IGBIS Newsletter, Issue 355.

Register for the event here.

EducationUSA Malaysia International Education Week Events (15 - 17 Nov 2023)

We are excited to extend a warm invitation to you and your students to attend a series of informative and engaging events that will take place during this special week.

Here is a brief overview of the events scheduled:

1. Graduate Business Programs in the U.S.

• Date: Wednesday, 15 November 2023
• Time: 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
• Venue: Mereka, Publika
• Details: Join us for an insightful session on MBA and MS programs with John Hopkins, where you'll learn about the opportunities available for graduate studies in business programs in the U.S.
• Register link: bit.ly/iew_jhu23

2. Online Lessons Beyond Lectures: U.S. Student and Alumni Stories

• Date: Thursday, 16 November 16 2023
• Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
• Venue: Online [Zoom]
• Details: Our panel of U.S. Alumni and students from prestigious institutions like Harvard, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Stanford, and Carnegie Mellon will share their experiences and stories beyond the lecture hall. This event promises to be inspiring and informative.
• Register link: bit.ly/iew_zoom23

3. IEW@AYCKL Open Day Event

• Dates: Friday, November 17, 2023, and Saturday, November 18, 2023
• Time: 10.30 AM - 5:00 PM
• Venue: Mereka, Publika
• Details: A two-day extravaganza that includes interactive workshops and an enlightening talk by YSEALI alumni. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to gain valuable insights and advice for their future endeavours.
• Register link: https://mereka.io/experience/iew@ayckl

4. Student Visa Q&A Session

• Date: Friday, 17 November 2023
• Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
• Venue: Mereka, Publika
• Details: In this session, students will gain a deep understanding of the visa application process, and will be able to ask questions directly to a Consular Officer stationed at U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur. They will leave with the knowledge and tools to confidently apply for their student Visa and pursue their higher education journey in the U.S.
• Register link: https://mereka.io/experience/iew@ayckl

From the Sunny Jain Newsletter

​World of Chances STEM Event

This 2-day event for high school students interested in STEM gives students the opportunity to learn from experts in the field and network with people from all around the world. Deep dive into topics such as admissions to the world's leading universities, learn about the gender barrier in tech, explore unconventional careers and latest breakthroughs in STEM. For a more one-on-one experience, visit dozens of nonprofits and organisations in breakout rooms and learn more about their mission while expanding your network.

For more information and tickets

Here is how to ruin your child's chances to go to a good university

It is a provocative title, I know. A lot of parents who want their kids to do as well as possible often make decisions that directly harm their child's chances. Here is a list of things that are almost a surefire way of reducing your child's chance of going to a good university.

Making them take up EVERY opportunity

Whilst students need to have a diverse and strong set of activities under their belt, making your child take on every opportunity that comes their way, or actively seeking additional opportunities on their behalf, is a bad idea. Admissions officers are very aware of the "throw spaghetti and see what sticks" approach. It looks like the student has actively not put care into what they are doing. Your child does not need to be a superstar in everything. Instead, they should pick a smaller range of things to focus on. There will not be enough space in their statements to talk about dozens of activities, so there is no advantage in saying yes to everything. One final note on this. If your child does a lot of activities, it is likely that a lot of them will be paid for. This is not a good look, as it would imply that the family is just paying, rather than your child exploring their interests. 3-4 activities per term is a good rule of thumb.

Not accepting more niche courses

A lot of parents scoff at certain subjects, such as Sociology, Criminology or Middle Eastern studies. But this is a bad idea. There are quite a few reasons for this. Firstly, a lot of those courses have DRAMATICALLY higher acceptance rates, and in many instances, they also have lower grade requirements. So it could give your child the edge. Secondly, these courses are designed to give people expertise in a more niche subject without them having to do a master's. To be clear, this is not a replacement for a master's course, but it can give them an edge in the job market because they will know more than their peers. Finally, if your child is passionate about these courses, then this will increase their chances. Doing a more niche subject also allows for a (slightly!) easier route into academia.

Overworking them

One of the biggest things that parents do not always understand is the following: Rest is a form of revision. Pushing your child to work every hour of the day could lead to long-term burnout. This could cost your child. A lot. So make sure they are getting adequate rest, and also that they have time to do things that make them happy.

Exploiting connections

A lot of people who have connections think that they should use them to their fullest. In the modern day, this sort of thing can be more of a hindrance than a help. As universities focus more on equality, leaning on personal family connections is a sign of a lack of effort. Many students do not have access to some of these opportunities, and it is clear when an opportunity a student has been given is too good to be true. Focus on helping your child find opportunities that require them to apply/ put in effort.

From the College Essay Guy - 

November Resources

9th-graders

• 100 Brave/Interesting Questions + NYT Writing Prompts for Students: Start keeping a journal—here are some questions for inspiration.
• Could your high school grades be worth $100k? If you’re wondering whether your freshman-year grades matter (yes, they do), then read this article to learn more about merit-based financial aid.
• Feeling like you’re falling behind in a class?  Don’t be afraid to ask for help, and the sooner, the better. Check-in with your teacher. Ask older students and/or peers if they might be open to tutoring. Form a study group.

10th-graders

• Values Exercise (video): Use your priority values to guide your extracurricular choices. This is a great time to deepen your involvement in the clubs/teams/jobs that excite you— maybe take on a leadership role. Or sign up for a new club? Or start your own?
• Tips for Planning a College Visit: Make a commitment to visit one local college between now and the end of the school year. That experience can be a great reference point as you begin to figure out what you’re looking for in a school. And some schools offer incentive grants if you visit campus, either in person or virtually.
• Start thinking about financial fit: As you begin your college search, it’s important to think about cost. Experiment with the Net Price Calculator to get a rough estimate of what you might pay for college, and start the conversation with your parents or guardians.

11th-graders

• How to Create a College List (with spreadsheet tracker) - Use this guide tool to begin building a list of schools you’re excited about. Resources for specific student populations:
  • College List Building Resources for FGLI students
  • ScholarMatcher: Awesome search tool for low-income/first-gen students
  • The Hundred-Seven and College Equity Index: Excellent resources for Black students
  • College Advising Guide for Undocumented Students
  • I’m First: Guide for first-generation college students and their families
  • Tips and Campus Pride: Resources for the LGBTQ+ community
  • Women’s colleges: Seven reasons you should consider a single-sex school
  • HBCUs, HSIs and TCUs: Essential tips when considering one of these institutions committed to serving underrepresented students
  • American Indian College Fund: List and descriptions of tribal colleges and universities
  • AICAD: List of 42 colleges of art and design that allows you to search by major and by region
  • Lay the groundwork for fee waivers: Have you filled out the free/reduced-school lunch form? If your family qualifies, you’ll be eligible for fee waivers for the SAT/ACT as well as for college applications. This simple step can save you hundreds of dollars.

12th-graders

• UC and CSU applications are due at the end of the month, so make sure you don’t miss the deadlines for these California universities.
• Supplemental essay responses: This is your go-to guide when applying to colleges that require more than a personal statement.
• Check your applicant portals and emails: Portals are the place where colleges keep applicant information and where you can update contact information, monitor application status, upload and track documents, and view the final admission decision. If you miss a request for more information or a document, it could jeopardise your admission chances, so make it a habit to check regularly.
• The Great College Essay Test: Assess how ready your essays are to submit.

University of the Week: Moravian University

Our location - Bethlehem, Pennsylvania:
Founded in 1742, our safe, 100-acre campus is located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, in the United States of America, and a short bus or car ride from New York City, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia. Bethlehem has been added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site shortlist, hoping to join such historic sites as Independence Hall, the Statue of Liberty, and the pyramids of Egypt. With concerts, restaurants, arts, a safe campus, and all the local appeal of a college town, our students (and their families) love it here, and we hope you do too! 

How our students learn - Our Elevate Experience:
Elevate delivers four years of challenging academics, engaging student life, global perspectives, hands-on career exploration and support, and the latest Apple technology. Every aspect is designed with our students' future in mind. Employers asked for real-world work experience, leadership and teamwork skills, communication, diverse perspectives, and more. We answered with Elevate, a game-changing, career-focused education that prepares you for what comes next. We promise this education is an investment that will pay off.

How we invest in our students’ education:

• Every student receives a MacBook, iPad, Apple Pencil, and Apple tech support—this prepares you to go into the world with the skills you need!
• Every first-year student is eligible for one $2,600 voucher to study abroad during their four years. This allows students to become well-rounded and culturally competent individuals, which many employers are looking for.
• Every first-year student will be assigned a career development strategist and academic advisor from day one to support their career and academic goals.

Please feel free to take a look at and share our redesigned international student webpage to see even more information regarding all of our English Language Proficiency test options and basic admission requirements. 

Worth a Read… 

Mental health: Tips to help international students flourish

Popular Resources and FAQs

• Counselling Website
• 2023-2024 Future Planning Handbook
• Class of 2024 Future Planning Timelines
• 2023-2024 Anticipated Grades Process
• Unifrog

Questions, Support, and Help

Amanda Lopez (Grades 9 - 12 Universities Counseling & Social/Personal Counseling)

To schedule an appointment - 

• Parents - https://calendly.com/lopez-igbis/parent-community-meeting
• Students - https://bit.ly/IGBHSCounselor
• Email - amanda.lopez@igbis.edu.my 

Follow Us on Instagram, Facebook and our In-house Counselling Website

It is about time we joined Social Media, so please follow us!

The IGBIS Counselling Team is now on social media, and we will highlight all things counselling, which includes future planning information, resources, and events coverage. 

Follow us on Instagram and/or Facebook - @igbiscounselling and on our in-house Google webpage.