Doha, Qatar: December 6, 2010: Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q) will launch a college application workshop series that will give Qatar’s high school students key tips for success when applying to university.
The “Get Ready!” Application Success Workshops, which will run from December 9th until January 20th, are designed to give students a better understanding of what it takes to submit competitive college applications.
High school students who attend the four workshops will gain insight into what admissions officers look for in applications, effective methods for crafting application essays, and information on financial aid. In addition, a “Discover Northwestern University in Qatar” workshop will profile the University’s programs in Communication and Journalism and the range of career opportunities that Northwestern graduates enjoy.
NU-Q Admissions Director Mounir Ouanaimi explained that the University believes it has a responsibility to advise prospective students on the different areas related to their college applications. “We would like to partner with students and help them successfully navigate the application process. Giving them an insider look at the selection process, and offering them our help in matters related to their applications are important components in the collaborative and transparent approach we choose to adopt at Northwestern.”
The workshops, which are free and open to all college-bound high school students whether or not they plan to apply to Northwestern, are part of the university’s efforts to help prepare future generations of young people in Qatar for academic success.
Melissa Meyers, admissions specialist at NU-Q, said: “We hope that these workshops will benefit all students, whether or not they are considering Northwestern University as their first choice. At the same time, we are excited to be able to connect with high schoolers who could be among our talented pool of journalism and communication students here in a year or two.”
In the first workshop on December 9, “A Decision Maker’s Perspective”, Northwestern’s admissions representatives give advice and real world examples of what works best when completing a university application.
The following week on December 16, the director of Northwestern’s Writing Center will discuss effective methods for crafting application essays in “Application Essays 101”. It will offer an opportunity for attendees to learn to write creative, effective and appealing personal statements and essays. According to Meyers, this is an essential skill that will give students an advantage in the application process.
An informational session on NU-Q on January 13 will profile Northwestern University’s programs in communication and journalism and the vast array of career opportunities that our graduates enjoy. Parents will also find this session informative and are encouraged to attend.
The series will close with a final workshop on January 20, “Financing Your Education”. In this session, the University’s student financial services specialist will help applicants understand merit- and need-based financial aid. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn and ask questions about applying for aid from the various available sources.
Throughout the workshop series, university staff and faculty, along with NU-Q students who serve as “admissions ambassadors”, will be on hand to advise students and parents and answer questions.
“Get Ready! Application Success Workshops are an effective way for college-bound students to learn the strategies that can be critical to developing successful applications. Applying to university can be a daunting process and it is important that parents and students have all of the information they need,” Meyers concluded.
The four workshops will be held on 9 and 16 December, 2010 and 13 and 20 January, 2011 from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. in the Forum room on the top floor of the Carnegie Mellon building For more information, visit: www.qatar.northwestern.edu.
