Author Archives: Jemison Foster

Key Takeaways The Dutch system sorts students into distinct secondary tracks (VMBO, HAVO, VWO) that determine typical routes into vocational training (MBO), applied universities (HBO), or research universities (WO). Understanding these acronyms—and how they roughly map to U.S. schooling—makes Dutch entry requirements far less mysterious. This Part 1 article defines each term clearly; Part 2 […]

Key Takeaways Honors Colleges are special academic communities within universities, offering smaller classes, enriched academics, and unique research opportunities. They provide motivated students with access to scholarships, priority registration, mentorship, and prestigious opportunities. For high-achieving students, an Honors College can make a large public university feel like an elite liberal arts environment—often at a fraction […]

Key Takeaways A personal website humanizes an applicant and makes them more memorable to admissions officers. It extends the application beyond essays and activity lists, providing a fuller narrative. Especially valuable for students in competitive applicant pools or with creative/academic projects. Demonstrates initiative, professionalism, and digital literacy. A well-structured site continues to add value beyond […]

Key Takeaways U.S. = maximum flexibility; declare your major later, mix fields widely, typically over 4 years. International = clear structure; usually 3 years (Europe/Asia), more focus from Day 1 with defined pathways and caps. Great liberal arts exist outside the U.S. They’re simply organized differently: curated pathways, smaller menus, often residential and seminar‑heavy. Pick […]

Key Takeaways Your UCAS personal statement is your chance to prove fit: use AI to show you understand the course and why you’re the right person for it. From the 2026 entry cycle, UCAS replaces the single 4,000-character essay with three guided questions (still 4,000 characters total, minimum 350 per answer).Reforming admissions AI is best […]

Key Takeaways The best predicted grades are accurate predicted grades—inflated grades can create unrealistic conditional offers. Teachers base predictions on assessments, performance trends, and professional experience, not on requests from students or parents. Students should focus conversations with teachers on performance and improvement, not just “grades.” If you feel your predicted grades are inaccurate, there […]

Key Takeaways The UK’s UCAS personal statement changed to a three-question format for 2026 entry, replacing the traditional free-form essay of 4,000 characters. In the U.S., the Common App Personal Essay is central, but many schools also require supplemental essays tailored to each institution. Other English-speaking countries use terms such as “motivation letter,” “statement of […]

Key Takeaways Joint or dual honors degrees in the UK let undergraduates study two subjects in depth within one structured degree. These programs differ significantly from the double major system in the US and Canada, and from liberal arts–style combined programs in the Netherlands. UK applicants must usually choose their subject combination before applying, while […]

Key Takeaways A foundation year is a one-year program that helps students qualify for universities. These programs are not just for struggling students; even top-performing students use them strategically to access competitive universities. They help bridge subject or curriculum gaps for students from non-British educational systems like the American high school diploma, IB, or national […]

Key Takeaways: Unlike centralized application systems like UCAS in the UK or the Common Application in the US, South African universities generally require direct applications to each institution. South African universities often allow you to apply with predicted grades for the IB, A-Levels, or equivalent, and they may issue conditional offers based on these predictions. […]