Would attending an international school overseas provide a college admission advantage?
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Anonymous
I read my admission file and a strong alumni recommendation was noted on my file, so at a top 5 school, top tech school it was very important. |
Anonymous
To be honest, this is silly. There is new technology called Skype…all schools use it regularly to conduct interviews - both from the school and alum interviews. Schools do not expect you to be able to jump at their suggestion for an interview. You will easily be able to set ones up through Skype (I have several friends who have done this both here and abroad). Not to mention, if necessary, depending upon which country the OP is going there is a good chance that there is the possibility to travel to a short distance for an alum interview (from Paris to London, for example). OP - do not use this as a reason not to take this opportunity. It will be a transformative experience for your child and one that she will appreciate later in her life. However, as others have chimed in definitely make sure your DD will be able to handle the IB - my DD is in her senior year, about to take her mock IB exams and then has to prepare for the final IB exams in May (not to mention all of the other work over the past year and a half). It's been a long and tough road these past 2 years. If your DD is a strong student and confident about wanting to move then I would absolutely go for it. She will thank you later on. And yes, international experience is a plus for universities. They are all clamoring to show that they are globally focused (just go to some info sessions!) and appreciate an applicant who has some appreciation and experience of living outside the US. Good luck! |
Anonymous
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I am not sure there is much of an automatic admissions bump as an American coming from an overseas school. These are not as rare as it may seem. In DC's private there are at least three transfers from int'l schools.
The universities cannot claim these students as internationals because they are American and one of the main reasons universities love internationals is because they are almost all full-pays. That said, it would be an enriching experience for her, but college admissions is not the right reason to do it. |
Anonymous
| 21:42 There was a thread on this recently and many folks who do alum interviews wondered their value. I know someone who's interviewed for Harvard here in DC for years and none of the students she recommends have gotten in. We are talking YEARS. Probably everyone admitted has a strong alum interview. |
Anonymous
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OP,
Where are you? I'm a PP. Main points: IB is challenging. This will be a great experience, but whether that means an admissions advantage, not clear, as she will be competing with others with the same "hook." I hope you/she get to do it! |
Anonymous
| Alum interviews are BS. I do them for my ivy and I doubt their value, but I enjoy meeting the kids. |