“Students Helping Students": Informing Their Way to a University or College

by Svetlana Demashova

Goal of the Presentation
Objectives of the Presentation
Structure of the Presentation
Significance of Informing
Methods of Informing
Success Stories
Debates Among EIC Visitors and Students
Recommendations for Organizing a Panel Discussion
Steps to Take

Goal of the Presentation

The goal of this presentation is to share with the audience Vladivostok EIC practice experience - discussion panel “Student Helping Students: Informing Their Way to a University or College.” The mentoring of hopeful applicants by Alumni and successful applicants is EIC/IREX/Vladivostok “Best Practice.”

Objectives of the Presentation

Familiarize the audience with methods of informing
Give examples of Vladivostok EIC best practice techniques

Structure of the Presentation

Significance of mentoring of hopeful applicants by Alumni and successful applicants
Methods of informing

Significance of Informing

The center must inform its potential hopeful applicants and visitors about the discussion panel and encourage them not be shy to participate in the discussion, and to be proactive and ask as many questions as they have at the presentation. It is important to develop interrelationships between hopeful applicants, visitors, Alumni and successful applicants of the center.

Traditionally, the Education Information Center (EIC) in Vladivostok concentrated its service and activity towards individual and group consultations of educational advisor with students and visitors.

However, a special overview performed during the last presentation of EIC visitor who was accepted to a U.S. university but who has not yet gone and potential applicants demonstrated that about 1/8 of all attendees had received acceptance to U.S. universities. Upon revealing this fact, Vladivostok EIC decided to pay more attention to informing EIC visitors and potential hopeful applicants about discussion panel at the EIC and encourage them to participate in it. Starting in December the EIC developed a plan of appropriate discussion activities.

Methods of Informing

Vladivostok EIC plan includes organizing a panel composed of alumni, successful applicants who were accepted to the U.S. universities and colleges, but who have not yet gone, and potential applicants.
They explain how they were admitted to a University/College, what kinds of skills they have, what they wrote in the statement of purpose, essay. For example: “I wrote about my leadership experience.”
They give information and answer numerous questions.
The panelists and EIC visitors have a great opportunity to share ideas and knowledge.
I also invited John Croom, professor at National State University, to give a lecture on letters of recommendation and how to write an English Essay.
Presentations should be less academic, more attractive and lively.
Inviting guest speakers is an indispensable part.

Examples

I start negotiations with successful applicants and Alumni who returned from the United States and explain to them the importance of the presentation and discussions, explain why I started this practice in the Vladivostok EIC.
I ask them to make a presentation on every step of the way. I inform our students and visitors about forthcoming presentations and encourage them not to be shy and to be proactive and ask as many questions as they have at the presentation.
I stress they should think about specific questions they would like to ask at the presentation and ask them to be prepared for a lively discussion.
Last year, Levan Nadibaidze, EIC/IREX/Vladivostok visitor received a $41,000 scholarship to study at Yale University. Before his departure to the United States, Levan made a presentation to EIC/IREX/Vladivostok clients: "My successful experience of applying to Yale University". He encouraged all visitors not to miss the opportunity to visit EIC and to use the invaluable EIC resources.
No doubt students and EIC visitors were really impressed when Levan, their yesterday’s peer, told them about steps he did to enter a U.S. university or when Andrey Melnikov, Muskie Alumnus, Veronika Kovaleva, Zhenya Egupova, UGRAD Alumni shared their experience of studying in the U.S. university and numerous aspects of U.S. student’s life.
Levan also said great thanks to EIC/IREX/Vladivostok staff for assistance and ECA for funding the EIC because, he stressed, the most important reason for his successful application to such a prestigious US university was the presence of the EIC with its unique resources and the Internet in Vladivostok, Russian Far East.
The example of Levan and other students accepted to U.S. universities inspires the clients of Vladivostok EIC. This year three EIC/IREX/Vladivostok students who attended Levan's presentation were accepted to U.S. universities.

Success Stories

Evgeniy Beda, a second year student of the Economic Department, Vladivostok State University of Economics and Services, received full scholarship to study at Brigham Young University, Utah through the International Work Experience Scholarship (IWES).
Evgeniy Prasol, who graduated from the Far Eastern National University (FENU) last year, was able to fulfill his dream and will begin his graduate studies in international economics this fall. Evgeny was accepted by three universities. Among them, he chose the MA in Economics program offered by Claremont (California) Graduate University (CGU). CGU was rated among the top graduate universities in Economics by U.S. News & World Report and offered good financial aid. This September Evgeny begins his Master's degree program at CGU.
Evgenii Plaksen, who graduated from Academy last year received full scholarship to study at the American University in Budapest.
Before their departure the Evgeniis gave a presentation for EAC visitors where they shared their successful experience of applying to U.S. universities. 60 students attended the presentations and asked many questions. Both Evgeniis said the presentation of Levan and his advice truly helped them.
This July Levan came back on holidays from the first year of study at Yale. He received another $41 000 to continue his study at Yale! I invited Levan to make a presentation about his experience of applying and study in the United States. 34 students attended the discussion and asked many questions.

I am very proud of all my students getting big financial package to top universities in the United States. Their success really inspires other students to study in the United States.

Debates Among EIC Visitors and Students

There are some discussions among our visitors in which they consider opposing arguments of studying in community colleges or universities. I explain that many community colleges are the gateway to academic advantage and have unique schools with outstanding programs, transferable credits, reasonable fees, and a supportive environment.

Example

Evgeniy Chernyshev – a 3-year student of National State University, International Department, semifinalist of FSA Undergraduate program, Alumnus of Work and Travel program said at the discussions: The advantages of applying to Community Colleges instead of a University: low costs, high-quality courses, simplified application procedures, extensive student support system, small classes and committed teachers. To continue one’s education in the U.S. 2-year colleges is a very good opportunity for international students to allow themselves to prove their abilities and to continue towards a U.S. bachelor’s degree.

Recommendations for Organizing a Panel Discussion

Identify target audience for the panel discussion.
Start negotiations with the alumni, successful applicants.
Inform hopeful applicants and EIC visitors about the discussion.
Excite their curiosity.
Conduct the discussion.
Distribute materials on discussion during or after the presentation.

Steps to Take

Start early.
Find alumni/successful applicants who were accepted to the U.S. universities/colleges but who have not yet gone/alumni willing to participate in the discussion at least 3 weeks before it begins.
Make arrangements to invite EIC visitors and potential applicants.
Ask panelists to prepare a paper/article about every step of their way.