Here is the latest news from « The University Guys », an invaluable email resource…

Interested in the US?

Throughout the autumn term, we will be running themed virtual events to connect students, families and advisers with international universities.

Taking place from 5-7pm throughout October, November and December, this is a great opportunity to hear from an amazing range of institutions through webinar-format, before the opportunity to connect directly via Zoom meetings.

• Thursday 24th September: “A deep-dive into the US academic experience – what exactly do students study?” With Redlands University, Creighton University and the University of Kansas. REGISTER HERE
• Thursday 8th October: “Is the West Coast the best coast? Examining options in California” With Santa Clara University, Loyola Marymount University and the University of California, Santa Barbara. REGISTER HERE
• Thursday 15th October: “Mixing the Best of Both Worlds: Pursuing an American Liberal Arts Degree in Europe,” with John Cabot University, Suffolk University and Franklin University. REGISTER HERE
• Thursday 19th November: “PPE around the world, with IE University, Bard College Berlin and a university TBC.” REGISTER HERE
• Thursday 5th November: “Liberal Arts & Sciences in the Netherlands,” with Leiden University College The Hague, University College Roosevelt and University College Utrecht. REGISTER HERE
• Thursday 3rd December: « You’ve applied – what happens next? » With Elon University, Ithaca College and Texas Christian University. REGISTER HERE

• The impact of the UK admissions chaos on universities is spelt out in this anonymous article from a university vice-chancellor: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2020/aug/21/picking-up-the-pieces-university-vice-chancellor-diary-a-level-chaos
• The ACT have cancelled the December 2020 and February 2021 tests at international centres.
• The annual London USA College Day will now be online, details here: http://www.fulbright.org.uk/events/usa-college-day-2020
• The Council of International Schools will be running a range of virtual events, more details at: https://www.cois.org/for-students-and-parents/students/fairs-and-tours
• This article provides a good overview of the situation for students entering Dutch universities: http://www.fulbright.org.uk/events/usa-college-day-2020
• 13 US Liberal Arts colleges are running a series of virtual events this September: https://www.bard.edu/admission/europe2020/?s=03
• Christ’s College Cambridge are running a series of webinars on UCAS and Cambridge applications: https://www.christs.cam.ac.uk/open-days-prospective-applicants/webinars
• UES Education will this year run a virtual event of their annual US applications teacher training day on Monday 21st September. Details and registration via https://www.ueseducation.com/training-day
• NACAC, the body which governs US advising and admissions, has a new CEO, the wonderful Angel Perez (formerly of Trinity College). With some key issues on the horizon, it’s excellent to see some clear recommendations in this report on the use of SAT / ACT in US admissions: https://www.insidehighered.com/admissions/article/2020/08/24/nacac-issues-report-standardized-testing-admissions
• Georgia Tech will not make use of the Common App essay in the 2020-21 admissions cycle:
  https://admission.gatech.edu/freshman/personal-essays
• The Independent Education Consultants Association (IECA) called recently for a permanent move to test-optional US admissions: https://www.iecaonline.com/calling-on-colleges-and-universities-to-permanently-adopt-test-optional-admissions-policies/
• The NCAA, governing most US college sports, put in place a test-optional policy for 2020-21 (as did the Ivy League): https://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/media-center/news/ncaa-eligibility-center-announces-flexibility-initial-eligibility-2021-22?s=03
• Some interesting statistics have come out about how many students admitted to highly-selective US universities chose to defer their place: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/08/06/metro/harvard-other-elite-colleges-more-students-deferring-their-first-year/
• Two groups of US universities are offering a range of online activities, including sessions which can be booked by schools: https://www.sixcolleges.org/?s=09 and https://sites.northwestern.edu/virtu8/
• Important information here about BMAT and Oxbridge admissions tests for this November:
  https://www.admissionstesting.org/campaigns/coronavirus/ 
• The Wall Street Journal published this trail of Jeff Selingo’s new book, giving an overview of what happens in US admissions offices after applications are submitted: https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-secrets-of-elite-college-admissions-11598626784

Irish Universities

Each day during the week of August 31st, at 4.30pm Dublin time, The University Guys will host a webinar introducing students, parents and counselors to the world of Irish universities.

With changes to fees and visa for UK universities, Ireland presents a fascinating opportunity for students from all over the world. With a strong economy, world-class universities and a two-year post-study work visa, Ireland is a great place to choose to study.

Over the course of this week, join us each day at 4.30pm for a series of events to discover more about Irish universities:

• Monday 31st August: Introduction to the CAO and Irish universities, Donnchadh O’Mahony of O’Mahony Careers. REGISTER HERE
• Tuesday 1st September: Studying Business in Ireland, Dublin City University and Griffith College. REGISTER HERE
• Wednesday 2nd September: Studying the Health Sciences in Ireland: Dublin City University and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. REGISTER HERE
• Thursday 3rd September: Looking beyond Dublin: University College Cork and IT Carlow REGISTER HERE
• Friday 4th September: Hidden gem courses: Maynooth University & Galway International Hotel School (GMIT) REGISTER HERE