At TCSI, we believe that everything we do should open as many doors as possible, and therefore, work hard with both students and parents in opening their eyes to the endless opportunities that await. With skilled professionals versed in post-16 information, advice and guidance we have the capacity to work with our TCSI families in exploring future careers, potential university applications and ensuring that the transition from this phase to the next is as seamless as possible.

Career Counselling, at TCSI, is about inspiring our students to dream big and then achieve their true potential. We start this journey from the age of 14 and ensure they have built a strong portfolio when applying to their first choice of universities.

Our belief is that students must understand themselves before they can successfully navigate the college search. With that in mind, our counselor leads them through a process that’s as much about self- discovery as campus tours. The result: they go to colleges where they feel that they belong and where they thrive.

For students in Years 12 and 13, the university application process is the first step towards individual independence. It is a complicated, demanding and time-consuming process. It can also be an exciting and revealing experience. You will have to do a lot of research and spend a lot of time filling out applications and writing personal essays; however, this will give you a chance to look at who you are, what you value and what you might want to do with your life. You will have to make some important decisions, develop self-reliance and confidence, and perhaps for the first time think about life on your own, outside the environment of your family life.

The TCSI counselor emphasizes that the student is the focus and in control of the university application process, supported by a team of teachers – and of course parents.

At TCSI, Career Counselling:

• Encourages students’ comprehensive, honest and fruitful self-evaluation and discovery.
• Emphasizes  the importance of “fit” at every stage of the college search process.
• Recognizes and cultivates the value of a collaborative approach in which each student is supported by and coordinates with college counselors, parents and teachers toward the successful fulfillment of a common goal.
• Provides the best possible college search experience for each student through UNIFROG.
• Introduces and connects students to a broad range of colleges and universities across the country and the world by way of one-on-one counselling, opportunities to meet with college representatives on our school’s campus, ample programming and events, and more.
• Seeks, above all else, to help each student discover and enroll at an institution of higher education that is well suited to foster his or her intellectual and personal development and success.

Careers and Higher Education Guidance:

Career education discussions are started from an early point in Year 8 itself. Students are educated about identifying their career goals according to their year level and specific goal assigned in line with their adaptive ability and successfully apply to the universities for higher studies.

TCSI has strong links with universities. Guests from visiting universities are invited to school to give presentations on a variety of aspects of university life such as how to apply and life on campus. The destination of all students is important and so our programme of support for students is strong and targeted at preparation for both university and workplace. The School continues to develop students’ ability to be prepared for higher education in many different ways, including:

• Experts in both Careers and Higher Education brief students on the range of opportunities that are available to them and also about the process of university applications.
• Representatives of various jobs and companies in the local community are invited in to deliver seminars, outlining the demands and requirements of their area of work.
• Visits to local higher education fairs are arranged to stimulate ideas to help students explore their options. University Fair in school is to facilitate different universities to cater to all students under one roof.
• Students are trained in writing CV’s, application forms and in interview skills.
• An experienced and dedicated team oversees the applications of all students and writes positive, detailed references

The process continues throughout the rest of their school career, with follow-up interviews taking place in Year 11, Year 12 and Year 13, careers education based life-skills lessons, in which students take psychometric quizzes, discuss what reflection in a learning environment means, how to set SMART goals and how and why this is relevant to them.

• The college application process presents an opportunity for personal growth, self-reflection and self- discovery. We seek to provide you    with the tools    you    will    need to navigate the different pathways of college admissions. While the outcomes are important, we believe that college admission is one of discovering good matches between students and colleges. Our role is, therefore, to support and guide  you and your families as you engage in this sometimes-daunting process.
• While embarking on the college selection process, it is important to remember that the college counselling programme is an extension of our educational programme. We believe strongly that students should carry the responsibility for as much of the process as possible. Collecting information, soliciting recommendations and organising components of the application are all good learning experiences for college-bound students.

The Career Counsellor:

• Helps create a college list for each student.
• Hosts admissions representatives from more than 200 colleges and universities.
• Provides pertinent information regarding application responsibilities.
• Holds individual meetings with students.
• Presents college informational sessions throughout the year.
• Offers ongoing support and advocacy.

Responsibilities

The college search is a team effort, the successful navigation of which requires appropriate engagement on the part of all those involved. Below we have listed the primary expectations and responsibilities of students, parents and a counsellor.

Students are responsible for:

• Taking the time to reflect and evaluate goals and values, assess academic strengths, special talents, skills and other aspects that distinguish them. This assessment is necessary in determining schools that offer an excellent university environment in which they will be most productive and happy (and therefore, successful).
• Researching appropriate courses, programmes and schools so that your applications are effective and fulfill your specific academic, athletic, musical, social and any other elements that are important to you as well as your future objectives.
• Being aware of the academic profiles required by highly selective colleges and universities. If the student does not have the academic record necessary to be competitive for acceptance, ISP will not be able to fully support the student’s candidature to the university.
• Attending all required individual and group college counselling meetings.
• Maintaining their UNIFROG accounts, which should include an up-to-date list of colleges under consideration and/or colleges to which they are applying.
• Paying attention to college career counselling announcements during all-school assemblies and class meetings.

Parents are responsible for:

• Supporting students throughout the college search and decision processes by providing positive, constructive encouragement and feedback.
• Whenever possible, attending college counselling Parent Nights and individual college counselling parent meetings and providing candid information to the college counseling team so that, in return, they can most effectively assist students in finding a good academic, social and financial fit.
• Maintaining open and productive communication with Career Counsellor throughout the process.
• Promptly and thoroughly completing any necessary parent forms, Profile, during the application and financial aid processes.

Career Counsellor is responsible for:

• Providing honest, caring and well-informed counsel to students and parents from beginning to end of the college search.
• Representing TCSI and each individual student to colleges, universities, professional networks and the public in a manner that is professional and positive, and that best serves the interests of the student and the school
• Advocating on behalf of each student, including but not limited to providing supportive letters of recommendation that convey a thorough understanding of each student’s unique strengths, goals and personal qualities.
• Cultivating healthy, trustful relationships with college and university admission offices.
• Remaining knowledgeable and informed regarding colleges and universities, including their application procedures and review processes; standardised testing practices; issues pertaining to financial aid; and best practices in college counselling.
• Being mindful of required materials and information associated with each student’s application and providing them to colleges in a timely manner.
• Supporting each TCSI student as he or she navigates this exciting, at times daunting, process of searching for, applying to and choosing a good-fit institution of higher education.

We look forward to your continued support to enhance the counselling offering at TCSI, Dubai.

Together we can make a difference!