College Counselling
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Welcome to the college counselling website. Here you can find who we are, what we do and what to expect for the years. We look forward to getting to know you!
Our Mission
The ISL Qatar College Counselling team is committed to providing a personalized college counselling approach to student development, academic advisement and post-secondary planning. Following best practice, the counsellors aim to empower all students to discover and achieve their potential as lifelong learners. The College Counsellors provide best fit counselling services that are respectful of each of the student’s aspirations and needs so that they and their families can make informed decisions for their post-secondary futures.
Implementing a personal approach to college counselling, we meet individually with Grades 10, 11 and 12 students and their families and also offer support to our Grade 9 families when making subject choices . Similarly, as part of Homeroom, we provide curriculum in areas aimed at developing a student's post secondary and career readiness. This website contains all the counselling and homeroom presentations on topics, such as:
- Personality, Strengths & Learning Style Exploration
- Study Skills & Planning for Academic Success
- Career Exploration
- Course Choices
- The IB and Me
- University Admissions Systems Around the World
- The Importance of Best Fit Counselling
- Writing a University Application
- Summer Programs Across the World
Please note that the counsellors will be organising several coffee morning informing parents about application systems most popular in our ISL community. We will also present on other relevant topics, such as Effective Time Management in IB Course Choices. All our workshops will be announced in the school's newsletter and in the DP newsletter. In the tabs above, you can explore the grade specific presentations and curriculum. In the section below, you can learn more about your college counsellors.
Gerardo (a.k.a Gerry) grew up in various countries of Latin America and attended Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, for his Bachelor of Science degree. While at Cornell, he strengthened his interest for service-learning, and became a team leader and manager for educational projects that empowered 110+ students in the U.S. and abroad.
Gerardo then obtained his Master of Science degree from Columbia University in the City of New York, with an emphasis in environmental and social sciences, and economics. After his studies, thanks to his multidisciplinary academic and professional background, he started college counselling and teaching at educational and multinational companies in the US, mainland China, and Hong Kong. His students have attended top Canadian, UK, and American universities, including the Ivy League.
After 10+ years as an educator and college counsellor, Gerardo is still fascinated about channelling his own curiosity into others through counselling and teaching. He still identifies with the promising generation of his high school students that will also go on to make their own positive impacts.
During his spare time, Gerardo enjoys cycling, the outdoors, and learning anything new about psychology, sociology, sustainability, leadership, and educational topics.
GRADE 9
GRADE 10
Welcome to grade 10! This year, we will be exploring your personality, interests and career. You will learn more about how to research careers effectively, and you will be completing an internship as part of CREW week. The college counsellors will also invite all families for course advice meetings to discuss subject choices taking into account interests, strengths and post secondary study requirements.
CAREER EXPLORATION
GRADE 11
Welcome to Grade 11! This year will be an exciting time as you will start preparing for post secondary options. You will learn how to research university destinations and begin your work on your applications to university. Around February, the college counsellors will also invite you and your family for college advice meetings during which we will provide guidance for the university (and other post-secondary option) application process.
REQUESTING RECOMMENDATIONS
MINDFULNESS
GRADE 12
Welcome to Grade 12; your final year of high school! During this exciting time, the counsellors will be focused on guiding you through the university application process. Our department will be offering workshops on Budgeting, Stress Management and how to approach the application process. Meetings will be held with all grade twelves and their families at the beginning of to year to ensure a thorough understanding of your hopes and aspirations for post secondary options.
STRESS MANAGEMENT
THE APPLICATION PROCESS
MOCK ADMISSIONS
COLLEGE FAIR ETIQUETTE
COLLEGE FAIR ETIQUETTE
Have you ever wondered how to prepare effectively for a college fair? Click on the link above to explore the ISL counsellors' tips and tricks.
SUMMER PROGRAMMES
SUMMER PROGRAMS
Summer is a wonderful time to relax, recharge and reconnect. It is also a perfect opportunity for your to start exploring some of your passions and interests through summer programs, online courses and further reading. Check out this presentation to learn how you can enhance your demonstrated interest in a subject during your summer break.
SCHOOL PROFILE
2021-2022 School Profile for University Applications