Career And University Planning Handbook

B e l i e f | M o t i v a t i o n | I n s p i r a t i o n | S u c c e s s

Career

And

University

Planning

Handbook

Year 10-13 BMIS Students & Families

Updated by Charlie Bowles 2019

College Counselor

Created By Dr. Teri Green 2015

Bishop Mackenzie International School

 
 
Table of Contents 
INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 1 
How Can Parents or Guardians Help? ..............................................................................................1 
How Does BMIS Help? ....................................................................................................................2 
How Does the College Counselor Help? ...........................................................................................2 
Career Guidance .............................................................................................................................2 
University Guidance ............................................................................................................................... 2 
The Role of DP and MYP Coordinators, Pastoral Coordinators, Learning Support, and Teachers ........ 2 
University Admissions Staff .................................................................................................................... 3 
How to Research Careers ....................................................................................................... 3 
UCAS/Collageboard.org ..................................................................................................................3 
Interest Inventories ........................................................................................................................3 
Value Inventories ...........................................................................................................................3 
Personality Inventories ...................................................................................................................3 
Skills Inventories ............................................................................................................................3 
Hands-on Experience ......................................................................................................................4 
Post-Secondary Options ......................................................................................................... 4 
Types of Universities .......................................................................................................................4 
Liberal Arts .............................................................................................................................................. 4 
General Universities ............................................................................................................................... 4 
Specialist Universities ............................................................................................................................. 5 
Other Options Beside University ............................................................................................................ 5 
How to Research a University – Am I a Good Fit?.................................................................... 5 
What Universities Are Looking for in Applicants ..............................................................................5 
Reach Schools ......................................................................................................................................... 6 
Target Schools ........................................................................................................................................ 6 
Safety Schools ......................................................................................................................................... 6 
Factors to Consider .........................................................................................................................6 
Location .................................................................................................................................................. 6 
Type ........................................................................................................................................................ 6 
Course Requirements ............................................................................................................................. 6 
Size .......................................................................................................................................................... 6 
Costs ....................................................................................................................................................... 6 
Housing ................................................................................................................................................... 6 
Faculty – Student Ratio........................................................................................................................... 6 
Departmental and Program Reputation................................................................................................. 6 
SEN Support ............................................................................................................................................ 6 
Summer Job Opportunities or Internships ............................................................................................. 6 
Sports ...................................................................................................................................................... 6 
The Arts, Campus Life, Clubs, etc. .......................................................................................................... 6 
Post-Graduate Opportunities ................................................................................................................. 6 
BMIS University List ........................................................................................................................7 
Other Places to Research ................................................................................................................7 

 
 
IBO - ........................................................................................................................................................ 7 
CollegeBoard® ........................................................................................................................................ 7 
EUROPE ................................................................................................................................................... 7 
OUAC ...................................................................................................................................................... 7 
South African .......................................................................................................................................... 7 
UCAS ....................................................................................................................................................... 7 
How to Apply to University .................................................................................................... 7 
Online Application Centers .............................................................................................................8 
Individual & Other ..........................................................................................................................8 
Parts of a University Application .....................................................................................................8 
BMIS Forms Required by Counselor .................................................................................................8 
General Deadlines ..........................................................................................................................9 
USA ......................................................................................................................................................... 9 
United Kingdom ...................................................................................................................................... 9 
Southern Hemisphere ............................................................................................................................ 9 
I’ve Been Accepted, Now What? ............................................................................................ 9 
Financing Higher Education .............................................................................................................9 
Parents .................................................................................................................................................... 9 
Country Subsidies ................................................................................................................................... 9 
Student Grants/Loans ........................................................................................................................... 10 
Scholarships .......................................................................................................................................... 10 
Sophomore Entry into University ......................................................................................................... 11 
Obtaining a Student Visa ...................................................................................................................... 11 
IBO Legalization .................................................................................................................................... 11 
Choosing the Best Fit ............................................................................................................................ 11 
TIMELINE FOR YEAR 10 ........................................................................................................ 13 
TIMELINE FOR YEAR 11 ........................................................................................................ 14 
TIMELINE FOR YEAR 12 ........................................................................................................ 15 
TIMELINE FOR YEAR 13 ........................................................................................................ 17 
College Planning Worksheet #1 ............................................................................................ 20 
College Planning Worksheet #2 ............................................................................................ 21 
BMIS Letter of Reference Request ........................................................................................ 22 
University Information and Recommender’s Sheet ............................................................... 24 
TRANSCRIPT REQUEST FORM ............................................................................................... 25 
Transcript Request Form ...................................................................................................... 26 
BMIS Graduates University Acceptance List .......................................................................... 27 
 

pg. 1

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of education is to enable us to develop to the

fullest that which is inside us – Norman Cousins

High school, and all of education for that matter, is not an end unto itself, but a vehicle

to help you achieve your goals and dreams. That’s why BMIS and the IB both highlight

the importance of lifelong learning in their mission statements. As your high school

experience comes to an end, it is time to think about the next step in your educational

journey. What do you want to do with your life? How can you become the best version

of yourself?

Whether you go directly to university after graduation, take a gap year or find

employment, the College Counseling office at BMIS is here to help you take the next

step. It’s not just I that will help you, however. Your teachers, coordinators and other

counselors are a part of the team that can advise you and recommend you to

universities and employers.

While some anxiety is natural when having your past and your hopes for the future laid

out for others to evaluate and pass judgment on, remember that this is an exciting time

when you begin to shape your life in meaningful ways. What do you want out of life?

Who do you want to be? To return to Norman Cousins’ quote, what is inside of you and

how do you want to develop it?

Charlie Bowles

BMIS College Counselor

How Can Parents or Guardians Help?

You have a unique and important role in your child’s life and career plans. Being

supportive and interested while encouraging them to take responsibility for their own

lives and decisions is a difficult balance to achieve.

You can help by:

• Taking an interest in day-to-day school work

• Attending parent-teacher conferences

• Taking an interest in ideas and plans for the future

• Sharing your own experiences of work and training, both good and bad

• Attending university information workshops

• Encourage your child to aim high, but at the same time, to be realistic in terms of

their grades, capabilities and interests.

• Reading up on college/university information, especially with regard to

financing

pg. 2

How Does BMIS Help?

There are numerous people on hand to assist with the university application process:

• The College Counselor

• The DP Coordinator

• The MYP Coordinator

• Pastoral Coordinators

• Learning Support/EAL

• Teachers -- Faculty at BMIS are from a wide variety of countries and have

personal experience and knowledge of different universities

How Does the College Counselor Help?

Career Guidance

• Career exploration opportunities through surveys and presentations

• Work experience week

• Course placement recommendations in relation to interests and university

majors/courses of study and requirements

• Available for individual meetings and guidance

University Guidance

• A number of university information workshops are held beginning in Year 10

and becoming more regular through the first term of Year 13.

• Available for individual meetings and guidance

• Letters of recommendation

• Sending out school documents to universities as needed

• Provides clear guidelines and deadlines to assist the students

• Organization and planning skills counselling

• Mock interviews as needed

• Communicates directly with university admissions offices as needed

The Role of DP and MYP Coordinators, Pastoral Coordinators,

Learning Support, and Teachers

• A wide breadth of experience and knowledge about different university &

educational settings

• Knowledge of students’ strengths and weaknesses in the classroom

• Appropriate course placement recommendations

• Course-specific study strategies and suggestions for improvement

• Letters of recommendation

pg. 3

University Admissions Staff

• Communicate directly with your son/daughter as they go through the

admissions process with their university

• Request information for application

• Communicate directly with the BMIS College Counselor on an as needed

basis

How to Research Careers

There are a number of tools available on the web or for purchase that students may

use. The Counselling Office (currently S4, soon to be connected to the new Y13

common room) also has some surveys available for students.

UCAS/Collageboard.org

Both websites have excellent tools to help discover a career. Explore both.

Interest Inventories

Interest inventories ask a variety of questions requiring individuals to state whether they

L – like the activity, ? – are not sure on the activity, or D – dislike the activity. The

activities generally fall into one of 6 career categories. Based on their responses

students will be able to see which career categories best fit their current interests.

Value Inventories

Value inventories ask a variety of questions about the type of values that are important

to an individual on the job. This can range from making lots of money to having clear

guidelines and structure to follow. It will ask about whether being outdoors is important

or it’s preferable to be around loads of people. Based on an individual’s response on

this survey, additional career categories can be identified.

Personality Inventories

Personality inventories will give students a variety of scenarios to read and, based on

their responses, identify the general personality traits they possess and give career

options that best match these traits.

Skills Inventories

Skills inventories often take the individual through a variety of skills tests, both mental

and hands-on, to determine what skills are most prevalent and to what level. These are

generally the most time-consuming inventories and the most costly. However, if a

student is really unable to identify their own strengths realistically, this may be a good

option to pursue.

pg. 4

Hands-on Experience

Obviously, all the surveys and inventories one can take can give general ideas. But

going and seeing what different careers really do on the job is one of the best ways to

identify if a career is a good match. During Year 10, students will participate in a Work

Experience Week. The student will have the opportunity to shadow an individual in the

work environment, visit with the individual about education criteria for the job, and

depending on the career, actually practice some of the tasks required on the job.

Post-Secondary Options

There are a number of different types of universities and post-secondary options for a

student to consider when planning what they want to do after completing high school

(Year 13/Grade 12).

Types of Universities

Liberal Arts

Liberal Arts universities are generally 4-year universities located in the United

States. They are closely linked to the same philosophy as the International

Baccalaureate in that they believe a student should receive a well-rounded

education exposing them to a range of disciplines. In addition, there is a strong

expectation of student-teacher interaction, mentorship and collaboration, with

small classes and are generally more residential than other types of institutions.

Most Liberal Arts universities are private and funded through tuition payments,

alumni donations and endowments, grant funding, and philanthropic entities.

For more in-depth information check out the following web link:

http://www.topuniversities.com/blog/what-liberal-arts-education

General Universities

These universities offer a wide range of courses or majors. These university

programs are generally 3-4 years in length depending on the country, entry

level and specific program. They are often larger universities with communities

of over 10,000 students. General universities offer research opportunities and

often have bachelors, masters, and doctoral programs on offer. They can be

either private or public depending on their primary source of funding outside of

student tuition fees.

pg. 5

Specialist Universities

These universities provide specialized programs of study. Examples of these

may be music conservatories, hotel-motel management schools, visual and

performing arts schools, architecture or interior design schools, and culinary

schools. Other schools may specialize in business, engineering or law.

Other Options Beside University

• Military/National Service

• Technical Training Programs

• Apprenticeship Opportunities

• Gap Year – Internships, volunteer services, work shadowing, some travel.

Applications and/or plans still need to be made for these opportunities to become

a reality!

How to Research a University – Am I a Good Fit?

This is the most time-consuming portion of preparing for university – the search. It is

recommended that students begin browsing as early as Year 10. There are thousands

of options out there, so the sooner you begin, the more prepared you will be! You are

limited to 10 university applications in total (5 is the limit of schools/courses one

can apply to in England). You need to have been thoughtful about your submitted

applications, having done the research to choose a range of institutions that fit for you

best.

What Universities Are Looking for in Applicants

Universities look at the following when determining admissions:

• Grades (Year 10-Year 13) as indicated on BMIS transcript

• Successful completion of MYP (Certificate and/or Record of Achievement)

• Admissions test scores (ACT, SAT 1 and SAT 2, TOEFL, IELTS)

• Community involvement, service commitment, personal growth & reflection

(CAS & Service as Action)

• Personal Essays/Statements from student

• Letters of Recommendation from teachers/counselor

• Final IB Certificate and Diploma scores from IBO

University choices will fall into one of three categories as you research. They will

either be reach, target or safety schools.

pg. 6

Reach Schools – These are schools that have a low acceptance rate (less

than 25%), are highly competitive and you may or may not meet all the entrance

requirements.

Target Schools – These schools have moderate acceptance rates (25-45%) and

are moderately competitive. You meet all of the entrance requirements being asked.

Safety Schools – These have a high acceptance rate (over 50%) and are still

quality schools. You meet and/or exceed all of the entrance requirements.

Factors to Consider

When researching and choosing which universities to apply to, there are a number

of factors to consider:

Location Africa; Asia; Europe; Far East; Middle East; North, Central or South

America; Oceana; UK

Type Urban/small town/rural, private/public, research/liberal arts,

residential/commuter, local/regional/global student body

Course Requirements IB Diploma points, HL/SL courses, SATs, ACT,

TOEFL, IELTS, etc.

Size Large (10,000 + students), Small (<10,000 students)

Costs Tuition, fees, accommodation, supplies (books, stationary, etc.),

food, leisure activities, travel, trips, special events, scholarships, grants,

loans

Housing On campus, off campus

Faculty – Student Ratio Class sizes for freshmen, taught by

professors or teaching assistants

Departmental and Program Reputation

SEN Support Extra time for students on an IEP, Tutoring services

Summer Job Opportunities or Internships

Sports Facilities, teams, affiliations, programs

The Arts, Campus Life, Clubs, etc.

Post-Graduate Opportunities

 
pg. 7 
 
BMIS University List 
Past BMIS graduates have been accepted at universities around the world. This is a 
great place to begin your search, as you already know these universities accept 
students coming from BMIS and the IB Diploma Program. See Appendices for the list. 
 
Other Places to Research 
IBO - The International Baccalaureate Organization website can assist you in 
locating universities throughout the world that accept students from IB World 
Schools. Check out http://www.ibo.org/en/university-admission/recognition-of-
the-ib-diploma-by-countries-and-universities/ for more in-depth information. 
 
 
CollegeBoard® - The CollegeBoard® offers the opportunity to 
explore over 3,000 universities within the United States. Check out 
www.collegeboard.org. 
 
EUROPE – The following website has been helpful in providing information for 
 
European Universities: 
http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/education/university/admission-entry-
conditions/index_en.htm 
 
OUAC – OUAC, the Ontario University Application Center allows students 
applying to universities in Ontario, Canada to search for universities through 
this website. Check out www.ouac.on.ca. Other Canadian universities can be 
searched for individually. 
 
South African – Public Universities in South Africa lists a variety of 
universities to begin the search: http://www.usaf.ac.za/public-universities-in-
south-africa/. 
 
UCAS – UCAS is a fabulous website offering the opportunity to explore 
university courses throughout the UK. Check out www.ucas.com. 
 
How to Apply to University 
 
The method(s) of application you follow will depend on where you have chosen to 
apply. Your primary choices are online or paper. Being in Malawi, choosing schools 
that will allow for an online submission of records is ideal. Otherwise, you are highly 
recommended to submit paper applications via DHL/FedEx or another reputable 
courier. The cost for DHL/FedEx changes depending on the weight of the package 
and current prices set by the companies themselves. If you choose to have records 
and application sent DHL/FedEx from BMIS, you must pay the accounts office first. 

pg. 8

Letters of recommendation must be sent by BMIS. They are not released to the

student as they are confidential, as required by universities. Please request forms

from the College Counselor and he will forward the request to the teacher.

There are a number of opportunities where a student can fill out one application which

can be submitted to multiple schools of their choosing. Here is a list of the most

common on-line application centers:

Online Application Centers

• Europe - http://www.eunicas.ie/

• Ontario, Canada - www.ouac.on.ca

• UK – www.ucas.com

• USA – www.commonapp.org; State System Centers (e.g. California -

https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/, Texas -

https://www.applytexas.org/adappc/gen/c_start.WBX); Individual Universities

Individual & Other

Individual University Admission’s Offices (see specific university websites in the U.S.,

South Africa and elsewhere)

Australia – through individual universities or through an agent --

https://www.studyinaustralia.gov.au/english/apply-to-study/education-agents

Parts of a University Application

There are several parts to a university application. Using one of the online centers

versus applying individually to universities eliminates the need to fill out multiple

applications with the same information. Below are the primary sections of an

application.

• Personal and Family Background

• School Information

• Course/Qualification Information

• Recommender Information

• Personal Essays/Statements

BMIS Forms Required by Counselor

There are a few forms required by the College Counselor. These can be found in the

Counselor’s Office, in the Appendix of this book, and on ManageBac. They are also

distributed to Year 13 students during information sessions held in Tutor Period.

• Letter of Reference Request Sheet

• University Information and Recommenders’ Sheet

pg. 9

General Deadlines

It would be wonderful to give definitive deadlines for all universities. However, some

universities’ deadlines do differ. For the most part, the majority will be due on these

dates listed below.

USA

Early Action or Early Decision - Oct 15

Regular Decision – Jan 15

Early Action is a binding decision; if

accepted via EA, students are required to

enroll

United Kingdom

Medical, Dentistry, Veterinary Sciences

- Oct 15 Regular App – Jan 15

Southern Hemisphere

June 1

for January of next year start

It is important to be aware of the specific university deadlines as these mentioned

above are general in nature and each university may have a slightly different

deadline. Always check your universities’ websites and be knowledgeable on the

deadlines.

I’ve Been Accepted, Now What?

Financing Higher Education

In addition to applying for admission to university, students and parents are

interested in how to pay for university. There are different types of financial

assistance available to families. These include:

• Parents

• Country subsidies

• Student grants/loans

• Scholarships

• Sophomore entry status

Parents

Most universities, regardless of country or citizenship, have an expectation that

parents will assist their children with paying for higher education.

Country Subsidies

Some countries offer subsidies for their citizens to attend university if they are high

achieving academically or gifted athletically (elite level).

pg. 10

Student Grants/Loans

Different countries offer bursaries or grants. This is money generally given to the

student on the basis of financial need and does not need to be repaid. Student loans

are monies offered to students based on financial need and are required to be paid

back at an annual interest rate after the student has either dropped out of university or

completed their course of study. Knowing the requirements of the loans is important

before signing papers as they are binding.

For U.S. citizens, a FASFA (Free Application for Student Financial Aid) must be filled out

and submitted on a yearly basis. International students applying to US schools may be

required to fill out a CIS/Financial Aid PROFILE®, which some schools may also require

for U.S. citizens. These forms can be found at the following websites, respectively:

FASFA - https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa

CIS/Financial Aid PROFILE® - https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org

Scholarships

Scholarships are another possible route, although caution is given in planning on this

route covering the full cost. While some scholarships may cover full tuition, room and

board, supplies and even travel costs, most scholarships generally will pay for just a

portion, even a fraction of the cost to attend university. There are several different types

of scholarships available. These are in parenthesis below.

• Academic – given directly by the university

• Academic/Merit – given by the university or some philanthropic organization

(Gates Millennium Scholarship)

• Need Based – (MasterCard Scholarship)

• Service – (Tylenol Scholarship)

• Religious – (Dr. Abdulmunim A. Shakir Scholarship)

• Company – (Coca Cola)

• Prior military service – (All branches in the USA)

• Athletic/Sports – (Swimming scholarship)

• Skill/Program Based – (Euphonium player)

There are hundreds of websites out there offering information on scholarships. It is

impossible to provide a comprehensive list. However, here are a few websites to get

you started in your search for “best match” scholarships.

• www.scholarships.com

• www.fastweb.com

• www.IBO.org > Alumni > Scholarships

• www.aisa.or.ke > Student Focus > Margaret Sanders Scholarships

• www.topuniversities.com

pg. 11

GOOD ADVICE! Be prepared to apply for several scholarships in order to

cover the cost of one year of university. Also, look for scholarships that are

annually renewable if your performance at university is high enough.

Sophomore Entry into University

Some universities are so impressed with students earning the full IB Diploma, they are

willing to grant credit to students for the first year of university and allow students to

enter as 1

year (UK) or 2

year (USA/Canada/Middle East). This eliminates the need

for a foundation year/freshman year and is the equivalent of earning a “free” year of

school!

Even if a full year of advanced standing is not obtained, credit may still be given for

achievement in certain courses. This makes is possible for non-diploma to benefit as

well.

Obtaining a Student Visa

Obtaining a student visa to study abroad is dependent on your personal circumstances

and the specific requirements of the country, but in most cases, it will be reasonably

straightforward, provided you meet certain conditions like:

• Providing a letter of admission from the accredited college or university

• Enrolling as a full-time student for a degree course

• Prove that financing the cost of your course can be met

The consulates of the respective countries are best placed to assist you with advice

on securing a student visa. It is advised that you contact them as soon as possible

once you decide on which university offer you plan to accept. If you are going to an

Australian university and have worked with an agent, they will generally assist you in

this area as well

IBO Legalization

Some countries require the IB Diplomas to be legalized. IBO provides a service to

graduates in Geneva. Cost is only for consular fees. Diplomas are legalized before

being sent to school in late September.

Choosing the Best Fit

Most universities have deadlines for when you must notify them of attending their

school. Be aware of when these deadlines are so you don’t miss out on your first

choice school.

The optimal way of knowing that a university is the best fit is to have the opportunity to

visit the school. However, that is not always possible.

pg. 12

Choose the school that meets the majority of your wants. This will obviously include

the following:

• Cost

• Proximity to home/relatives

• Housing availability and cost

• Approach to teaching and learning

• Program of study quality

• Extra-curricular opportunities/college life

The following timelines are provided as a suggestive guide to families preparing for

the university path. Following these timelines will assist in being prepared, organized

and ready to make application during the student’s Senior year (Year 13).

pg. 13

TIMELINE FOR YEAR 10

Explore different career options

Identify areas of interest

Identify areas of strength

Be aware! Grades count and universities look at Year 10 (Grade 9) scores

Start building your resume/personal portfolio now – Get involved

within and outside of your school community (Service as Action)

or other extra-curricular activities that interest you

Job shadow – Work Experience week in an area of interest

Visit university campuses during your vacation times

pg. 14

TIMELINE FOR YEAR 11

Continue to do what you started in Year 10

Ensure you are on track for graduation

If interested in architecture or attending an art college, start compiling

your portfolio now

Be aware! Grades count and universities look at Year 11 (Grade 10)

scores

Continue building your resume/personal portfolio now – Get

involved within and outside of your school community (Service as

Action)

or other extra-curricular activities that interest you

Look for opportunities to lead – House Competitions and Tutor Group

Choose your IBDP Courses with university studies in mind

Visit university campuses during your vacation times

pg. 15

TIMELINE FOR YEAR 12

AUGUST - DECEMBER

Research universities that match your interests and performance level

Visit Universities during holidays

JANUARY

Sit SAT 1

Update Portfolio/CAS/Resume

FEBRUARY

Research Courses of Study

Continue to research universities that match your interests

and performance level

Create College Comparison Chart

Create List of Courses/Majors (initial 5)

Create List of Universities (initial 20)

MARCH

Update Portfolio/CAS/Resume

Modify List of Courses/Majors

APRIL

Continue to research courses of study

pg. 16

Modify List of Courses/Majors (Top 1-2)

Modify List of Universities (15)

MAY

Sit the May SAT 2: Subject Tests (match HL courses)

Attend May University Planning Meeting – Part 2

Determine if additional testing is required for your area of study

Think about whom to ask for a reference/letter of recommendation

JUNE

Sit June SAT 1

Update Portfolio/CAS/Resume

Create List of Universities (Top 10)

Decide who to ask for a reference/letter of recommendation

pg. 17

TIMELINE FOR YEAR 13

AUGUST

Create your UCAS, Common Application, OUAC or individual school

accounts

Make a plan to be organized and aware of your university application

deadlines

Meet BMIS deadlines for university application processing

SAT2, ACT)

SEPTEMBER

Make an appointment with the college counselor to discuss schools of

interest and school records required.

Begin filling out application forms

Request Letters of Recommendation from teachers/counselor as needed

OCTOBER

Complete application by October 5 if Oct 15-Nov 1 application deadline

By Oct 5, send link for uploading school documents and letters of

recommendation to counselor or recommending teacher as appropriate

Sit the October ACT, SAT 1 or SAT 2, TOEFL or IELTS as required by

University

NOVEMBER – DECEMBER

Complete application by November 15 if Dec 1 deadline

pg. 18

By Dec 1, send link for uploading school documents and letters of

recommendation to counselor or recommending teacher as appropriate for

application due by Jan 30.

JANUARY – MAY

Continue with application process if deadline is after January 30. Check

with counselor for individual BMIS deadlines for Southern Hemisphere

schools (RSA, Australia, South America)

UCAS acceptances begin to come in through the month of February

North American acceptances come in between January – April

Apply for scholarships

Choose your university!

With parents start the financial paperwork

Appointments with appropriate Embassy for student Visa application

process

REVISE! REVISE! REVISE! Or Study, Study, Study! You need to meet any

conditions for full acceptance into the university.

June 1 deadline for Southern Hemisphere applications

Sit your May Exams – Best of luck to all…good study habits take away the

need for luck!

Graduation and Prom…End of May

pg. 19

APPENDICES

pg. 20

College Planning Worksheet #1

In which country or top two countries do you most want to study?

1. ________________________________

2. ________________________________

What are your top 1-5 areas of interest to study at this point?

1. ________________________________

2. ________________________________

3. ________________________________

4. ________________________________

5. ________________________________

Make a list of 10-15 universities that sound interesting to you and match the

countries in which you hope to study.

1. ________________________________

2. ________________________________

3. ________________________________

4. ________________________________

5. ________________________________

6. ________________________________

7. ________________________________

8. ________________________________

9. ________________________________

10. ________________________________

11. ________________________________

12. ________________________________

13. ________________________________

14. ________________________________

15. ________________________________

Whom will I ask to be my recommenders?

1. _______________________________ (Only 1 if UCAS, needs to be in area of study)

2. ________________________________ (Usually 1-2 if USA)

pg. 21

College Planning Worksheet #2

UNIVERSITY NAME

ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

(IGSCE/MYP scores, IB DP Scores,

SAT, TOEFL, IElTS)

REACH

COST PER YEAR –

TUITION ONLY

COST PER YEAR –

ROOM & BOARD

TARGET

SAFETY

pg. 22

BMIS Letter of Reference Request

Name:

_____________________________________

Date Requested:_________________________

Teachers Requested: ______________________________

_____________________________________

(Students: Request letters of reference at least 4 weeks ahead of your first deadline!)

University/universities to which you are applying and deadlines:

1.______________________________________

6. ____________________________________________

2. ______________________________________

7. ____________________________________________

3.______________________________________

8. ____________________________________________

4. ______________________________________

9. ____________________________________________

5. ______________________________________

10. ___________________________________________

Confidential Reference Waiver Statement

I __________________________________ waive the right to view this reference/recommendation

letter.

It will be sent directly to the university by BMIS personnel.

_______________________________________

________________

Student Signature

Date

pg. 23

Student Fill Out All Parts:

Comments

Date

Current Tutor Group

Subjects and Levels Studied

After School Activities

Assemblies You Assisted

Planning or Participated

College courses/major

interested in

(Give Examples)

Trips/Excursions/Camps

Committees/Working

Groups

Community involvement &

support

Interhouse/Interschool

events

Please write any additional information below or on additional sheet(s) of paper if necessary

In the case of a confidential reference, a contact (email) address of the person to whom the reference should be sent will be required.

Confidential references cannot be given to the student or family requesting the reference.

pg. 24

University Information and Recommender’s Sheet

Student Name________________________________

Student Email Contact:_________________________________

University Name

(Full Name)

APP Type: UCAS, Common App,

Recommender #1

Recommender #2

College

App

Country

OUAC, Online, Paper, If Other

Name & Date of

Counselor

Due

Please Specify

Request

Yes/No

Date

pg. 25

Bishop Mackenzie International School

B e l i e f | M o t i v a t i o n | I n s p i r a t i o n

| S u c c e s s

TRANSCRIPT REQUEST FORM

This form is to request transcripts for a variety of purposes: for the university

application process, for transfer to another high school, for personal reference.

Please allow a minimum of 2 weeks (10 working days) for this request to be

processed once received. (Give to College Counselor) Thank you.

I, _________________________, request that an official school transcript for

Parent’s Name (please print)

____________________________, be sent to the following school/s.

Student’s Name (please print)

I confirm that my signature on this form gives permission for Bishop Mackenzie

International School to release this information in its entirety and to accurately

and officially reflect my child’s academic performance.

_________________________________ Parent Signature _____________ Date

________________________________ Student Signature _____________ Date

pg. 26

Transcript Request Form

Request is for (Circle one): University Application Transfer of School Personal Use

University/School

Name (Full Name

Needed)

University/School

Address

(Make sure it is

accurate)

Special Codes,

Information

School Needs

Deadlines

◆

P.O. BOX 102, (3/19 BARRON AVENUE), LILONGWE, MALAWI

◆

[email protected]

◆

PHONE +265 (0)1756 364 / 984 / 894 / 631

◆

FAX +265 (0)1751 374

◆

www.bmis.mw

pg. 27

BMIS Graduates University Acceptance List

This list is a compilation of data collected over the last 5 years of university offers

received by BMIS-IB Diploma graduates.

CANADA:

Carleton University

Concordia University

McGill University

Queens University

University of British Columbia

University of Calgary

University of Toronto

York University

EUROPE:

American University of Madrid

Amsterdam University

College Delft

University of Technology

Eindhoven

University of Technology

IE School of Art – Spain

INSA Lyon – France

University College Roosevelt

University of Brussels

University of Trieste

University of Zurich

MIDDLE EAST:

Girls Medical College

Gulf Medical College

Middlesex University, Dubai

New York University, Abu Dhabi

REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA:

Monash University

Rhodes University

Stellenbosch University

University of Cape Town

University of Pretoria

University of South

Africa

OTHER:

Edith Cowan University-Australia

The Hong Kong University of Science

and Technology

Sunbird University - Malaysia

University of Nairobi-Kenya

University of Nottingham-Malaysia

University of Western Australia

UNITED KINGDOM:

American University of Richmond

Aston University

Bath University

British & Irish Institute of Modern

Music (BIMM)

Birmingham City

University

Brighton University

Bristol University

Brunel University

Cambridge University

Cardiff University

City University

Coventry University

De Montfort University

Durham University

Glasgow School of Art

Imperial College

Keeley University

King’s College

Kingston University

Liverpool Hope University

London Metropolitan University

London School of Economics

Manchester University

Middlesex University

Nottingham University

Nottingham-Trent University

Oxford Brookes University

pg. 28

Oxford University

Queen Mary University

Richmond University

Sheffield-Hallam

University

St. Andrews University

St. Mary’s University

The Manchester Metropolitan

University

University College London University

of Aberdeen

University of Bath

University of Birmingham

University of Bolton

University of Bradford

University of Brighton

University of Cardiff

University of Coventry

University of Cumbria

University of Derby

University of East Anglia

University of East

London

University of Edinburgh

University of Essex

University of Exeter

University of Glasgow

University of Kent

University of Leeds

University of Leicester

University of Liverpool

University of London

University of Loughborough

University of Nottingham

University of Plymouth

University of Reading

University of Sheffield

University of Stirling

University of Strathclyde

University of Warwick

University of West London

University of Westminster

University of York

Warwick University

USA:

Amherst College

American University

Arizona State University

Azusa Pacific University

Babson College

Beloit College

Bethany Lutheran College

Boston University

Brown University

California State University

Calvin College

Carroll University

College of William and Mary

College of Wooster

Colorado College

Dickenson College

Florida Institute of Technology

Franklin & Marshall College

Georgia Institute of Technology

Grinnell College

Hawaii Pacific University

Illinois Institute of Technology

Johns Hopkins University

Martin Luther College

Michigan State University

Moorhouse College

New York University

Northeastern University

Ohio State University

Ohio Wesleyan University

Pepperdine University

Pratt Institute

San Diego State University

Seattle University

Smith College

South Dakota School of Mines &

Technology

South Dakota State University

St Cloud State University

St. Edward’s University

pg. 29

St. John’s University

St. Joseph’s College

St. Mary’s College – MD

Stanford University

Trinity Christian College

University of Arizona

University of Buffalo

University of California

University of Chicago

University of Columbia

University of Dallas

University of Denver

University of Maryland

University of Miami

University of Minnesota

University of North Carolina

University of Oregon

University of Rochester

University of San Diego

University of San Francisco

University of South Florida

University of Wisconsin

Wake Forest University

Wellesley College

Wisconsin Lutheran College