TCK University Prep: Choosing a School

[author][author_info]Our guest blogger for the next three weeks is Lisa P. Harrill, an adult TCK raised in the Republic of Panama. Lisa is currently the Director of Children’s Ministries at Crossroads Bible Church – Panama. She has also served with Young Life International and at Crossroads Christian Academy, Panama as the College Counselor and in Teacher Recruitment. She holds a BA in Vocal Performance from Wheaton College and a MEd in Educational Psychology from the University of Oklahoma..[/author_info] [/author]

As students look ahead to the next step after high school graduation, for many that will include university. One of the goals of educational consultants is to prepare students living internationally for university.

Each high school student with whom consultants work has a unique set of options for continuing education. With each passport/language group that is represented, consultants are tasked with investigating university possibilities uniquely available to that particular student. Although the onus is on the family to be the experts on their student’s options, this can be a very overwhelming process. Consultants can play an invaluable role, helping families decide on the best option for their student.

I will mainly focus on students whose education has been predominantly in English. This is only because the majority of educational consultants work most often with this group of students. However, because the trend is slowly increasing to include other groups of students in a variety of educational scenarios, I will occasionally add comments regarding that group.

University Selection Process

Although the variety of options to choose from can be great, it can also make the university selection process immense and overwhelming. Students should begin compiling a list of university choices during their freshman or sophomore year, thoroughly researching university websites. The list should narrow to about 10 schools by their junior year, finally applying to at least three schools by their senior year. Students should plan on applying to at least one university in the following categories: A, B and C.

The “A” school should be a dream school that a student has always wanted to attend and it would be a “long-shot” to get into. Encourage students to apply even if they think they will not be accepted. Remind them that if they do not apply they will never know if they could have gotten in. Students should apply “early-action” or “early-application” for this school. The meanings of these terms can depend on the individual university admissions office, but the bottom line is that application deadlines will be early in the fall semester of their senior year. If students apply and are accepted under these conditions, they commit go to that university the following year. Students should not apply early-action or early-decision to more than one university. In the case of some universities, students sign a legal agreement that if accepted, they commit to attend. In light of this agreement, financial considerations should be seriously reviewed before applying early-action or early-decision. For students with financial needs/concerns, it is recommended that they wait to apply using “Regular decision” deadlines as these are not legally binding.

The “B” school is a school that a student has done their research over the university’s most recent incoming class. Compared to an average freshman, the student’s GPA, SAT scores, and extra-curricular activity level would more or less be a match.

The “C” school is one that a student almost certainly should get into based on their incoming freshman class profile. The GPA, SAT, and extra-curricular involvement exceeds the average, and it is certain that a student could do well in their programs. This is the back-up school if options “A” and “B” do not work out. Applying to a “C” school will insure that they know they will be attending university somewhere after graduating from high school.

College Selection Factors

Cost: Students may be eligible for scholarships, grants, loans, etc, based on ethnicity, abilities, academics, etc. Before choosing the student loan route, encourage families to carefully consider the implications of this decision for the student. Sometimes “crunching the numbers” with families can demonstrate the weight of loans for years to come. Parental review can clarify the implications of a student’s choice between an expensive school with a big name or a decent, lesser-known school that will lower debt or offer a better scholarship.

Location: Schools may have a prestigious name, a list of distinguished alumni, or be a family tradition from generations ago. However, especially for TCKs in transition, if the school is not near family friends or extended family, it might be worth a second look at a more strategically located university.

Population Size: If a student, especially homeschooled, is looking at universities with student populations that would make class sizes of 500 or greater, it might make the transition to university more of a challenge. Or, if the high school attended was a large high school with 4000 students in the graduating class, freshman classes with an average of 20 students might be a little too conspicuous for him/her.

International Influences/Programs: When considering colleges in the US, make note of the international student population percentage. Although a student may not be applying as an international student, and may hold a US passport, as a TCK, a student is international “on the inside.” If the university international student population is low, this implies a potential majority of students from homogeneous backgrounds. Finding other students to connect with could be a challenge for a student. If there are semester-long or summer international programs offered through the university, this can be an indication of openness to new cultural life experiences.

World-view: There are many universities that are recognized as elite and prestigious. Over time, many of these institutions are becoming overtly anti-Christian. With this in mind, some students may do well to attend Christian universities. If a student plans on attending a secular university, the following list includes recommend resources that may help prepare students for this experience:

• “How to Stay Christian in College (Th1nk Edition),” by J. Budziszewski

• “The Truth Project” by Dr. Del Tackett from Focus on the Family,www.thetruthproject.org.

• ‘True U” by Dr. Del Tackett from Focus on the Family, developed specifically to prepare Christian High School students for attending secular universities. www.trueu.org/

University Campus Visits: The summer before 9th grade through the spring of 12th grade is the ideal window of time for a family to visit university campuses. Some families choose to do this while on furlough or during a summer or holiday break. While it would be beneficial to visit campuses that are on a student’s list of potential universities, even visiting a campus that isn’t on the list is better than not visiting at all. Many admissions offices have established visitor programs. Some just provide a campus tour, and others provide interviews with admissions counselors, opportunities to stay in campus dorms or attend classes. Email or call ahead to ask about such programs.

Summer Programs: There are several programs available during the summer months for students interested in preparing for the transition to university.

• The Linden International Recruitment Tours: These also occur internationally during the US school year and provide information on a variety of summer programs, pre-university, boarding school, year 13, etc.

• Summit Ministries: Transition programs available to help university-bound TCKs prepare for life in the US.

• European TCK conference

• Xenos Camps

• Barnabas International

• Interaction International

• Missionary Resources Connection

• Foreign Service Youth Foundation

Recommended Reading: Students who have been well-prepared are usually more successful in transition process to university life. The following is a recommended reading list for students and families.

• Raising Resilient MKs: Resources for Caregivers, Parents and Teachers, Joyce M. Bowers, Editor, ACSI, 1998

• Notes from a Traveling Childhood: Readings for Internationally Mobile Parents and Children, Karen Curnow McCluskey, Editor, Foreign Service Youth Foundation, 1994

• Don’t Pig Out On Junk Food: The MK’s Guide To Survival In The U.S, Alma Daughtery Gordon, Evangelical Missions Information Service, 1993

• The Third Culture Kid Experience: Growing Up Among Worlds, David C. Pollock and Ruth Van Reken, Intercultural Press, 1999

College Fairs: Some colleges and universities will send representatives to international hubs to recruit students. These events are usually free of charge to students and families. Parents are encouraged to attend with students. These tours may come to a city and students/counselors have flown in from outlying areas to meet representatives here. Ask counselors from major international schools in larger cities of the country or region to find out when tours would be taking place.

English-Speaking University Systems in Other Regions: Many US universities have partnerships with international universities around the world for semesters abroad or summer programs. However, there are quite a few with actual branches of those universities in the international context. Florida State University-Panama has existed for two decades, expanding their coursework now allowing for six undergraduate degrees to be completed entirely in the Panama. Suffolk University has three campuses: Boston, Madrid and Dakar. Most major cities would host at least one comparable US university option.

Do you have any resources you can share with your fellow consultants related to the college selection process or summer transition programs?

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