For high school students in Europe, making the leap to an American university can be especially challenging. The US school system is quite different from what students in most European high schools are used to and the admission system for college even more so. Most European students are unfamiliar with SAT or ACT-type tests, filled with multiple choice questions and curiously convoluted reasoning. Math problems on the SAT, in particular, are equal parts semantic puzzle and actual mathematic knowledge. The American college application is also different from anything used for admissions overseas. Teacher recommendations, application essays, interviews, and lists of impressive extracurricular activities are all unique to the American evaluation process.
Fortunately, there are some excellent resources in Europe for students and their families to explore the American university preparation and application process. The Fullbright Commission, with offices in London, Paris and other big cities, offers information sessions, lectures and scholarships. The US Embassy and Consulates can also direct families to information for study in the US.
For students in Paris, the Fullbright Commission has on their calendar a terrific lecture and workshop series coming up on April 12 and 13, "Choosing an American University Education." The highly experienced college counselors of College Goals, Joyce Reed, former Associate Dean of Brown University, and Andrea van Niekerk, former Associate Director of Admission at Brown, share their deep knowledge of the university admission process with students and families to help them make wise choices from application to enrollment. Joining them, top New York SAT and ACT tutor Karen Berlin Ishii will discuss college test preparation. Learn more about this event and register here. For members of the AAWE, there will also be a bag lunch version of the presentation on April 15.
The presentation travels next to London on April 20. Venue and registration information can be found on the US-UK Fullbright Commission calendar.
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