2024 South and Central Asia Regional Institute Downloads
2024 Final South and Central Asia Regional Institute Attendee List
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Session Downloads: Day Two
Session 1
9:00 - 10:00 AM
This session will give an interactive and first-hand perspective of the decision-making process of an admissions officer from various types of U.S. universities, such private non-selective, private selective, and public. The audience will review the academic and non-academic factors of an application and will determine the admissions decision of each type of university. This will provide a behind-the-scenes opportunity as to how various university types make decisions that align with the priorities of the institution.
- Lorenzo Wilcox, University of Oregon
- Megan Mankerian-Stem, Independent
- Sujith Sajan, Loyola University
- Craig VanGalder, Butler University
BEYOND THE CLASSROOM – EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING IN CANADA
Experiential learning is a large part of the Canadian education system, with multiple opportunities for students to apply hands on learning throughout their post-secondary education. This session will explore the various levels and benefits available, focusing on co-op programs, paid internships, research opportunity programs, and entrepreneurship programs and startups, as well as learning abroad opportunities. With student specific examples, this session will showcase how students can enhance their learning through practical skill initiatives.
- Sagebelle Wu, University of Toronto
- Seetha Dronamraju, University of Waterloo
- Tanushree Bhattacharya, University of British Columbia
EMPOWERING WOMEN’S EDUCATION IN INDIA: POLICIES AND TRENDS TOWARDS GENDER EQUALITY
As India solidifies its position as the fifth-largest global economy, it has placed significant emphasis on improving gender equality as part of its commitment to the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. A pivotal aspect of this endeavor has been the focus on enhancing girl child education. According to Outlook (2022), India's female literacy rate has progressed significantly, rising from 8.9% during its first census in 1951 to 65.8% in 2018. Recent data from the AISHE report 2021-2022 indicates a 32% surge in women's enrollment in higher education since 2014-2015, with a notable 80% increase among students from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds in India. This positive shift is further exemplified by the rising number of female Indian international students pursuing higher education in the United States, climbing from 37,943 in 2014 to 143,495 in 2023 according to SEVIS active student count data. In this presentation, we will explore the policies and trends that bolstered women’s education in India and the increasing number of female Indian students pursuing higher education abroad. We will critically examine the challenges and ongoing initiatives aimed at improving the girl child education in India and how these efforts are leading to a more equitable future in the world’s largest democracy.
- Raghvendra Singh, Indiana University
- Ankur Vohra, The Outreach Collective (TOC)
- Poonam Prakash, The Shri Ram School, Moulsari Campus
Session 2
10:30 - 11:30 AM
ADMISSIONS UNPLUGGED: NAVIGATING THE NEW FRONTIER OF HIGHER ED CHALLENGES AND TRENDS
This session will unpack the ever-changing landscape of U.S. admissions and address the following questions:
Application Trends
Are the increased application numbers from the pandemic here to stay?
How have these increased application numbers affected your review process and your student body?
What trends and changes have you noticed in student mobility across the world?
Testing
What has led some schools to return to testing and others to remain test-optional?
What does test-optional really mean? How should I advise a student on when to submit and when not to submit?
SCOTUS
Does the Supreme Court decision affect international students?
Is it changing anything about your review process or application questions?
AI
How should students use AI? How should counselors and teachers use AI?
Are colleges planning to use AI in their review processes?
- Shane McGuire, Vanderbilt University
- Allison Duke, Dartmouth College
EMPOWERING COUNSELORS: STUDENT SUPPORT AND PROFESSIONAL GROWTH WITH EDUCATIONUSA
Get ready to dive into the exciting world of EducationUSA in this lively session! We'll explore how our network works with students and counselors worldwide. Discover how advisers, including our fabulous REACs, can help counselors in their everyday work. To keep the fun going, we will share examples of supporting counselors' professional development with examples from South & Central Asia as well as the Middle East. Take advantage of this chance to engage with our global network.
- Lewis Cardenas, Education USA
- Karen Bauer, Education USA
- Priyani Shah Education USA Nepal
- Rupali Verma, Education USA India
ROLE OF IECS IN GLOBAL ADMISSIONS
IECs clearly are a growing force within the construct of how high school students & parents seek guidance with regards to study abroad. How can college from across the world best connect with IECs from across India and ensure that their institution is being represented accurately to prospective families? How do global institutions understand the landscape of IECs across India and understand the range in quality of the organization & their scope of work? Discover the difference between different types of IECs: solo IECs, IECs with small teams, IECs with a larger practise, and IECs who also consult with high schools.
- Neeraj Mandhana, The Next Genius Foundation
- Revathi Shivakumar, Independent Counselor
- Namrata Pandey, La Mentoraa
Session 3
2:00 - 3:00 PM
AI IN COUNSELING AND ADMISSIONS
- Jeff Neill, Graded – The American School of São Paulo
Session 4
3:30 - 4:00 PM
INTERNATIONAL ACAC MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
Learn all about what International ACAC Membership can do for you!
- Dan Marschner, Loyola Marymount University
- Megan Mankerian-Stem, Independent Member
DEMONSTRATING: INTEREST OR ENGAGEMENT?
The world of selective, holistic application review holds many components. One concept that is growing in prominence is the idea of “demonstrated interest.” But what is “DI” really? How is it used in application review? What is its relationship to finding the best fit? Most importantly, how can counselors support their students in demonstrating not only their interest, but also their ability to thrive at a specific institution? This session will focus on DI and work to pull back the curtain on its role in selective admission review in the United States.
- Anna-Theresa Wise, Hamilton College
- Grace Robertson-Lloyd, Grinnell College
- Carly Hernandez, Middlebury College
Session 5
4:15 - 5:00 PM
EQUIPPING THE FUTURE WORKFORCE: EMBRACING LIFELONG LEARNING AND SOFT SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
The World Economic Forum's 2024 Annual Meeting highlighted some critical changes in the skills landscape. Employers are now putting more emphasis on competencies rather than just formal qualifications. This "skills-first" approach is becoming essential due to the rapid pace of technological advancements and the need for a more adaptable workforce. In this presentation, we will come together as school counselors and career advisors to discuss how we can raise awareness about the importance of lifelong learning and strong soft skills. During the presentation, we will share practical strategies and resources to help counselors guide students in developing these essential skills. Our goal will be to foster collaboration by sharing best practices and success stories to better prepare students for future challenges and opportunities. Interactive tools will make this session engaging and memorable, providing counselors with techniques to use later with students.
- Tim Munnerlyn, MaiaLearning;
- Rashi Dixit, City Montessori School
Personal statements are crucial for applications in admissions, scholarships, and other selection processes. This session provides strategies for coaching students to create compelling personal narratives that resonate with selection committees. Participants will learn the fundamental elements and purposes of personal statements, review examples, analyze case studies, and explore the use of AI tools in refining these narratives. The session will also address the ethical and moral considerations of using AI in personal statement preparation. By the end, counselors will be equipped with techniques to guide applicants in crafting persuasive, authentic, and ethically sound personal statements that reflect their unique journeys and aspirations. Additionally, focus on specific application requirements such as UCAS to highlight the country specifics.
- Deepali Aggarwal, Strawberry Fields High School
- Palak Behl, King’s College London
- Charu Malhotra, Pathways School Noida
FIVE KEY CONSIDERATIONS BEFORE HIRING IN-COUNTRY ADMISSIONS REPRESENTATIVES IN INDIA
As the interest in studying abroad continues to grow among international students, universities are increasingly hiring in-country admissions representatives in India. This session is designed to provide valuable insights and practical advice for both institutional leaders and in-country representatives. Drawing from over 20 years of combined experience, we will share key considerations that can guide universities and representatives in forming effective partnerships.
For VPs and Directors of Admissions, we will explore considerations such as cultural alignment, quality control, campus connectivity, operational challenges, and legal and ethical considerations. For in-country representatives, we will discuss career advancement opportunities, role clarity, and strategies for building strong connections with the home campus.
Participants will gain actionable insights that will help them navigate this process effectively, enhancing recruitment efforts and student engagement in the region. By understanding both perspectives, institutions and representatives can work together to create a mutually beneficial and impactful partnership.
- Devesh Lathi, The Next Genius Foundation
- Monica Sharma, The Shri Ram School, Aravali Campus
Session Downloads: Day Three
Session 6
8:30 - 9:30 AM
EFFECTS OF STRESS AND PROCRASTINATION ON THE COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS IN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
University admissions are always an extremely stressful process for all stakeholders, but more so for children in the age group 16-18 years and their parents. The whole process is exhausting, at times, leading to fatigue. Students from several schools in Asia coming from middle-class, upper-middle-class, and high socioeconomic status backgrounds are seen applying to universities across the world. They are aspirational and therefore look at undergraduate programs across the globe.
Students need to work on tight timelines and deadlines to be able to send out a competitive application to the university, further if the student is applying for any kind of financial aid, they need to complete formalities around the same. It is therefore inevitable for students to balance their final year of high school alongside the application.
During this time, high school students face stress and procrastination which has seen to have a huge impact on the students as well as their applications. Research conducted by Arshita Kapoor et al. (2024) showed that students feel guilt, low self-image, dissatisfaction with the application sent out post the completion of the process. Many students also expressed wanting to redo the process so that they can be better prepared for what comes ahead.
The school counsellors and post-secondary representatives will discuss the effects of stress and procrastination on the students as well as their applications (understanding the effects that the university sees when they go through applications that have been completed last minute). The post-secondary representatives will also share tips and tricks to help students deal with the challenging times and share university data to help understand its effects as well. Further they will make suggestions on how we can help the students tackle the problem.
- Arshita Kapoor, The British School, New Delhi
- Shikha Vij, Step By Step School
- Tanushree Bhattacharya, University of British Columbia
- Alexandra Salcedo, Boston University
IMPACT OF REJECTION ON COUNSELORS
Rejection and anxiety are an unavoidable and painful part of the university application journey for all students, but a topic that is often not discussed amongst counsellors.
This session will help counselors to actively support their students with the emotional challenges in the application process and the rejection experience.
Various practical applications will be introduced, such as workshop plans, exercises, conversation pointers, assessments, support group discussion, and presentation deck.
The session will also draw from psychological literature in self-compassion, as this can be especially effective to help students with dealing with rejections.
Counsellors will walk away with a practical toolkit to apply in their practice right away, helping students cope better with the stress of university applications.
- Khushboo Taparia Bedi, The Sanskaar Valley School
- Namrata Pandey, La Mentoraa
IS SAT BACK? PROSPECTS AND IMPLICATIONS
The panel discussion titled " Is SAT Back? Prospects and Implications " will explore the current resurgence of the SAT in the college admissions process. The session will provide a balanced view, considering both the benefits and challenges of this development, and will actively involve the audience in the discussion.
- Rashi Dixit, City Montessori School
- Lakshmi Rao, Sreenidhi International School
- Anjali Anand Seth, Wesleyan College
- Orishtha Ray, Suffolk University
Session 7
2:00 - 3:00 PM
ADVOCACY AND OUTREACH IN SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA
International Education exists in a complex global environment. During a global time in which political rhetoric and polarization seem to be everywhere, international education is increasingly caught up in the cross-hairs of policy and debate. Too often, our industry prioritizes politics occurring in Western governments: The EU, the UK and the US. But what arguments are being made closer to home that impact our students? More importantly, what arguments and strategies can be utilized to support international education and reinforce its importance, whether talking with your colleagues, your constituents, your local government or other sources. This session will begin with a panel that will set the stage for active discussion. Participants will be invited to contribute their own perspective on the current relationship between international education and rhetoric from their home regions, and we will explore strategies of response and understanding.
- Dan Marschner, Loyola Marymount University
- Anna-Theresa Wise, Hamilton College
- Gabriela Marrero, Colgate University
GUIDING FUTURES: CRAFTING IMPACTFUL UNIVERSITY ADVISING WITH CONCEPT-BASED LEARNING ESSENTIALS
Dive into "Guiding Futures: Crafting Impactful University Advising with Concept-Based Learning Essentials." Uncover key skills through engaging activities, transition to collaborative group discussions, and understand the evolution of advising. Discover CBL components—Self-reflection, Informed Decision, and Self-Advocacy—empowering students to navigate their academic journey. Explore advising touch points at different grade levels and gain insights from our success stories. Leave with practical ideas and resources to shape enduring and impactful advising programs.
- Shailaja Raghavendra, Kunskapsskolan International School
- Nusrat Sharmin, The Aga Khan Academy
- Baman Kumar Ghimire, Motherland Secondary School
DIFFERENTIATING BETWEEN SALES & INTERNATIONAL STUDENT RECRUITMENT
This session aims to enable the new generation of in-country representatives and higher education professionals to understand their international markets, diverse backgrounds, working with third parties and the hurdles to international student recruitment. In this session, there will be a strong focus on differentiating between counseling, admissions and external factors leading to better professional developments and mentoring opportunities for professionals with 0-5 years of experience. By answering questions and educating via group activities and discussions, this session aims to highlight the resources available to professionals to help in their all round development as a higher education professional.
- Poonam Venkatesh, Northern Arizona University
Session 8
3:15 - 4:15 PM
CAREER OUTCOMES FROM LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES
The premise of the session is to look at what the job market is like in the US if we want to add a countries if people have expertise in that other country. The most common question I asked besides scholarship what should I study if want to get a job.
The department of labor statistics on what the job looks like, talking about hard and soft skills that companies are looking for and how to find college, university, or that will help the students build those skills.
- Anna-Theresa Wise, Hamilton College
- Grace Robertson-Lloyd, Grinnell College
- Kaye-Lani Laughna, Davidson College
- Vandana Murjani, The Emerald Heights International School
CAREERS VIS A VIS LABOUR MARKET
In today’s rapidly changing global workplace, students and families are increasingly interested in the ROI from their international education. While interest in Liberal Arts and Sciences Colleges has grown, so has the need to address career-preparation and outcomes available. This session will explore career competencies that are gained from attending “LACs” and some strategies for supporting students and parents who are considering life-changing opportunities.
- Mary Wilcox, Old Dominion University
- Marci Fradkin, Virginia Commonwealth University
- Rashi Dixit, City Montessori School
- Manisha Anil Rita, School of the Art Institute of Chicago
- Poonam Venkatesh, Northern Arizona University