UNIVERSITY & COLLEGE GUIDANCE
Whether exploring career interests, preparing for college or planning a growth year, Dwight School Dubai’s college counselling is dedicated to supporting students and families throughout the high school journey.
Welcome from Mr. David Turner | Career & College Counsellor
I am thrilled to welcome you to an exciting chapter of your academic and professional journey. College counselling is here to guide you through the admissions process: to provide personalised advice and access to resources and information which can be tailored to your unique goals and aspirations. As you embark on this journey, know that we are here to provide expert guidance to answer your questions and to help you navigate each step with confidence. We believe that a proactive approach, coupled with diligent research and thoughtful vetting of your options, is key to making better informed decisions for future fit. Whether you’re exploring colleges, preparing applications, or planning your career path, we are committed to helping you navigate this process with clarity and confidence. Remember, each student’s path is unique and finding the right fit is essential for your success and fulfilment. We encourage you to put in the effort, engage deeply in the process and leverage the resources available to you. No doubt, we are here to support you with personalised advice and to help you discover the best fit for your academic and personal goals. Here’s to a successful and enriching college experience ahead.
Dwight’s University & College guidance programme aims to help our students make the transition to becoming successful learners where they can thrive and continue their learning to achieve their desired goals and career pathways. As parents, educators and counsellors, our commitment is to begin a healthy and informed critical, internal narrative which drives continued growth along the continuum of high school, college and career.
Drawing on the benefits of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, highly regarded by universities all over the world, students have the advantage of a rigorous academic curriculum while being engaged in a number of activities which showcase individual talent as well as aid with future focus and demonstrated interest.
Guided by Dwight’s three Pillars, we emphasise the importance of personal discovery, inquiry and reflection. College counselling works actively engaging greater parts of our school/parent community and with a number of university partners to develop globally-minded programming to improve study and career discussion. Our Career & College Counsellor conscientiously works with every student in support of admissions, helping each to identify best fit destinations which align with academic profiles and support personal interests and study/career aspirations. Whether in pursuit of a degree program or formulating a growth year plan, future planning and strategy are deeply personal.
College Counselling works with each applicant to create a personalised admissions plan reflecting: one which acknowledges personal interests and aspirations. The counselling program is student specific and designed to help applicants develop their potential at Dwight. It is an active and engaging program designed to ensure that each has an opportunity to create a compelling narrative reflecting academic growth and individual journey; it is intended to provide professional guidance throughout the selection and application process.
To better scaffold for successful outcomes, we begin gauging aspirations well before reaching grade 9. To support both students and parents, we begin offering workshops, careers days, Spark Project presentations from as early as Grade 6.
A Four-Year Path to Success
We provide extensive information, guidance, and support starting from as early as Grade 6 ― and continuing throughout their Upper School journey.
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Our counsellor’s extensive expertise in university admissions encompasses many regional destinations from around the world, including the US, Canada, the UK, continental Europe and Asia, supporting our students the opportunity to attend top universities worldwide. Click here to view our Global College Admissions page.
Scaffolding for Success
The University admissions landscape continues to evolve, becoming increasingly challenging to navigate alone. Our Career & College Counsellor supports families with the application and admissions processes throughout the school year for students in our Upper School.
We support our students and parents with the following initiatives:
Grades 9/10 Weekly Class Sessions
Weekly full-lesson sessions are provided which focus on college/career and future planning. Sessions are designed to carefully balance finding purpose in university studies with career and future planning. Sessions pull from many resources. For university study and purpose, sessions discuss a variety of topics including the importance of research/vetting choice in combination with important strategies for the application process. Careful guidance is provided, and practical instruction given, on how to utilize university websites, our own BridgeU and other reputable sites, portals and sources. Sessions also include guest speakers who will present, not only on choice, destination and fit, but also on career trends, considerations, work skills and the future of work.
Grades 11/12 Weekly DP Advisory Sessions
DP Students have weekly advisory sessions which are specifically pinned to university planning and strategy. Sessions serve to provide useful information for all to disseminate as well as to provide more critically focused content for individuals who opt for additional, individual guidance. For any needing focus, who have a quick question or for those who need access to a university colleague, advisory sessions are a catchall outside the timetable – a shared time/space for focused and efficient collaboration.
College and University Sessions – All Grades
We host regular college and university sessions to all in our community, providing students and parents with the opportunity to engage in workshops with well-positioned universities from around the world. Sessions are delivered by the same professionals who read student applications and are responsible for admissions. Sessions impart timely, relevant information imperative to finding fit and improving application outcomes. Past topics include: Strategies for Selective Universities, Paying for US Higher Education, Essay Writing Workshops and more. Sessions are held after-school. Sessions are less about promoting the university and more about supporting the process.
One-on-One Meetings – All Grades
Students and parents have the opportunity to attend individual virtual and in-person meetings with our Career & College Counsellor by booking a session through Google Calendar. Sessions are forward facing and are open to any student or parent. Sessions are used to formulate a personalized application plan. Based on individual need, sessions cover academic progress, demonstrating interest, suitability, professional direction, standardised test suggestions, summer school options and more. Sessions notes are taken and shared with students through Google Chat; subsequent meetings are, therefore, informed and actions accounted for.
Careers Day – Grades 9-12
Dwight School Dubai hosts an annual Careers Day for the upper school community. We host 9 highly positioned working professionals to speak with students about their own unique industries; here students have access to career professionals who provide relevant details about the world of work. Presenters share a highly personalised accounting of their study and career trajectories, relevant personal and professional job market skills, workplace demands and experiences and much more. Students are given the independence to choose three speakers to better research and inform future outcomes.
Experience Work Programme – Grades 10/11
Every year, grade 10 students are given the opportunity to experience the world of work through a ten-day work placement. Working within our parent community, students select an industry placement for hands-on experience in a particular career interest. Placements continue to be wildly successful and take place after examinations. Placements are arranged by the student and parents with the support of our Career & College Counsellor. Students keep a reflective daily journal and will present to parents, staff and community members post placement.
In-House Lectures and Workshops – All Grades
Our Career & College Counsellor regularly hosts evening sessions and workshops on the latest college admission information for both parents and students throughout the community. Sessions bring greater clarity and aid in instilling confidence with many practical considerations; sessions are vital to ensure whether one is asking the right questions, has access to good resources or is engaging in good practices.
Application Essay Workshops – Grades 11/12
An important part of the university application process is creating a compelling personal essay. In grade 11, students participate in individual essay workshops to hone their storytelling skills and develop their application essays. Workshops are joint presentations with our counselling department and trusted university admissions professionals who, like our counsellor, have many years of essay reading/writing experience. Students have access to professionals pre and post workshop engagements. Book a session: college counselling is available to offer advice and to provide constructive feedback at any time during this process.
College Fairs and Meetings with Admissions Officers – All Grades
The University Guidance teams across Dwight School’s global network maintain strong relationships with universities and colleges around the world. We organise visits to our campus for university admissions officers in both the fall and spring semesters. These college fairs give our students and parents the chance to learn more about potential universities and the application process directly from the officers who will be considering applicants for admission. Our University Guidance counsellor helps students prepare for these visits by guiding students’ research in advance to make the most of these events.