Arch Education
You have scbcribed ARCH successfully.
Resources for Academic Success
Blog
Looking for more information to help you find your direction towards academic success?
Welcome to our blog - a resource of top tips and strategies for ambitious students and families!
Are you a driven and passionate student ready to embark on an extraordinary journey in the field of healthcare? While the allure of medicine may be strong, we invite you to explore an alternative avenue that can set you on an exhilarating path to success: Biomedical Sciences.
You have a strong interest in human biology, which led you to consider pursuing a career as a doctor. However, have you explored alternative paths that could also align with your passion for understanding the biological basis of human behaviours and health sciences? Psychology might be an option for you, as it is sometimes seen as a more accessible and flexible alternative to medicine. Read the article below to debunk the myths of Psychology and determine whether this is the right university subject choice for you.
Student self-advocacy refers to the ability of students to actively seek out help and communicate their needs to their teachers and other educational resources when they encounter difficulties. This means that students recognize when they are struggling to understand instructions or concepts in class and take the initiative to ask for additional support. Effective self-advocacy involves knowing when to reach out for help and doing so promptly, ensuring that they can address their challenges before they become overwhelming.
At ARCH, we understand as well as anyone that applying to US boarding schools is extremely competitive, especially for international applicants and even more so for applicants from Asia. In this article, we will outline the common causes of failed applications to give you a better understanding of where applications sometimes go wrong.
Attending a boarding school summer program is not only an opportunity to learn new skills and gain knowledge but also a chance to cultivate your character. US boarding schools highly value character skills and emotional readiness, so it only makes sense that in addition to providing scores and/ or comments on your academic performance, many summer reports evaluate collaboration skills, attitudes, approaches to learning, and how you contribute to residential life.
The SSAT is the primary standardized test used in US Boarding School admissions. While submitting SSAT scores is optional at many schools, the number of schools that require applicants to do so is increasing. Why is this happening, and how can applicants prepare?
Studying law has traditionally been seen as the purview of the academically elite, and the practice of it even more so. To gain a place on such a competitive course at a top UK university, how should you choose the subjects which will maximise your chances of success? How much work experience or extra-curricular debating and MUN is sufficient? If you fail to secure a place on your desired law course, what options do you have? Read on to find out!
Grades and teacher recommendations are the primary ways schools evaluate students' academic readiness in the US boarding application process. However, SSAT provides another data point for students to increase academic confidence. When deciding whether to send your SSAT scores to a boarding school, there are a few things to consider.
7 Tips to Get Ready for Your Summer Program
US boarding school summer programs have long been destinations for many Hong Kong students. At ARCH, we have extensive knowledge of boarding school and other summer program offerings. As a result, we often recommend a US boarding school program, particularly to younger students considering applying to boarding schools. Summer 2023 welcomes back many in-person summer programs, and Hong Kong students are eager to enroll. Here are some things to think about before you arrive on campus.
1. Pursue a passion
Summer boarding programs are a fantastic way to pursue an academic or extra-curricular interest or passion and try something new. Students can live and learn on a diverse boarding school campus with extensive resources during these residential programs.
2. Embrace the newness
For many students, this is their first time sleeping away from home for an extended period, and it may even be some students’ first time in the United States. This is a fantastic opportunity for a taste of independence and an American educational environment.
We recommend that students leave their comfort zones to get the most out of this process. Don’t only hang out with your friends or other students with similar backgrounds. Try to learn about other students and their life back home. Share some of your traditions and routines.
3. Communication is key
Collaboration is critical to success in these programs and at secondary school. Try to work collaboratively in group settings rather than being frustrated when others don’t work as fast or take your suggestions. Most importantly, listen. Listening helps you understand and consider other people’s perspectives.
4. Lean into curiosity
Be inquisitive and ask questions. Being in this environment is meant to stimulate your interest and your desire for exploration. After classes or the program is over for the day, get out of your dorm room, and interact with peers in the common rooms and dining hall. When given the opportunity for weekend activities, go rather than stay on campus. Make the most of your time at the US boarding school summer program.
5. Independence doesn’t mean being alone
Some students can feel homesick, even if the program is only a few weeks. It’s normal. Let an adult or advisor at the school know, and they can help. The best way to combat homesickness is to keep busy and be around others. Try to stick it out. You will be proud of yourself if you do.
6. Summer programs aren’t related to admission
Some students attend a particular boarding school summer program because they think it will help them get into that boarding school in the future, but this is not the case. While many programs are competitive in their application process, it does not give students a leg up in the boarding school application process.
7. Results matter
While attending doesn’t help admission, attendance with a poor result can hurt. Most boarding school summer programs provide evaluations at the end of the program. The evaluations usually cover the achievements in the program and reflect on students' overall contributions, both residentially and inside the classroom. Most boarding school applications will ask if a student has attended their summer program and reference the evaluation if they are a candidate they are considering. While attending a particular boarding school program does allow the student to show interest, a student can be vulnerable if the evaluation references them not performing well in the program. So, be sure you are ready to participate fully in the program you are enrolling in to ensure that you will receive a favorable evaluation if you want to apply to that school in the future.
With ARCH’s extensive knowledge of US boarding schools and unique summer program opportunities, we help plan for both summer and boarding school applications. Call ARCH to inquire about our Ongoing Guidance and Boarding School Consultation Programs.
You have scbcribed ARCH successfully.