The U.S. Affirmative Action Ruling Reverberates Abroad


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Counsellor Notes
20 November 2023



Remembering the P in PSAT
PSAT scores were just released for Y12 and Y11 students. While upwards of 2,000 colleges and universities in the US are test-optional or test-free for 2024 entry, standardised tests may still be required for or enhance the applications of some students, depending upon where and for what course they apply. For these students, the PSAT may help them identify strengths and areas for improvement; results aside, it can certainly help familiarise them with the kinds of questions and time pressures involved. But it shouldn’t cause stress. The results don’t count. The P in PSAT stands for practice. The test is meant only to help students prepare.
U.S. Leads Growth in Applicants to the UK
The UK applications platform UCAS recently published figures on enrolment trends among international students. The figures underscore that demand for higher education in the UK is high, with the volume of international undergraduate applicants forecasted to increase by 46% to 208,500 by 2026. A quarter of those students are expected from China. The USA, together with Singapore, has seen the most growth in applicants to the UK, with an increase of 9% over the last year.
The New UCAS Reference
As part of a broader reform package for UK university applications for 2024 entry, UCAS has announced changes to the school reference. The changes will include a new section focused on extenuating student circumstances and needed support, and reduce the space to report on student achievement. This will put a greater spotlight on how students themselves present their achievements in the personal statement.







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University Bound offers advising and support to help families and students navigate a university landscape that is constantly shifting. Our approach is individualized, student-centered and ethical. Our aim is to increase knowledge, manage risk, and reduce stress. We are alert to the latest developments in higher education and equipped with insight and expertise to help students maximize their choices and gain admission to a ''right fit'' school.

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Joanna Levison is an American expat living in Prague. She launched University Bound to help international students navigate an increasingly complex and global university application process in the U.K., U.S., Europe, and elsewhere, and has advised hundreds of successful students. She has over 20 years of experience in international relations, human rights advocacy, and strategic communications. She has managed mentoring programs for journalists in coordination with the Czech Foreign Ministry and the U.S. Embassy in Prague, and worked at the US State Department in Washington, D.C. She has a Masters Degree in Russian and Eastern European Studies.

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University Bound offers individualized one-to-one consulting. We help students reflect on the fundamental ''why'' of university and arrive at a personal understanding of ''fit." We provide comprehensive research and strategic guidance to produce an effective school list. We offer planning for every step of the application process, expert feedback on personal statements and essays, and insight into financial aid. We assess admissions offers and we celebrate results. We normally work by the hour to address every student need.
