It isn’t quite summertime, but we’re all looking forward to a little rest after the tumultuous year and a half that’s past. Some families treat summer like a lazy time, others as the fourth semester of school, but we all know that come July, some kind of break from the norm is in order. That’s where here we at Jingkids come in, ready to rock your scheduling world with these summer camp highlights. Each week we’ll go behind the scenes of a camp so you can make the right choice for your family.

Pingo Space Survival Camp

You might hear survival camp and think you’ll get put through endurance tests before being voted off the island or win a large cash prize. But Jennifer Holstein, Human Resources Manager and Event Planner of Pingo Camp, assures us that it’s really just a chance to connect kids in Beijing to the nature they don’t get every day from living in the city, “This camp is so valuable because kids will be able to get down and dirty and learn real-life skills that can help them in any outdoor situation and last for a lifetime… Some campers have never seen half the things they get to see at camp. Kids will learn how to build fires, build shelter, filter water, build rafts, and more!”

Some of the benefits of this camp are its authenticity; for instance, campers will get to sleep at the camp and will learn how to “survive’ (in teams and with help) in the wilderness. Don’t worry if they’ve never slept away before, because Holstein says that “Most campers cry when they go because they don’t want to leave their parents, and cry when [their parents]come back because they don’t want to go home.”

You still get the “Survivor” or Lost Boys experience after your training, though. Holstein says that “On the last day of camp, campers get to go to a nearby survival island with lots of awesome games and activities.”

Summer Camp Facts

Who: Pingo Space 平行国
What: 5 fun-filled days of outdoor survival camp where campers learn skills to survive in the wilderness
Where: Huairou, Beijing campsite, at night campers bunk with one other person in an air-conditioned room with a private bathroom
When: Jul 19-23, Jul 25-30, Aug 1-6, Aug 8-13, Aug 15-20, Aug 22-27
How: WeChatID: jcourt
Ages: 7-14 years old
Teacher to Child Ratio: 1 Lead instructor, 2 assistant instructors, 12 campers
Prices: RMB 7580-8980
Curriculum: Fire building, water filtration, building rafts, building shelter.
Conclusion: Survival camp completion certificate|
About: Highly experienced outdoor guides with wilderness first aid certifications. This is the third year Pingo Space has been running this camp. All staff and instructors are highly experienced.

Your UK Summer in China at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Ningbo

Summertime is usually a time when expat families return to their home country and refresh a bit in more familiar surroundings. With travel restrictions still in place, however, the University of Nottingham Ningbo China stepped up to “offer an authentic British-style university experience from the safety of China. This program is also highly practical, with every element designed to help students who wish to apply to overseas universities in the future,” said Julian Fisher of the Venture Education.

“UNNC is welcoming two cohorts of bright young minds to our British-style campus this summer, David Foster, the Director of Business Development Office, University of Nottingham Ningbo China told jingkids. “The courses are selective and students must pass an interview to attend, but there truly is no better way to prepare for overseas study in the future than working alongside top academics surrounded by cutting-edge research in STEM, Business and Social Sciences.”

With “taster sessions” in the STEM or Business and Social Sciences subjects, 40 hours of academic English classes, and activities like sports, games, a Masterclass Series with UK university admissions experts, workshops, this camp aims to show students what kind of experience they would have at an overseas university.

All students will also sit the Morrisby assessment, a psychometric test common in the UK, which is used to highlight a student’s strengths. These are then compiled with their most suitable choices for degrees and careers in a bespoke 20-page report for each student.

Summer Camp Facts
Who: University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Ningbo
What: An international, English-language university experience in China this summer.
Where: University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Ningbo
When: Jul 19 – Aug 6
How: Visit the website: www.nottingham.edu.cn/en/business-development/summer-school.aspx
Ages: 14-17
Teacher to Child Ratio: 1:30 (various expert teachers for the different workshops and classes)
Prices: RMB 32,000
Curriculum: Two courses:
A: STEM
B: Business and Social Sciences
Students choose one of these two options when they apply. They will undertake projects which will serve as taster sessions to various subjects within these areas.

Projects include (subject to change):
STEM – Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality, Electronic Circuits and Drones
Business and Social Sciences – Language and Linguistics, Marketing, Economics
Each course will also feature 40 hours of academic English classes and 3 bonus IELTS classes run by former IELTS examiners.
Conclusion: All students will receive a certificate for completing the course. There will also be awards available for the best performers according to certain criteria which will be laid out in the student handbook given to students before the course. Tied to these awards will be personalized letters of recommendation from professors, which students can use to support their applications to overseas universities.|
About: With a beautiful campus designed in the image of the University of Nottingham UK, British-style teaching, and a multicultural environment with 284 foreign academics and students from all across the world, UNNC Summer School is a truly authentic representation of a British-style university.

KEEP READING: Summer Camps Preview: A Royal Summer Camp and Inclusive Cycling

Images: Canva, University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Ningbo

Are you looking to get a leg up for your child in the college admissions process? Check out this event hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce on May 9 (1-4.30pm).

This training session will provide great tips to parents and students (Grades 8-12) from Christina Chong, a specialized US trainer. You’ll learn about recent admissions trends, what extracurriculars universities are looking for, and other ways to increase the probability of getting into your dream school.

In addition to this, it will also seek to teach students about selecting the perfect school that meets both their academic and social needs.

Here’s a complete list of what the training session will cover:
1. Identifying trends in the most recent college admissions statistics
2. Introducing strategies based on how applications are processed
3. Conducting school research
4. Creating a balanced school list when applying
5. Covering three main criteria for extracurricular leadership
6. Planning for the summer
7. Creating an impressive activities list

The host, Christina Chong, has extensive experience in higher education admissions, having reviewed thousands of applications for law school, dental school, and professional programs in social work, nonprofit leadership, and policy.

Tickets for the event are RMB 450 for AmCham members and RMB 550 for non-members, and are available for purchase here.

Study in the US: Succeeding in US College Applications, May 9
1-4.30pm. AmCham China Washington Room, Floor 3, Gate 4, Pacific Century Place, 2A Workers’ Stadium North Road, Chaoyang District. 朝阳区工体北路甲2号盈科中心4号门3层.

Photo: thriveglobal.com

I awoke this morning to my inbox, FB, and other accounts blowing up with the news from the largest bribery and fraud scandal in college admissions ever. The outrage and disgust are palpable around the world. The scandal primarily focuses on two actresses, CEOs, and many others including coaches and admissions at elite universities in the US. To say that I echo the sentiments of my peers is obvious, but my real question is will anything really change?

In the high anxiety climate of admissions and the perverse concept that only elite schools educate well, families seemingly will do anything to access those schools. What is damning for me is the fact that parents will pay anything to ensure their child, who may knowingly or unknowingly, be participants in this unethical behavior. Little thought is given to the effect this has on the students and their perception that their parents will buy, cheat, and steal to get them into the likes of Yale and Stanford, to name but two of the schools mentioned. The only thing they learn, and it is not a new concept among the privileged, is that money will buy you anything.

Given the current political climate in the US at the moment, there is a pervading sense that wealth and status are outside basic common ethical and moral mores. But again this is not news. What is a bit scary is that major events like this happen and have happened around the world, through time. If there is money to be given, money to be paid, greed of all sorts will prevail.

While this disgraceful event highlights everything from cheating on SAT and ACT to the involvement of coaches and others, there are other questionable, but acknowledged, forms of similar behavior, and it is not just with university admissions but also at prestigious private day and boarding schools. Donations to buy buildings, researching family wealth during the admission process, legacy admits, and more, are and have been a part of the admissions landscape for ages. In fact, at a recent conference, I shared my overall antipathy toward actions like this in the admission process as being bad for education, particularly for the students involved because of the message that it sends to those students, and it only continues the sentiment that ethics are exempt where money can pave the road to success. But the message is clear – “we (the parents) don’t think you are good enough, so let me buy, rather than pay, for your education.”

Many organizations including the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) and the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) both issued statements today regarding ethical practices and standards of their members in response to today’s news. Unfortunately, because one of the people named in the charges is an educational consultant (not an IECA member), the shame surrounding the news has impacted the reputation of independent educational consultants.

As mentioned earlier, where do we go from here- as parents, as students, and as educational consultants who aspire to earn their place at schools based on their intellect and personal attributes? There are so many choices for an excellent education at both the high school and college level, yet there is an adverse perception that some are better than others. Families who truly seek to understand the vast array of differences and how those schools can positively affect not only a student’s education but also their confidence and overall wellbeing now and into the future will find there are consultants who endeavor to provide outstanding options ethically and appropriately.

Sadly, there are those who seek to find shortcuts, exemptions, and other means, as highlighted in the many allegations in the article attached, to circumvent conventional pathways. As a member of both NACAC and IECA, as well as being a board member of IECA, it is my job to educate, encourage, and assist in planning for a student’s future, whatever that may entail. But, needless to say, the route I pave for all my students, at school or as clients, requires hard work, managing expectations and a great deal of trust. In saying this, it is with the knowledge of my peers and colleagues in both organizations that we will continue to trust the system despite today’s shocking and disturbing news.

Photo: ew.com

With the New Year, by the lunar calendar just around the corner, it is that time of the year to start thinking about an update to your applications – whether for boarding school or university. Both sets of schools are in the process of reading your application and no doubt there are a few things that you can report on since you submitted your application.

Why is this important? First of all this lets schools know that you are still thinking about them. It may have been quite a while since you last contacted your schools and most likely there are things that have happened they should know about. What should you update them on? Awards, projects, improved grades, special events, or even something like an important connection you have made.

What you shouldn’t do is send them packages, posters, food, or other gifts. Send a short, concise and well-worded email directly to the admissions officer at the school. If you interviewed with an admission officer, that is your contact. If you don’t know who to write – check the school’s website to see who covers your region or area.

Remember wording is about who you are as a person. If you are sending a letter to either a boarding school or a college, remember that this is a “professional’ email so the wording should reflect a professional attitude. This is not the time or place to blah, blah blah. Get to the point about what you are sharing. A bullet form email is a great idea to share those important aspects you are updating them on. Nor is this email to let them know XX School is your dream school. Your email is implying that they are a first choice school for you.

While you are thinking about updating your applications, it is also important that you monitor the status of your application. Check to make sure that all of your materials have been submitted. By this time test scores, letters of recommendation, transcripts etc… should all be in your file. CHECK your Spam email to make sure that you have not missed an email from any of your schools.

If you are missing something, please speak with your counselor if it is a school-related document like a transcript or letter of recommendation. A reminder that sending scores from College Board (SAT) or ETS (TOEFL) take some time to arrive at their destination. In the world of immediate communication, it is important to remember that some things do take time – test scores are one of those take time things.

If you are currently a Junior or in the process of thinking about applying to any school, now is the time to start doing some research as well as applying to Summer Programs. There are literally thousands of options for both. Be aware that some summer programs have very strict deadlines and for very competitive programs that deadline may have already past. It is also important to note that it is not where you go for summer programs, but what you do and what you learn. And, not everything has to be about schoolwork. Go do something really interesting. Too many students do the same thing and come across as robots rather than individuals.

So while you’re on vacation for CNY, spend some time getting either research on schools done or applying to summer programs. Preferably both!

Spend some time with family, enjoy the celebration and Xin Nian Kuai Le!!!

Photo: cambridge-news.co.uk

Harvard University, as many know, is in the process of a legal suit trying to determine whether, in their admission policies, they have been biased toward Asian American students, compared to other applicants. The trial started on Oct 15, and soon after the Wall Street Journal released an internal document on how Harvard evaluates different applicants. It was a somewhat interesting read, but overall, there was nothing that did not scream or even hint at discrimination.

Basically, the document showed step by step the process at which evaluators need to categorize the applicant pool. There were some score boundaries for SAT, how to flag alumni applicants and athletes and other categories of students to help the admission committee determine whether a student is admissible or not. Again, there was nothing really at all revealing nor would one expect there to be in a document that is setting out the guidelines for evaluators.

Maybe the fact that this document is an internal document so it gets those unfamiliar with the admission process excited, but the reality is that if you have been in admission on either side of the desk – university representative or college counselor, the information is not particularly surprising nor will it expose Harvard to the information the prosecutors are looking for in determining their case.

The question in my mind is whether there is a case at all. First, we need to make sure everyone understands that the focus is on Asian Americans. That means Asians who are Americans. So then we must next suppose is whether Asian Americans need to have a higher profile – activities, test scores and overall performance higher that let’s say a Caucasian American. Possibly. Even if that is true, it is important to reflect on the specific applicant pools and their background, overall ability, and achievements. Are they different? Again possibly and probably more probable that an Asian cohort of applicants presents a higher set of boundaries than the top Caucasian American. Possible.

But then we need or more importantly, the prosecution needs to be able to prove that there was some bias in the admission process toward Asian Americans. Given the document that was released, there are all sorts of categories in which a student is being evaluated and assessed. If we could consider a different scenario for the moment, lets say Olympic sports, then it might be possible to understand the minute differences a National Team or Harvard, in this case, needs to make to accept a person on to the team or in the class: highly qualified and perhaps uniquely prepared at an exceedingly high level. But not everyone is going to be accepted to the team nor can Harvard admit every qualified candidate. It all boils down to not everyone in the Olympics wins a Gold Medal. And also, to point out the obvious, they also want a diverse class that is not all outstanding overly qualified candidates. They want a diverse and vibrant cohort that will be successful.

It is very clear that Harvard works to create this very diverse entering class in the admission process. They are culling through approximately 42,749 applicants to admit 2,024. No easy task when 87.2% are American, and 12.8% are international who are all amazing, world-class students. What is interesting is that last year 22.9% of the students admitted were, yes, you guessed it Asian American, the highest percentage of students admitted!

As the trial progresses, there may be some interesting bits and pieces of information. It is possible that Harvard is found culpable. But based on this “secret” document released, this is not where the evidence will be found.

Photo: huffpost.com

Over the last couple of weeks colleges and boarding schools have been descending on Beijing, Shanghai, and other parts of China. It is always interesting to see the wide diversity of schools coming but also the intensity with which students and their families take advantage of these opportunities.

Families have so much choice with leaves me with this musing about a university fair at Harrow last night. There were over 100 universities from the likes of the US, UK, Canada, Hong Kong, Korea, the Netherlands, and France. Such a wide range of opportunities! There were great workshops on “What is Liberal Arts”, “Studying in the Netherlands”, “Why Business School in Europe”, and several others; All to whet the perspective appetites of attendees. Several things were noticeable –

1. Despite the current issues between China and the US there seems to be no waning of the interest in attending schools in the US. Their tables were packed. The UK was also a significant draw as well especially given the caliber of schools attending – several Russell Group Schools. All suggesting that these two countries are still very much on families’ minds as they look to their future educational paths.
2. Other regions still had a draw, but certainly not like the US and the UK. Which is interesting given the prestige of some of the schools attending many of which are in the top 100 or so of World Ranking.

For students who are thinking a year or two ahead of the admission process, it is curious that students are not taking advantage of considering a wide range of options. In one conversation the topic was the narrow focus of where people consider being “good” schools. And the range seems to get narrower and narrower as admission rates to those schools gets lower and lower. One would think that at this time in a student’s investigation process they would think out side the norm and learn what is available.

Having said that, there remains the whole hole of rankings. Just the other day Inside Higher Ed released an article focusing on a study by Stanford Graduate School of Education titled “To Find the Best Fit, Ignore the Rankings.” The first remarkable thing is that this is from Stanford. It is so refreshing that an educational leader is taking this stance and the hope would be that people take notice. A key part of the article is that based on the extensive analysis of their research the many factors students and families consider when looking at college – student learning, job satisfaction, well-being, and future income, these factors are not considered or used in developing rank. Further, “Research tells us that the most successful students, both in college and beyond, are the ones who engage in the undergraduate experience regardless of how selective a school may be. This is almost always the case whether a student attends the top-ranked or 200th-ranked college” Denise Pope, Senior Lecturer.

So we come back to the premise – do research, visit schools, weigh options that will engage you and where you will be happy. This applies to boarding schools or any school for that matter. But, in being able to see what is available, one must step beyond what one “knows’ or thinks they know. We attend classes because we want to learn, but strangely in thinking about school operationally people have a hard time being open minded to the enormously wide range of opportunities the world has to offer.

Some other minor musings, not really related to this topic but two weeks ago at the National Association of College Admission Counselors Conference in Salt Lake. The big topic of conversation in some sessions and a national committee I sit on was around testing. Colleges and universities are beginning to relook at the importance and value of testing in the admission process. The University of California, one of the main users of SAT will convene a committee to look at testing as related to admissions at the Provost level (Provosts are top dogs in a university). So this along with more schools going Test Optional or dropping the Writing Section is bringing to the front the concerns of many in the field. The International Initiatives Committee on which I sit gave NACAC the go ahead to open an investigation into the cost international students bear in testing, the costs which are much higher than domestic students.

The world is changing, how will you take advantage of the coming changes and be prepared for that future!

Photo: toptenscu.com

If I were to be completely honest in my reply, the answer to the question would be to pay tuition, only. But that would be snarky advice and not taken well by every parent who wants only the best for their children. So let me really answer – A parent’s role should be balanced guidance. But even that is a bit tricky in concept. What is balanced? What is guidance? There probably isn’t a straightforward answer that will be acceptable to everyone.

There are certainly horror stories. In fact, I just read about a counselor who had been working with a student on her essay for six weeks. The counselor felt the essay was one of the best she had read in over two years. Yet, the mother thought it was not intellectual enough and decided that she, the mother would write her child’s essay. Wrong! So, wrong!

In our profession, we have lots of derogatory names for parents – helicopter parents, lawnmower parents, tiger moms and so forth. Each and every one of the parents who fall into each of these categories is well-meaning, but are they really being helpful? I have parents who come into my office and tell me they have registered or applied to this thing or that for their children. I have to remind them that it is their child who is going off to school and they are taking away teaching moments for their children. As an example, when a parent tells me they registered for the SSAT or SAT, I remind them that their child now has no idea how to complete a form. This is something we all need to learn how to do, as adults. So instead of doing it for the student, maybe do it together first. Then supervise them next time. It’s a moment of growth for everyone.

I shared this information with a group of parents at a seminar last week in Beijing. And while it was given lightheartedly, and received as such, I could tell there were parents who thought, not for my kid. I’ll do it!

The horror stories continue. Google now has a support team to answer phone calls from parents whose children work for Google. Seriously!? There was an article last week talking about tent cities that crop up at Chinese universities for parents while their children move into school.

Back to my point – balanced. So what is balanced? I have no idea but in terms of my own child, who is now a freshman at university, I have to look at her questions and assess what is the teaching moment here for her and for me. I want my daughter to rely on me appropriately but I also want her to make her own decisions. She is an adult now. But even when she was younger, I tried to get her to think about how she would manage a situation and give advice. She could take that advice or not. If she failed, we talked about the consequences. If she succeeded, great!

But when it comes to choosing schools – boarding, college we need, as parents to begin to let go. Our children need to learn how to make choices. We as parents can guide and direct, offer advice and weigh in. All good. I definitely get and completely understand the anxiety that comes along in the application and admission process. It is natural for everyone to feel anxious. We must remember, that our children are the ones who have to engage, participate and grow in the end. We are not helping if we control nor are we helping if we take no stance whatsoever.

So, in the end, I think balance comes from what are the teachable moments in the process, where can we let go, where can we push a little harder and having a little faith that it will all work out.

Fall is the season when everyone is just plain busy, particularly so for students in the admission process. With all the other things students need to do, one of them is attending the myriad of receptions and presentations when schools come to town to tout their wares, so to speak. Over the past couple of weeks I have also attended a number of these perceptibly mind-numbing events as schools talk about why students should be interested in their school.

I say mind-numbing because in many ways they all talk about the same things: how their school is like a family, close-knit faculty relationships, challenging academics, beautiful campuses, to name a few. Their presentations, filled with drone perspectives and lovely sunset pictures, seem to invite everyone to come be a part of the amazing experiences.

It takes a keen mind to be able to sort out the nuances of what each school is really talking about. While listening, I wondered how many in the audiences were able to pinpoint the key factors that make each school special and outstanding, for their child. When a perceptively “top” school sings their song, how many are missing these key factors, or are they just assuming that if admitted all would be well? Or would the glamor of the name push aside any concerns?

Almost every Director of Admission or Headmaster who spoke talked about FIT. It was a common theme throughout, and there were many nodding heads, but I still wonder if everyone really understood the inferences and how they apply to each of them as an individual student. What I will say, is that there were some very good questions from the student audience which definitely indicated a depth of awareness. I know I am being skeptical, but even at some of the receptions, I really needed to think about what was being said; some of the information was a bit complex.

What I enjoyed most out of the presentations is the fact that each school really does differentiate in how they approach education. Every school, for the most part, described the psychological studies supporting their unique education. Further, each school remarked about how location determines a significant portion of what their educational values stand for and the experiences a student will have in their particular location, whether on the East or the West coast.

Some of the most interesting comments I heard were the following: “Arrogance has no place in education.” What a great statement, that if one assumes they know everything, how can they learn? “Structured curiosity”: to mean that as a student progresses through courses, these courses should drive their curiosity on their path to life long learning; and “Students should have relationships with the community, not the institution.” I do think that sometimes students get this last piece wrong, thinking that an institution will make them successful. That could not be further from the truth, and is at the heart of what makes ranking so wrong. One cannot quantify the value of a relationship, the growth that comes from a connected and supportive community, the inspiration that comes from meeting and engaging in conversations which cause intellectual change.

In the end, I found much more inspiration than I initially thought. Going beyond the basic information takes an open mind and some critical thinking – how does this apply to me (the student) or to my child (the parent)? It is through the nuance that we are able to find a theme, and hopefully that brings one to understand that a school is not the same as another school. As a student hopeful to study at any institution, that student needs to know oneself.

Photo: http://ericstoller.com/

Last week I wrote about summer plans, mostly about programs to attend and things not to do. However, there are a couple of other things that are truly important to attend to during the summer months that you really must schedule.

One of the most important adventures students and their families should undertake, whether boarding school or university, is visiting schools. If you are seriously thinking about applying to school over the next two years, visiting schools is really a must!

Here are some of things to be aware of when planning a visit.

1. Plan ahead, be prepared
a.`Know which schools you are visiting each day and schedule your visit well in advance
b. Make sure you have mapped out your travel plans – literally – use Googlemaps, or Mapquest for your itinerary. Mapquest is great since it provides the exact distance from one place to another and you can download the itinerary.
c.Remember America is bigger than it may seem.

2.Find out what the school’s policy is on visiting, how to set up an appointment and what is required before visiting.  Some boarding schools are requiring parts of the application prior to setting up a visit or interview on campus. Once you know what the schools policy is, then contact the boarding school ahead of time.  Remember that image is everything and in this case, your image and how the school will perceive your family.
a.You can find information on Visiting under the Admission tab on the school website.
b.Please, do not arrive unannounced, particularly boarding schools.
c.Don’t expect an interview unless you have specifically asked, met the application procedures the school states. Not every school offers interviews during the summer.
d.Most schools are closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
e.Remember it is summer vacation. School staff has vacation too!

3. Plan on spending a couple of hours at each school. A typical visit will last a minimum of two hours. Usually you will have a tour and then a chat or interview. Schedule time to drive around the neighborhood of the school, after all, you as the student, will be spending at maximum four years living there.

4. Unless the schools you are visiting are really close together, two schools a day is really the maximum you will want to plan visiting.

5. Be sure to arrive at least fifteen (15) minutes early. Arriving an hour early is awkward for everyone.

6. While on the tour or visiting the campus be sure to ask good questions. If you have done your research well, you will have some clarifying questions or more in-depth queries. If you haven’t done your research … well…

7. Make sure one member of your is a designated photographer to record your visit. Not a video, that is too bulky. The photographer should be focusing on landmark spaces and areas – classrooms, library, dorm rooms, sport facilities, dining areas and unique aspects of the school. Make sure that at least one picture is of the School name.
a. Once back in the car get the photos downloaded to a computer and properly titled – school, description of the photo etc…
b. This will help remember one school from another – trust me schools begin to blend together

8. Make sure you are visiting a wide range of schools. This is especially true of boarding schools, but universities are not exempt from this idea. There are lots of great schools and they vary widely in the programs they offer, their facilities, locations and sizes. Get a good sense of what they are all about and what it may feel like being a student there. Just visiting top schools is doing a disservice to the learning process and limiting one’s view of educational possibilities. Think broadly, especially if you are planning this visit two years ahead of applying.

9. Schools during the summer are never really the same as during the regular academic year. But, if possible talk to current students and teachers. Find out as much as you can about the type of community the school has and wants to create. Look out for special programs and facilities such as STEM, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math or add Art for STEAM).

10. Visiting is the best opportunity to imagine what it is like to be a student there, as best as one can. But remember, the faculty and admission representatives (including the tour guide) are evaluating you as well and not just during the interview.
a. Dress appropriately
b. Act appropriately
c. Have good manners  – if you are legitimately going to be late, call the school and forewarn them.  So make sure you have phone numbers for the admission office.
d. Be respectful while waiting in the office for your tour or interview.

This should give you plenty to think about as you plan for visits. But again, one cannot truly get the sense of a school unless you visit. Make the time. Everyone will benefit from seeing the school in person.

Finally, have some fun over the summer. Your brain deserves a break from all the cramming of information you do the rest of the year. It needs a vacation too.

Safe travels and adventures!

Questions for Hamilton? Please email questions about the admissions process or university applications to webeditor@beijing-kids.com

Photos: static.travelmuse.com