Nanjing International School is proud to offer our Secondary students unparalleled support as they prepare for the transition to higher education. At the centre of this holistic approach is an important partnership between students, teachers, counsellors, and parents.  

The annual NIS Higher Education Evening was an outstanding opportunity for our Grade 9-12 students and parents to receive the support and information they need to navigate the complexities of higher education. This event exemplifies how NIS is committed to systematically and effectively supporting our diverse student body as they transition smoothly into higher grades and, ultimately, into their future academic journeys and careers. The evening was a resounding success, with over 100 parents and students attending. The evening was led by NIS Secondary Principal, Ms. Sara Morrow, and experienced University and Career Counselor, Ms. Pearl Noh.

Ms. Noh led the session with a reflective exercise, asking attendees to consider their motivations for pursuing higher education. These reflections set the stage for the evening, which focused on understanding the reasons behind the college journey. She outlined the session's objectives: demystifying the college application process, ensuring fairness and transparency through expert advice, protecting students' interests while upholding NIS values, and providing expert information to help families make informed decisions.

"As a UCC, I believe it is my responsibility to set the tone for the importance of our senior community's mature, high-integrity, and resilient mindset throughout the process,” said Ms. Noh.

NIS takes great pride in the diversity and individuality of our student body, which encompasses 150 distinct subject interests for global post-secondary programmes. In her presentation, Ms. Noh provided important guidance to our students and parents, encouraging them to take ownership of their post-secondary journey. She highlighted the importance of making informed choices based on a combination of global, national, and NIS-specific data, supported by a rigorous, research-based approach.

The evening also featured an introduction to our University and Career Counselling programme, which offers a comprehensive suite of services, including curriculum guidance, individualised and family counselling sessions, career experience pathways, and partnerships with universities worldwide. We were honoured to welcome guest speaker Ms. Debbie Zhou from Duke Kunshan University, who shared insights on US university degrees and financial aid.

In addition, our diverse NIS transition support team provided expert-led breakout sessions covering various critical topics. Ms. Angela Fox offered insights on the IB Diploma Programme, Mr. Andrew Friedle discussed the Global Online Academy programme, and the IB Middle Years Programme Personal Project was presented by Ms. Anita Claasz and Ms. Jade Bennett. Mr. Scott Corbett and Mr. Stephen Toole led discussions on the Wellness & Balance programme, helping to ensure our students are holistically prepared for their academic journeys on a social-emotional level.

“Listening to your true voice and following your heart, along with our guidelines, is the key to success in the college application journey," said Ms. Noh.