!

FALL 2015 Parent Newsletter !

From Your University and Career Advancement Counsellors!

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As#we#begin#our#fourth#year#of#University#Counsellor#newsletters,#we#renew#our#
promise#to#provide#you,#our#parents,#with#what#we#hope#will#be#useful#information#
and#well:intentioned#advice#to#help#smooth#your#familys#journey#through#the#
college#process.##As#always,#your#input#and#feedback#are#deeply#appreciated.###

In#this#issue#
Our#focus#on#wellbeing#continues#with#articles#looking#at#the#college#process#
from#the#standpoint#of#students#and#parents.##We#also#take#a#closer#look#at#
numbers#like#GPS,#SAT#and#IB#scores#and#illustrate#how,#in#a#high#pressure#
environment#like#ours,#their#meaning#can#be#distorted#and#misunderstood.##
Learn#about#our#University#Counselling#program#which#features#a#listing#of#the#
many#sessions#and#workshops#we#will#be#conducting#in#the#coming#months#for#
Year#12#and#13#students#and#parents.##Also#included#are#excerpts#from#our#annual#
report#which#will#give#you#an#overview#of#the#past#year#as#well#as#highlighting#
program#upgrades#and#changes#for#the#current#school#year.#
Youll#Oind#our#usual#features#which#include#a#spotlight#on#an#unusual#university#
option;#recommended#reading,#videos,#and#articles#from#the#web;#as#well#as#
humor#and#a#closing#quote#from#some#guy#named#Einstein.#

Since#the#newsletters#inception#in#the#fall#of#2012,#weve#accumulated#many,#many#
articles#of#use#to#parents#newer#to#the#college#process.##For#an#index#and#links#to#
previous#newsletters,#click#here.#

We#cant#say#this#often#enough!##
Please#feel#free#to#contact#our#University#Counselling#and#Career#Counselling#
staff#whenever#questions#arise.##Please#remember#that#we#are#here#to#serve#
you#as#well#as#our#students.##Appointments#can#be#made#through#our#
fabulous#administrative#assistant,#Ms.#Brankie#Wong#at:#bwong@cis.edu.hk#

Your#CIS#University#Counsellors:
Sow#Fun#Dawson:#sfdawson@cis.edu.hk#
Bob#Mansueto:#mansueto@cis.edu.hk#
Marc#Marier:#mmarier@cis.edu.hk#

Your#Individual#and#Career#Advancement#Counsellor:
Annie#Yung:#ayung@cis.edu.hk#

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From left to right: Annie Yung, Bob Mansueto,

Brankie Wong, Marc Marier, Sow Fun Dawson

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Page 1 of 16

Whats inside !

How Would You Define a Successful College Process? Our Year 13s
Respond. !
How the College Process Changed My Son - Two Class of 2015 Parents
Share Their Experience. !
The Two Simplest Ways to Help Your Child Be Successful and Healthy. !
Overview of Upcoming Sessions and Workshops For Year 12 and 13
Students and Parents. !
Program and College Admission Observations on the Class of 2015.!
Why Doesnt CIS Generate Grade Point Averages?!
Rumor of the Month: The Class of 2015 Had No Graduate with a Perfect
IB Score! CIS Is Going Downhill!!!!
Who Is New for 2015-16? Introducing Ms Lindsey Burns and Reintroducing Ms. Annie Yung.!
Minerva: Reinventing the University Experience from the Ground Up.!
Recommended Reading: How to Raise an Adult by Julie LythcottHaims.!
Recommended Articles and Videos from the Web.!
You Just Might Possibly Be a Tiger Parent if and Closing Quote.!

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/a4/be/14/
a4be1401bda98ecd8ac87685666efd8e.jpg

Page 2 of 16

!
How Would You Define a Successful College Process? Our Year 13s
Respond.!

In#June,#just#before#the#summer#break,#we#surveyed#our#Year#13s#on#a#number#of#
college#process#related#questions,#including#How#would#you#deCine#a#successful#college#
process?##Typical#responses#are#listed#below.##Do#you#see#a#pattern?#

! Being#organised#and#not#too#stressed.##Being#able#to#deal#with#rejection#from#
different#schools.##Getting#to#know#myself#and#what#I#want#in#a#school.##
Hopefully#having#an#idea#of#what#I#want#to#study.#
! One#that#makes#me#happy.#
! Finding#a#school#that#works#best#for#me#and#will#make#me#happy.#
! Remaining#positive#and#healthy#throughout#the#process.#
! Applying#to#a#list#of#schools#that#I#would#be#Oine#with#regardless#of#whichever#
one#I#get#into.##Characterised#by#healthy#discussions#with#parents#where#the#
ultimate#decision#rests#with#the#student.#
! Healthy#state#of#mind,#remaining#relatively#conOident#throughout,#having#fun,#
getting#excited#about#planning#the#next#four#years.#
! To#become#more#aware#of#myself,#what#I#look#for#in#a#university,#and#not#having#
to#worry#too#much.#
! Happy,#positive,#Oit.#
! Healthy#personal#growth.#
! Following#deadlines,#being#passionate#in#the#research#process#and#utilising#my#
uni#counsellor#to#the#fullest#potential.#
! Fun!#
! Relaxed,#conOident#and#open#to#communication#and#change.#
! Thoroughly#analysed#and#evaluated,#supported#by#family#and#friends,#happy#
with#my#choice#and#conOident#in#my#future.#

As#their#University#Counsellors,#its#gratifying#and#encouraging#to#note#how#positive#
and#upbeat#these#responses#are.##While#several#Year#13s#acknowledged#that#stress#is#a#
part#of#the#process,#their#responses#convey#a#sense#of#excitement#at#taking#advantage#
of#this#period#in#their#lives#to#maximise#their#personal#and#intellectual#growth.##It#
doesnt#get#any#better#than#that.##Rest#assured#that#your#University#Counsellors#will#
work#to#keep#this#positive#energy#Clowing#through#the#coming#months.#

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How the College Process Changed My Son - Two Class of 2015 Parents
Share Their Experience!

To#my#surprise#and#being#a#tiger#mom,#my#son#knows#a#lot#more#than#his#parents.#He#
is#systematic#and#analytical#in#how#and#what#to#do#with#his#university#applications.#
There#is#a#lot#of#information#sharing#with#his#peers#and#the#trust#they#all#put#on#the#
feedbacks#from#the#university#counsellors#helps#him#in#every#decision#he#made.##As#
parents,#we#are#only#able#to#advise#him#when#he#sought#our#help.#

Page 3 of 16

Editors#note:#Isnt#it#interesting#to#note#that#the#college#process#not#only#changed#her#son#
but,#her#view#of#her#son#changed#through#this#process#as#well.###

Me#(mom)#to#my#son:#Do#you#know#what#the#most#annoying#thing#is#about#the#whole#
college#application#and#decision#process?##The#most#annoying#thing#is#that#youve#
internalised#too#well#what#Ive#been#saying#to#you#all#these#years:#understand#and#
accept#yourself,#discover#what#makes#you#happy#and#pursue#your#happiness.##It#is#SO#
annoying#to#Oind#out#now#that#you#have,#in#fact,#been#listening#all#these#years.#

!
Editors#note:#:):):)#
!!
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The Two Simplest Ways to Help Your Child Be Successful and Healthy!
!
As#part#of#our#UC#Year#13#survey#administered#in#June,#we#asked#the#questions#
below#relating#to#sleep#and#nutrition.##As#you#can#see#from#the#results,#our#Year#13s#
are#fully#aware#of#the#impact#that#sleep#and#nutrition#can#have#on#academic#
performance#and#overall#wellbeing.##Like#teenagers#everywhere,#however,#they##
struggle#to#follow#through#in#practicing#consistently#healthy#eating#and#sleeping#
habits.###

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Page 4 of 16

For#us#parents,#these#can#be#very#challenging#habits#to#enforce,#and#its#easy#to#point#
to#many#factors#why#including:#workload,#time#management,#self:regulation,#their##
need#for#independence,#their#changing#body#clock,#not#to#mention#our#workload#as#
busy#parents.##Despite#the#many#obstacles,#enforcing#rules#on#sleep#and#healthy#
eating#will#have#a#powerfully#positive#effect#on#their#academic#and#personal#
wellbeing.###

So#dont#give#up#or#give#in!##As#the#linked#articles#below#indicate,#this#is#a#Oight#worth#
having.#

Here#are#a#couple#of#very#good#sleep:related#links:#
# Helpful#sleep#tips#for#teenagers#from#the#National#Sleep#Council#
# Written#for#teenagers,#this#article#from#the#National#Sleep#Foundation#will#
give#parents#some#ammunition#when#arguing#the#need#for#sleep.##(And#it#
# might#have#the#added#beneOit#of#putting#your#teen#to#sleep#if#you#make#him/
her#read#it!:)#
#
#
And,#here#are#a#couple#of#good#nutrition:related#links:#
# Why#teens#should#eat#breakfast#
# Three#easy#ways#to#get#your#teenager#to#eat#breakfast#

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!!

Overview of Upcoming Sessions and Workshops For Year 12 and 13

Students and Parents.!

For#Year#13#Students,#our#University#Counselling#workshops#will#include:#
# A#healthy#college#process;#
# Researching#schools;#
# Application#workshops#for#UCAS,#Oxbridge,#UK#Medical,#University#of#
California;##
# Common#Application;#
# Essay#writing;#
# Interpreting#and#dealing#with#university#decisions;#
# Successfully#transitioning#to#University###

For#our#Year#13#parents,#the#following#evening#sessions#will#be#offered:#
# Transitioning#to#university;#
# Sharing#session#with#Year#12#parents#
#
For#our#Year#12#students,#University#Counselling#workshops#will#include:#
# Introduction#to#University#Counselling#
# Liberal#arts#explanation;#
# Making#the#most#of#visiting#university#reps;#
# Researching#unis;#
# Standardised#testing#including#PSAT,#SAT,#ACT,#reasoning#and#subject#tests;#
# Internships,#Career#Fair#and#activities#resume;#
# US,#UK,#Canada,#HK#application#process;#
# US#essay#and#UK#personal#statement#writing#

Page 5 of 16

For#our#Year#12#Parents,#the#following#evening#sessions#will#be#offered:#
# Introduction#to#University#Counselling#
# Sessions#covering#US,#UK,#HK#application#process;#
# UC#session#for#Chinese#speaking#parents;#
# Sharing#session#with#Year#13#parents#

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Because you asked

Why Doesnt CIS Generate Grade Point Averages for Transcripts?!

Unlike#many#US#secondary#schools,#independent##and#international#schools#the#
world#over,#including#CIS,#have#never#generated#GPAs#for#inclusion#on#our#
transcripts.##A#CIS#parent#wanted#to#know#why.##Heres#our#rationale:#

#
1.##The#GPA#is#unnecessary#:#universities#simply#dont#need#it#in#order#to#
evaluate#student#admissibility.##
#
2.##High#school#generated#GPAs#are#frequently#not#employed#by#universities.##
Theres#little#uniformity#among#secondary#schools#in#terms#of#the#scale#or#the#
formula#employed#to#generate#GPAs.###Should#higher:level#courses#be#weighted?##
How#do#schools#weigh#grades#if#they#include#plusses#or#minuses?##Should#PE#be#
given#the#same#weight#as#a#core#academic#class?##Since#different#high#schools#
answer#these#questions#differently,#universities#
will#often#re:calculate#GPAs#according#to#their#own#
individual#formulas#if#they#employ#GPA#in#their#
GPAs#are#essentially#
admission#process.#
meaningless#as#no#student#can#
#
3.##GPAs#can#be#misleading#in#that#they#
be#deOined#by#a#single#number.##
mask#differences#between#applicants#coming#from#
For#example,#two#students#
different#high#schools#with#different#academic#
with#identical#GPAs#masks#the#
standards#and#completing#what#are#sometimes#
very#different#courses#of#study.###
fact#that#they#might#be#very#
#
4.##GPAs#are#essentially#meaningless#as#no#
different#students#with#
student#can#be#deOined#by#a#single#number.##For#
markedly#different#academic#
example,#two#students#with#identical#GPAs#masks#
and#personal#qualities,#
the#fact#that#they#might#be#very#different#students#
interests,#motivational#levels,#
with#markedly#different#academic#and#personal#
qualities,#interests,#motivational#levels,#potential#
potential#for#university#
for#university#success,#etc.#
success,#etc.#
#
5.##Most#importantly,#GPAs#are#potentially#
harmful#in#that#they#create#an#artiOicial#ranking#
that#students#are#keenly#aware#of.##GPAs#have#the#unfortunate#effect#of#fuelling#
competition#and#pressure#to#no#real#beneOit.#

Your#CIS#University#Counsellors#are#deeply#conscious#of#the#fact#that#too#many#of#
our#students#are#highly#susceptible#to#buying#into#the#myth#that#their#grades,#
standardised#test#results,#and#IB#scores#deOine#their#academic#ability#as#well#as#their#
potential#for#future#success.##Wed#be#doing#them#a#huge#disservice#if#we#simply##
added#fuel#to#that#Oire,#especially#when#its#unjustiOied#and,#as#demonstrated#above,#
completely#unnecessary.#

Page 6 of 16

At#an#institution#like#CIS#where#our#students#routinely#complain#about#the#high#level#
of#competition#as#well#as#the#high#degree#of#academic#pressure,#we#need#to#be#
sensitive#to#our#mission#to#provide#a#rich,#appropriately#challenging,#and#healthy#
learning#environment#for#all#of#our#students.##CIS#along#with#the#great#majority#of##
international#schools#has#rightfully#concluded#that#GPAs#serve#no#purpose#in#that#
mission.#

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Rumour of the Month:

The Class of 2015 Had No Graduates with Perfect IB Scores - CIS Is

Going Downhill!!!!

We#know#that#the#absence#of#recent#graduates#with#perfect#IB#scores#has#some#in#our#
parent#community#speculating#as#to#its#implications#for#CIS#and#for#prestigious#
university#acceptances.##Fair#enough.##As#with#any#statistic,#however,#fully#
understanding#its#context#and#meaning#will#shed#light,#and#in#this#case,#bring#
reassurance.###

The#fact#that#no#graduate#had#a#perfect#IB#score#is#essentially#meaningless.##
We#Oirst#need#to#understand#that#trying#to#interpret#and#evaluate#CISs#or#any#schools#
quality#on#the#basis#of#a#single#metric#is#akin#to#judging#the#quality#of#a#meal#on#the#
basis#of#the#silverware##they#dont#necessarily#correlate.###

It#cant#be#stressed#enough#that#no#single#statistic#can#provide#an#informed,#much#less#
complete#picture#of#a#schools#overall#performance.##
For#a#more#balanced#view,#please#consider#the#
What#percentage#of#IB#
following#before#arriving#at#any#unwarranted#
Diploma#students#achieve#
conclusions#about#perfect#IB#scores:#

perfect#scores?###

! While#the#Class#of#2015#had#no#students#
According#to#recent#statistics,#
with#a#perfect#IB#score#(in#fact,#historically,#
about#160#out#of#141,831#or#
most#CIS#graduating#classes#dont.#See#box),#
0.0011%.#The#fact#that#any#CIS#
the#class#as#a#whole#had#the#strongest#overall#
class#has#no#perfect:IB:score#
IB#performance#of#any#CIS#class#in#its#history.##
! Class#of#2015#graduates#garnered#the#highest# graduate#is#hardly#alarming.##
The#fact#that#CIS#has#had#any#IB#
number#of#scholarships#of#any#class#in#our#
students#in#the#past#is,#in#itself,#
history#along#with#the#highest#number#of#
HKSE#scholarship#recipients#of#any#school#in#
remarkable.#
HK.###
! And#if#you#need#prestigious#school#
evidence,#the#Class#of#2015#saw#the#highest#number#of#Oxbridge#applicants#ever,#
the#highest#percentage#of#offers#from#those#institutions#ever,#and#the#highest#
number#of#students#matriculating#to#those##
# institutions#in#our#history.##Remember#that#none#of#these#applicants#or#
scholarship#recipients#had#perfect#IB#scores.#

In#the#admissions#process,#the#perfect#score#isnt#what#you#might#think#it#is.###
Page 7 of 16

In#our#number#driven#world,#we#might#have#a#tendency#to#see#a#perfect#score#as#a#path#
to#improved#admissibility#at#more#competitive#institutions.##It#cant#be#overstated#that#a#
perfect#IB#score,#by#itself,#is#no#guarantee#of#admission.##According#to#one#statistic,#90%#
of#applicants#to#the#most#selective#
universities#qualify#in#terms#of#their#
In#our#number#driven#world,#we#
grades.##The#truth#is,#a#perfect#IB#score#
might#have#a#tendency#to#see#a#
shows#that#the#applicant#can,#in#all#
perfect#score#as#a#path#to#
likelihood,#handle#a#demanding#
improved#admissibility#at#more#
institutions#academic#challenges#:#but#so#
do#scores#that#are#less#than#perfect.###
competitive#institutions.##It#cant#

be#overstated#that#a#perfect#IB#
score,#by#itself,#is#no#guarantee#of#
admission.#

In#a#pool#of#very#strong#applicants,#
admissions#tutors#will#then#focus#on#other#
aspects#of#the#application#to#Oill#out#their#
entering#class.##In#fact,#a#good#rule#of#thumb#
is:#the#more#competitive#the#institution,#the#more#closely#the#entire#application#is#
carefully#weighed#and#evaluated.##In#other#words,#Perfect#scores#are#no#guarantee#of#
acceptance.###

Numbers#are#sometimes#misleading#
As#any#beginning#statistician#can#tell#you,#sample#size#is#an#extremely#important#
measurement#component.##Consider#this#example:#lets#assume#that#CISs#graduating#
Class#of#2016#generates#eight#students#with#perfect#IB#scores.##For#a#typical#CIS##
graduating#class#of#110#students,#does#it#now#mean#that#CIS#suddenly#improved#
tremendously#over#the#previous#year?##If#in#the#following#year,#CIS#again#graduates#zero#
students#with#perfect#IB#scores,#does#it#mean#that#the#school#is#now#on#a#sudden#
dramatic#downturn?###

Neither#conclusion#is#valid#nor#warranted.##The#sample#size#is#just#too#small#and#
attaching#any#signiOicance#to#this#particular#outcome#is#simply#wrongheaded.##

Anxiety#clouds#judgment##dont#be#a#victim.#
We#strongly#recommend#that#our#parents#Oight#the#tendency#to#jump#to#ill:founded#
conclusions#based#on#fragmentary#evidence.##CISs#Oine#reputation#both#in#Hong#Kong#
and#among#universities#the#world#over#has#been#built#on#years#of#outstanding#success#
that#our#students#have#enjoyed#both#during#their#time#at#CIS#and#in#their#university#
careers.##Each#graduating#class,#including#the#Class#of#2015,#burnishes#that#remarkable#
and#well:deserved#reputation.##

!
!
#

Program and College Admissions Observations on the Class of 2015!

As#has#been#the#case#for#the#past#4#years,#the#percentage#of#our#graduates#opting#to#study#in#
the#US#has#been#50%#or#higher,#well#above#our#historical#average#of#40%.#Numbers#headed#to##
the#UK#are#generally#consistent#with#past#Oigures,#while#the#seven#students#on#their#way#to#
Canadian#universities#represent#the#largest#number#destined#for#maple#leaf#country#since##
2010.#Perhaps#most#surprising#of#all#is#the#fact#that#only#one#student#is#planning#to#remain#
here#in#Hong#Kong#for#tertiary#education,#the#lowest#number#ever.#

Page 8 of 16

A#few#other#observations#
US#:#We#were#again#pleased#with#the#broad#range#of#colleges#and#universities#at#which#
graduates#chose#to#enrol#this#year.#Brandeis#University,#Cooper#Union,#Davidson#College,#
Drexel#University,#Knox#College,#The#New#School#Eugene#Lang#College#and#SUNY#Stony#Brook#
all#enrolled#their#Oirst#CIS#students#in#at#least#the#past#13#years.#
The#Liberal#Arts#and#Sciences#continues#to#be#a#popular#option#with#18#of#the#58#students#
enrolling#at#US#institutions#opting#for#small#private#liberal#arts#colleges.#Adding#those#18#to#the#
students#entering#Liberal#Arts#programs#at#US#universities,#a#clear#majority#of#students#
enrolling#at#institutions#in#the#US#are#entering#broad:based#programs#in#the#Liberal#Arts#and#
Sciences.#

UK##The#four#(4)#conditional#offers#from#Cambridge#and#the#Oive#(5)#from#Oxford#represent#
the#largest#number#of#conditional#offers#ever#received#from#Oxbridge.##Four#students#accepted#
their#offers#and#enrolled#at#Oxford,#while#one#enrolled#at#Cambridge.#
London#again#is#the#most#popular#destination#for#our#students#headed#to#the#UK.#This#year#
38%#of#UK#bound#students#will#be#studying#in#London,#seven#(7)#at#University#College#London#
alone.##The#Oive#(5)#students#who#chose#to#attend#university#in#Scotland#were#the#largest#
contingent#ever#from#CIS#to#enrol#at#Scottish#universities#in#one#year.#

Scholarships##One#student#received#the#prestigious#Jardines#Scholarship#to#Oxford,#and#two#
graduates#enrolling#at#US#institutions#received#the#highly#competitive#American#Chamber#of#
Commerce#Scholarship.#Additionally,#seven#(7)#CIS#graduates#received#the#inaugural#Hong#
Kong#School#Excellence#Scheme#Awards,#a#healthy#percentage#of#the#52#awarded#to#
undergraduate#students#throughout#Hong#Kong.#

The#real#news#on#the#University#Counselling#front#again#this#year#is#the#continued#expansion#
of#services#provided#to#our#students#and#parents.#Increased#cooperation#between#University#
Counselling#and#both#Student#Affairs#(particularly#Heads#of#Year)#and#the#secondary#Social/
Emotional#Counsellors#has#resulted#in#a#much#more#coordinated#approach#to#addressing#
issues#that#affect#our#students#such#as#emotional#well:being,#social#and#parental#pressure,#
competition,#life#balance,#academic#demands,#and#transition#to#university.#This#cooperation,#
along#with#the#increase#in#time#allocation#for#our#Individual#and#Career#Advancement#
Counsellor,#Annie#Yung#(from#80%#to#full:time),#is#enabling#us#to#build#on#the#progress#made#
last#year.#

Transition#to#College/University:#
A#long:standing#area#of#need#here#at#CIS,#a#comprehensive#program#to#prepare#our#students#
for#the#transition#from#CIS#to#college/university,#has#dramatically#improved#during#the#past##
year#due#to#a#collaborative#effort#between#multiple#departments.#Our#commitment#along#with#
that#of#our#our#colleagues#in#other#departments#(Student#Affairs,#Social/Emotional#
Counselling#and#Individual#and#Career#Counselling),#has#resulted#in#a#Transition#Program#that#
incorporates#a#wider#range#of#topics#that#are#delivered#throughout#the#year#taking#full#
advantage#of#our#staffs#expertise.#

Through#the#hard#work#of#many,#we#are#now#offering#a#comprehensive#Transition#Program#to#
our#Year#13s#that#includes#such#topics#as:#
Problem#Solving#and#Decision#Making#
Relationships##Principles,#Boundaries#and#Respect#
Issues#affecting#3rd#Culture#Kids#
Responsible#Partying#

Page 9 of 16

Housekeeping#
Cooking#
Self#Defence##

In#addition#to#the#topics#mentioned#above,#which#are#incorporated#into#the#Student#Affairs#
Choices#sessions,#we#are#conducting#a#University#Counselling#workshop#for#Year#13#students#
focusing#on#the#social/emotional#piece#of#Letting#Go#and#Starting#Over.##During#that#session,#
students#are#given#the#opportunity#to#respond#to#various#scenarios#commonly#experienced#by#
university#students.#

Last#spring,#Monica#Chang#and#Annie#Yung#assembled#for#graduating#students#a#Oirst#edition#
Transition#Handbook#that#received#rave#reviews.#The#Handbook,#which#will#be#updated#
annually,#was#designed#to#assist#students#in#successfully#settling#into#their#university,#both#
academically#and#socially.#

As#with#other#aspects#of#our#program,#we#will#be#constantly#looking#for#ways#to#improve#our#
Transition#Program.#Nonetheless,#we#can#now#say#with#conOidence#that#we#have#a#well#
developed/coordinated#program#to#assist#students#in#their#academic,#social#and#personal#
transition#from#CIS#to#their#college/universityone#that#is#integrated#with#the#Student#Affairs#
Choices#program#and#runs#throughout#the#year.##

!
!
!

New for 2015-16: Introducing Ms Lindsey Burns and Reintroducing Ms.

Annie Yung.!

Lindsey#Berns#has#joined#CIS#this#year#as#our#IB#Diploma#Program#
Coordinator.##She#has#previously#worked#in#international,#
independent,#and#dual:language#schools#in#Hong#Kong,#Istanbul,#and#
New#York,#her#hometown.#In#addition#to#coordinating#the#IB#Diploma#
Program,#Ms.#Berns#also#teaches#the#Theory#of#Knowledge#course,#a#
core#component#of#the#Diploma#Program#that#all#students#complete.##

Ms.#Berns#will#be#working#closely#with#the#University#Counselling#
team#as#she#guides#Year#11#students#and#their#families#through#the#
process#of#selecting#their#personalized#program#of#IB#Diploma#subjects,#and#as#she#oversees#
students'#academic#progress#through#Years#12#and#13.##
#
*******#
Having#recently#completed#her#Masters#in#Social#Sciences#(Counselling)#
degree#at#The#University#of#Hong#Kong,#our#Individual#and#Career#
Advancement#Counsellor,#Ms.#Annie#Yung,#is#very#excited#to#be#starting#her#
second#year#at#CIS.#Most#of#you#may#remember#that#Ms.#Yung#was#only#here#
for#80%#of#the#time#last#academic#year.#An#exciting#change#to#that#is#she#will#
now#be#able#to#provide#her#services#full:time.#

Collaborating#with#our#new#Director#of#Connected#Learning,#Doug#Crets,#Ms.#
Yung#is#looking#to#expand#her#current#support#for#students#by#providing#
more#career:related#events#and#a#focus#on#students#who#are#seeking##
Page 10 of 16

internships/work#placement#opportunities.#One#of#the#goal#of#the#partnership#is#to#be#able#to#
create#smaller#career:focused#sessions#during#the#year,#to#be#led#by#different#industry#leaders,#
that#can#connect#students#to#a#variety#of#careers#we#have#out#in#the##
world#today.#With#these#smaller#career:focused#sessions,#we#hope#to#be#able#to#bring#to#the#
community,#the#Oirst#ever#CIS#Internship#Fair#in#the#Spring.#

Ms.#Yung#will#also#be#working#with#our#new#IB#Diploma#Coordinator,#Ms.#Lindsey#Berns,#to#
provide#more#comprehensive#InterQuest#counselling#sessions#to#Year#11#students#and#parents.##
With#this,#we#hope#students#will#be#better#equipped#to#make#IB#Diploma#subject#choices#based#
not#only#on#their#university#aspirations,#but#also#on#their#interests#for#the#subjects.#

There#are#many#exciting#short#and#long:term#events#to#look#out#for#now#that#Ms.#Yung#will#be#
here#with#us#full:time.#Meanwhile,#if#any#parents#or#alumni#are#looking#for#ways#to#get#
involved#with#our#career:related#events#such#as#the#Careers#Fair,#Career#Speakers#Panel,#
Alumni#Mentorship#Program,#or#the#Oirst#ever#CIS#Internship#Fair,#please#feel#free#to#contact#
Ms.#Annie#Yung#directly#at#ayung@cis.edu.hk#or#be#on#the#lookout#for#a#survey#coming#out#
later#on#in#the#month#that#will#help#collect#information#on#events#you#are#interested#in#
providing#support#for.#

!
!
!

Interesting#University#Option:#

Minerva: Reinventing the University Experience from the Ground Up!

When#you#think#of#a#traditional,#top:tier#higher#education#institution#in#
America,#fraternities,#sports#teams,#and#ivory#towers#may#come#to#mind.#
However,#at#the#Minerva#Schools#at#KGI,#a#four:year#accredited#
university,#there#is#none#of#this.#In#fact,#there#isnt#even#a#campus##not#
the#kind#you#have#come#to#imagine,#at#least.#

Combining#rigorous#academics,#small#seminars,#and#four#years#of#immersive#global#study,#
Minerva#is#the#Oirst#university#experience#built#for#the#twenty:Oirst#century.#It#is#not#only#
changing#what#students#learn,#but#how#they#learn.##

Minerva#Founder#and#CEO#Ben#Nelsons#passion#to#reimagine#higher#education#was#spawned#
during#his#time#at#The#Wharton#School#of#the#University#of#Pennsylvania#as#an#undergraduate.#
My#entire#critique#of#higher#education#started#with#curricular#reform#at#Penn,#says#Nelson.##

General#education#is#nonexistent.#Its#effectively#a#buffet,#and#when#you#have#a#non:curated#
academic#experience,#you#effectively#dont#get#educated.#You#get#a#random#collection#of#
information.#Liberal:arts#education#is#about#developing#the#intellectual#capacity#of#the##
individual,#and#learning#to#be#a#productive#member#of#society.#And#you#cannot#do#that#without#
a#curriculum.#

To#help#realize#his#vision#for#the#ideal#university,#Nelson#recruited#the#help#of#Stephen#M.#
Kosslyn,#Minervas#Founding#Dean,#to#develop#the#curriculum#at#Minerva,#based#on#the#science#
of#learning.#Kosslyn#previously#served#as#Director#of#the#Center#for#Advanced#Study#in#
Behavioral#Sciences#at#Stanford#University,#and#spent#more#than#30#years#at#Harvard#
University#in#a#variety#of#positions,#including#Dean#of#Social#Sciences.##

Page 11 of 16

#
Kosslyn#has#since#assembled#a#team#of#exceptional#educators##all#leaders#in#their#respective#
Oields#and#each#with#a#passion#for#teaching##at#Minerva.#Selected#for#their#outstanding#
achievements#and#worldly#perspectives,#the#faculty#are#extensively#trained#in#the#methods#and#
practice#of#instruction#in#the#active#learning#environment.#

Despite#faculty#coming#from#traditional#institutions#such#as#Harvard#and#Stanford,#there#are#
no#lectures#at#Minerva.#Classes#are#intensive,#highly#interactive#seminars#that#include#no#more#
than#18#students#and#are#conducted#on#Minervas#proprietary#Active#Learning#Forum#
technology#platform.##

Using#the#world#as#their#campus,#Minerva#students#learn#in#a#manner#that#is#both#practical#and#
applicable#to#real#world#settings.#In#order#to#maximize#immersion#in#different#cultures,#
broaden#their#perspectives,#and#extend#their#learning#environment#into#a#diversity#of#urban#
contexts,#students#change#locations#every#semester,#following#their#Oirst#year#in#San#Francisco.#
Cities#of#study#include:#Berlin,#Buenos#Aires,#Seoul,#Bangalore,#Istanbul,#and#London.##

Minerva#strives#to#make#an#
exceptional#academic#
experience#accessible#to#
anyone#who#meets#our#
qualiOication#criteria.#Tuition#
at#Minerva#is#$10k/year,#
supplemented#by#generous#
need:based#Oinancial#aid.#

One#of#Minervas#Founding#Class#students,#Lucy#
Chen,#transferred#from#Bowdoin#College#in#Maine#
last#year.#Originally#from#China,#Chen#says#that#her#
experience#at#Minerva#has#been#eye:opening#thus#
far.#Coming#to#San#Francisco,#I#have#made#many#
amazing#friends#from#various#backgrounds#that#I#
never#imagined#I#would#meet.#I#am#surprised,#but#
happy#to#see#how#they#have#changed#my#
perspectives#and#extended#my#approach#to#
understanding#people#and#places.#

Minerva#strives#to#make#an#exceptional#academic#
experience#accessible#to#anyone#who#meets#our#
qualiOication#criteria.#Tuition#at#Minerva#is#$10k/year,#supplemented#by#generous#need:based#
Oinancial#aid.#The#application#process#is#currently#free,#and#admission#to#Minerva#is#based#on#
rigorous#intellectual#standards#and#assessments#with#no#weight#given#to#ancestry,#athletic#
ability,#state#or#country#of#origin,#or#capacity#to#donate.#Admission#is#highly#selective,#with#only#
220#students#accepted#to#the#Class#of#2019#from#an#applicant#pool#of#11,000.##

Minerva#is#currently#looking#for#exceptional#students#to#join#the#Class#of#2020.#Interested#
students#can#apply#at#https://minerva.kgi.edu/application/start.###Students#wanting#to#learn##
more#are#welcome#to#visit#the#website,#review#a#brief#summary,#or#join#an#information#session#
with#a#Minerva#student.#

!
!

Recommended Reading: How to Raise an Adult by Julie Lythcott-Haims.!

How#To#Raise#An#Adult:#Break#Free#of#the#Overparenting#Trap#and#Prepare#
Your#Kid#for#Success#by#Julie#LythcottZHaims#

If#you#read#Amy#Chuas#Battle#Hymn#of#the#Tiger#Mother,#this#book#might#best#be#
described#as#taking#the#polar#opposite#approach#to#parenting.##A#mother#as#well#as##

!
!
!

Page 12 of 16

University#of#Stanford#dean,#Ms.#Lythcott:Haims#writes#compellingly#and#movingly#
about#the#toxic#effects#of#over:parenting#on#children#(including#hers)#as#well#as#the#
pressure#parents#are#increasingly#feeling#to#ramp#up#academic#pressure#in#an#effort#
to#gain#admission#to#a#tiny#handful#of#the#worlds##most#hyper:competitive#
universities.###

A#signiOicant#portion#of#the#book#outlines#the#roots#of#the#tiger#
mom/helicopter#parenting#trend#as#well#as#highlighting#its#
crippling#effects:##
! students#inability#to#be#active#and#engaged#participants#in#
their#own#lives;#
! inability#to#exercise#critical#life#skills#such#as#decision:
making;##
! inability#to#deal#with#failure#or#disappointment;##
! inability#to#take#care#of#their#basic#needs#owing#to#the#fact#
that#their#lives#have#been#hyper:managed#to#wring#every#
last#ounce#of#academic#achievement#out#of#them#at#the#
expense#of#almost#everything#else.###

She#cites#anecdotal#evidence#as#well#as#a#growing#body#of#research#
to#make#a#causal#connection#between#the#disturbing#rise#in#mental#health#issues#
experienced#by#secondary#and#university#students#and#the#pressurised#approach#to#
academics#so#typical#among#the#socio:
economically#privileged.##As#a#parent,#
She#cites#anecdotal#evidence# she#readily#acknowledges#these#
pressures#as#well#as#her#own#failure#to#
as#well#as#a#growing#body#of# sufOiciently#protect#her#children#from#its#
corrosive#effects.###
research#to#make#a#causal#

connection#between#the#
disturbing#rise#in#mental#
health#issues#experienced#by#
secondary#and#university#
students#and#the#pressurised#
approach#to#academics#so#
typical#among#the#socio:
economically#privileged.#

The#second#half#of#her#book#is#devoted#
to#encouraging#and#helping#parents#
forge#healthier#behaviors#and#stronger#
connections#with#their#children#in#an#
effort#to#raise#young#adults#who#are#
fully#capable#of#living#independent,#and#
successful#lives.##Though#written#from#a#
US#perspective,#her#book#has#obvious#
implications#for#our#CIS#population,#
indeed#students#worldwide.###Highly#
recommended!#

A#sampling#of#quotes#below:#
When#parents#have#tended#to#do#the#stuff#of#life#for#kidsthe#waking#up,#the#
transporting,#the#reminding#about#deadlines#and#obligations,#the#bill#paying,#the#
question#asking,#the#decision#making,#the#responsibility#taking,#the#talking#to#
strangers,#and#the#confronting#of#authorities,#kids#may#be#in#for#quite#a#shock#when#
parents#turn#them#loose#in#the#world#of#college#or#work.#They#will#experience#
setbacks,#which#will#feel#to#them#like#failure.#And,#in#a#cruel#twist#of#irony,#they#then#
wont#be#able#to#cope#with#that#failure#very#well,#because#they#havent#had#much#
practice#at#failure,#either.#
Page 13 of 16

The#data#emerging#about#the#mental#health#of#our#kids#only#conOirms#the#harm#
done#by#asking#so#little#of#our#kids#when#it#comes#to#life#skills,#yet#so#much#of#them#
when#it#comes#to#adhering#to#the#academic#plans#weve#made#for#them#and#
achieving#more,#ever#more#academically.#They#are#stressed#out#of#their#minds#and#
have#no#resilience#with#which#to#cope#with#that#stress,#and#we#continue#along#our#
pressurizing#path,#as#if#this#trauma#is#not#happening,#or#as#if#somehow#our#kids#
strugglesthis#sufferingis,#or#will#be,#worth#it.#

Not#only#are#we#measuring#our#worth#by#our#childrens#accomplishments,#but#
weve#set#the#bar#for#achievement#so#high#that#it#requires#our#constant#and#intense#
involvement.#

#Wanting#our#kids#to#be#successful#is#natural,#says#Palo#Alto#psychiatrist#Stacy#
Budin.#But#the#less#healthy#part#comes#from#the#hyper#drive#in#our#communities#for##
kids#to#set#themselves#apart#and#shine#in#one#way#or#another,#or#in#all#ways.#Theres#
so#much#pressure#for#kids#to#achieve#that#it#can#become#the#focus#of#the#mothers#
life#to#ensure#that#high#achievement#happens.#Some#mothers#seem#to#have#nothing#
but#their#kids#SATs#and#accomplishments#to#talk#about.#Then,#when#college#
admission#offers#come,#the#competitiveness,#bragging,#and#comparisons#are#hard#for#
all#but#the#few#who#have#the#most#to#brag#about.#Its#not#great#for#kids#and#its#not#
great#for#mothers.#

For#the#purposes#of#this#book,#the#broken#SAT#system#is#but#one#piece#of#a#whole#
broken#college#admissions#process#in#which#a#rich#high#school#learning#experience#
is#sacriOiced#for#test#scores,#and#a#healthy#childhood#and#young#adult#development#is#
sacriOiced#to#a#corrupt#and#false#ideal.#In#Excellent#Sheep#Bill#Deresiewicz#writes:#It#
comes#to#this:#the#elite#have#purchased#self:perpetuation#at#the#price#of#their#
childrens#happiness.#The#more#hoops#kids#have#to#jump#through,#the#more#it#costs#
to#get#them#through#them#and#the#fewer#families#can#do#it.#But#the#more#they#have#
to#jump#through,#the#more#miserable#they#are.##

Excerpts#From:#Julie#Lythcott:Haims.#How#to#Raise#an#Adult.#iBooks.#https://
itun.es/us/L03H3.l#

!
!
!
Recommended Articles and Videos from the Web.!
!

Student#wellbeing:#
# A#cautionary#tale,#the#article#highlights#the#harm#caused#when#parents#
practice#conditional#love#based#on#academic#performance.#How#parents#
make#high#achieving#kids#miserable#
# The#author#of#How#to#Raise#an#Adult#(see#this#months#recommended#
reading)#cites#recent#studies#suggesting#a#correlation#between#hyper:
involved#parenting#styles#and#a#heightened#risk#for#college#age#depression.##
Helicopter#parenting#is#increasingly#correlated#with#college#age#depression.#

!
!
!
!

Page 14 of 16

When#considering#universities:#
Why#do#so#many#Asian:American#families#single:mindedly#focus#on#just#a#
small#handful#of#hyper:competitive#universities?##College#admissions#and#the#
Asian:American#parent.#
# Whats#the#relationship#between#a#students#college#experience#and#his#or#
her#satisfaction#with#it#down#the#road?##A#new#US#study#based#on#60,000#
interviews#is#about#to#be#released.##How#to#measure#a#colleges#value.#
# A#quality#university#education#doesnt#have#to#be#expensive.##7#countries#
where#students#can#study#at#universities#in#Europe#for#free#(or#almost#free)!!!#
# Think#richer#universities#are#more#generous#toward#lower#income#students?##
Not#necessarily.##Colleges#Flush#With#Cash#Saddle#Poorest#Students#With#
Debt#
##
College#majors#and#careers:#
# This#brief#article#describes#the#Liberal#Arts#Career#Network##a#consortium#
of#liberal#arts#colleges#that#have#a#created#a#job#board#listing#thousands#of##
# career:related#opportunities#for#liberal#arts#graduates.##http://
www.educatedquest.com/interested:in:a:private:liberal:arts:college:check:
out:schools:in:the:liberal:arts:career:network/#
# Settling#on#a#nomenclature#for#career#success#is#challenging.##Non:academic#
skills#are#key#to#success,#but#what#should#we#call#them?#
# Anecdotal#evidence#as#well#as#recent#studies#suggest#that#passion#wins#out#
over#practicality#on#the#path#to#career#success.##If#students#are#smart,#theyll#
major#in#what#they#love.#

Gap#year:#
# Helpful#questions#for#your#son/daughter#to#consider.
Interesting#videos:#
What#really#motivates#us?##You#might#be#surprised#at#what#the#research#says.#
The#singlemost#important#thing#you#can#do#for#stress.#

!
!
!
!
Humour!
!

Indicators#Suggesting#That#You#Just#Might#Possibly#Be#a#Tiger#Parent:#
1.# You#think#Amy#Chua#is#a#softy.#
2.# Your#idea#of#a#bedtime#story#is#to#snuggle#up#with#your#daughter#and#read#to#her#
from#The#US#News#and#World#Report#College#Rankings.
3.# Your#faith#in#a#just#and#wise#creator#was#deeply#shaken#when#you#learned#that#
ivy#grows#equally#well#on#non:Ivy#League#campuses.#
4.# On#campus#tours,#you#take#over#for#the#student#guides.#
5.# At#dinner#parties,#you#like#to#impress#your#guests#by#reciting#the#early#decision#
admission#rates#and#application#deadlines#for#the#ten#most#selective#
universities.#
6.# Youve#told#your#son,#You#can#grow#up#to#be#anything#you#want#to#be.....#just#so#
long#as#its#a#doctor.#
7.# You#routinely#say,#Were#applying#to#Princeton.##
Page 15 of 16

8.# You#lose#sleep#worrying#that#youve#waited#far#too#long#to#enrol#your#5:year:old#
into#an#SAT#boot#camp.#
9.# Youre#compiling#a#list#of#universities#where#parents#are#allowed#to#room#with#
their#kid.#
10.#In#order#to#someday#impress#an#elite#university#admission#committee,#youre#
assiduously#compiling#a#database#of#your#childs#outstanding#accomplishments:###
Item##1:#Toilet#trained#at#seven#months!#
Item##2:#Today,#at#nine#months#and#17#days,#my#child#uttered#his#Oirst#
word#:#Stanford!#
11.#You#forward#this#list#to#10#friends#under#the#heading#Fabulous#Suggestions!#

!
!

!
A few closing words from a guy who knew a thing or two!
!

One#should#guard#against#preaching#to#young#people#success#in#the#customary#form#as#
the#main#aim#in#life.##The#most#important#motive#for#work#in#school#and#in#life#is##
pleasure#in#work,#pleasure#in#its#result,#and#the#knowledge#of#the#value#of#the#result#to#
the#community.##

Albert#Einstein#(1879#Z#1955),#On#Education#

Page 16 of 16