Since every student has different interests, academic needs, talents, and personalities, the LAS university advisors recognize the need to personalize a plan to help each student develop a realistic and balanced list of universities to which to apply in order to maximize acceptances. At LAS, our philosophy is to guide students in their quest to find the pathway that “best fits” their abilities, interests and needs. LAS graduates are highly regarded, and each year approximately 100 university representatives from a variety of countries visit our Belle Epoque campus to meet with LAS students and their university advisors.
The university advisors at LAS are experienced, have visited over 250 universities, and maintain direct contacts with admission reps in over 600 universities worldwide. They constantly have the most up-to-date information on trends in the university admissions world. As such, they serve as resources who can answer or find answers to any question that may come up in the application process. So, whether a student is planning for university, a gap year, or military service, the LAS university advisors are here to help each student succeed in the journey to university. Please read through the university advising process below or schedule an appointment with one of our university advisors: Paige Matthie, Rich Modica, Sholay Ramlall, and Millie Mung.
Leysin American School University Guidebook
The LAS University Guidebook aims to clarify the university admission process to countries that our students research and often apply to. Please take some time to familiarize yourself with the useful information in this guidebook.
Leysin American School University Advising Approach
The University Advising at Leysin American School brochure is designed to provide our current LAS families, as well as prospective families, with an overview of our university advising program.
Services Offered by the LAS University Advisors
- Ateliers (group presentations)
- Course selection advising (IBDP, APs, and LAS high school diploma pathways)
- Individual university advising
- Essay/Personal statement review
- Developing a standardized test plan and organizing standardized test prep
- Coordination of university admission representative visits to LAS
- Transition to university presentations
Overview of the LAS University Advising Process by Grade
GRADE 9
LAS university advisors encourage Grade 9 students to focus on transitioning into high school, doing well academically, and joining extra-curricular activities. Therefore, instead of concentrating on university, we would like Grade 9 students to do those three things well and get to know their learning style.
- To assist students, we provide students with opportunities to learn more about their strengths and their learning style(s) through activities in MaiaLearning, a tool that students can use to explore interests and career options, keep track of important extracurricular activities, research universities, and submit important application materials directly to universities.
GRADE 10
The focus for Grade 10 students is on further leveraging their strengths, personality and interests. In Grade 10, academic planning (IBDP, APs, and LAS high school diploma pathways) is a major focus.
- Research shows that students who work to their strengths are more likely to be engaged and motivated learners and less likely to experience stress. Additionally, students who know their personality type will have a better insight and understanding of how they do things best and most comfortably.
- A student’s strengths, personality traits, and abilities play a major role in our in-depth individualized academic planning process in Grade 10.
- In order to assist in creating the most appropriate academic plan, Grade 10 students will continue their familiarization with MaiaLearning, and they will complete career interest and personality type inventories.
GRADE 11
In Grade 11, the focus is on doing well academically and on researching post-secondary plans. This exploratory time is one for the student to concentrate on their learning, their aspirations, and to honestly self-evaluate strengths and weaknesses. This will inform their research on what options are available to them.
- To achieve this, students have a Student Success course scheduled every week. Grade 11 students should work regularly with MaiaLearning, and UK applicants should also be using the UCAS search tool. Grade 11 students will also meet individually with their University Advisor to discuss the application process, which includes talking about to which country/countries the students are applying, their university list, application essays/personal statements, and developing a testing plan if necessary,
- Some LAS students must submit standardized testing as part of the application process. Therefore, we are a test center for the PSAT, the SAT, and IELTS. The ACT can be taken at another school nearby for students who prefer it to the SAT. Students should work with their university advisor regarding a testing plan.
GRADE 12
For most LAS students, Grade 12 is the time for applications. Depending on the country and course to which they are applying, university deadlines can be as early as October 15th or as late as July after graduation. Grade 12 students also attend a weekly Student Success course, which is focused on the university application process.
- The goal is for the students to be self-reflective; to demonstrate their abilities, individuality, strengths, and character; and to explain how and why that makes them competitive candidates for admission to the universities on their ‘Applying to List.’