Dear customer,

Welcome to the October edition of ICON+’s University Access Newsletter. You are receiving this e-newsletter because you inquired about our test prep and/or admissions consulting services.

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Remember to participate in our forums to exchange tips and ideas on how to write that perfect application essay and discuss your recent and upcoming exams!

1. Our Stamford Court, City Hall branch opened on September 1!

Visit us at:
61 Stamford Road
Stamford Court #01-01

2. Win a $25 book voucher by submitting an answer to our Question of the Month!
 

Confused about which education system suits you better?

A great many of our students look to apply abroad for further study, the most prominent destinations being the US and the UK. Choosing between the two, however, can often be an incredibly taxing and confusing task. Are the courses structured differently? Is it easier to get into one country’s Universities than the other? These are just some of the questions we get asked – to settle the issue, over the next two issues our two experienced Admissions Counselors weigh up the merits, and the negatives, of studying in these countries:

UK

Everyone knows about the great Universities of the UK, Oxford and Cambridge, the institutions that have provided the building blocks and led the way for much in the way western studies are now conducted. Some will know about the Universities of London; LSE, UCL and King’s to name but three. Comparatively few, however, will know of the merits of studying at Lancaster, Manchester or Cardiff, and it is in that variety of institution that the UK excels.

Tradition and reputation go so far, but the UK Universities offer so much more than this. Academic institutions are growing in their research capabilities – for example, the University of Warwick has just opened a new Digilab on its campus, specifically designed to promote a research atmosphere in a new and groundbreaking manner, including in the field of nanotechnology. 

 For more information on the UK University system, follow this link.

Many students report feeling jittery before the various admissions-related exams including the TOEFL, IELTS, GMAT, GRE, and SAT. Recognizing that excessive nervousness can be detrimental to test taking, some seek ways to keep their cool. Peruse these tips to keep up your confidence and stay relaxed for that important test day.

1. Practice, practice, practice. The more you study and practice, the more confident you will feel about your test.

2. Do something fun! After you have studied, reward yourself by doing something fun. For example, watch a show that makes you laugh. There is no point in worrying about how you will do, so get those endorphins pumping by taking joy in every day.

For more tips, click here.

1/ Which universities have you selected to apply to, and why?

The Universities I have selected are King’s College London, University College London, University of Liverpool, and University of East Anglia. I have chosen these based on the competition of students applying to the university, ensuing that I had one ‘reach’ school, two medium, and one safe one. However, Medical Schools in London are so competitive and they only accept the best 7% of all international applicants, so I might go through clearing if I am unsuccessful.

 2/ What has been the most challenging part of the admissions process so far, and why was it difficult?

The most challenging part of admission process so far is the personal statement. Since my education background is economics and business, it is basically like I am career changing so I have to convince them how strong my passion in medicine is as a subject. As the Personal Statement is quite important, I have to proofread it quite often. I am very scared of interviews that will be coming up. Sometimes I am not able to answer the questions very well. That is what I am very scared of.

 For the full interview, click here.

Many students fret about the Improving Paragraphs portion of the writing section. Put your worries at ease with these answers to commonly asked questions:
 

Q: What should I review to prepare for Improving Paragraph questions?

A: Review the meanings and proper usages of transitions (e.g., however, nevertheless, moreover, etc.)
 

For more tips, follow this link: