Choice of a lifetime

Parima, our guest writer this week, reads one of the many prospectuses she needed to plough through in order to make that all-important decision.

Anxiety, stress, fatigue, sleep-deprivation, excitement, expectation, hope and anticipation. These were the gamut of emotions I felt during the first semester of my final (senior) year of high school as I struggled to complete college applications whilst arduously keeping up with my schoolwork and extracurricular activities. Prior to my senior year, little had I realised that the process of applying to university would – or could – be as demanding as I discovered it to be.

Admittedly, my first thoughts underestimated the complexity of a decision that might ultimately dictate the course of my life. I never imagined that the counselling office would become my second home, or that a truly significant amount of work, time, and energy would be devoted to selecting not just universities, but the actual country where I would spend the next several years of my life. With so many features to consider, I soon came to realise that I needed to dedicate a significant amount of attention and care before settling with a decision.

As a student at an international school, the range of possibilities was overwhelming. While the criteria for selecting countries differs for each student, the fundamental considerations for me were the culture, travelling opportunities and cost of living. I applied to universities in several countries, but in the end focused on the United Kingdom because of its concise 3-year degree, and close proximity to other European countries and cultures.

Dr Harper

With so much bureaucracy involved in the process, it was difficult to know where to begin. “Attending university is a step to help you reach your goal in life,” I was told by Dr. Jeffrey Harper, my guidance counsellor at International School Bangkok. But what is my goal in life? I, like many other students, find this to a very difficult question to answer. The key to resolving this issue lies in understanding that the answer should be flexible and open. Even if a precise goal, personal or professional, has yet to reveal itself, it is clearly helpful to at least have a sense of direction.

However, a “sense of direction” was something I didn’t have in the summer between junior and senior year when I was still unsure which specific major I wanted to study. I soon realised that I needed plenty of time before making this important decision, and thus it was best that I started early.

The first step was to create a “long list” of colleges I was interested in, followed by a visit to their websites. For some, I ordered their prospectus so that, by the end of the summer, I had my own home library of university booklets.

After wading through massive amounts of college literature, I now at least had some knowledge, however vague, of the courses I wanted to study. By referring to both the ranking tables and the advice of people associated with my potential major, I was then able to select a “short list” of colleges.

Discussion is crucial during this stage of the process. While many students may claim that they know themselves best, listening to the advise of family, friends, teachers, as well as alumni can give some surprising insights. For example, students are often keen to attend a college with a prestigious name. Yet many alumni advise that it may be much better to apply to a place where the department of your chosen subject is strongest, rather than to a “brand-name” university. The “brand-name” institution may have an excellent reputation overall but may not have the most outstanding department in your chosen field.

Of course, there is the undoubted personal prestige that comes with attending prominent universities, gaining you the envy of peers and admiration from those you meet. However, the difference in academic value is debatable.

Amy Arirachakaran, who will soon join the highly regarded University of Michigan, recalls a discussion she had when she was going through the process. “One day, in high school English class, we were debating whether we should go to an Ivy League college or another institution that wasn’t in the Ivy League, but still at the top,” she says. “My English teacher told us that an undergraduate education in the top 100 colleges in the US will all be equally excellent, so there’s no point in drying out your finances for no good reason.”

Equipped with a “short list” of colleges, ‘brand-name’ or otherwise, I began taking note of application deadlines. I had finally chosen to apply to study Law and Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE) in the UK as well as International Relations/Government in the US – a decision based on my aspiration to aid Thailand’s development in the future.

Although beginning early had its advantages, the pressure gradually began to increase, so I was glad to be reminded by a friend that, while the process must indeed be taken seriously, we must also try to relax. “Find time to ‘de-stress’,” she said, “talk to friends, freak out together. Eat. Sleep”.

Universities in different countries have different deadlines and different demands. Students applying to universities in the United States, for example, are confronted with a “basic” set of requirements: the student’s application, application fee, high school transcript, secondary school report form, letters of recommendation, a “personal yet intelligent response” to an essay question, short-answer questions, high school profile, SAT/ACT scores, and applications for financial aid.

A word of caution regarding financial aid from universities: clarify whether the institution is ‘need blind’ or not. ‘Need blind’ colleges accept students regardless of their financial situation, whilst ‘non need blind’ ones may deny any student lacking private funds.

As if the ‘basic’ application requirements weren’t enough, I also became engrossed with creating supplementary materials that would help distinguish me from the thousands of other qualified applicants. Supplementary materials need to be more original, so I found myself spending countless hours writing additional academic essays, working on the lay-out for an illustrated “Other Things You Didn’t Ask About Me” attachment, as well as taping audio and visual clips of myself clad in a Thai costume playing the khim (traditional Thai zither). All this imposes an additional amount of stress and frustration, so it is a good idea to begin working on the supplements far in advance of the deadline.

The impressions they make, however, can be phenomenal and every bit worth the effort. “All the work I put into my portfolio definitely marked me,” affirms Vanessa Croisetierre, whose efforts were rewarded with a place on an Arts degree programme at the prestigious University of Ottawa in Canada.

All this is no doubt an exhaustive load to handle but students can ease the burden by using the Common Application, copies of which can be sent to several colleges.

Having applied to other countries besides the United States, I would say that the applications to other countries may be less time consuming, but no less demanding. Take, for instance, the seemingly simple four-paged UCAS application form for students applying to the United Kingdom. The form consists of a section for personal details, qualifications (predicted International Baccalaureate or A-level scores), personal statement, and open reference (counsellor or teacher recommendation).

In filling out the form, however, I realised that there was no designated area for extracurricular activities or high school profile. The personal statement was the only area where I could capitalise on my experience in an international community, as well as mention any talents, activities and responsibilities to distinguish myself from other able applicants. It was also the only space where I could cram in my knowledge of the subject and commitment to the major – all in no more than a tight 500 words.

In writing a personal statement or application essay, ISB counsellor Dr. Harper suggests prudence. “Don’t aggrandise yourself,” he advises. “However, this is also no time to be modest. The only reasons the colleges will have to accept you are the reasons you send in the envelope”. I thus tried to strike a balance in portraying myself as capable of doing myriad activities whilst having a manageable number of true passions.

While the universities in the US and the UK place significant emphasis on the student’s extracurricular activities as well as on grades, some colleges mainly focus on the student’s previous and potential academic performance.

Miho Kyotani, who is bound for the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, understands that her acceptance was based upon her grade point average as well as exam results. “For Japanese colleges,” she states, “you have to go take an entrance exam at the college, and how well you do on the exam is the biggest factor.”

Applicants to Thai universities will find themselves in a similar situation. Travel down the latitudes to Australia, or across the longitudes to Europe and Canada, and students will discover that the “biggest factor” in determining their college acceptance will also be their high school grades and predicted I.B. or A-level scores.

After all the hassle of grades and essays, predicted scores and extracurricular activities, supplements and financial aid requests, I assumed that the instant I mailed the last of my applications would be my first moment of freedom. I was wrong – the process continues relentlessly.

The acknowledgements I received for my applications where accompanied by additional requests for more samples of my work, as well as reminders for me to schedule interviews with the admissions representative. Unforeseen glitches, such as postal strikes and staggered national holidays, complicated the correspondence I had with universities as I struggled to meet already-tight deadlines.

And then there was the wait. If completing the applications was the most mentally consuming part of the process, then waiting for the offers was the most emotionally draining. Depending on where I had applied, university replies came in at different rates subject to disparate conditions. At the time, I focused on my school work in an attempt to ignore the increasing apprehension and anxiety.

As the majority of my friends were all going through a similar range of feelings, my parents inevitably took the brunt of my agitation. But they reminded me that I had already done all I could, and that driving myself mad whilst waiting for something that was already out of my hands was futile. “Emotions were definitely on high and hard to avoid,” admits prospective University of Pepperdine freshman Jackie Eaton.” You just need to keep yourself in check and make sure your emotions don’t take charge of your life.”

My own emotions remained intense even as I received my offer letters. I was lucky enough to receive more offers than rejections, though I’m well aware this may not be the case for every applicant.

Denial from a university can be heartbreaking, but it doesn’t have to be. ISB’s Dr. Harper gives some encouraging reassurance on this one. “Students aren’t submitting themselves to be judged as to how successful their lives will be,” he says. “Rather, students applying to universities are going to hire an institution to help them reach their goals. If some institutions have more applicants than they can accept, it means that there is a high number of students who do very well, and the university cannot allow themselves to be hired by each and everyone.”

Thus, while the university you attend ultimately affects the course of your life, it is not a definite measure of how successful you will be.

At the time of writing this article, I received my I.B. exam results. To my amazement and major relief, they exceed what I needed in order to have my offer confirmed.

Looking back, I now see that all the stress and fatigue, anxiety and sleep-deprivation is a low price to pay to feel this sense of elation and the anticipation of a new beginning.

Later this month, I’ll find myself thrown into the exhilarating bustle of living in a fast-paced city. I’m excited every time I imagine what pursuing a Law degree at the University College London will be like, what new groups of people I will meet, and what unimaginable experiences may come.

But have I made the right choice? Only time will tell.