In October International Linguistic School hosted an online talk with the representative of the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Nadezhda Syskova. The aim of the event was to educate ID Diploma students of 11th and 12th grade on future education possibilities that UBC has to offer. The event consisted of two online talks, presentations, and several master classes on writing and structuring the university application letters.
As the 11th grade IB Diploma student, Milinda Airapetian, recalls the event, “Talking to the representative of the UBC was an exciting and extremely helpful experience. It was a great way for me to learn more about this university.” When asked about the things she learned and found the most beneficial, she said, “Not only did we receive detailed description of the university and the programs it has to offer but also worked on writing our personal profile.”
Students indeed had the opportunity to receive professional advice on writing their motivational letters and personal profile. “I was glad to hear that Canadian universities are no less interested in personal qualities of the applicants than in their academics. I understood that writing a proper personal profile allows you to make the university interested in you even if your grades are at most mediocre”, says Margarita Belovodskaya, 11th grade IB Diploma student.
Everyone who attended the talk also spoke highly of the event and its benefits for both students and teachers. Miss Ronda Slugoski, IB program Commentary Writing teacher, expressed her opinion on the event: “I thought it was very productive. Personal profiles are not part of the current Commentary Writing curriculum; however, they are definitely a worthwhile exercise. I have already taken some of her ideas and applied them to my classes.” When asked about the possibility of hosting similar events in the future, Miss Ronda replied, it would be good to hear from one or two different schools each year in order to see how things might be both similar and different. The more opportunities prospective students have to understand what these places are looking for, the easier it is to make
a good application.”
The text by Artem Rednikin, 11m
