posted on
Monday, April 26, 2010 at
10:57 PM
Notices – Grade 12
There will be very few university representatives visiting from now until June but visits will start again in August/September. However, this is the time you should be doing your own research and starting to make a list of universities you are interested in and programmes you are interested in pursuing. Once you come back in August your attention will need to be on your mock exams and final exams, not on doing this research. Unfortunately there are no shortcuts to this process and no one can give you a list of places to apply – you have to research this yourself. It does take time but keep in mind this is quite possibly the first major decision you are responsible for! And only you are qualified to identify what you are interested in, suited for and what is a “good fit” for you.
Essays/Personal Statements for US and UK applicants
If you are thinking of applying to the US or the UK you will need to start working on your essays and/or personal statement in the June/July holidays. In order to help you get started note the following meetings –
• US applicants – Tuesday, May 11
• UK applicants – Friday, May 14
Both meetings are at lunch time in Science Lab 6. These are not optional! If you cannot make them let me know as soon as possible.
Work Experience/Internships:
Any “real world” experience is helpful in your applications to universities. However, if you are thinking about pursuing studies in a professional field (medicine, dentistry, vet science, law, teaching, etc) it is increasingly important that you do an internship or get some work experience in your field. This shows that you have a real interest in the profession, not just a theoretical one, and that you are committed to it. It also helps you know if this is the right career for you. Your experience can also form an important part of your personal statement and interviews.
Part of the learning process is finding such placements yourself. This is also another way to demonstrate your commitment. Your parents may have contacts to suggest, but you should approach them and do the work to set something up yourself. However, avoid working with family members since part of the experience is being in an environment that is unfamiliar.
Most hospitals in Singapore have placement programs and many clinics and private practices will take interns. Law firms are also usually willing. The June/July holiday is a good time to do such an internship, but you must start organizing it now. Keep in mind that at this stage there will be limits to what you can actually do, but you are there to learn about the work environment and the skills necessary to be successful in that profession. Most such placements are for about a week but of course, the longer the better.
It is important that you keep records of what you did in your internship and that you reflect on your experience. The following are some guiding questions:
• What were the most positive/encouraging things you saw or experienced?
• Was there anything negative that you saw or experienced?
• Was there anything that you saw that challenged you? Surprised you? Made an emotional impact on you?
• Is there anyone in the organisation that really made an impact on you?
• What common qualities did you see in the doctors/lawyers/…? What qualities do you think a good doctor/lawyer/… should possess? Do you see these qualities in yourself?
• What challenges did you see doctors/lawyers/… face? How did they face these challenges?
• What was your image of a doctors/lawyers/… at the start of this week? Has that changed through your experiences and if so, how?
• What did you learn about yourself through this experience?
Student Information Forms:
Update your Student Information Form (or start it if you have not done so already!). Remember your Tutor will need this information when they write your references in a few months, and the more information you can give them about yourself the better.
Notices – Grade 11
• Make sure you have written the University Briefing and Challenge Week Evening into your diary for May 18 at 6pm and have told your parents about the change in date!
• Please see the notice about internships and work experience in the Grade 12 section above. You may also want to use part of your June/July holiday to get some work experience.
Events Off Campus
Hospitality Education Fair
Saturday, 8 May, Suntec Convention Centre, Level 3, MR308, 2pm – 6pm
Representatives from six institutions in Switzerland and Australia that specialize in hospitality management will be available to talk about the programs at their institutions. See the poster on the notice board for more information.