As the college application season unfolds, our students receive admission offers from various countries, including the UK, the US, and Australia, along with interview invitations from prestigious institutions such as the University of Cambridge.

The teachers in the Career and University Guidance Office (CUGO) are busy and organised every day, diligently tracking each student's application progress and offering one-on-one consultation services. They also hold online meetings for parents and conduct weekly college guidance classes for senior students. In addition, the teachers personally assist students in writing their application essays and collaborate closely with the YCYW Education Network, leveraging the team’s rich resources and services. This comprehensive support ensures that students receive ample guidance and assistance throughout the application process.

To help students better understand the actual conditions and application requirements of various universities, CUGO has invited university admissions officers from around the world to come to campus for presentations, including EHL Hospitality Business School, University of Melbourne, Bryant University, SACD(Savannah College of Art and Design), Berklee College of Music, University of California Riverside, Syracuse University, Waterloo University,  University of Arizona, Swiss Education Group, School of Visual Arts.

Additionally, the career and academic guidance team at YCYW is preparing to invite university admissions officers from around the globe to participate in the Spring University Fair in March 2025, providing first-hand resources for all YCYW families and students.

CUGO has also organised an in-depth seminar on college applications for the entire school community, aimed at offering students comprehensive academic guidance.

Now, let’s take a look at the busy and fulfilling day of the CUGO teachers.

Task 1 Reviewing Students' College Application Materials

7:40 AM 

As the first rays of sunshine illuminate the YWIES Shanghai Lingang campus, CUGO's Ms. Jennifer begins her day. Her desk is stacked with students' application documents, and she meticulously reviews each one, ensuring that every detail is accurate. With her careful guidance, students can navigate the college application process smoothly and with confidence.

Task 2 CUGO Class

8:55 - 09:40AM   

When it was time for class, Jennifer entered the classroom to teach the 11th graders about college preparation. She patiently explained the connection between work and college majors, how to prepare for the future and important considerations and techniques for exploring majors through their current studies. Jennifer encouraged students to actively understand themselves and embrace challenges to better prepare for their upcoming college journey.

Meanwhile, another CUGO teacher, Julia, was guiding the 10th graders in understanding high school planning and preparation.

The busy efforts of these two teachers highlight how YWIES Shanghai Lingang 's CUGO services are integrated throughout the entire high school experience rather than being a last-minute push for college applications in the final stage of high school.

Task 3 Collaborate with the CUGO team of YCYW

Around 10:00 - 10:30 AM

After class, Jennifer promptly held a meeting with her colleague, John Liu, the Head of Career and University Guidance and Student Development at YCYW. They discussed the live streaming Content for the " College Application Workshop " scheduled for that afternoon at the YWIES Shanghai Lingang campus. Together, they meticulously refined every detail to ensure the content was both professional and engaging, offering valuable guidance for students and parents.

Before the meeting, the school leadership and the CUGO team had conducted extensive research to understand the concerns and challenges faced by students and parents regarding college admissions. Jennifer incorporated these insights into the live-streaming session to address parents' 11 specific questions and concerns raised by parents.

10:40 - 11:00AM

Following the meeting, Jennifer and Julia held another discussion to further refine the details of the live stream's presentation. In addition to providing students with on-campus college resources, YWIES Shanghai Lingang also benefits from the support of the YCYW Education Network. Recently, the organisation has hosted several online live sessions on college guidance, both domestically and internationally, which students and parents from YWIES Shanghai Lingang can access.

Task 4 Family consultation&Student Consultation

11:10 – 11:30AM

Subsequently, Jennifer engaged in a one-on-one consultation with the parents of an IG2 student. She patiently listened to their opinions and suggestions, answered their questions, and discussed ways to better support their children's college preparation.

College guidance is a crucial task, and the services at YWIES Shanghai Lingang work closely with parents to advance this process collaboratively. By communicating with parents, the team gain valuable insights into students' interests, hobbies, strengths, and personal growth experiences, as well as the family's college planning. This information allows them to tailor a college preparation plan for each student, ensuring that every step is taken with confidence and clarity.

Through this close collaboration, they empower parents to become more actively involved in their children's college planning.

11:30 AM -12:00 PM

During a pre-scheduled one-on-one consultation, Jennifer and the student explored various college websites together, discussing different majors and how to identify specific fields based on the student's interests and hobbies. They then delved into the details, teaching the student how to evaluate options and make informed decisions about their academic path.

Task 5 College Application Workshop

1：00 PM

After a short lunch break, Jennifer began preparing for the live stream, testing the broadcast, and reviewing the PPT presentation, among other tasks.

2:00 - 3:30 PM

At two o'clock, the college application workshop officially commenced. Jennifer and her team introduced the latest college counselling and application strategies to the students and parents.

Drawing on her extensive experience and professional insights, she provided valuable advice to the parents, helping them better plan for their children's futures.

Task 6 Cambridge Mock Interviews & College Admissions Officer Lecture

3:30 - 4:30PM

After the live stream concluded, Jennifer quickly shifted her focus to her next tasks. She invited subject teachers to assist students who had received interview invitations from the University of Cambridge in conducting mock interviews. By simulating real interview scenarios, they aimed to help students prepare, adapt to the interview process, and manage their nerves.

Meanwhile, in an adjacent classroom, a lecture by an admissions officer from EHL Hospitality Business School was taking place, offering students valuable insights and opportunities for their academic pursuits.

Task 7 Guiding graduating students in their college applications

4:30 - 5:30 PM

Even after working hours, Teacher Jennifer remained dedicated to her students. With the application deadline approaching, she provided guidance to those applying to the University of California (UC) system. They collaborated on the essays, with Jennifer helping students revise and refine their writing to ensure that every sentence was precise and impactful, showcasing their unique personalities and strengths.

5:35 - 6:10 PM

Jennifer also assisted another student with his application for the University of Toronto. She carefully reviewed the student's application portal, major selection, essay content, and material submissions, ensuring that the student was fully prepared and met all the university's requirements before submitting their application.

As night fell, Jennifer left the office, feeling exhausted yet fulfilled. Throughout the day, she utilised her expertise and passion to provide comprehensive support to both students and parents. She focused not only on students’ academic performance but also on their overall development and future planning. With her hard work and dedication, she believed that more students would successfully apply to their dream universities and embark on new chapters in their lives.