Class of 2013 University Applications Handbook - UWC Maastricht

Office of Career Guidance & University Applications 

Class of 2013 University Applications Handbook 

Table of Contents 

Welcome Message from the Careers Guidance Counsellors.............................................page 3 

Top destinations for UWCM students………….....................................................................page 4 

Where do our graduates go?.............................................................................................page 4 

Making an application plan................................................................................................page 5 

What factors are considered by universities when you apply to college?.........................page 6 

Predicted grades and recommendation letters.................................................................page 6 

General University Information.........................................................................................pages 7 -10 

What do you want in a university?.......................................................................page 7 

Finding the right fit...............................................................................................page 7 

College 101...........................................................................................................pages 8-9 

What do I want to study?.....................................................................................page 9 

Career Interests and areas of study.....................................................................page 10 

How do I decide?..................................................................................................page10 

No Ideas Club…………………………………………………………………………………………………….page10 

College Research Worksheet...............................................................................page 11 

Calculating a budget............................................................................................pages 12-13 

Timeline of Applications and Important Deadlines...........................................................pages 14-18 

Applying in the UK.............................................................................................................pages 19-26 

Pros & Cons..........................................................................................................page 19 

Application requirements....................................................................................page 19 

Helpful websites and resources...........................................................................page 19 

Completing the UCAS online application.............................................................pages 20-21 

Writing the Personal Statement..........................................................................pages 22-24 

Financial Aid and Scholarships.............................................................................pages 25-26 

Applying in the USA..........................................................................................................pages 27-42 

Pros & Cons..........................................................................................................page 27 

Application requirements....................................................................................page 27 

Helpful websites and resources...........................................................................page 27 

Completing the Common App online application................................................pages 28-29 

Writing College Essays.........................................................................................pages 30-32 

Financial Aid and Scholarships.............................................................................pages 33-35 

Completing the International Student Financial Aid Application........................pages 36-38 

SAT testing policy and SAT optional schools.......................................................pages 39-41 

Shelby Davis Colleges Selectivity chart................................................................page 42 

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Applying in the Netherlands............................................................................................pages 43-48 

Pros & Cons........................................................................................................page 43 

Application requirements & procedure.............................................................page 43 

Helpful websites and resources.........................................................................page 44 

Financial Aid and Scholarships...........................................................................page 44 

Additional Information……………………………………………………………………………………pages 45-46 

Student Financing and Studiebeurs…………………………………………………………………pages 46-47 

Working in the Netherlands…………………………………………………………………………….page 47 

Student housing………………………………………………………………………………………………page 48 

Open Days at Dutch Universities……………………………………………………………………..page 48 

Applying in Canada.........................................................................................................pages 49-51 

Pros & Cons.......................................................................................................page 49 

Application requirements.................................................................................page 49 

Helpful websites and resources.................................................................. ……page 49 

Financial Aid and Scholarships..........................................................................pages 50-51 

Other International Applications...................................................................................pages 52-53 

Helpful websites and resources.......................................................................page 53 

Gap Year Ideas and Resources......................................................................................page 54 

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Welcome Message from the Careers Guidance Counsellors 

June 15, 2012 


The Career Guidance program at UWC Maastricht is available to help students make 

informed decisions about their academic careers and personal development. Through 

school-wide events, small group information sessions and individual meetings with students, 

we work with students starting to develop their plans for the IB Diploma Programme and 

after. 

This handbook is a starting point for students to conduct independent research. It is best 

used in digital format so that the websites can be accessed for further information. Please 

think of the environment before printing this handbook! With all information, it is best to 

confirm the accuracy of our research with the individual university. Often, college websites 

are the best sources of up-to-date information. Your feedback and suggestions on how to 

improve this handbook are always appreciated. 

You can find regular updates in UWC Maastricht’s IN FOCUS monthly publication, where we 

post information about upcoming Careers events and deadlines. Managebac is used as an 

internal resource for students to stay informed about careers and university related news. 

Parents and guardians can access important handouts through the UWC Maastricht website, 

on the “Careers” webpage. 

If you have further questions or wish to schedule an appointment, please email us. 

Sincerely, 

The Career Counselling Team 

Ms. Jenny Hobson, Career Guidance Counsellor: USA, UK, Canada, International 

j.hobson@ism.portamosana.nl 

Ms. Maria Prins-Snoek, Career Guidance Counsellor: Netherlands 

m.prins@ism.portamosana.nl 

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Top destinations for UWCM students 


� 38 applications to USA 

� 20 applications to UK 

� 20 applications to 

Netherlands 

� 5 applications to Canada 

� 12 applications to other 

International: Europe, 

Asia, South America 

� 9 students defer 

applications, taking Gap 

Year to work, travel, study 

or complete national 

service 

Where do UWC Maastricht graduates go? Our graduating students have received 

acceptances at the following academic institutions: 

USA Juniata Trinity College 

Bard Lewis & Clark U of Florida 

Bates Luther U of Michigan 

Bucknell Macalester U of Oklahoma 

Carleton Methodist Vassar 

Colby Middlebury Wartburg 

College of Atlantic Mt. Holyoke Wellesley 

College of Idaho New York University Westminster 

Connecticut College Occidental Whitman 

Dartmouth Randolph-Macon 

Duke Reed Canada 

Earlham Ringling Art & Design McGill 

Eckerd San Francisco Art Institute Quest 

Eugene Lang New School Sarah Lawrence Simon Fraser University 

Gettysburg St. Johns College U British Columbia 

Hood St. Lawrence U Toronto 

Illinois Institute of Technology St. Olaf 

UK City University London King's College London 

Aberystwyth Dundee Leeds 

Bath Durham Manchester 

Bath Spa Edinburgh Reading 

Birmingham Exeter Sheffield 

Brighton Glasgow SOAS 

Bristol Imperial College of London St. Andrews 

Brunel Inst of Contemporary Music 

Performance Strathclyde 

Cambridge Keele UCL 

Cardiff Kent 

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Netherlands UC Maastricht ECLA, Germany 

Amsterdam University UC Utrecht Gent University, Belgium 

Delft Technical University Utrecht University Hong Kong University 

Fontys Hogeschool Eindhoven Hotelschool Maastricht 

Jacobs Uni., Germany 

Erasmus Rotterdam NYU Abu Dhabi 

Hogeschool Zuyd Other International Sciences Po, France 

Maastricht University American University of Beirut University of Freiburg, Germany 

Roosevelt Academy UC Chinese University of Hong 

Kong 

University of Leuven, Belgium 

UC Amsterdam CIDE, Mexico Vesalius University, Belgium 

Making an Application Plan 

Students should start building a list of countries and universities where they would like to 

apply. Initially, this list might be very large. Through good research and realistic planning, 

students will have to bring this list down to only a few schools. REMEMBER: EVERY COLLEGE 

YOU APPLY TO SHOULD BE A PLACE WHERE YOU WOULD WANT TO GO TO STUDY. Do not 

make an application otherwise! 

� UWCM students will be assisted with a maximum of 7 college applications world-wide: 

� UK: UCAS limits 5 choices (4 for medicine) = 1 application 

� USA & Canada: internal limit of 6 applications combined (each application 

counts! Repeated contact with unis and extensive paperwork required) 

� Netherlands: limit 3 choices on Studielink.nl (only 1 course with central selection) 

� Other countries: may have limitations, you find out 

� Example: Student A applies to the UK (1), USA (5), Netherlands (1) 

� Example: Student B applies to the USA (6) and home country (1) 

� Example: Student C applies to the UK (1) and the Netherlands (3) 

Maximum 7 Applications World Wide 

Why do we limit this number? 

� It forces students to choose wisely and make informed decisions 

� Applications take up LOTS of time & energy – time management with IBDP 

demands 

� Applications in the UK are sent once and use the same essay but applications in 

the USA require REPEATED contact between the student, UWCM and the 

university admissions office. 

� International students are competing against other UWC students for places and 

scholarships. Don’t want to hold too many offers and prevent someone else 

from getting in. 

� All UWCs place a limit on the number of applications they can support 

� Further reading see: 

http://thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/20/commentary-too-manyapplication-may-be-a-crapshoot/ 

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What Factors Are Considered By Universities When You Apply? 

Every university looks at a combination of factors when they select new students. As the 

college application process becomes more competitive, it also it difficult to distinguish 

which factors can contribute to the final decision to accept or reject a student. Here are 

some of the factors that colleges evaluate: 

Level of difficulty of courses taken over the last 2-4 years 

Grades achieved and Predicted final IB exam grades 

Additional standardized test scores (IGCSEs, SATs, etc.) 

Commitment to Co-curricular activities 

Work experience 

Special Talents: sports, arts, music 

Citizenship and gender demographics 

Student application essay 

Subject Teacher reference letter 

School Reference Letter (Form Tutor and Counsellors) 

Student Interviews 

Financial need 

Predicted Grades and Recommendation Letters 

� Subject teachers are asked to predict a final IB grade based on all class work, exams, 

and internal assessments to date 

� If you didn’t turn the work in, it can’t be factored into your predicted grade 

� This grade is not negotiable. Students may ask what their grade is and what 

they can do to improve. They may not ask their teachers to change this 

grade. 

� Teachers can update predicted grades: July 1, November 1, February 1 

� All subject teachers are asked to complete an internal reference form at the end of 

IB1 that will be used to write a school reference letter or subject teacher references 

� School reference letters are compiled from comments on report cards, the Student 

Self Assessment sheet, form tutor comments, and subject teacher references. 

� Start building positive relationships with teachers & asking questions, showing 

enthusiasm in class discussions! 

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What do you want in a university? 

The variety of options available to international students planning to study at university can 

be daunting. How can students decide between the various countries, types of degree, or 

concentrations available at each institution? The key in this process is not only to research 

what the “best” college is for a particular field of study, but what is the best fit for you as a 

student. In order to find this out, students need to take time to reflect on their learning 

preferences, goals for college and research the differences in what universities offer. This 

requires MANY hours of research! Ready to get started? See: 

https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/find-colleges/how-find-your-college-fit (USA) 

www.ukcoursefinder.com (UK) 

Finding the “Right Fit” 

There are many considerations a student must think about in finding the right college. It is 

helpful for students to establish a list of criteria for their chosen college, and also to identify 

things that they do NOT want in a college environment. Some factors that many influence 

this decision include: 

Location: Urban, suburban, or rural? Near or far from friends and family? Nearest airport? 

Chances for summer employment or internships? Nightlife and cultural events? Cost of 

living expenses? 

Size: small, medium or large student body? Average class sizes? 

Academic Environment: Do you want to be surrounded by academically focused students? 

Do you want to be surrounded by students who find a balance between academics and cocurricular 

activities? 

Learning style: Do I want to talk individually with my professors? Do I enjoy small group 

discussions? Do I prefer to sit in a large lecture hall and take notes? Do I want to measure 

my learning in final exams, or have projects/final papers that assess my learning? Does the 

university offer out of classroom learning experiences, like internships, chances for field 

research, or service learning? 

Curriculum: Do I want to focus on one subject only or do I like the idea of taking classes in a 

variety of subjects? What are the core curriculum requirements at this school (mandatory 

classes that every student must take)? Does this college have a strong program in my 

desired field of study? 

Student Population: What is the percentage of international students? What is the gender 

ratio? Do I want to be in a women’s college, or at a school with a historical religious 

association? Are students on this campus known to be politically active, sports enthusiasts, 

diverse cultural backgrounds, artistically creative, etc.? 

Extra-curricular opportunities: What does the college offer for student clubs, arts programs, 

study abroad, internships, independent research, work-study, community service, volunteer 

work, sports teams, etc.? 

Financial Aid: Can I afford to attend? Do I qualify for scholarships that will allow me to 

attend? 

Statistics: How many students drop out after the first year at this school? How do students 

rate their professors and classes? How is college ranked in various surveys (note: look 

carefully at what is being measured in these rankings!) 

Further Reading: 

The Virgin Guide to British Universities, by Dudgeon 

The Princeton Review: The Best 373 Colleges, by Franek 

Fiske Guide to Getting Into the Right College, by Fiske & Hammond 

Colleges that Change Lives, by Loren Pope (and website: http://www.ctcl.org/) 

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College 101: Commonly Used Terms 

Alumni : graduates of a college/university 

Bachelor’s Degree: undergraduate college or university degree 


Bursary: a financial award, also called a grant or a scholarship, that does not have to be 

repaid. 

College: an institute for undergraduate studies (the terms college and university both used 

for higher education in the USA) 

University: an institute that offers both undergraduate and Masters, PhD level degrees 

Work-Study program: students who study in the USA are allowed to work part-time on 

campus to earn money with this arrangement 

Co-op Education: offered in Canada and the UK, this program allows students to alternate 

between full-time study and full-time work. This often extends the completion of the 

college degree by one year. 

Credit or credit-hours: a measurement of time spent studying a course 

Deferred Admission: an admitted student can delay their entry to university by one year 

Early Action and Early Decision: applications to USA can apply early for an earlier response. 

Early action allows students to apply to more than one school, while Early Decision requires 

a student to attend this college if they are accepted and drop all other applications. 

Elective: optional courses selected by the student 

Family contribution: cost of attendance to be paid by the family, based on university 

assessment of family income and assets. 

Financial need: an amount calculated by the university based on data submitted by family 

GPA (Grade Point Average): a system of evaluating student academic achievement, 

converting grades into a number system, usually out of 10 or 4 points maximum. UWCM 

does not calculate a GPA or use “weighted grades” for HL classes. 

Grant: a financial award, also called a scholarship, that does not have to be repaid 

Individualized Major: an academic program that allows students to design their own major, 

(see for example Quest in Canada, Reed College in USA for more info). 

Loan: funding that must be repaid, often with interest fees. 

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Liberal Arts: a program of study that includes academic work in humanities, social sciences 

and natural sciences. Liberal Arts education aims to teach students how to think about 

complex issues, by building critical thinking skills, effective communication skills, and an 

interdisciplinary approach. The goal of this program is to expose the student to a widebreath 

of information before focusing specifically in a field of concentration, called a 

“major” in the USA. Most students select a major at the end of their first or second year. 

Major: a student’s selected area of academic specialization (usually 25% to 50% of all 

academic studies will be in this field in a liberal arts program) 

Minor: a student may select an additional area of specialization (usually less than 25% of all 

academic studies will be in this field in a liberal arts program) 

Prerequisite: required courses or exams that must be taken before a student can enroll in a 

course. 

Rolling Admissions: student’s applications are reviewed as they are received; No official 

deadlines. 

Room and Board: fees that cover living expenses and meal expenses. 

SAT exams: a standardized test required by many USA colleges. This exam is offered at 

UWCM in June, October, November and December. Students are encouraged to take this 

exam in IB1 if they are at a high level of English proficiency. Otherwise, students should 

wait until IB2. The test requires advanced registration through the Collegeboard website. 

Transcript: an official record of student academic work, including courses taken, grades 

achieved and an explanation of the school’s grading system. Should include an official 

stamp or signature from the issuing authority. 

Waiting List: a list of students who were not initially accepted to a college, but may be 

accepted if a space becomes available after May 1 st enrollment deadline. 

What do I want to study? 

If you have no idea what you want to study at university level, you are not alone. Many 

students in the final years of secondary school do not know yet what their strongest areas of 

interest and ability are. One activity that may be helpful is to look through a website or 

prospectus guide from a university and make a list of all the courses that sound interesting 

to you. From there, you can research more information about what these courses involve. 

Another good starting point is to take an interest survey to find out your natural strengths, 

learning style and areas of interest. There are many free and fee-based resources available 

on the internet. See: 

www.bls.gov/k12 

http://www.edutopia.org/multiple-intelligences-learning-styles-quiz 

https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-started/know-yourself 

http://www.rileyguide.com/assess.html 

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Research possible career interests and see what university requirements are needed: 

www.careergames.com 

www.cacareerzone.org (look up the Holland Code) 

www.iseek.org 

www.direct.gov.uk/unistats 

www.ucas.com/seps employability profiles 

www.ucas.com/students/coursesearch/ 

https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-started/know-yourself/5-ways-to-find-career-ideas 

www.stemcareer.com (careers in sciences, technology, engineering, mathematics) 

www.streamingfutures.com (career interviews) 

www.roadtripnation.com (alternative career paths) 

Careers books are available in the office, come see Ms. Hobson to check one out! 

How do I decide? 

� Personal Goals 

� Academic Record 

� Financial Resources, scholarship funding 

� Family Expectations 

� Quality of program in desired area of study 

� Do I meet the application requirements? 

� RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH! 

� What country do I plan to base my future career in? 

� Will my degree be recognized in my home country (especially medicine and law)? 

� Do I want to study far from home, or in a place where I have family or friends? How 

much does it cost to go home for a visit? 

� What kind of a place do I want to live in for the next 4 years? (climate, city size, 

international community, cost of living?) 

“No Idea Club” 

Many students struggle to decide what it is they want out of university. For such students, 

we organize meetings of the “No Idea Club” to do further research on personal interests, 

listen to guest speakers, and talk about options. For students with multiple interests, or 

students who cannot yet determine their areas of focus, a liberal arts program can be an 

excellent fit. However, not every student is ready to enroll in university directly after 

secondary school. For some students, taking a year off to work, study, travel and gain life 

experience could be the best route to discovering what they want to accomplish at 

university. See the chapter on Gap Year Ideas and Resources for further information. 

Further Reading: 

What Color is Your Parachute? For Teens, by Christen and Bolles 

http://www.agr.org.uk/Content/If-Only-I-Had-Known 

www.collegegrad.com 

www.groundofyourownchoosing.com 

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College Research Worksheet: Students should complete this for EACH college they apply to! 

1. Name of College : 

2. Website: 

3. Type of College (public or private): 

4. Enrollment (number of students that attend): 

5. Student Demographics(diversity, gender, percent international): 

6. Admission Information (application etc.): 

7. Minimum requirements for admission/ Tests required for admission: 

a. SAT/ACT Test Scores: 

b. GPA/IB scores needed: 

c. TOEFL requirements: NONE FOR IB DIPLOMA HOLDERS 

d. Course Requirements- 

e. Other? 

8. Percent of applicants accepted: 

9. Estimated Yearly Costs: 

a. Tuition 

b. Room & Board 

c. Books 

d. Transportation (daily) 

e. Flights home 

10. Majors I’m interested in : 

11. Why did I put this college on my list: 

12. Things I like: 

13. Scholarships for International Students (and deadlines if posted)? 

14. Questions I still have: 

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Calculating a Budget 

Students and parents need to have realistic expectations and open dialogue about the cost 

of attending university. Although college loans are taken in the name of the student, 

parents must act as financial guarantors. In order to receive any financial aid from 

universities, parents will be asked to provide detailed overview of their income and assets. 

It is important to be honest in reporting this information to colleges – it does not help a 

student to get in if they cannot afford to attend, and colleges cannot give scholarships if the 

student does not clearly demonstrate their financial need. The worksheet below is to help 

estimate the various costs involved in attending university, and should be made for each 

college the student applies to. 

A helpful interactive website is: http://www.offtocollege.com/sf/budgeting.html 

University Budgeting Worksheet 

http://www.offtocollege.com/sf/budgeting. 

html 

Enter Estimated Cost of College 

School Tuition and Fees: varies 

includes tuition, class fees, administration fees 

Year 1 

Year 2 

Books and Supplies: $800 - 1,000 1000 1000 1000 1000 

includes books, computers and supplies for 

classroom study 

Room and Board: varies by school 

includes housing, food, and other food services 

Transportation: varies by school 

includes public transportation, car payments, and trips 

home 

Personal Living Expenses: varies 

includes personal items, grooming and entertainment 

Other Personal Expenses: $800-1,500 1000 1000 1000 1000 

est. HEALTH INSURANCE AND CARE varies 

Miscellaneous: 

other costs associated to going to school 

Total Attendance Costs Budgeted: 

Financing Gap, If Any: 

Year 

3 

Year 

4 

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Enter Your Available Student Aid 

Grants and Scholarships: 

includes awards for grants and scholarships 

College Aid: 

includes any aid amount awarded by the college 

Davis foundation scholarship USA 

varies $10-20,000 at some USA colleges per year 

Work-Study: 

includes wages from work-study programs 

Federal Student Loans: Nationals 

only for national citizens only 

Private Education Loans: 

includes private student loans and loan advances 

Expected Parent contribution 

From parents income or savings 

Student contribution: 

From student income or savings 

Miscellaneous: 

includes any other aid sources 

Total Financial Aid Budgeted: 

Additional tools for college budgets: 

Year 1 


Year 2 

USA: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college 

http://www.studentfinancedomain.com/budgets/student_budget_plan.aspx 

UK: http://www.ucas.com/students/studentfinance/ 

Year 

3 

Year 

4 

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Timeline of Applications and Important Deadlines 2012-2013 

Date of deadline Item 

Feb 1, 2012 Complete Student Intake Sheet 

Make an appointment with Ms. Hobson & Mrs. Prins for Career 

Guidance Counselling 

April-May, 2012 Individual appointments with Careers Counsellors 

Check Managebac regularly for updates and in-school events 

Start researching college plans and attending events 

Complete Self-Assessment Form and submit via Managebac no later 

than May 18. These letters will be used to help write the school 

reference letters for college applications. 

May-June, 2012 Begin writing your Personal Statement essay for UK applications 

(especially Medicine, Oxbridge apps) or Common App essay for USA 

(especially early applications) 

June 15, 2012 

July, 2012 

TIP: *Write your personal 

statement (UK), college 

application essay (USA) 

or letter of motivation 

(some Dutch universities) 

These will require a 

number of drafts! 

Register for SATs at UWC Maastricht (offered June, October, 

December). Use CEEB code 759463 

Independently research programs, requirements and applications at 

your top 5 or 6 Universities. 

UK Personal Statements Draft due ONLY for students applying to: 

Oxbridge, Medicine, Dentistry, Vet. Science (early deadline) 

USA Common App essay draft due ONLY for students applying Early 

Decision/Early Action 

Early applications USA & UK: schedule an individual meeting with Ms. 

Hobson 

Early UK applications (Oxbridge, Medicine, etc): register for all 

required tests (UKCAT, BMAT, LNAT tests begin in July) 

Review application requirements and scholarship opportunities for 

top choice colleges (remember USA applications each have their own 

essay requirements!) 

Write essays for USA/Canadian individual applications & scholarships 

WRITE YOUR EXTENDED ESSAY! You will be amazed how little time 

you have to do this in the Fall! 

USA/Canada apps: You need to get a record of grades for the last 

two years before UWC for any schools you attended. 

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August 2012 

TIP: *Spend your summer 

wisely! Take a course, 

volunteer or gain work 

experience; this will 

strengthen your 

application and give you 

excellent material to 

write about in your 

personal statements! 

September, 2012 

September 15, 2012 

Internal deadline! 

September, 2012 

* Remember to submit 

all application materials 

well in advance of official 

deadlines! All materials 

should be submitted to 

Ms. Hobson 3 weeks in 

advance of stated 

UCAS/Common App. 

deadlines. 


Discuss financial options with your family; make a budget for all living 

costs, tuition, room & board. USA apps: complete an International 

Student Financial Aid Application and get parent signatures! 

� Contact university admissions officers to tour a campus, ask more 

detailed questions about financial aid/scholarships, speak to a 

current student on skype, etc. 

Continue revising Personal Statement (UK) and writing any other 

college essays required by USA/Canadian colleges. 

(UK) UCAS website is open to begin entering your personal details 

online 

Determine the final schools you want to apply for (UK max 5; 

USA/Canada max 6 total). 

Return to UWCM, welcome back! 

Submit a draft of your UK or USA college essay for feedback from Ms. 

Hobson 

All USA applications: Begin Common App and link Ms. Hobson to your 

application as the School Counsellor 

All UK Applications: Begin the UCAS application and link UWC 

Maastricht to your application using official buzzword: ________ 

Review all application and scholarship deadlines for all colleges you 

plan to apply to! 

Extended Essay summer task turned in to supervisors! 

UK applications due for Oxbridge, UK courses in Medicine, 

Dentistry, Vet. Science (Personal statements, Reference Letters, 

Personal Information complete on UCAS) Official UCAS deadline: 

October 15 – your application must be reviewed and sent by UWC 

Maastricht. 

USA early applications: Early action or Early decision students need 

to have Common App essay and online application ready! These 

students must request a subject teacher reference letter. 

Schedule a meeting with Ms. Hobson to finalize your application. 

Form Tutors and Careers Counsellors write letters of 

recommendation for early apps to USA and UK. 

USA and Canada apps require subject teacher references. Ask your 

teacher one month in advance of deadline and provide information 

about the format and method of submission needed. 

Registration deadline for October SAT tests (USA) and list colleges to 

have scores mailed directly to universities. Test offered at UWC 

Maastricht October and December. Use High school CEEB code 

759463. 

UK Medicine: Deadlines Sept. 23 to register for UKCAT; Sept. 30 last 

day to register for BMAT 

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October, 2012 

* Remember to submit 

all application materials 

well in advance of official 

deadlines! All materials 

should be submitted to 

Ms. Hobson 3 weeks in 

advance – keep in mind 

the school will not 

process applications 

when the building is 

closed for holidays! 

October 15, 2012 

Application deadline! 

November, 2012 

November 15, 2012 

Internal deadline! 

November, 2012 

December, 2012 


USA Early Applications: Schedule a meeting with Ms. Hobson to 

finalize your plans for college applications 

Attend College Fair events at our school and local Open Days 

(UK) ALL students prepare your UCAS application personal details 

now and revise your personal essays for final draft. 

October 15, 2012: USA & UK applications: ALL submit a revised draft 

of your college essay for feedback from Ms. Hobson. We will also 

hold peer review sessions for you to get feedback on this draft. 

Attend visits with university representatives at UWC Maastricht and 

schedule individual appointments with your favorite colleges 

USA early applications submission: submit all application materials 

to Ms. Hobson (check Common App website for further admissions 

requirements and individual college deadlines!) 

UK early application submission – last day to submit applications for 

Medicine, Dentistry, Vet Sciences or Oxbridge! (Student must upload 

Personal statements, Personal Information and Course choices on 

UCAS, make payment, send for approval) 

Verify you have asked 2 subject teachers for a recommendation 

letter for regular deadline USA/Canada apps. 

Self-nominations for Canadian university scholarships due 

Last chance to take the SATs in December at UWCM. Registration 

deadline Nov. 1. You MUST enter the codes of maximum 4 colleges 

online for the results to be sent directly to USA Colleges before the 

January application deadline. Use High school CEEB code 759463. 

November 1: Extended Essay DUE to supervisors! 

All USA Common Application Regular deadline materials due to Ms. 

Hobson last date to complete online forms and link school to your 

application; email Ms. Hobson a draft of your Common App essay; 

Request subject teacher reference letters from teachers! 

All UK applications regular deadline: Student must link UWCM to 

application on UCAS by this date, complete Personal Information and 

email Ms. Hobson a draft of their personal statement. 

Attend a Bachelor Open Day at University of Maastricht and Hogeschool 

Zuyd Maastricht. TIP* Even if you don’t plan to apply to University of 

Maastricht, attend an info session to get ideas about other university 

programs you’re interested in! 

Gap Year students, begin researching your options for employment, 

travel, study or volunteer work. You may wish to apply this year and 

defer entry until the following Fall, or make an application to begin 

college in January term. 

TOK draft of final essay due! 

Winter Holiday: 19 December to 6 January. School is closed and 

applications will not be processed during this time. 

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December 15 – January 

15 

Application deadlines 


USA Applications: Students need to complete individual supplement 

applications for all colleges. Check individual deadlines! Make sure 

you notify Ms. Hobson of any applications that are NOT on the 

Common App so they can be sent BEFORE the Winter holiday! 

UK regular application submission – last day to submit applications 

for all UK courses (Student must upload Personal statements, 

Personal Information and Course choices on UCAS, make payment, 

send for approval – don’t wait until day it’s due!) 

January-February, 2013 January: Mock examinations for all IBDP students 

SPRING, 2013 

Canada applications due to Ms. Hobson – check dates for mailing 

paper applications! Applications need to be ready one month in 

advance of final deadline. 

Netherlands applications for study in English due to Mrs. Prins – 

University Colleges apps due Feb. 1 for international students 

Students planning to apply in other EU or home countries: schedule 

a meeting with Ms. Hobson to discuss what you need from the school 

and be ready to submit app one month in advance of deadline. 

February: TOK final essay due! 

February 1: deadline for Financial Aid applications USA 

Keep working hard! Colleges will be reviewing your Year 13 transcripts, 

so stay focused on your academics. 

March/April: begin receiving acceptance letters from 

USA/UK/Canada unis 

Review all information for your accepted universities: deposits, 

housing applications, scholarship deadlines, visa information, etc. 

May 1, 2013 USA/Canada students need to commit to attending a college by May 1 st . 

These schools will still want to see your final IB grades. You will need 

parent signatures and in some cases a deposit to hold your place at uni. 

UK students need to commit to a Firm choice and an Insurance choice by 

May 8 th . Universities will wait to see your final IB exam scores to decide 

if they will accept you. 

EU applications many Dutch and other EU applications are due around 

May 1 st – make sure you are informing teachers and counsellors of any 

letters or documents you need for college applications ONE MONTH in 

advance! 

All students must submit a form to Mr. Tonnaer to have their final IB 

exam scores sent to maximum 3 universities for free. 

All students should notify Ms. Hobson of where they plan to attend. It is 

also recommended to inform teachers who helped you with your 

application where you got in and thank them for their help! 

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Gap Year students who plan to apply in the next year need to meet with 

Ms. Hobson to receive their final transcript and discuss what materials 

will be needed from the school. 

July 5, 2013 IB Final Exam Results available online – if you did not pass the 

diploma, talk to Mr. Tonnaer about options to retake individual 

exams at test centers around the world 

UK students: May need to go into Clearing process if you do not 

meet the requirements of your Firm or Insurance offers. See UCAS 

website for details. 

USA students: Start arranging your student visa to the USA at the US 

consulate office located in your HOME COUNTRY. Be prepared to 

show documentation proving your residency status and desire to 

return to home country after studies. 

EU students: Most universities will require a copy of your official IB 

exam scores or final diploma to finalize your enrollment. Make sure 

you arrange this with Mr. Tonnaer in advance! 

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Applying in the UK 


Pros & Cons 

� Apply to study a course (specific subject) or a Liberal Arts & Sciences degree 

� Complete undergraduate study in 3 years 

� Medicine, law, dentistry are offered as a first degree 

� VERY limited scholarships or financial aid 

� High cost of living expenses 

� Finances & Scholarships 

� Tuition fees: 9,000£ for UK/EU residents (10,300 Euro) 

� non-EU: varies depending on course 

� 10,000 – 20,000£ tuition per year! 

� Note: Scotland has low fees for EU (but not UK students), still apply via UCAS 

Application requirements 

� www.ucas.com online application for all universities 

� Online Application form 

� Personal Statement written by student 

� 1 Letter of Reference written by Form Tutor/Counsellor 

� Predicted grades & previous exams (GCSEs, IGCSEs, A levels, etc.) 

� Student completes application, approved & sent by UWCM careers counsellor 

� Up to 5 courses (only 4 if medicine) 

� Cost to apply 22£ for more than 1 app 

� Some universities require interviews and entry test requirements (law, medicine) 

� Deadlines: Oct 15 Oxbridge, Medicine, Vet. Sci., Dentistry 

� Regular deadline: Jan. 15 

Helpful websites Important website for all UK applications: www.ucas.com 

www.yougofurther.co.uk UCAS student network 

http://www.studential.com/applying General Info source for application and colleges in UK 

http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/ UK Council for International Student Affairs 

www.push.co.uk short, humorous insight into different unis 

www.whatuni.com video and written reviews 

www.unistats.com official information useful for comparing schools and subjects 

www.ukcoursefinder.com 

www.coursediscover.co.uk advice on courses, information about open days 

www.hotcourses.com database with search facilities 

www.thestudentroom.co.uk 

www.yougo.co.uk 

http://www.educationuk.org/Home British Council studying in the UK, visas and legal issues 

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/StudentFinance/index.ht 

m 

BMAT test:http://www.admissionstests.cambridgeassessment.org.uk/adt/bmat 

UKCAT test: http://www.ukcat.ac.uk/default.aspx 

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Completing the UCAS online application (see www.ucas.com) 

Students applying to the UK apply centrally through UCAS on the ucas.com website and are 

allowed to apply to a maximum of 5 courses. Students applying to study Medicine are 

allowed to apply for a maximum of 4 courses. Students wishing to apply to Oxford or 

Cambridge can only include one of these two universities in their list of universities. 

Students applying to Oxford are required to do tests which they need to register for 

separately. Students applying to Cambridge may be asked to do tests when they go for 

interview and to take pieces of written work with them. Your application does not have to 

be completed all at once. The system allows you to leave a section partially completed so 

you can return to it later and change any information you have entered. Full explanations 

and help text are available for each section. Once you have completed your section of the 

application and paid, it will be automatically sent to be reviewed by Ms. Hobson, the careers 

guidance counsellor. Then the letter of reference and predicted grades will be provided by 

the school and entered into your application. The application is approved by Ms. Hobson 

and then submitted to UCAS. Remember: you must observe the internal school deadline 

to make sure you application is received by UCAS on time! 

June 15, 2012 Students should submit a rough draft of personal statement and meet with 

Ms. Hobson to discuss application for early apps to Medicine/Vet Science/Dentistry & 

Oxbridge. 

September 15, 2012 Internal deadline for Medicine/Vet Science/Dentistry & Oxbridge: you 

must email a draft of your personal statement AND link UWC Maastricht to your UCAS app 

by this date! Submission deadline October 15 

November 15, 2012 Internal deadline for ALL applications to the UK: you must email a 

draft of your personal statement AND link UWC Maastricht to your UCAS app by this date! 

Submission deadline January 15, 2013 

Registering to use Apply 2013 on UCAS 

Tour of Application: http://www.ucas.com/guidedtour/english/ 

Register to use Apply 2013 (available from August, 2012) 

Select: “you are applying through a school” 

� UCAS buzzword for UWC Maastricht: uwcm2013uk 

� UCAS Centre Code for UWC Maastricht: 45959 

� Print your account name and password! This information is difficult to retrieve from 

UCAS. Set a password you can remember and set up the security questions. 

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Apply: an overview of the application system 


Apply is an application system that allows you to apply online for full-time undergraduate 

courses at universities and colleges in the UK. It has the following sections: 

Registration set up user name and password, link application to current school attending 

Personal details complete online form 

o Postal address: Use your permanent address where parents are living (you can check a 

box not to have mail sent to this address) 

o Fee Code: “Home” is for UK & EU nationals 

� “Overseas” if for all other nationals (Universities make the final decision on this) 

o Nominated Access: If you would like someone other than yourself to be able to contact 

UCAS on your behalf (usually a parent/guardian or careers advisor) please write this in 

your application, otherwise leave this section blank. 

Additional information (UK applicants only) 

Choices SELECT UP TO 5 CHOICES OF COURSES 

Education 

o Enter UWC Maastricht Centre Code: 45959 

o List all UWC Maastricht IBDP Courses currently taken, TOK AND EE 

� List date of final exam (05/2013) and higher/standard level 

o List any other schools attended at SECONDARY/High school level 

� List any national exams taken and grades received (ex. GCE, IGCSE, A Level, O 

Level, etc.) 

Employment (enter any paid or non-paid internship/work experience) 

Personal statement Copy and paste final draft onto website – same for all 5 courses 

Reference TO BE COMPLETED BY CAREERS ADVISER 

Declaration check box online 

Pay and send 

o UCAS Fee: 21 GBP to be paid online by student (11 GBP for 1 choice only) No fee 

waiver 

o You are responsible for making your own payment online. Your application cannot 

be submitted until UCAS has received your payment. 

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Writing the Personal Statement 


RESOURCES: http://www.ucas.com/students/applying/howtoapply/personalstatement/ 

www.ucas.com/personalstatement 

http://www.studential.com/guide/write_personal_statement.htm 

How to write a winning personal statement by Ian Stannard (book available from Ms. 

Hobson) 

1. BACKGROUND 

PERSONAL STATEMENTS – ADVICE FOR STUDENTS 

If you are applying to university in the UK, or to other countries, you will need to submit a 

personal statement with your application. This is a short piece of writing that describes you 

and your interest in a particular course at university. 

Most universities will not interview you so this is your main chance to show the admissions 

officers what an asset you will be to their university. 

The idea is to promote yourself but not to show off. 

Many students find the personal statement the most difficult part of the application process, 

especially if English is their second language. 

2. WHAT TO INCLUDE 

Sections Notes 

a. Why do you want to study this subject? You should explain why you are interested in this 

subject, or subjects if it is a joint honours course. When 

you apply, try to keep the range of subjects small. For 

example, choosing drama, fine art and biology as 

subjects is not recommended. 

b. Experience that demonstrates your maturity Include examples of non-academic activities such as 

and suitability to university study. 

CAS, part-time work, voluntary work etc. You are 

aiming to show that you can take on commitments and 

stick with them. 

c. Outline your skills and interests. Start with ones that may relate to your chosen 

subjects, if you haven’t mentioned them yet. Then go 

onto other skills, hobbies, interests etc. These do not 

have to be relevant to the course but try to include 

more “worthwhile” activities. 

d. Gap year ideas If you plan to take a gap year you can defer your entry 

to university. You should mention your gap year plans, 

especially if they are relevant to your choice of course. 

This personal statement will be sent to all of your universities - make sure you do not 

name any universities where you will apply in this essay! 

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3. TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL STATEMENTS 

Do link your experiences to your subject choice at university. 

Don’t waffle on too much about specific things you did at school. 

Try not to sound like a show off, even if you are brilliant. 

It’s easier to write a personal statement if you are an interesting person who does lots of 

things. 

Emphasize your strengths such as language skills, travel experiences etc. 

Write several drafts and get other people to read and criticize it. 

Spell and grammar check it (UK ENGLISH settings!). 

Don’t lie or use someone else’s writing as your own! 

Personal Statement FACTS: Should be written first in Word, then copy/pasted onto UCAS 

website 

Maximum characters 4000; Maximum lines 47 Only 1 PS for every subject 

No bold, italics or underline; No spelling or grammar check online 

Most common mistakes . . .. . .definitely avoid these 

1 Spelling & Grammar (use UK English, do a grammar & spell check in Word document 

first!!!) 

2 Naming a university you want to apply to 

3 Listing activities you’ve been involved in 

4 Only writing one draft of your personal statement 

5 very common phrases used in opening sentence …try and avoid them 

1 I have always . . . . 

2 My interest in… 

3 I would like to study… 

4 I have chosen… 

5 My decision to… 

Personal Statement – it’s all about you 

Your opportunity to tell the institutions about you: 

What are your academic achievements – talk about a piece of work you are particularly 

proud of 

How do your current academic achievements link to your chosen subject? 

What interests you about your chosen subject area: 

Why does it interest you? 

What do you already know about it? 

What elements of the subject do you particularly enjoy and why? 

Life after university – where will it take you? 

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Personal statement ABC RULE 

Activity What you have done 

Benefit What skills it has given you 

Course How these relate to your course 


2/3 content: Academic experience that is directly related to your interest in this course of 

study 

1/3 content: Non-academic experience about you as a person, strengths, interests, 

experiences that are closely related to the course of study 

Concluding Personal Statements 

End personal statement on a positive note, use opportunity to impress 

“I am looking forward to becoming a psychologist” 

“I am passionate about working with young children in the future and therefore am highly 

determined to make the most of my degree and achieve my ambition to become a 

developmental psychologist.” 

Similarity Detection Service 

Personal Statements are checked against a library of those already in the system, and from a 

variety of 

websites and paper publications. Each new statement is added to the library after 

Processing. 

Questions universities will ask? 

Have they chosen the right subject for the right reasons? 

Can they survive in an intense and pressured atmosphere? 

Do they have a range of interests and aptitudes? 

Does the personal statement confirm their depth of interest in the subject? 

What has the candidate studied independently? 

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UK Financial Aid and Scholarships 


Students should note that the fee assessment in the UK is based on permanent residency of 

parents, not passport status! To qualify for EU/UK tuition rates, a student’s parents must 

prove residency in the EU for a minimum of 3 years. It cannot be based on a temporary 

residency for the purpose of study. For specific guidelines of fee paying status see: Student 

Finance England website at www.studentfinance.direct.gov.uk/goodbye.html 

Table 1: Maximum annual tuition charges for 2012 entry to a typical undergraduate degree (for updated 

information, see: www.bis.gov.uk/studentfinance ) 

Domicile of student Location of institution 

England Scotland Wales NI 

England Up to £9k Up to £9k Up to £9k To be confirmed 

Scotland Up to £9k No fee Up to £9k To be confirmed 

Wales Up to £9k Up to £9k To be confirmed To be confirmed 

NI Up to £9k Up to £9k Up to £9k To be confirmed 

EU Up to £9k No fee Up to £9k To be confirmed 

Other international Variable Variable Variable Variable 

If you are assessed at the “Home” fee for EU/UK students, there are government loans and 

grants to help students cover the cost of tuition and living expenses. See the Direct Gov 

website for details. Applications for financial aid are due by May 31 st . 

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/Studen 

tFinance/index.htm 

If you are an EU student or from Scotland – students should look into the options to study 

in Scotland, where tuition is still FREE for these groups of students only (UK students will 

have to pay Up to £9k). Top universities in Scotland are increasingly popular and 

competitive to gain admission. See also: http://www.saas.gov.uk/ 

If you are from Northern Ireland or Wales – look into financial aid based on your residency 

status. For Northern Ireland: http://www.studentfinanceni.co.uk/ 

For Wales: http://www.studentfinancewales.co.uk/ 

If you are assessed at the “Overseas” fee tuition costs can range from £9,000 to £20,000 

per year, depending on the course you study and not including living expenses. Students 

will need significant financial support from their families to attend university in the UK. 

Scholarship opportunities are extremely limited and highly competitive (see individual 

university websites for possible scholarship opportunities). 

UK Scholarships 

“Loans” must be repaid; “Grants” “Scholarships” and “Bursaries” do not have to be repaid. 

EU and UK residents have access to loans to cover tuition and living costs, and may qualify 

for additional grants and bursaries based on their house-hold income. Further information 

about student funding can be found at: www.nasma.org.uk 

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Generally speaking, there is little to NO scholarship funding available for international 

students in the UK. The following are some of the exceptions: individual universities that 

offer competitive scholarships for students from specific countries (see individual college 

websites); graduate level students studying Masters/PhD level have a wider access to 

funding. 

Schools with Possible IB Scholarships: amount of award varies, typically less than £1,000 

Richmond - the American International University, London 

University of Buckingham 

University of East Anglia 

University of Reading 

University of Sheffield 

Schools with a limited number of full tuition UWC Scholarships for non-EU students only: 

University College London (UCL) http://www.ucl.ac.uk/ 

http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospectivestudents/scholarships/undergraduate/ug_outr_uwc/index 

King’s College London http://www.kcl.ac.uk/index.aspx 

http://www.kcl.ac.uk/artshums/study/Funding/kuwcfund.aspx 

Additional Resources for non-EU students: Students must research opportunities listed on 

individual college websites. Some universities offer a small number of scholarships to top 

students based on specific nationalities, others offer scholarships based on the course or 

faculty where you have been accepted. Often, scholarship and grant funding is only 

available at graduate (masters or PhD) level! 

For example, City University of London offers the Olive Tree Scholarship for students from 

Israel and Palestine. http://www.city.ac.uk/olive-tree/ 

See also: 

UK Council for International Student Affairs http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/ 

British Council http://www.educationuk.org/Home 

General Info: http://www.studential.com/applying/internationalstudents 

26 | P a g e

Applying in the USA 


Pros & Cons 

� Bachelors degree in 4 years 

� Broad study at a liberal arts college and declare an area of focus in year 2 

� Technical institutes for math, engineering 

� No undergrad programs in Law or Medicine 

� Scholarships funding available for tuition & living expenses 

� High cost of tuition 

� Finances & Scholarships 

� Tuition ranges from $10,000 - $40,000 USD per year! 

� Cost of living varies dramatically from small town to big city 

� Need based scholarships vs. Merit based scholarships 

� UWC Shelby Davis Scholarships – not a “full ride” 

� University scholarships/work study/loans 


� Common Application Online https://www.commonapp.org 

� Student completes online application and sends directly to college 

� Tests: SAT/ACT exams or SAT optional colleges 

� Personal Essays – one essay one common app to all unis, and additional essay 

questions for most universities 

� Transcript of grades and courses 

o 2 years previous school attended 

o 2 years IB diploma at UWC Maastricht, including predicted grades 

� 2 Subject Teacher recommendations 

� 1 School Reference letter (written by FT/Counsellors) 

� Application fees 0 - $50 USD per application 

o Waive application fees due to financial hardship: email Ms. Hobson 

� Deadlines: Early Decision/Early Action in November 

� Regular decision in December/January 

� Rolling admissions: ongoing application until July 

Helpful websites 

Common Application website: https://www.commonapp.org/ 

General Information www.collegeboard.com 

General Information http://www.princetonreview.com/ 

College search: http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ 

Education USA resource for visas and general info www.educationusa.state.gov 

Universities with UWC Shelby Davis Scholarships: http://www.davisuwcscholars.org/institutions 

Colleges that change lives: http://www.ctcl.org/ 

Off to College planning worksheets: http://www.webreader.com/download/planwkst.pdf 

27 | P a g e


Completing the Common App online application 

It is possible to apply to approximately 400 universities through the common application system 

online (www.commonapp.org). Many universities, however, require individual applications and 

these can be very time-consuming. You must research additional application requirements and 

deadlines on the individual college websites. Below you will find information needed to complete 

the Common Application online: 

Part 1: Personal Information 

UWCM fax: 3143-367-0809 

28 | P a g e


Please note: this is not a complete application form. Please go to the Common App website 

to see the entire application for the 2012-2013 year. The website will be open after August 

1. 

SCHOOL FORMS SECTION: Students will need to sign a release access waiver and to waive 

their right to view the letters of recommendation. Click: YES, I waive my right to access this 

information. You references will not be sent until you do so. 

INVITE A SCHOOL OFFICIAL: You will need the full name and email address of 1) School 

Counsellor: Jenny Hobson (j.hobson@ism.portamosana.nl) 2) Two Subject Teachers who 

have taught you in the last 2 years – name and email address. Make sure you ask your 

subject teachers first if they will agree to write a letter for you! Give them proper notice, at 

least one month in advance. 

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Writing the Common App essay: This essay will be sent to ALL colleges you apply to 

through the Common App. Make sure you do not name a specific college where you are 

applying in this essay! 

The college essay is your one chance to tell a school about YOU! The other portions of your 

college application (grades, recommendations, test scores) show admission officers what 

you have done. Your college essay describes who you are. It sheds light on your personality 

and reveals what matters to you. It also illustrates your writing skills. 

Steps to Writing the College Essay 

Resources: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-in/essays 

Agnes Scott College Center for Writing and Speaking 

http://www.agnesscott.edu/academics/centerforwritingandspeaking 

1. Get started by brainstorming Starting the essay can be the hardest part. Brainstorming about 

your personality traits and defining your strengths is a good place to begin. Come up with 3 positive 

qualities that you have. Look at the essay topics and make a brain map of ideas, topics, stories you 

might want to tell. 

2. Let your first draft flow After you've gathered your notes, create an outline to organize your 

essay and decide where you want examples to appear. Now you're ready to write your first draft. 

Don't worry about making it perfect. Just get your ideas flowing and your thoughts down on paper. 

You'll fix mistakes and improve the writing in later drafts. 

How Do I Handle the Questions on the Common App? Which Is the Best Question to Write About? 

The truth? It doesn’t matter what you write about as long as you write about it specifically and 

compellingly. The question or topic you choose says a lot about your personality and interests. Trust 

yourself: You will naturally gravitate toward the “right” question for you. 

How Should I Organize My Essay? Because there are many ways you might organize your essay, no 

hard and fast rules exist. Some people organize their essay around a theme (such as “learning to 

adapt”) and some around an experience. Whatever you choose, make sure your essay contains the 

following parts: 

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A thesis statement in your first paragraph telling the main point of your essay. Choose one point 

to focus your essay around and stick with it through the end. 

An introductory paragraph containing a gripping beginning that moves the reader swiftly to your 

thesis statement. 

A body section of several paragraphs. This section should support your thesis statement with 

examples, just like in an English essay. But unlike an English essay, the example here is an 

experience drawn from your own life. Give vivid details in your body section to make your 

experience come to life. 

A conclusion that does not simply sum up your essay. Instead, your conclusion should analyze 

the experience you shared and its impact on you. 

4. Be specific Give your essay focus by figuring out how the question relates to your personal 

qualities and then taking a specific angle. Make sure everything you write supports that viewpoint. 

5. Find a creative angle Katherine, a college freshman, had to describe why she would make a good 

Reed College student for that school's essay. "I am a huge fan of Beat Generation writers, and many 

of the West Coast Beat writers attended Reed," she says. "So I related my love for writing and the 

Beats to why I would be a great fit for the school." YOU’LL BE APPLYING TO SCHOOLS WITH LOTS OF 

OTHER UWC STUDENTS – TRY TO PICK SOMETHING UNIQUE ABOUT YOUR UWC EXPERIENCE, ONE 

EVENT OR MOMENT THAT WAS IMPORTANT TO YOU. 

6. Be honest: The essay question might ask you about your best quality, an experience that shaped 

you or the reason you want to attend a certain college. Don't be tempted to write what you think 

the admission officers want to hear; answer the question honestly. 

7. Get feedback: Show your draft to family, friends or teachers. Ask if it makes sense and sounds like 

you. Consider their feedback and make changes, but keep your voice. High school senior Dana 

warns, "Make sure the essay is in your own voice. If at some point you read over your essay and you 

hear your mother's voice, something is wrong." 

8. Proofread and make corrections: Read your essay over carefully to check for typos and spelling 

and grammar errors. It's best to ask someone who hasn't seen it yet to take a look as well. They're 

likely to see mistakes you won't catch. 

What Are the Biggest Mistakes People Make When Writing These? 

Mistake #1: Being too general (a.k.a. taking on way too much) This is the biggest mistake. Do not 

tell anyone your life story or even a few months out of it. Be as specific as possible! Isolated 

moments are what make you you. A family trip to France is not a good topic in itself—you need to 

zoom in on one specific experience. What were your favorite five minutes in France and why? After 

you convey that experience, you can zoom out. How did this experience shape you? How does it 

speak to experiences you’ve had since then? 

Mistake #2: Making your experiences sound trite Tell how you changed and what you learned but 

be honest. Don't oversimplify for the sake of creating morals to your story. Allow your experiences 

to be as complicated as they are in real life. 

The following are great examples of what not to do: “Spending two weeks building houses in 

Guatemala made me grateful for what I have.” Or “When my dog died, I immediately 

became a stronger person.” 

Writing about specific, small experiences will help you to avoid oversimplifying your unique 

experiences. 

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Revising Your Essay 


Show your essay to your college counselor and teachers, especially English teachers. 

Check your spelling, grammar and punctuation. Make sure you haven’t used abbreviations. 

This is formal writing! 

Cut extra words. Delete repetitive parts and see how many words you can cut by making 

one word do the work of two or three. Use strong verbs and fresh, original language. 

Use strong opening and closing lines. 

Avoid clichés. “I want to help humankind” or “[This college] will allow me to fulfill my life 

goals”—statements such as these don’t tell us anything about you. (Most people want to 

help humankind, and you wouldn’t apply to this college if you didn’t think it would help you 

reach your goals … we hope.) 

Read the essay aloud. You will catch mistakes, long sentences and awkward phrasing this 

way. 

Proofread. Proofread again! Then click “submit” on your computer screen. 

Congratulations—you are finished! 

Additional Resources: 

Real College Essays that Work, by Fiske & Hammond (available at UWCM) 

Conquering the College Admission Essay in 10 Steps, by Alan Gelb (available at UWCM) 

Sample essays can be found at: 

http://www.shmoop.com/college/common-application-essays.html 

http://collegeapps.about.com/od/essays/a/EssayPrompts.htm 

http://collegeapps.about.com/od/essays/College_Admissions_Essays_Samples_Critiques_and_Writi 

ng_Tips.htm 

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USA Financial Aid and Scholarships 


The following information has been compiled from a variety of resources and reflects previous years, 

and is geared towards International Students. American passport holders have additional access to 

financial aid through Federal loans and scholarships. For US citizens, see: 

http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ 

For international students, the main source of financial aid is the individual college or university. 

Additional scholarships may be available through local government sources or scholarship 

competitions, these funds tend to be very limited at the undergraduate level. More scholarship 

sources are available for graduate level studies in the USA. Students should always verify this 

information directly with the university before they apply. 

Merit based scholarships for exceptional academics and talent, no consideration of family financial 

need. Students who are interested much look carefully at the application process and deadlines. 

The following schools offer merit scholarships up to 50% of total costs: 

UNC Chapel Hill: Morehead Cain Scholarship; Robertson Scholarship (SD school) 

Duke: Robertson Scholarship (SD school) 

Emory: Emory Scholars 

Rollins 

Boston University: Presidential Scholar 

Washington University St. Louis 

Need Blind Schools: Will admit without examining the financial situation of the family (students who 

are admitted receive a financial aid package to cover the cost of attendance; this may include family 

contribution if the school feels the family can afford to pay) 

Harvard, Yale, Brown, Dartmouth, Princeton, Amherst and Williams 

All other colleges: your financial aid application is considered as part of your admissions 

package 

UWC Shelby Davis Schools: http://www.davisuwcscholars.org/institutions 

Core Group provides $20,000 per year for students with financial NEED and provide up to full-need 

scholarships: Brown, Colby, College of the Atlantic, Dartmouth, Earlham, Harvard, Macalester, 

Methodist, Middlebury, Princeton, University of Florida, Wellesley (women only), Westminster 

College 

All other Shelby Davis Schools provide $10,000 per year for students with financial NEED based on 

family income. Most SD schools award a limited number of scholarships up to full family need – but 

a few do not. 

Resources for additional scholarship ideas: 

http://educationusa.state.gov/ 

https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college/scholarships-grants 

Rotary International Exchange: http://www.rotary.org/ 

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2009/2010 OACAC list of financial aid for int’l students, compiled by Doug Thompson 

Accessed from: http://infousa.state.gov/education/studyteach/docs/intfinaid.pdf 

The list below highlights the schools that offer significant amounts of financial aid to international 

students, which many students receiving up to 80% of the cost of tuition. Note, the following list is 

an average award received, it does not guarantee the amount you will be offered by a school! The 

schools on this list give some of the highest awards to int’l students, with $10,000 USD or less still to 

be paid by the student. These figures include ALL international students, not just UWC alumni. 

College Name Cost to Attend 

in US$ 

Average Award in US$ # Int’l 

Students 

Aided 

Amherst (SD) 49,202 45,152 82 

Bates (SD) 48,850 41,848 75 

Berea 32,612 30,881 106 

Brown University (SD) 50,560 37,018 167 

Bryn Mawr College (women only) 

(SD) 

50,060 39,515 62 

California Institute of Technology 45,777 37,191 31 

Colby College (SD) 50,620 41,870 104 

Colgate University (SD) 51,050 42,010 94 

College of the Atlantic (SD) 42,090 37,970 44 

Connecticut College (SD) 50,385 43,519 77 

Gettysburg College (SD) 47,550 37,876 36 

Harvard College (SD) 47,215 43,311 474 

Kenyon College (SD) 49,260 42,242 55 

Lehigh University (SD) 49,540 41,619 37 

Mt. Holyoke College (women only) 

(SD) 

50,566 39,432 347 

Princeton University (SD) 49,830 36,622 323 

Reed College (SD) 52,660 44,467 55 

Skidmore College (SD) 51,500 35,000 37 

Smith College (SD) 50,286 38,730 113 

St. Lawrence University (SD) 49,060 42,610 117 

Swarthmore College (SD) 49,935 39,265 50 

Trinity College (SD) 50,661 42,673 61 

Tufts University (SD) 48,860 39,020 53 

University of Richmond (SD) 49,644 39,407 101 

University of the Ozarks 27,672 19,507 117 

Vassar College (SD) 51,795 42,127 133 

Washington & Lee University (SD) 49,942 41,041 60 

Wellesley College (SD) 50,976 42,403 115 

Wesleyan University (SD) 51,880 43,141 48 

Williams College (SD) 50,030 43,483 127 

Yale University (SD) 49,000 45,704 282 

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Rank College Name 

Aid 

coefficient 

1 Berea College 0.946921379 

2 College of the Atlantic 0.902114517 

3 St. Lawrence University 0.868528333 

4 Connecticut College 0.863729285 

5 Kenyon College 0.857531466 

6 Williams College 0.836216603 

7 Vassar College 0.807271347 

8 Mount Holyoke College 0.766557918 

9 Bates College 0.730110729 

10 Colby College 0.729007761 

11 Washington & Lee University 0.704377077 

12 Gettysburg College 0.699410633 

13 University of the Ozarks 0.698962361 

14 Providence College 0.691316955 

15 Whitman College 0.681355195 

16 Wabash College 0.675686275 

17 Harvard College 0.674119429 

18 Hamilton College 0.663822096 

19 Dickinson College 0.644178134 

20 University of Richmond 0.641383772 

Sample Financial Aid Award Letter 


Weighted rankings for International 

Student financial aid. 

Cost of attendance vs. Amount of aid given 

Taken from: 

http://www.internationalcounselor.org/arc 

hives/1330 

In April, students will receive acceptance letters from the college that should include details about 

their financial aid offer. FULL tuition is exceptionally rare, based on the college’s assessment of the 

family’s financial NEED. Most financial aid packages will include: scholarship grant, work-study 

grant, possible family contribution, possible loans that need to be repaid. For example, the student 

below would be expected to contribute $1,000 per year towards their total expenses, not including 

the costs of transportation to the college. 

Jones College Estimated Costs 2012-13 

Tuition and fees: $32,500 

Housing and Meals: $8,500 

Other (Health Insurance, books, personal expenses, supplies): $4,000 

Total Estimated Costs: $45,000 

Your Financial Aid Award 2012-2013 

Jones Scholarship $21,000 

UWC Davis Scholarship $20,000 

On campus employment: $3,000* 

Total: $44,000* 

*Additional employment may be available for those wishing to earn more on campus. Maximum 

amount you may work in the school year is 20 hours per week at $7.25/hour. Maximum amount you 

may work during the winter and summer breaks is 40 hours/week. 

35 | P a g e

Completing the International Student Financial Aid Applications 


Official Forms Available on Managebac and from the individual university 

For each university, students must submit one or more of the following forms to be 

considered for financial aid 

CSS Profile – online, fee required to submit 

https://profileonline.collegeboard.com/prf/index.jsp 

International Student Financial Aid Application – IFSAA 

International Student Certification of Finances 

https://www.applyweb.com/apply/smcvt/ISCFForm.pdf 

College may have their own form that needs to be completed 

Information students need to gather with their parents! 

Process 

Proof of parents income: tax statement, bank statement, or statement from 

employer 

Parent Signatures: forms are not considered legal without signature of parents 

This information will be needed again to secure the Student F-1 Visa with the US 

Embassy 

Student completes forms with parents and gathers needed supporting documents. If 

there is extreme need or unusual circumstances, students are encouraged to write a letter 

of explanation about this to include in the financial aid application. See Ms. Hobson for a 

sample letter. 

The student is responsible to submit the Financial Aid forms directly to the colleges 

by the stated deadlines. Some colleges require a student to submit the forms at the same 

time as they apply, other have a later date. For most USA universities, students must 

submit the financial aid application no later than February 1. 

Please note: In the United States, a student is considered the financial dependent of 

their parents until age 24. USA colleges expect the parent or legal guardian to make a 

contribution towards the cost of education to the maximum possible for the family. The 

financial aid application is used to determine “family need” and maximum family 

contribution – this may differ from what parents are actually able or willing to pay. 

Students are highly encouraged to research further about where they are applying 

and what financial aid is available. The amount of aid available varies significantly, even 

within the list of Davis scholarship colleges. There are no guarantees of full-scholarships. 

Scholarships are given out both based on financial need and merit – which means the “best” 

students with financial need are offered more funding. Make sure you are a top student for 

the college if you need full-tuition aid. 

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THIS IS NOT A COMPLETE FORM: SEE MANAGEBAC FOR ENTIRE FILE! 


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SEE MANAGEBAC FOR COMPLETE INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATE OF FINANCES 

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SAT testing policy and SAT optional schools 

Students who are planning to apply to the USA are often required to take admissions exams as part 

of their applications, such as the SAT or the ACT. There is a group of colleges that DO NOT require 

these exams and will look only at your IBDP grades (please see Managebac for list of SAT optional 

colleges). The SAT and ACT exams are designed for native USA-English speakers and 

UWC/International students tend not to do very well. Most Davis colleges are not overly concerned 

with the SAT and put more emphasis on your IB grades. However, competitive colleges will look for a 

high score on these exams in addition to high IB grades. The SAT is only one factor that colleges 

consider when looking at student applications. To do your best, it is important that you prepare for 

this exam and become familiar with what types of questions you will be asked. Not everyone needs 

to take the SAT 2 exam, however, if you have strong skills in a content area, you may do better on 

this exam than the SAT 1. You can check with your university if they will accept an SAT2 score 

instead of a SAT1 score. Most students will improve when taking the exam for a second time. There 

is statistically little to no improvement when students try to take the test a 3 rd time. 

Currently, the SAT exam is offered 4 times per year at UWC Maastricht (test center code 58802) on 

the following dates: (registration deadline one month in advance) 

June 2, 2012 

October 6, 2012 

November 3, 2012 

December 1, 2012 

On these dates, either the SAT 1 or SAT 2 exams can be taken. However, you can only take one of 

these exams on a single day. 

The SAT I test is a 4 hour exam covering: Critical Reading, Writing and Mathematics 

The SAT II Subject test is a 1 hour exam on a single subject (US History, World History, 

Literature, Mathematics 1 or 2, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Languages: Latin, Hebrew, 

French, German, Spanish) 

The costs for the exams are: 

SAT 1: $78 US dollars = about 60 Euro 

SAT 2: $51 dollars + $11 per subject test (up to 3 tests can be taken on one day) 

o $62 - $73 - $84 US dollars = 47 E – 55 E - 63 Euro 

Further information, test preparation materials and registration details can be found at: 

http://sat.collegeboard.org/register/sat-dates 

WHEN YOU REGISTER TO TAKE THE TEST: 

1) ENTER THE SCHOOL YOU ATTEND: UWC MAASTRICHT High-School CEEB CODE 759463 

2) TO TAKE EXAM AT UWC MAASTRICHT ENTER THE TEST CENTER CODE: 58802 

3) YOU WILL NEED A CREDIT CARD TO PAY 

4) YOU CAN SEND YOUR SCORE REPORT TO UP TO 4 UNIVERSITIES FOR FREE, MUST ENTER 

COLLEGE CODES BEFORE TAKING EXAMS (OR CAN BE ARRANGED VIA PHONE LATER) 

39 | P a g e


Students with special needs: 

Diagnosed learning disabilities: Students with learning disabilities are encouraged to apply 

for modifications, such as extended time. The student will need to have documentation 

confirming a diagnosed learning disability. The paper work can take up to 3 months to 

process – please contact Ms. Hobson about this as soon as possible : 

j.hobson@ism.portamosana.nl 

Financial hardship: Students who cannot afford the cost of the SAT exam can apply for a fee 

waiver from UWC Maastricht. Students with financial need can apply for assistance for a 

maximum of 1 exam. The request needs to be submitted in writing at least 2 weeks in 

advance of the registration deadline (about 2 months in advance of test date). Please 

email Ms. Hobson: j.hobson@ism.portamosana.nl 

Students with no access to a VISA/Mastercard credit card: Students who have no personal 

credit card may request to use the school credit card under the following conditions: 

o Students must make an advanced payment via internet bank transfer: 

� ABN AMRO Bank Account number 5782.46.775 

� In the name of: UWC Maastricht Coop. Ver. 

� For payments from outside the The Netherlands please use the BIC- and IBAN-code 

of ABN AMRO Bank when transferring your payment: 

BIC: ABNANL2A 

IBAN: NL96 ABNA 0578246775 

o Or students make an advanced payment in cash (speak with Ms. Gonnie Crawford, 

Financial Bursar at Primary reception) 

o Bring a receipt or proof of payment at time of use of credit card! 

o A specific date will be arranged for approved students to use the school credit card 

for SAT registration 

Please note: Students will not be assisted with the following: 

Cancelling or changing the test date using the school credit card 

Making transportation arrangements to take the test at a different test location 

Free preparation materials: 

SAT question a day email: http://sat.collegeboard.org/practice/sat-question-of-the-day 

SAT skills insight practice exams and test skills: http://sat.collegeboard.org/practice/sat-skills-insight 

SAT official practice exams: http://sat.collegeboard.org/practice/sat-study-plan 

SAT Subject Test practice: http://sat.collegeboard.org/practice/sat-subject-test-preparation 

Additional resources: www.pwnthesat.com 

Theyuniversity http://theyuniversity.tumblr.com/ 

Information about the ACT: http://www.actstudent.org/index.html 

The nearest location offering the ACT exam is Brunssum AFNorth International High School, 

Center 867230 

UWC Maastricht is not a test center for the ACT 

40 | P a g e


SAT OPTIONAL SCHOOLS: from Fiske Guide to Colleges 2011 *always verify this information with 

the university before applying! Highlighted colleges are Davis UWC scholarship schools 

Agnes Scott 

Arizona State U (3) 

U of Arizona 

Bard 

Bates 

Bennington 

Bowdoin 

Bryn Mawr College (5) 

Colby College (5) 

College of the Atlantic 

College of the Holy Cross 

Connecticut College (5) 

Denison U 

Dickinson College 

Drew U 

Fairfield U 

Franklin and Marshall 

Furman U 

George Mason U (3) 

Gettysburg 

Goucher 

Hamilton (5) 

Hampshire 

Hartwick 

Hobart and William Smith 

U of Iowa 

Juaniata C 

U of Kansas (2,3,4) 

Knox College 

Lake Forest 

Lawrence U 

Lewis and Clark 

Louisiana State U (1,3,4) 

Marlboro 

Middlebury (5) 

U of Minnesota – Morris (1,3) 

U of Minnesota – Twin Cities 

(1,3) 

Mount Holyoke 

Muhlenberg 

U of Nebraska – Lincoln (3) 

New York U (5) 

KEY 

1 = SAT/ACT used only for placement/academic advising 

2= SAT/ACT required only from out of state applicants 

3= SAT/ACT used only when minimum GPA and/or class rank is not met 

4= SAT/ACT required for some programs 

5= SAT/ACT not required if student submits SAT subject test, IB or other exams 

U of Oklahoma (3) 

Oregon State U (3) 

Pitzer College 

Prescott College 

Rollins 

St. John’s College, MD 

St. John’s College, NM 

St. Lawrence U 

Sarah Lawrence 

Sewanee 

Susquehanna U 

Texas A&M U (3) 

Texas Tech (3) 

U of Texas – Austin (3) 

Union College 

Ursinus College (3) 

Wake Forest 

Wittenberg U 

Wheaton College 

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Shelby Davis Colleges Selectivity Chart 


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Applying in the Netherlands 

Pros & Cons 

� Top destination for international, English-language programs 

� 10% international students at most Universities 

� Up to 40% international at University Colleges 

� Located in the heart of Europe 

� Great student life, many student associations and clubs 

� Low cost of tuition for EU students 

� Medicine and Law offered as first degrees 


� Dutch B HL is required (or pass NT2 Statsexam Level 2) to study in Dutch 

� No Dutch language required to study in English programs 

� 3-4 years to complete undergraduate degree 

� Cons: It is difficult to stay on and work after graduation (for non-EU students) 

Application Requirements & Procedure 

Entry requirements vary according to the type of university and are based on a student’s 

qualifications, language skills, and any specifics of the chosen academic field of study. As a 

minimum the student needs to have the IB Diploma to enter a Dutch research University. 

For an applied university (Hogeschool) IGCSE extended level may be sufficient. Students 

should refer to the individual websites of each university to verify the requirements before 

applying to the program. Applying to Dutch universities is straightforward with application 

deadlines in the spring of the calendar year in which the studies begin. Deadlines for studies 

with a selection procedure (centralized and decentralized) are between 1 February and 15 

May. To find out if there is a central lottery for the study you want to choose, see: 

https://app.studielink.nl/ 

� Universities: enroll via Studielink.nl 

� Need Final IB exam grades 

� Apply February – September (depends on selection procedures) 

� University College: selection procedure via website of individual UC 

� Personal statement essay 

� Transcript of grades (2 years of IBDP only) 

� 2 Recommendation letters (teacher, counselor, employer, coach) 

� Interview 

� Application deadlines February-May 

� Financial aid application after you’ve been accepted 

� Enroll via Studielink.nl after you’ve been accepted 

� Limit: 3 choices on Studielink, and only one course with a central lottery procedure 

43 | P a g e

Helpful websites and Resources: 


Find courses and scholarships: http://www.nuffic.nl/international-students 

http://studies-in.nl/ 

http://www.studychoice.nl/ 

http://www.studiekeuze123.nl/ 

www.studyinholland.nl 

www.topuniversities.com 

http://study-netherlands.info/index.html 

Enroll in a course: https://app.studielink.nl/ 

Apply for the Student financing and Studiebeurs 

http://duo.nl/international_visitors/EU_EEA_students/study_finance.asp 

Attend Open Days, Experience days at universities: http://universitairebachelors.nl/?c=4 

Financial Aid & Scholarships 

� Tuition fees about E 2,000 for EU/EEA students (based on passport status) 

� Non-EU/EEA tuition fees between 6,000 - 10,000 Euro per year 

� Cost of living/housing (total budget needed about E 750–900 per month) 

� Studiebeurs (study grant) of Dutch state 

� for NL residents 

� for EU/EEA students living in The NL for at least 5 years 

� for EU/EEA students living in the NL for less than 5 years and have a work 

contract for at least 32 hours per month 

� Free public transport card if you get the Studiebeurs 

� More information see: DUO website 

� http://duo.nl/international_visitors/EU_EEA_students/study_finance.asp 

� University Colleges offer scholarships towards the cost of tuition for top students with 

financial need (including non-EU/EEA students). This does not include costs for housing! 

� UC Utrecht: partial tuition scholarships for EU and non-EU students (32+ IB) 

� UC Maastricht: competitive full tuition scholarships for non-EU students (38+ IB) 

� NUFFIC website (grant finder) for non-EU/EEA students: 

� http://www.nuffic.nl/international-students/scholarships 

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Additional information about studying in the Netherlands 


The Netherlands is a country in the heart of Europe, so it is a nice area to live in and to start 

further exploring Europe. Dutch students speak English, so the Dutch language should not 

cause much of a problem in your social life in The Netherlands. More and more Dutch 

universities offer programs in Dutch and English, or in English only. The Netherlands is 

becoming a popular choice for international study, and attracts a growing number of 

international students, especially from Germany and other EU countries. Dutch higher 

education programs have secured a reputation for high quality and well organized content. 

There are two types of higher education institutions: 

Research universities (Universiteiten), that offer bachelor, master and PHD and have 

research centers. Students apply to study a particular course at time of enrollment. 

Universities of Applied Sciences (Hogescholen) that mainly offer bachelor programs of 4 

years. These programs include trainee internships. Their focus is towards professional 

education rather than scientific research. Most programs of the Hogescholen are in Dutch, 

although the number of programs in English is growing. 

There are 14 public research universities in The Netherlands: 

1. University of Amsterdam 

2. Free University of Amsterdam 

3. University of Groningen 

4. Leiden University 

5. Maastricht university 

6. Radboud University Nijmegen 

7. Erasmus University Rotterdam 

8. Tilburg University 

9. University of Utrecht 

10. Delft University of Technology 

11. Eindhoven University of Technology 

12. University of Twente (with a focus on Technology) 

13. Wageningen University (with a focus on agricultural studies) 

14. Open University (university for distant learning) 

University Colleges offer liberal arts bachelor programs in English. Offering a rigorous 

academic learning and residential community, based on the USA model, these colleges are 

accredited by host Universities. Currently, University Colleges located in Amsterdam, 

Utrecht, The Hague, Tilburg, Maastricht and Middelburg (Roosevelt Academy). The 

Technical University in Twente is also busy developing this. 

45 | P a g e


There are about 45 government-approved universities of applied sciences prepare more than 

400,000 students each year for the workplace. These institutions offer a range of qualifications, 

predominantly in: 

agriculture 

engineering and technology 

economics and business administration 

healthcare 

fine and performing arts 

education (teacher training) 

social welfare 

There are also 11 International Education Institutes, offering advanced courses exclusively in English 

for international students. These institutions focus on development-related subjects taught in small 

groups of various nationalities. Most of the courses they offer are part of one of the research 

universities. International Education institutes offer various types of education including short 

courses, master's programs and PhD programs. You can find more information about these courses 

on the website of NUFFIC. Some examples of these International Education Institutes: 

� Institute of Social Studies (part of the Erasmus University Rotterdam) 

� International Institute for Geo-Information, Science and Earth Observation 

� Maastricht School of Management 

� Royal Tropical Institute 

� UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education 

� TiasNimbas Business School 

� Agricultural Research Institutes – Van Hall Larenstein Institute 

� Nyenrode Business University (privately funded) 

� University of Humanistics (privately funded)) 

For more information you go to the website of NUFFIC http://www.nuffic.nl/internationalstudents/dutch-education/institutions/institutions-for-international-education 

Student Financing Options: Studiebeurs 

The fees for books and other study materials differ per study and cost of living differ per student. In 

general, it is not cheap to live in the Netherlands. Students in the Netherlands need a budget of 

about E 750 – 900 per month in order to be able to pay the tuition and other study fees, cost of 

living, medical insurance and accommodation. 

Students who qualify for the Studiebeurs (prestatiebeurs) can apply to receive a study grant from 

the Dutch government for the first four years of study. At the moment this is about E 275 per month 

for students who live in a student’s room and about E 80 for students who live with their parents. 

The Studiebeurs is a loan as long as the student studies, but it turns into a gift as soon as the student 

has got the Bachelor Diploma. If the student does not get this diploma within 10 years, (s)he has to 

pay back the loan to the government. Attention: In 2012 the Dutch government started a discussion 

about changing this Studiebeurs system into a system of loans only. So a change in this system is 

expected in the near future. 

In additon to the Studiebeurs, students get a free Public Transport Card for the time of their studies. 

It is valid either during the weekends or during the weeks, that is up to the student to choose when 

46 | P a g e


(s)he applies for it. This Studiebeurs and free Public Transport Card from the Dutch government are 

also available for students from countries of the European Union and Switzerland, Liechtenstein, 

Norway and Iceland if they have been living in the Netherlands for 5 years or more. 

Students of EU and EEA who have been living in The Netherlands for less than 5 years, can apply for 

a Studiebeurs and Public Transport Card under the condition that they can show a work contract for 

a job of at least 32 hours per month. They should have been working for 3 months already before 

they can send the application to DUO. 

If you are a student from a country in Europe, you may be eligible to receive student financial 

support from your home country while studying in the Netherlands. Many countries allow students 

to continue receiving government financial support while enrolled in regular degree programs 

outside their home country. The rules and regulations and forms of support may differ per country. 

You should check and research which options are available in your country. 

If you are a Non-EU/EEA students whose parents are legal residents of the Netherlands, it is also 

possible that you qualify for the Studiebeurs. See details at: http://www.ibgroep.nl/studiepunt/nationaliteitenschema/natschema.asp?taal=en 

Working in the Netherlands 

Students from countries of the EU/EEA are allowed to have students’ jobs during the years that they 

study at Dutch universities. Students from outside the EU / EEA are allowed to work while studying, 

although they must have a work permit and there are restrictions on what you can do. In most 

universities are offices of organisations that can help students to find a side job or can refer students 

to these organisations. 

Interesting websites with more detailed information: 

http://www.ibgroep.nl/particulieren/studiefinanciering/sfho/aanvragen/eu_studenten.asp#Vijf_jaar 

_in_Nederland 

http://duo.nl/international_visitors/EU_EEA_students/study_finance.asp 

http://duo.nl/International_visitors/Studying_in_the_Netherlands/general.asp 

Information about Student loans which must be repaid: 

http://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten-en-publicaties/vragen-en-antwoorden/heb-ik-alsbuitenlandse-student-recht-op-studiefinanciering-in-nederland.html#anker-voorwaarden-voorstudiefinanciering 

http://www.ib-groep.nl/particulieren/studiefinanciering/sfho/aanvragen/aanvragen.asp 

http://studynetherlands.info/scholarships_fellowships_internships_netherlands_holland.htm 

http://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/hoger-onderwijs/collegegeld-enstudiefinanciering?ns_campaign=Themaonderwijs_en_wetenschap&ro_adgrp=Hoger_onderwijsColl 

egegeld_en_studiefinanciering&ns_mchannel=sea&ns_source=google&ns_linkname=%2Bcollegegel 

d&ns_fee=0.00 

47 | P a g e

Student Housing 


In the Netherlands students live in university or private residences that cost appr. E 300 – 400 per 

month. University Colleges in Utrecht, Amsterdam, The Hague and Middelburg offer a campus 

where students can live. Of course you pay extra for room and boarding (approx 6,000 - 8,000 Eruo 

per year). 

It is very difficult to find a room in popular cities like Amsterdam and Utrecht. Try to sign up for a 

room as soon as you know where you want to study. There are long waiting lists. Some Universities 

have special arrangements for students who live at a distance of more than 150 km from the 

University. You always need to apply for housing and there are always waiting lists. 

General information to find a room: 

http://kamernet.nl/ 

http://studynetherlands.info/accommodation_for_international_students_in_netherlands_holland. 

htm 

If you go to Amsterdam, go to this website http://www.studentenwoningweb.nl/ 

If you go to Utrecht, go to http://www.sshxl.nl/ 

If you go to Nijmegen, go to http://www.sshn.nl/ 

In Maastricht, you go to http://www.kamerburo.net/content/about.asp?lang=nl&task=over 

Open days at Dutch universities 

All Universities have open days where you can go to get information about all possible studies, 

accommodation, student life, scholarships and anything else that you want to know about studying 

in The Netherlands. Most of the Universities offer 2 to 4 information rounds per day. You can sign 

up in advance through internet. During the open day you can not only get a lot of information about 

the studies but you can also get in touch with students and teachers at the information market, or sit 

in on a lecture. This is a great chance to see if you like a particular course/university. Sign up in 

advance via the university website. 

http://universitairebachelors.nl/?c=4&command=zoekenUitgebreid&orgUnitId=&eventType=open+ 

day&study= 

It can also be helpful – especially for the students who have no idea what they want to study – to go 

to the so called Onderwijsbeurs. That is a kind of fair where universities and schools present their 

programs. 

Onderwijsbeurs takes place in some cities in the Netherlands like Rotterdam, Utrecht and 

Eindhoven. Check websites. 

48 | P a g e


Applying in Canada 

There is no central application process for Canadian universities. Check individual websites for 

application guidelines. Schools with best funding for UWC/IB students include: Trent, Simon Fraser, 

York, University of British Columbia, University of Toronto and Quest. 

Pros & Cons 

� Apply to a faculty (ex. Humanities) choose major later 

� Not as specific as UK system, not as broad as USA Liberal Arts 

� Opportunity to work while studying & after 

� No central application procedure 

� Tuition costs range from C$10,000 – C$24,000 

� Some scholarships available for International Students 


� No central website for application! Start application on university website 

� Universities may ask for the SAT I results if you have them, not mandatory 

� Personal Essays – different essay questions for each university, with 

additional essay/application for scholarships 

� Transcript of grades and courses 

� 2 years previous school attended 

� 2 years IB diploma at UWC Maastricht, including predicted grades 

� 2 Subject Teacher recommendations 

� 1 School Reference letter (written by FT/Counsellors) 

� Application fees average $90 Canadian per application 

� NO fee waiver! 

� Deadlines: January/February/March 

Helpful websites 

Association of Canadian Universities http://www.aucc.ca/can_uni/student_info/index_e.html 

General Information http://www.schoolsincanada.com/ 

Student Visa information http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/index.asp 

Embassy of Canada: http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/washington/imm/permit_studyetudes_permis.aspx?lang=eng 

Scholarships and Financial Aid http://www.canlearn.ca/eng/index.shtml 

http://www.scholarshipscanada.com/index.asp 

www.scholarships.gc.ca 

http://www.educationau-incanada.ca/ 

Gov’t of Canada Scholarship information: http://www.scholarshipsbourses.gc.ca/scholarshipsbourses/non_can/opportunities-opportunites.aspx 

Canadian Bureau for International Education Financial Aid: www.cbie.ca 

49 | P a g e

Financial Aid and Scholarships 


A small group of universities offer a limited number of competitive scholarships to international 

students. These are: Trent, Simon Fraser, U British Columbia, U Toronto, Quest, York 

Trent University Ontario http://www.trentu.ca/ 

Admission for students with a min IB score of 28. Students from more than 90 countries, awarded 

Canada’s best undergrad research university in 2009. 

“Trent University Award” 

o International Scholarships up to full tuition, room and board (1-3 per year) 

o Int’l Scholarship up to full tuition (4-7 per year) 

International Awards: partial tuition awards $2,000 to $7,000 for outstanding academic and 

extracurricular/community involvement. 

Global Citizens Scholarship: 3 nominees per school 

Simon Fraser University (SFU) www.sfu.ca 

A Large research university, located in Vancouver British Columbia, offers financial awards for 

academic excellence and financial need. 

UWC alumni scholarship, Ron Heath International Scholarship (no limit of nominees, need based, 

academic merit, deadline Feb. 15 – total of 6 awarded, covers full tuition + living expenses) 

African Scholarship – must graduate from an African secondary school, full tuition + living 

expenses 

Automatic scholarships for IB students: 

o International Summit scholarships, $4,500 towards tuition for all students with IB 31-33 

o IB Int’l Academic Excellence Scholarship, $8,000 towards tuition for IB scores of 34+ 

University of Toronto - http://www.utoronto.ca/ 

International Scholarship program: 1 nominee per school www.adm.utoronto.ca 

Undergraduate Admissions Awards (top students, merit-based, automatic with 

application before Feb. 1): http://www.adm.utoronto.ca/admawards/html/financial%20aid/international.htm 

The University of Toronto Scholars Program provides recognition to the University's 

outstanding students, at admission and on an on-going basis. There are 350 admission 

awards which have a value of $5,000 and may be held in conjunction with any admission 

award that students may receive from their college/faculty. Outstanding students are 

considered automatically for these awards. 

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University of British Columbia (UBC) – Campuses in Vancouver and Okanagan, British Columbia 

https://you.ubc.ca/ubc/counsellors/intlawards.ezc 

http://www.ubc.ca/ 

International Leader of Tomorrow Award: 3 nominees per school 

o 2 for Vancouver Campus; 1 for Okanagan campus 

o Full tuition and up to full living costs, depending on financial need of student 

International Leader of Tomorrow Award Humanitarian Award: 

o 1 nominee per school 

o Full tuition and up to full living costs, depending on financial need of student 

Quest University, British Columbia http://www.questu.ca/ 

25% international students, focus on undergrads, interdisciplinary curriculum and individual majors. 

All UWC students qualify for a $10,000 scholarship towards tuition. 

David W. Strangway Awards for Excellence (full tuition) 

Presidential Scholarships (up to $12,000/year) 

Quest University Canada Scholarships (up to $12,000/year) 

Need-based Awards 

York University – www.yorku.ca 

Global Leader of Tomorrow Scholarship (no limit per school, academic excellence 36 points, 

individual achievement, preference for financial need, deadline March 15) 

www.yorku.ca/futurestudents 

York University UWC Scholarship: one nominee per school 

Other Canadian colleges with possible IB Diploma Scholarships 

See IBO website for complete list: http://www.ibo.org/diploma/recognition/scholarships/ 

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Other International Applications 

Students should also research possible programs at universities in their home countries or 

other international settings. 

Pros & Cons 

� EU citizens have a low cost alternative and excellent opportunities to study in Europe 

� Many programs available in English 

� Courses are usually in a specific subject area 

� Limited scholarships for international students 

� Financial aid available to citizens of country 

� Especially fields like law & medicine, you are best off studying in the country where 

you want to/ have the citizenship needed to work! 

Application Procedure: EVERY COUNTRY DIFFERS: YOUR JOB TO RESEARCH! 

Some International Universities with competitive scholarships for international students… 

Jacob's University, Germany https://www.jacobs-university.de/ 

European College of Liberal Arts in Berlin, Germany http://www.ecla.de/ 

Bocconni, Italy http://www.unibocconi.eu/ 

IE University, Spain http://www.ie.edu/university/home 

Sciences Po, France http://www.sciencespo.fr/en/ 

NYU Abu Dhabi http://nyuad.nyu.edu/ 

University of Hong Kong http://www.hku.hk/ 

Yale NUS, Singapore http://www.ync.nus.edu.sg/ 

University College Freiburg http://www.ucf.uni-freiburg.de/las 

International Universities Search: 

www.topuniversities.com 

www.worldwide.edu 

www.studyabroaddirectory.com 

www.goabroad.com 

www.educationabroadnetwork.org 

www.iiepassport.org 

Council of International Schools: 

http://portal.cois.org/WCM/CIS/Directories/Universities/CIS/Directory/Universities.aspx 

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Helpful websites and additional resources: 


Liberal Arts Programs in the EU 

http://www.chea.org/pdf/Liberal%20Arts%20Institutions%20in%20Europe.pdf 

International Liberal Arts list: 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_liberal_arts_colleges 

International Student Exchange Program http://www.isep.org/ 

Scholarships and Financial Aid 

University with scholarships for IB diploma holders: 

http://www.ibo.org/diploma/recognition/scholarships/ 

EUROPE 

EU universities http://ec.europa.eu/education/study-in-europe/ 

http://www.studyineurope.eu 

EU bachelors programs: http://www.bachelorsportal.eu/ 

Erasmus Exchange Programme: http://www.esn.org/ 

Country websites 

France: www.campusfrance.org 

Germany: www.daad.de 

www.study-in-germany.de 

www.uni-pir.de 

Greece: www.studyabroadgreece.com 

Italy: www.study-in-italy.it 

Ireland: www.educationireland.ie 

Portugal: http://www.studyineurope.eu/study-in-portugal 

Poland: http://www.eurograds.com/poland.html 

Spain: www.eduespa.org 

Switzerland: www.switzerland.isyours.com 

Denmark: www.studyindenmark.dk 

Finland: www.studyinfinland.fi 

Sweden: www.studyinsweden.se 

Norway: www.siu.no/en 

Asia & Australia 

Australia www.idp.com 

Japan www.jasso.go.jp 

New Zealand www.newzealandeducated.com 

Hong Kong www.studyinhongkong.edu.hk 

UAE www.arabiancampus.com 

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Gap Year Ideas and Resources 

Some students find that they cannot manage the college application process in addition to the 

requirements of the IB Diploma, and choose to apply to colleges only after they have completed the 

Diploma Program. Other students apply to universities with their cohort during IBDP Year 2, and 

decide to defer entry for one year in order to take a Gap Year. A Gap Year or “Year Out” is a valuable 

opportunity for students to work, travel, study, and find out what they want to get out of university. 

When used wisely, a gap year provides students with a chance to gain independence and life 

experience, and can be a valuable resume builder for college applications. In fields such as 

medicine, universities often require students to take a year of work experience in the field before 

they gain begin their studies. Other students may pursue volunteer work after their university 

degree through independent or formal international exchange programs. 

For more thoughts on the advantages of taking time off before (or after) college, read the article 

"Time Out or Burn Out for the Next Generation" written by William R. Fitzsimmons, Dean of 

Admissions, Harvard College http://www.admissions.college.harvard.edu/apply/time_off/index.html 

GAP YEAR ideas: 

Information and ideas www.gapyear.com 

Community Service Volunteers www.csv.org.uk 

Year in Industry paid work placements www.yini.org.uk 

Planning travel www.gogapyear.com 

Volunteering opportunities www.vinspired.com 

Database of organizations, volunteer and internship info www.idealist.org 

Project Trust http://www.projecttrust.org.uk/ 

Global volunteers: www.globalvolunteers.org 

Global Citizen Year: http://globalcitizenyear.org/ 

Where There Be Dragons: www.wheretherebedragons.com 

Gap Year Programs run by UWC 

UWC Mahindra http://uwcmahindracollege.org/how/experiential 

UWC Red Cross Nordic: http://volunteers.uwcrcn.no/ 

UWC South East Asia Gap Year Program http://www.uwcsea.edu.sg/page.cfm?p=1212 

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Class of 2013 University Applications Handbook - UWC Maastricht

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