CAMP
COLLEGE
Why and how to apply to colleges abroad!
BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
CONS
 Leaving home
• Homesickness
• Culture shock
• Colonial Mentality
• Missing out
• Reintegration
 Expenses
 Different academic scene
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
PROS
 New experiences
• Travel
• Culture
• Language
• Independence
 Different academic scene
 Research opportunities
 Helping your country!
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
University of California-Berkeley, CA
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
University of Chicago, IL
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
University British Columbia, Canada
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Harvard University, Cambridge,MA
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
Harvard University, Cambridge,MA
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PROS
The Science of Harry Potter, Frostburg State University
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
SOME COOL COLLEGE CLASSES
PROS
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University of Iowa: Disney in America
Yale University: Rainforest Expedition
and Laboratory
Santa Clara University: The Joy of
Garbage
Harvard University: Science and Cooking:
“From Haute Cuisine to the Science of
Soft Matter”
Georgetown University: Philosophy and
Star Trek
Stanford University: The Psychology of
Facebook
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
PROS
RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES
Professor Doug Melton works with undergraduates on Stem Cell Research
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PROS
MEALS WITH TEACHERS
Getting to know a professor at a Student-Faculty Dinner
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
PROS
INDEPENDENCE
You’ll learn how to do your own laundry, and be happy about it.
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PROS
LIVING WITH YOUR FRIENDS
New York University Abu Dhabi Dorm Rooms
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
PROS
LIVING WITH YOUR (AMAZING) FRIENDS
Carrie Tian, Harvard ‘15 with Alex Trebek from Jeopardy
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
PROS
LIVING WITH YOUR (DIVERSE) FRIENDS
Most colleges have international student societies!
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
PROS
LIVING WITH YOUR (FILIPINO) FRIENDS
Northeastern University “Barkada” Filipino Club
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
Gain CONFIDENCE.
APPLY.
Get MENTORSHIP.
PROSPER.
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
NOW
WHAT?
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
 Financial aid
 Majors or career paths
 Location
 Size
 Diversity
 Others (athletics, debate, art, etc.)
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
It’s NOT all about
THE IVY LEAGUES.
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
You must be realistic.
You need safety, target, and reach
schools.
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
THE ‘PRETEND YOU’RE AN ADMISSIONS OFFICER’
EXERCISE
Did Princeton ACCEPT or REJECT?
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
THE PRETEND YOU’RE AN ADMISSIONS OFFICER
EXERCISE
Did Princeton ACCEPT or REJECT?
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
Hamilton College, New York, NY
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
Colby College, Waterville, Maine
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, Chicago
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
It’s all about FIT.
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
Application Timeline:
Date
Task
June to September
• Research colleges
• Ask teachers to write recs
• Start writing essays
October
• SAT date
• If applying early, finalize
application!
November
• Early application deadline
• SAT date
December
***DECEMBER 30***
• Early app decisions released
• Regular application deadline
February
• Financial Aid app deadline
March
• Most decisions released
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
Application Checklist:
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Application Form
Resume
Personal Essays
Transcript
Teacher / Counselor Recommendations
SAT I and II
TOEFL*
Arts Supplement*
Interview*
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
www.commonapp.org
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
There’s no secret. JUST DO IT.
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
General Guidelines:
1)
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6)
Begin early.
Be concise. Be honest. Be vivid.
Take a stand.
Revise and redraft.
Proofread.
Keep your voice.
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
THE COMMON APPLICATION: Example Questions
1) Evaluate a significant experience, achievement,
risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have
faced and its impact on you.
2) Indicate a person who has had a significant
influence on you, and describe that influence.
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
Sample Essay Topics
1) Your little sister
2) 5-minute argument on your faith
3) Explaining your email address
([email protected])
4) Grandma’s false teeth
5) Learning to fry an egg through a combination of
science, wushu, and wrestling
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
SUPPLEMENTS
University of Chicago: How do you feel about
Wednesday?
Tufts University: Are we alone?
University of Pennsylvania: You have just
completed your 300-page autobiography.
Please submit page 217.
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
“I promised God I would eat all my peas, but He didn't care. A
confused eleven-year-old girl, I sat and listened to my father pace.
With each heavy step echoing loudly throughout the silent house,
my family's anxiety and anticipation mounted while awaiting news
of my grandfather's health.
My heart racing, I watched the clock, amazed that time could
crawl so slowly. Finally, the telephone interrupted the house's
solemn silence. I heard my father repeating the words "yes, yes, of
course." He then hung up the receiver and announced my
grandfather's death and cancer's victory.”
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
THE ‘ONE SENTENCE’ EXERCISE
Take 2 minutes to think of ONE SENTENCE that
captures every single aspect, fiber, and essence of
YOU.
Write it down.
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
THE ‘ONE SENTENCE’ EXERCISE
Does the topic of my sentence / essay matter to me?
Am I the only person in the world who could have
written this sentence / essay?
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
SAT I:
Regular Registration: $81 (international)
Late Registration: NONE for international
SAT II: $56
APPLICATION FEES:
Depends on the school.
NACAC Fee waiver!
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
U.S.:
Look for colleges that are need-blind.
Very limited number of merit scholarships for
international students.
U.K.: Barely any. 
Canada: Available if you are a resident.
Singapore: Must work.
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
Schools in the U.S. that are NEED-BLIND for
international students:
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Harvard University
Princeton University
Yale University
Dartmouth College
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Amherst College
New York University Abu Dhabi*
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
• Register at www.commonapp.org
• Let your guidance counselor know your plans.
• Sign-up for a free account at www.collegeboard.org
• Sign-up for an ‘SAT Question A Day’
• Register for the SATs (Oct., Nov., and Dec. Tests)
• Start researching colleges (and TAKE NOTES!).
• Start brainstorming essay topics.
• Start asking teachers for recommendation letters.
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
www.campphilippines.org
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
Our mission is to give Filipino High School students access
to the proper support and resources they need to have the
opportunity to apply to college abroad, regardless
of socioeconomic background or status.
70+ mentors|150+ mentees
500+ Facebook group members
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
www.facebook.com/CAMPphilippines
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“Being at MIT has opened doors and reshaped my ambitions. I'm not just
getting a world-class education; I'm getting an education of the world, and
for the world.” - Carmela Lao, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
‘15
“When I first met my friends in the US, there were many cultural gaps and
we had different interests. Over the few months I've been studying abroad,
I have learned how to deal with different kinds of people with different
backgrounds.” - Eduardo Olondriz, Washington and Lee University ‘15
“Studying far away from home has taught me, above all else, to become
more independent than I’ve ever been before.” – Paula Iriola, University
of British Columbia ‘14
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
“The experience exceeded expectations. You realize you still have a lot of
growing up to do, and you get excited!” - Isabel Agudo, Barnard College
‘15
“Studying abroad is the opportunity to test newfound adulthood in an open
environment, surrounded by likeminded peers, with world class resources
at your disposal—not to mention laundry skills.” - Joaquin Benares,
Wesleyan University ‘15
“Studying abroad has opened my mind as I have been exposed to so many
different types of cultures, people and experiences. I have been able to
undergo new ways of teaching whilst delighting in the wonders of
European culture—all of which has truly been a blessing.” – Mara Javier,
King’s College London ‘14
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
“It’s like making a new home far away from Manila. I feel like I created a
new home, made new friends, and surely, a brighter and more selective
future for myself.”- Joseph Gallego, University of California-Santa
Barbara ‘15
“I would definitely suggest studying abroad if possible as it helps you grow
not only academically but also socially, culturally, and in many other ways
that you would never expect.”- Andrea Sy, Stanford University ‘15
“The world beyond the "Manila bubble" is so thrilling and inspiring. Even
after just one year abroad, I already feel like I've gained years of wisdom,
self-confidence, and most importantly, appreciation for everything and
everyone in my life.”- Christine Cabigao, University of Pennsylvania ‘15
© Copyright 2012 College Admissions Mentors for Peers in the Philippines
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