Updates From the University Counseling Office

By David Zutautas

Grade 12, Class of 2020 Admissions

We are very proud of our students this year as, to date, over 170 offers of admission have been extended by more than 80 universities from 12 countries. We expect additional offers to be extended in the coming months as many universities have not yet released decisions. For example,  the University of California Schools will notify students mid-late March, while a number of competitive UK university programs are still considering applications. Japanese universities and Singapore schools represent two other popular clusters of university that feature late decisions. 

As evidence of the strength of Branksome Hall Asia students, and the recognition of the IB Diploma Program, the Grade 12’s have been invited to join 19 of the top 50 universities ranked in QS World Universities Ranking, and 33 of the top 100. From last year’s graduating class, majority of the applicants to Korean universities have received an offer of admission as well.

As we approach the final months of the school year we encourage everyone to congratulate the class of 2020. We also encourage everyone to remind the students that their hard work is not over as they need to perform well in their remaining assignments and exams to both secure and retain their place at the university of their choice. Great effort went into achieving strong grades which have placed the students at the best universities and this effort must be maintained.

Grade 11 Update

The Grade 11 class will start preparing university admission statements and essays when we return to class after the March break. By crafting a solid draft of these essays before we leave BHA in June, the Grade 11’s will be well prepared for their university applications during the coming fall. Diligent work by these students this spring will save much time and anxiety at the start of Grade 12. Such effort will allow the students to concentrate on their academics in grade 12 and achieve the strong academic performance needed to achieve their goals.

Grade 10 Update

The DP Course selection process is wrapping up and all Grade 10 students should have submitted their course selections to their counselor. Following the break the Grade 10’s will focus on researching universities and determining what makes a school a best fit for them.

University Visits to Branksome Hall Asia for March and April

This spring the University Counseling Office has been working on hosting many universities on the Branksome Hall Asia campus to share information with all interested students and parents.  

For March and April we have scheduled visits with HKUST, King’s College London, Bocconi University, Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne, Jacobs University, IE University, Modul University, Carl Benz School of KIT, University of Warwick, University of Sheffield, Goldsmiths University, University of Newcastle, University of Birmingham, University of Nottingham, University of Exeter, University of Bristol, University of Toronto, Glion Institute, and an EducationUSA Korea College Fair that will attract up to 60 universities from the United States.

Given the rapid evolution of travel and visitor constraints we are in communication with these universities to reschedule visits as required. All university visits and updates are shared with students through CIALFO. In some instances we may arrange for virtual visits with the universities once students are back in class. The University Counseling Office will make every effort to share university information with the students so they may make the best possible decisions on future study destinations.