University & Career Counseling

The University & Career Counseling program assists students and their families in every aspect of their post-secondary goals. Practicing a 'Personalized Learning' approach, one of the pillars of our learning community, we meet with students and families individually to determine a distinct pathway that supports their interests and academic ambitions.

With years of counseling students with diverse backgrounds at international schools in South Korea, the office has the much-needed expertise to support students wishing to explore global educational options that align with their best-fit and academic match worldwide. We celebrate our IB students' well-preparedness for advanced study as we commend them for enrolling in a curriculum recognized as one of the world's most rigorous courses of study.

Aside from one-on-one counseling, students are engaged in group sessions offered quarterly throughout the school year as a part of our SPARK 2.0 program. These sessions aim to educate them on the general process of post-secondary options relevant to their grade years. Students may also join University & College guest sessions hosted at Dwight to learn more about their institutions of interest. In addition, students engage in career explorations throughout the year and attend our annual Career Day at the end of the school year.

The University & Career Counseling program ensures students and families are well informed and prepared for matriculation to university and beyond.

University & Career Counselors:

Kaleena Carter

Director

University & Career Counseling

Julianna Kim

Assistant

University & Career Counseling

A Four-year Path to Success

We provide extensive information, guidance, and support starting in Grade 9 ― and continuing through all four years of upper school and beyond.

Grade 9

Students focus on self-discovery and learn about their unique interests and personality traits through interest profilers and character assessments.
Students are introduced to tools to help them explore career options that align with their interests and values.
Students are introduced to student-led clubs and councils and are encouraged to involve themselves in school-related activities to help develop their student profile.
A presentation on the pathway to graduation is presented to grade 9 students, to help them understand that their path to a post-secondary education/career starts now.
UCC coffee morning sessions catered towards grade 9 parents are offered throughout the year, and parents are encouraged to attend.

Grade 10

Students in grade 10 continue to learn more about themselves and reflect on their progress from grade 9 through journaling. Career Aspirations and Community involvement are the primary focus of the group session presentations.
Students are encouraged to attend as many on-site university visits as possible to help them discern which region or institution type would best suit their interests.
Students are encouraged to take the PSAT 10 assessment in the fall.
Summer programs are introduced, and students will make a Summer Plan Schedule.
In collaboration with the DP coordinator, students and parents meet one-on-one with the UCC office at the start of January to select their DP Courses.
UCC coffee morning sessions catered towards grade 10 parents are offered throughout the year, and parents are encouraged to attend.

Grade 11

The UCC Grade 11 Student & Parent night is the first event officially kicking off the University admissions process for grade 11 students. This happens early in the second semester to ensure parents and students confidently have the information needed well in advance to prepare for a productive summer break.
Through self-reflection and college-bound surveys, students determine what characteristics/values and programs are needed at a university for it to be considered the best fit.
Students are introduced to research tools and methods to determine their admissibility when building a well-balanced list of schools.
Sessions cover the Dwight Seoul application process and procedures, general application requirements for multiple countries, how to use our application management platform, writing college essays, resumes, and supplements, and an introduction to the most popular application platforms such as the Common Application, OUAC, and UCAS.
Students are encouraged to use the summer break purposefully and to return for senior year well-prepared to engage in the college application process. They are required to write the first draft of their college essays and finalize their resumes prior to the start of senior year.

Grade 12

The UCC Grade 12 Student & Parent night occurs in September to welcome back seniors and their families and to further support them in the application process.
Students and their families meet with the Director of UCC individually to finalize their list of colleges, hand in agreements, and discuss their approach to the application process.
Students receive dedicated support in developing their supplements, resumes, interviews, and essays in one-to-one sessions with the counselor.
College representatives continue to visit Dwight Seoul to discuss academics and special features of their institutions; grade 12 students are encouraged to attend before finalizing their lists.
Group sessions focus on supporting students at every stage of their process and will continue throughout the academic year until graduation for a successful transition.
The UCC office serves as grade 12 student advocates throughout the process and beyond and works with families as students receive acceptances and make their final decisions.

Resources:

School Profile 2023 - 2024

DOCUMENT REQUEST FORM

APPOINTMENT BOOKING

University representatives may email the director to request on-site and virtual visits.

Congratulations to our 2023 Graduates! Click to view acceptances.

Top Universities Recognize the IB Diploma:

"I have always been a supporter of the International Baccalaureate. It is a thoughtful and genuinely intellectual curriculum with an unusually high degree of integrity and connectedness. There is no other curriculum anywhere that does a superior job of both educating students and inspiring a true and broad-based love of learning."

William Shain
Dean of Undergraduate Admissions
Vanderbilt University

William & Mary

"The rigor of the IB Diploma requirement meets our recommendation for the strongest high school preparation possible…In sum, the IB diploma candidate who has met the challenge successfully receives strong consideration from the William and Mary admission committee."

Allison Jesse
Former Associate Director of Undergraduate Admission
College of William and Mary

Bath University

UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG

"We very much value the learning that IB students have had through their Diploma Programme. I have personally seen, over the years that I have been in charge of admissions at HKU, that they do not just have an understanding of their subject areas, but, much more importantly, typically show levels of communication, thinking skills and all-around knowledge that equip them very well for tertiary education and beyond."

Professor John A. Spinks
Senior Advisor To The Vice-Chancellor
University of Hong Kong