciences)

Dutch

Nederlands Recht (Dutch Law)

Dutch

Nederlands Recht/Dutch Law (Part-time)

Dutch

Psychologie (Psychology)

Dutch

University College Maastricht

English

For more details, go to http://www.unimaas.nl/openday

 

Carl Benz School of Engineering, Germany

 

Like other Bachelor's programs around the world, this one takes four years (pre-semester plus seven semesters), with graduation following the completion of a final written thesis. Unlike other programs, the English-taught engineering courses offered are complemented by a series of German-taught interdisciplinary classes which include business administration and cultural issues. Additionally, multiple industrial internships are mandatory and an integral part of the program.

 

For more details go the home page: http://www.id.uni-karlsruhe.de/207.php

 

Please be reminded that accessing this newsletter online facilitates following up the various web links to the Internet. The starting point is at www.isse-school.nl/alumni.php#newsletter

 

 

 

 

Mr Zey's Hi- Ed Corner – June 11, 2008
 
DP2 STUDENTS
 
In the first week of July, preliminary IB examination results should become available. Students can find useful information for processing these results at the site: http://www.isse-school.nl/HiEd/HiEd.htm
This is the time to draw to the graduating students’ attention the existence of the ISSE Alumni Association, a most useful way of staying in touch with the ISSE community: http://home.vianetworks.nl/users/isse/
 
 
DP1 STUDENTS

There have been workshops held at the school computer room on Thursday May 15, 22 and 29. The first two sessions were about higher education course selection, university applications and Personal Statement compositions.
On the 29th, we had two alumni come into the school and speak to DP1 students about their higher education experiences. The first speaker was Elena Chochanova, who spoke about Architecture at TU/e and the second speaker was Jeroen Perdeck, who spoke about Psychology, which he studies at the University of Tilburg.


 
Students attending the workshop found the experience very worth while. The two speakers also expressed satisfaction with their participation. They both left behind a Power Point slides of their presentations. These will be available for viewing at the site: http://www.isse-school.nl/HiEd/jae/go.htm
ISSE Alumni are always welcome to visit their old school and speak about their experiences.
 
 More Alumni News
Neil Griffiths was at the ISSE for the maximum possible number of years (seven) 1985-1993. His IB Diploma got him into University of Wales in Lampeter, from where he graduated in 1996 with a degree in Ancient History and Archaeology. He got married in March (2008) and lives in Petersfield. He writes “I am still in the Navy and have served 12 years. I am a Lieutenant Commander and currently serving on a Plymouth based Frigate. Fran and I hope to get to a reunion soon but I am deployed away from the UK in August so we won't be able to make it this year. Hopefully next year.”                                                                                                          
 We wish Neil and his wife Fran (above) a long and happy life together!
 
Please be reminded that accessing this newsletter online facilitates following up the various web links to the Internet.
The starting point is at www.isse-school.nl/alumni.php#newsletter
Parents and students can contact me by phone during school hours [040-2927673] and by email: mrzey@live.nl

 

Mr Zey's Hi- Ed Corner – May 9, 2008
 
DP2 STUDENTS
As I type this, DP2 students are in the middle of their gruelling final examinations.
For the Netherlands bound students, there is a need to register with the “IB Groep”. This should be done as soon as possible. EU citizens pursuing higher education outside this country are also eligible for Studiefinanceering or study scholarship. This is an on-line procedure that requires the candidate to have his or her Correspondentie nummer and the link is at https://app.studielink.nl/vchfos/welcome.jsp
 
In the first week of July, preliminary IB examination results should become available. Students can find useful information for processing these results at the site: http://www.isse-school.nl/HiEd/HiEd.htm
 
DP1 STUDENTS
On May 15 and 22 there is a workshop planned to help prepare students start their university application procedure. This will take place in the computer room (101) in order to facilitate on-line research as well as the writing up of a Personal Statement or a letter of motivation. This is a requirement by an increasing number of universities. A good Personal Statement should demonstrate that the candidate is
 

  • Capable of communicating concisely a rationale for applying to a chosen institute.

  • Motivated, qualified academically in terms of the IB subjects and grade requirements.

  • Experienced and skilled at coping with the social and academic rigours of university life.

 
For courses such as medicine and law, UK universities expect candidates to have had some work experience (the summer break may provide opportunities). Applicants are also expected to have one other, additional qualification. Here is a list of additional qualifications that some universities may expect. Exact details are available from the university web sites. A good starting point is www.ucas.com
 
BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT). For entry to medicine and veterinary schools.
English Literature Admissions Test (ELAT): For entry to English courses at the University of Oxford.
History Aptitude Test (HAT). For entry to modern history and a joint honours degrees involving modern history at the University of Oxford.
The National Admissions Test for Law (LNAT). For entry to law.
Modern and Medieval Languages Test (MML). For entry to modern and medieval languages at the University of Cambridge.
Philosophy, Politics & Economics (PPE) Admissions Test. For entry to the philosophy, politics and economics course at the University of Oxford.
Sixth Term Examination Papers (STEP). For entry to mathematics at the University of Cambridge.
Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA). For entry to computer science, natural sciences, engineering and economics at the University of Cambridge.
UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT). For entry to medical and dental schools.
 
Warning: Personal Statements are routinely scanned for plagiarism and students should avoid copying and pasting lines or paragraphs from on-line examples of Personal Statements.
 
The workshop will focus on UK universities because of the early deadlines, which are as follows:

1 September 2008: Application processing begins.

15 October 2008: Closing date for applications to Oxford University, University of Cambridge and courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science or veterinary medicine.

15 January 2009: Closing date for applications from UK and EU students to be guaranteed equal academic consideration. There is evidence that early applicants receive more favourable conditional offers and late applicants are more likely to be rejected.
 
Since the application processing begins early, we have to rely on the student’s end of DP1 examination results as the basis for making the diploma grade predictions. DP1 students are therefore expected to come well-prepared and do well in their end-of-year exams.

 

Mr Zey's Hi- Ed Corner - March to April 1 , 2008

Announcements:

At Mrs Baaijens' initiative, on March 11 and 12 I met with DP1 students in order to inform them about priorities and procedures for planning post-DP education. By way of a reminder to students and parents, every DP1 student needs to focus on the following basic questions:

Why higher education?

Which subjects?

Which course?

Which university?

Take a year off?

The requisite steps towards a successful planning and execution involve timely (early) start; selection of courses and directions that best match the candidate's personality, skills and capacities. Where possible, visits to universities and colleges this spring or during the summer holidays is desirable.

On Thursday, March 20, there was a presentation in the school library by two Fontys University of Applied Sciences ( Eindhoven ) representatives. Students from MP5 and DP classes were invited, but only five students were able to. The courses that are conducted entirely in the medium of English are listed below:

It is worth mentioning here that TU/e, the Eindhoven Technical University offers a three-year Industrial Design course (BSc) entirely through the medium of English. More information at http://w3.id.tue.nl/en/

 

Alumni News

Suzanne Tilanus, years at the ISSE: 1997 to 2003

2003 - 2006: Social sciences at University College Maastricht, graduated as Bachelor of Arts, "cum laude".

2006 - 2007: Master degree Psychology Faculty Maastricht, Work and Organizational Psychology. Graduated in August

2007-2008: Master degree faculty of Economics and Business Administration Maastricht, in Management of Learning. Currently working on her thesis and hoping to graduate in July  2008.

Suzanne also provides some news and updates for her sister Barbara Tilanus, who graduated the ISSE in 1998. Her picture is from the school Year Book of 1998.

She started out at the Law faculty in  Maastricht , where she attained her "Propedeuse".

Then she switched to the Arts & Culture faculty in Maastricht to complete a Bachelor in European Studies. This was followed by a Master degree also in European Studies. Currently she is at work in Weert for a Human Resources department. She will get married coming August!  

Suzanne continues: "Best regards to you and all the teachers at the ISSE who I still know from my time there! I would like to take the opportunity to thank you for giving me such helpful advice when I was searching for a suitable education. I am extremely content with the choices I have taken!"

 

Geography as a career

Geographers study the changing interaction between people and the places they inhabit. It is a field of knowledge which draws on an enormous range of disciplines, from anthropology to zoology: studied at higher education level it can provide a sound preparation for a broad range of careers.

In general it is better to choose an aspect of Geography, such as Geology, Cartography, Town Planning, Environmental Geography, Seismology, Meteorology or Tourism, as it improves the chances of both entry into university and employment. Other branches of Geography include

transport geography

Surveying

Remote sensing

Applied geography

Urban geography

Soil geography

Third world geography

Settlement geography

Economic geography

Resource management

Population and social geography

Coastal geography

Recreation geography

Agricultural geography

Field work & collection of data in the field and its analysis in laboratory or practical classes forms an essential part of many courses. Attendance on one or more week-long residential courses is normally compulsory. Much field work is geared to developing students' own skills of project design, implementing and reporting: field classes in the second and third years of study may do this in a specialist context - for example field teaching in coastal geomorphology or in social geography. Experience of group research and team co-operation develops the ability to synthesize a variety of data/material and contributes a further valuable addition to the skills of the Geographer.

Technology, statistics and computing training in is an essential part of a modern geography degree course.

Important points for parents

Parents should encourage their children to be ambitious but also realistic. Parents worry if their daughters or sons have not chosen a career by the age of 14 or 15. In fact, difficulties often arise from early decisions, particularly if a young person becomes so committed or fixated that he or she will not consider alternatives.

  Careers education

In recent years the numbers entering higher education have increased and a growing number of careers, traditionally entered by school leavers, are now also recruiting graduates. In 1989 12% of 18 year olds went on to Higher Education; today it is well over one third. No longer can people expect to remain in a single career for the whole of their working lives. They need, therefore, to acquire the personal skills to evaluate careers and to update their own skills and knowledge so that they can assume responsibility for their lifetime career development. Employers are constantly looking for those with communication skills, the ability to work as part of a team and signs of initiative and commitment.

Here are some ways in which parents can help:

     Talk, discuss and encourage but don't force the pace.

Encourage sons and daughters to think widely about what they will do and the opportunities which exist.

Introduce careers ideas from newspapers, magazines, library books.

Get to know a manageable number of books and leaflets about careers and Higher Education.

Use every possible personal contact e.g. Solicitor, Doctor to talk about their work - if possible arrange practical experience at work. This is very important for competitive careers such as medicine, veterinary science, the media and law where applicants need evidence of experience and commitment.

Remember that while some careers require specific Higher-level IB subjects, such as visual arts, medicine and other medical professions, engineering and the sciences, many other careers do not - such as accountancy, psychology, journalism and finance.

 

Please be reminded that accessing this newsletter online facilitates following up the various web links to the Internet. The starting point is at www.isse-school.nl/alumni.php#newsletter

Parents and students can contact me by phone during school hours [040-2927673] and by email: mrzey@live.nl

 

 

 

Mr Zey's Hi- Ed Corner - January 31 , 2008

Look back UK University applications

Several DP2 students were late in their applications this year with some applications not being dispatched until late December and early January. By December already, some popular universities had no vacancies left. The application season opens on September 1 and closes on January 15. This is an important point to bear in mind by DP1 students and their parents.

Choosing Higher Education [HE] courses - checklist

  • What is the course content? Is this what I want to be doing?

  • Which parts of the course are compulsory and which are optional?

  • How many different modules are there to choose from in each year?

  • Will I have to take subsidiary subjects?

  • How flexible is the course? Could I swap to something else if I changed my mind?

  • How is the course taught? How will my work be assessed? Exams or course work or both?

  • What are the facilities like - libraries, labs, computers?

  • If it's a vocational course, is it "accredited" by professional bodies? Will it give me exemptions from professional exams?

  • What's the drop-out rate from this course?

  • Do graduates from this course get jobs?

What subjects can I study?

  • school subjects like history and chemistry

  • new subjects like psychology, digital imaging and genetics

  • applied subjects like business studies, engineering and design

  • vocational subjects like teaching, occupational therapy and surveying

  • performing arts subjects like music, dance and drama

For UK universities, nearly all applications for HE courses are made through an organisation called UCAS - the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service: www.ucas.com

You can apply for a maximum of five courses. This does not mean you have to pick one course per institution. It is possible for you to pick four courses or even the whole five in one institution. Your entries must be in alphabetical order. This means the universities cannot tell which is your preferred institution. There is strong evidence that those students who apply early obtain more generous admission conditions. Applications received after 15 January are stamped as being 'late entry'.

Applying to Oxford and/or Cambridge ? You still have to complete a UCAS form for applications to either Oxford or Cambridge , as well as an individual college application form. The closing date for applications for Oxford and Cambridge is 15 October to start your course the following Autumn. The same early deadline applies for medical courses.

Your personal statementis your big chance to sell yourself to admissions tutors. There is no single, right way of doing this, but here are a few tips.

What should I write about?

  • Your reasons for choosing the courses on your form.

  • The background to your interest in these subject(s).

  • Particular interests you have in your current studies.

  • Any field trips and visits.

  • Specific projects you have done.

  • Any employment, work experience, or voluntary work, especially if relevant to your course.

  • Any Key Skills you have.

  • Other achievements e.g. musical diplomas

  • Your career aspirations.

  • Any non-examined subjects you are studying.

  • Any sponsorships or work-placements you have applied for.

  • Reasons for deferred entry and your gap year plans if appropriate.

  • Your social, sporting or other interests.

  • If you are not a UK citizen, your reasons for choosing British HE institutes.

  •  

Interesting English medium International degree courses at the Hogeschool van Amsterdam

  • AMFI International, a   4-year Bachelor degree programme for a career in the clothing and fashion industry and related businesses. Open Day: March 6th 2008.

· European School of Physiotherapy (ESP) in Amsterdam .

· The International Degree in English and Education combines English teacher training in the Netherlands with a UK university degree

· International Business and Management Studies

· International Financial Management

· For more details visit   http://www.international.hva.nl/

 

Avans Hogeschool and St Joost Art and Design Academy English language courses

Environmental Technology and Management (ETM) course

Asian Business Studies

International Business and Management Studies (IBMS)

More information from   http://www.avans.nl/smartsite.shtml?id=36

Bachelor and master courses in fine art and design http://www.avans.nl/smartsite.shtml?id=36

 

Jonkoping International Business School (JIBS) in English in Sweden

Yes, and it is totally free. http://www.ihh.hj.se/eng/ E-mailundergrad.jibs@jibs.hj.se(bachelor programmes).

 

International Baccalaureate Summer Schools

Pre-IB and mid-IB summer courses are available in Oxford , UK and Boston USA . Such courses are particularly useful when a student has had a year interrupted with illness and other difficulties that got in the way of satisfactory progress here at school. For details visit: www.osc-ib.com

 

 

 

 

Mr Zey's Hi- Ed Corner –   January 9 , 2008

From the ISSE Alumni Association: http://home.vianetworks.nl/users/isse/

 

My name is Nadejda Roubtsova and I am an IB graduate (generation 2005). Currently, I am a 3rd year undergraduate student of electrical engineering (a.k.a. EE) at the TU Eindhoven. Since the discipline of electrical engineering as such is not taught at schools many seniors have a rather vague idea about what it involves and what you can do with it after university. What is particularly worrying is that for some odd reason electrical engineering, at least in the Netherlands, is considered a ‘male study’ and our faculty gets roughly two freshmen girls a year. Believing this situation to be a result of a misconception and some groundless tradition, we, the female students of the faculty, organized ourselves into a WIE (Women in engineering) group. This organization is an affinity group of the IEEE (a  global organization for engineers) which means that there is a branch of WIE in almost every city where electrical engineering is taught.

 

Every month we organize an activity of either social or professional interest, which allows us to come together. We believe that our next month’s activity can be of interest not only for us, who have already made our choice for a degree in electrical engineering, but also for you who must make a career choice soon. The activity will involve a presentation by a female graduate of our faculty who is currently employed as an engineer at Philips Medical Systems. Among others she will be addressing the question of how her degree prepared her for her current engineering practice as well as giving you a long term perspective into your possible future careers should you choose engineering. Before the central talk there will also be a short presentation about the possibility of doing a minor in medial engineering (BMT - biomedical technology) within your electrical engineering degree.

 

An additional value of the event for you might be the chance to take a look inside the faculty and the faculty’s place of social gatherings, our pub in the basement called ‘Het Walhalla’. The presentation will be attended by female students of all generations including the freshmen and PhD students. This will give you the opportunity to ask any questions related to studying electrical engineering at the TU/e.

 

If you are interested in attending, here are the particulars of the event: 

 

Date: Tuesday 29 January 2008

Language: Dutch

Program of events:

 

    * 16.00-16.30: Minor biomedical technology

    * 16.30-16.45: Coffee

    * 16.45-17.15: Presentation of the EE graduate working at Philips Medical systems

    * 17.15-17.45: Discussion

    * 17.45-18.45: Walhalla

                                   

The participation in the activity is free of charge, though you are required to register for it by sending an e-mail to n.roubtsova@gmail.com. Please, do not hesitate to mail me should you need any further information about the event. Even though this activity is targeted at female students any senior boys considering electrical engineering are also most welcome.

 

 

MP5 and DP1 students

MP5 students should be thinking this term about their DP subject package, which should help set them up for a sustainable career. The enjoyment factor is a useful guideline when selecting subjects, particularly at Higher-level. There are many wonderful sources of background material that could help in the decision making process. The British Council Education Information Sheets are worth a close look:

http://www.britishcouncil.org/learning-education-information-sheets.htm

 

DP1 students have already selected their subjects and all they need to do now is see what their higher education possibilities are within their DP package. Here’s a picture that may help concentrate the mind:

 

Reading : Writer, desktop publisher, librarian, reporter, secretary, journalist.

Law : Lawyer, barrister, police, judge, business lawyer.

Mathematics : Accountant, econometrist, statistician, surveyor, actuary.

Building and fixing : Architect, civil engineer, mechanic, electrician, carpenter, plumber.

Sciences : Biologist, chemist, physicist, astronomer, pharmacist.

Music and Arts : Actor, musician, photographer, designer, artist.

Helping people : Teacher, nurse, social worker, psychologist.

Managing money : Accountant, financial analyst, insurance, banker, real estate.

Sports : Coach, professional athlete, sports therapist.

Social studies : Economist, diplomat/politician, urban planner.

Nature and environment : Zookeeper, landscape architect, veterinarian, farmer, ecologist.

Computers : System analyst, database administrator, programmer, webmaster, IT.

 

The above career categories are just a basic selection. For a comprehensive list, students should drop by at the careers office (room 16). We have useful brochures and personality and careers tests for those students who are still searching for answers.

Students can also take an online careers and occupations test. Candidates must first register. www.icares.com  For the time being this is a free service.

There is another fun questionnaire online that could complement the above. Try it out today! http://www.stemhawaii.com/RIASEC.aspx

 

Dutch Higher Education Information Evenings

On Tuesday 19th and Thursday 21st February, there will be university information evenings held at our parent school, Henegouwenlaan 2, Eindhoven (Not too far from the ISSE). To take part, students must first register online: www.svstedelijk.nl  This is a free service and the last day for registration is January 25. Don’t miss this opportunity to become acquainted with Dutch universities. The spoken language during the two evenings will be Dutch.

 

DP2 Students

The deadline for university applications to the UK is fast approaching. Some universities expect diploma results to be communicated to them directly by the IB organisation. Students should contact Mr Rutherford with the necessary details in order to prepare paperwork for such an arrangement.

Dutch university applicants should aim at applying before the mock examinations.

 

To read the 2007 issues of Mr Zey's Hi-Ed corner click here.