DIS college counselors work closely with students and families to assist in a successful college process and outcomes. DIS graduates are accepted to a wide range of colleges and universities, including schools with specialized programs such as business, engineering and visual performing arts in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France and beyond.
We believe that the college process should support the aspirations that are unique to each student. Our college counseling program is intended to open students’ minds to possibilities and to assist each of our students as they identify, apply for and ultimately choose their next step after graduation from DIS.
At DIS, the college counseling process includes:
Individual student college planning, application and essay writing meetings
Individual parent/guardian meetings for 9th to 12th grades
College application and essay writing workshops for juniors and seniors
Meetings with college admission representatives from USA, UK, Europe and Canada as they visit DIS
College Counseling Coffee and evening events for parents and guardians
Informal meetings, phone calls, emails, and follow up as needed
Updates and reminders emailed to students and parents regularly
Students take the PSAT 8/9 (pre-SAT) in October for the first time. This test experience is meant to provide familiarity with the test in preparation for junior year (11th) in high school, when students take the PSAT that could qualify them for a national merit scholarship.
SPRING
Students receive results for the PSAT 8/9. They are advised to sign up on https://studentscores.collegeboard.org/home by using the individual access code provided to each student by the College Board. Here, the students can access the detailed assessment of their PSAT 8/9 results.
Students and parents explore high school options at DIS: DIS is the only school in Dallas-Worth Area that offers both the Advanced Bilingual International Baccalaureate (IB) and the French Baccalaureate (FB) diploma programs.
Students and parents are provided with information about the two rigorous tracks, its expectations and requirement for graduation. Teachers also hold individual conferences with the students and parents to make recommendations for either program.
Students and parents choose between the pre-FB and the pre-IB program.
The majority of the DIS students continue to the pre-FB track in 9th grade so that they can prepare and receive Brevet, which is the French national diploma awarded at the end of 9th grade. Tests are conducted in French and students are tested in the subject areas of French language and literature, mathematics, history, geography and citizenship. Tests are conducted both orally and in essay form.
Students are reminded to achieve and keep the highest grades possible.
Students take the PSAT 8/9 (pre-SAT) in October.
Students are advised to access College Board’s “Big Future” https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/ to explore lists of suggested colleges, majors and careers.
Participate in school activities, clubs and/or sports.
SPRING
Students receive results for the PSAT 8/9. Students continue to practice SAT tests to improve test scores through the College Board’s partnership with Kahn Academy.
Students start to build their college resume by keeping record of awards, community service and extra-curricular activities.
Students and parents are encouraged to attend college fairs and college information sessions.
Student and parents discuss college plans and 10th grade academic track and classes with the college counselor.
All students partake in an internship project to explore their career interests.
Take the AP subject tests as needed.
Summer is an excellent opportunity to explore current interests in depth and/or try something new. This could include summer volunteer work, an enrichment program or a job.
Start college research on the web: consider location, costs, average GPA and SAT/ACT scores. https://www.youniversitytv.com/
Visit colleges in the summer, while at home or on vacation.
Students are reminded to achieve and keep the highest grades possible.
Students take the PSAT 10/NMSQT (National Merit Qualifying Test) in October.
Continue to build a college resume.
Continue to participate in school activities, clubs and/or sports. Seek leadership positions when possible.
Continue to view colleges on the web to stay current with the college admission requirements and expectations.
Continue to attend college fairs and information sessions. Begin to build a college list including reach, realistic and safety choices.
SPRING
Students receive results for the PSAT 10/NMSQT. Students continue to practice SAT tests to improve test scores through the College Board’s partnership with Kahn Academy.
Go to www.collegeboard.org and sign up for the SAT test if you’re ready for the real sitting.
Go to www.act.org and sign up for at least one ACT test if you’re struggling with the SAT.
Student and parents discuss college plans, 11th – 12th grade academic track and classes with the college counselor and the Bac coordinators. This is the last chance for the students to decide on the FB or the IB two-year diploma program.
Take the AP subject tests as needed.
Summer is an excellent opportunity to explore current interests in depth and/or try something new. This could include a summer volunteer work, enrichment program, job or free online college classes at https://www.coursera.org/ OR https://www.edx.org/
Consider attending summer enrichment programs on college campuses.
Hold regular meetings with the college counselor to complete the college admission process.
Review, and polish all essays before attaching them to the application.
Consider Early Action or Early Decision to a school if attendance at the school is high priority. Early Action is usually non-binding. Early Decision is binding.
SPRING
Complete all mid-year reports.
Continue to research and apply for scholarships and financial aid.
Upon acceptance, provide the college counselor with a copy of the acceptance letter and scholarship awards. You must inform every college of your acceptance or rejection of the offer of admission and/or financial aid.
Make final plans about what college or university to attend. May 1st is the national reply date to reserve placement in colleges and universities.