College Counseling

ISG offers students the opportunity to explore post-secondary opportunities in which they might be interested from the early years of their high school experience. The school invites representatives from a wide variety of universities to lead presentations and workshops for our high school students to help them learn about programs and explore possibilities. New York University, the University of British Columbia, and King’s College London are among the universities that we have hosted. Students are also able to participate in a wide variety of online university workshops and visits.

University representatives interested in visiting ISG should contact the school’s college counselor to arrange a visit. Most visits can be arranged during students’ lunch times, which are 12:35 – 13:35, M-F. We’ll be happy to welcome you!

ISG offers several opportunities for students to take standardized tests which they might use as part of their university application process. Ours is the only school in the region of Liguria to offer these test opportunities.

All interested students in 10th and 11th grades may consider taking the PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test). This test of English and mathematics, designed and administered by the College Board, helps students prepare for the SAT and can provide one source of feedback on their academic progress.

The SAT is a test of English and mathematics, the results of which are used by some universities (in the USA and elsewhere) as one component of their admissions process. ISG serves as an SAT test center for the testing sessions of October, December, and May. We strongly encourage early registration (though the College Board), as places at our test center usually fill up even well before the College Board’s registration deadlines.

While we are happy to make these opportunities available to students, we recognize that standardized tests are not the only measure of a student’s preparation for post-secondary studies, nor even the best. Among other things, assessment at our school “promotes the active engagement of students in their learning and its assessment by empowering students with the skills, knowledge and the attitude to taking actions in their own learning, and enables and motivates students, leading to reflecting on, sharing and celebrating their achievements.” We also recognize that there are many excellent universities throughout the world for which standardized test results are not required.

1. Maintain a strong academic record. Interact in class with both teachers and peers.
2. Participate in extra-curricular and community service activities. 
3. Develop strong ATL skills, especially in communication and self-management.
4. Take advantage of opportunities offered to explore your strengths and interests.
5. Participate in all opportunities to interact with university representatives.

1. Maintain a strong academic record. Interact in class with both teachers and peers.
2. Participate in extra-curricular and community service activities. 
3. Continue to develop your ATL skills.
4. Take advantage of opportunities offered to explore your strengths and interests.
5. Consider registering for the PSAT/NMSQT in October.
6. Start exploring careers, courses and universities.
7. Meeting for all students and parents with the IB DP coordinator / College counselor for an overview of the academic programs offered in the ISG High School.
8. Individual meetings for each student and their family with the IB DP coordinator / College counselor to plan the 11th-12th grade course of studies.
9. Research summer programs / activities / internships / opportunities.
10. Participate in all opportunities to interact with university representatives. 
11. When possible, visit some university campuses.

1. Maintain a strong academic record. Interact in class with both teachers and peers.
2. Participate in extra-curricular and community service activities. Take on larger roles (possibly leadership roles) in your most significant activities.
3. Work with the IB DP coordinator / College counselor to create an individualized university research list.
4. Admissions testing:
   1. Consider registering for the PSAT/NMSQT in October. 
   2. Consider taking the SAT in December / May. 
   3. Study particular admissions testing requirements of any universities in which you are interested. 
5. Spring meeting with the IB DP coordinator / College counselor to review academic progress and future plans.  
6. Research summer programs / activities / internships / opportunities.
7. Create a CV. 
8. Participate in all opportunities to interact with university representatives. 
9. Research financial aid opportunities.
10. Start draft personal statements / essays.
11. When possible, visit some university campuses. 
12. Student athletes planning on playing sports in a USA Division I or Division II college or university need to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center.
13. Consider which teachers you would like to request a reference from.

1. Maintain a strong academic record. Interact in class with both teachers and peers.
2. Participate in all opportunities to interact with university representatives. 
3. Update your CV.
4. Admissions testing: 
   1. Take the SAT in October if needed. The December test date will be the last possible date and not all universities will accept those results. 
   2. Register for and take any other admissions tests required.
5. Fill out your “recommendation worksheets” and request teacher recommendations. 
6. Complete your personal statements / essays. 
7. Submit applications throughout the fall. Some early applications will be due as early as late September or mid-October. All should be completed by mid-December.