University and Careers Counselling
University and Careers Counselling
All year groups will work on three key themes throughout their time at DHSZ: 1. Knowing Themselves, 2. Understanding the Bigger Picture, and 3. Making Informed Decisions. As the student progresses through Dulwich, the content of these themes deepen each year. By the time the student is in Year 13, students can reflect on this awareness in their university application.
Counselling programme in Y10
This Year is about settling into DHSZ, and utilising the opportunities and experiences that Dulwich offers. In order to start developing a strong college profile and identity, students use this year to try new sports and/or skills. Learning objectives are for students to start to identify their strengths and help them learn more about themselves. They will be able to identify their weaknesses and to try to turn them into strengths; they will also research and understand careers. Finally, they will also be supported in choosing their science options for IGCSE in Year 11.
Counselling programme in Y11/IG1
The A-Level choices that students will make in May affect what they study at university and can even affect their admission. We will review course selection and work with the Head of Departments to ensure that the most beneficial choices have been made, based on tentative or definite future plans.
Finally, students will work with their counsellors to organise their schedules and plan co-curricular activities and goals. Universities are always very clear that students' grades are the primary and most important factor in their admissions' decisions. Students are strongly advised to pay close attention to their grades and do the hard work necessary to get the best possible grades.
However, students should also be sure to build a strong profile of meaningful experiences and skills through a range of co-curricular activities because this is also an important and significant factor in universities' decisions about making an offer to a student. Universities expect students to show consistency, extended commitment, and leadership in their selected co-curricular activities.
The learning objectives for Year 11 are to understand how students can make the best of opportunities and experiences they have in and out of school to be competitive in the university admissions process. They will understand resiliency in learning more about themselves, be able to apply hints and tips for decision-making processes, and understand and partake in researching careers and courses worldwide so that their decisions for A-Levels are based on well-informed choices.
Counselling programme in Y12
Students will take time to reflect on their time at DHSZ and to identify their strengths and weaknesses. They will understand how they can stand out from the crowd, and be unique in order to send well-drafted and meaningful applications to universities in Year 13.
Students will actively research courses, colleges and universities beyond rankings and minimum entry requirements whilst looking at degree types and lengths in different countries. The aim is to create a Long List of potential universities that they may like to attend throughout the world. The students will have a firm understanding of the terms unlikely, likely, and most likely when considering what types of universities there are and how it suits them.
Students will also have opportunities to start crafting their application documentation and will work with both counsellors and teachers of the English department in producing a first draft of a Common Application essay, or a personal statement.
If students are thinking of applying to US universities, it is recommended that students take the ACT in winter and/or early Spring of Year 12 so that their scores are known before entering Year 13. Elite university preparation (Oxbridge and Ivy League) and support is also available through Scholars Programme.
Students will ask applicable teachers to write Letters of Recommendation for their university applications.
Students will have individual counselling sessions as well as class discussions and projects. This process will start in January with a mandatory parent/student event.
