innovatED - Issue 2

Studying abroad
Phil Garner
The benefits of an interational tertiary education
Having taught in High Schools in the USA, two of my students back in
the UK thought I would know all there was to know about getting into
university in the USA. They were wrong, but over the next few years, by
attending many conferences, courses and seminars, I learned much
about the process and how I could help students get into top US
Universities.
They need to apply for scholarships, pass the relevant tests, obtain the
necessary visa, participate in a wide range of extra-curricular activities,
write that all important application essay, produce the transcripts and
letters of recommendation and work through the varying requirements of
4-8 chosen universities.
I visited Texas to learn about how to tutor students to do well on the
College Board SAT Test, required by many of the 4000+ degree awarding
universities in the USA. It was a salutary experience as one of the first
tasks was to complete the 3hour 50 minute test and it exposed many of
my mathematical frailties. One week later I was more confident and wellversed
in how to get a perfect score on the SAT.
More and more schools are assisting their students as they look further
afield for their undergraduate study and they are finding the increased
workload somewhat difficult to accommodate in their already overcrowded
schedule. Many students comment that their schools are unsure
of the application process and they are unaware of the varied funding
opportunities that exist. USA Study is an Independent Schools Portal
project and works in a number of schools and with over 50 individual
students each year to ensure that the many complexities of the
admissions process are covered in order to eliminate any increased
workload. We also provide a personalised, holistic service to students,
their schools and their families ensuring that the whole process is smooth
and integrated into the school schedules.
Ben Devaney, a student at Wednesfield High School in Wolverhampton,
turned down offers from Durham, Warwick, Manchester and York to take
up a full scholarship at Colorado College. He said:
"The curriculum encourages genuine academic adventure. Instead of
narrowing down to one subject at a UK university, at Colorado College I
will be able to explore many subjects that I have never tried before."
Ben will most likely leave university debt free. There are many universities
that offer a range of scholarships for international students and we pride
ourselves in finding that college / university that offers the best
scholarships for individual students.
Canada is also becoming an increasingly popular university destination. It's
not only the picturesque backdrop of world-famous mountain ranges,
lakes and beaches that has attracted 350,000 international students to the
world's second-largest country to further their education. Combined with
the friendly Canadian good nature, multicultural provinces and
consistently high standards of research and teaching, heading north of the
USA is emerging as another option and offers an excellent student
experience.
Your school will have students keen to explore study in North America
and there is no doubt that internationalising a curriculum vitae adds real
value to a student’s employment prospects and broadens their future
horizons.
If you'd like to find out more about how my team and I can support your
students in realising their ambitions, please drop me a line at
phil@usastudy.co.uk
Phil is the CEO of USA Study & the Independent Schools Portal
30 | Issue 2 | innovatED | www.independentschoolsportal.org