University Advisor

UWCSEA Dover is seeking an appropriately qualified and experienced University Advisor from August 2024.

Considerable current experience of advising students applying for admission to university in North America and the United Kingdom is required. Familiarity with advising and application processing in Australia, Canada, Europe and Asia would be highly desirable, as would experience in advising students with financial aid needs. Experience of developing and implementing a high school careers exploration programme is valuable.

The appointee will join a passionate team of University Advisors who enjoy working together in an exceptionally collaborative atmosphere. There is considerable opportunity for professional growth, both through working with highly experienced colleagues within the College as well as representing the College at conferences and events. The successful candidate will also work intensively with UWC National Committee scholars who are seeking full-need scholarship places at university. The appointee can look forward to working alongside highly motivated, enthusiastic and talented students as they grow through their High School years.

By applying for this job, you are committed to meet the vaccination requirement by the Singapore Government. You may refer to https://www.mom.gov.sg/covid-19/vaccination-requirements-as-a-condition-for-mom-passes for the latest requirement.

Main Responsibilities

• Contribute as part of a team to the delivery of a comprehensive programme of university advising services for a high school of 1300+ students, including guidance, information and advocacy as they navigate university application processes in as many as 20 countries worldwide
• Establish a personal advising relationship to an assigned caseload of 65+ in G11 and G12, including some students with high financial needs, and help them in their process of planning, researching, and applying to universities, identifying and understanding career options, and implementing their post-graduation plans; provide additional advice and support for university applications to up to 15 graduates currently taking gap years or doing National Service
• Support students in their transition from Grades 10 to 11 with guidance on subject selection based on their future aspirations
• Collaborate with other Advisors, Counsellors, Heads of Grades, Principal and Vice-Principals on the overall wellbeing and welfare of students.

Administration and Communication

• Inform students, parents, and staff about university systems and admissions processes worldwide, by facilitating small and large group workshops and presentations.
• Provide individual feedback on multiple drafts of students’ personal statements/essays.
• Support the understanding and skill development of teaching staff in relation to the university application process, especially in their roles as recommendation writers.
• Use Maia Learning online platform for US application processing and UCAS for UK application processing.
• Manage and track university applications, including processing school-issued support documents, following up with university representatives and troubleshooting as needed.
• Communicate with students, parents, and staff about on and off-campus events, university information opportunities, deadlines, and other relevant information.
• Write, review, edit and collate references for university applicants.
• Contribute to collation and analysis of university application and placement data, and use appropriate data analysis to inform university guidance.
• Remain up-to-date on university-related matters in a rapidly changing world through diverse means, including visiting universities and making presentations at relevant conferences, very often during the school holidays.

Relationships with Universities and Organisations

• Actively participate in engagement with universities throughout the school year.
• Attend major international admissions and guidance conferences and present at panel workshops for professional development.
• Maintain on-going relationships with university representatives around the world, with advisors with the local, regional and UWC networks and across the the international admissions industry for knowledge-sharing, capacity building and strengthening of UWCSEA’s global reputation

Expectations and Standards

• Follow the UWCSEA Professional Code of Conduct and Safeguarding Code of Conduct.
• Teach in line with the UWCSEA Teacher Standards

Person Specifications

• A degree and experience with the US and UK university application systems, as either a High School University Advisor or in university admissions, are prerequisites.
• Candidates should ideally already be working as a University Advisor in a similar environment for at least three years and be well suited to making the transition to this post at UWCSEA.
• The ability to engage with students and to engender enthusiasm for learning is a prerequisite for working at UWCSEA.
• Eagerness to participate in the five key elements of a UWCSEA education: Academic; Personal and Social Education; Service; Activities; Outdoor Education - on average the College expects a yearly contribution of 1.5 sessions per week in each season to Activities and/or Service.
• Enthusiastic participation in Professional Development, both that which is given by the College and that which is identified by the appointee.
• Belief in the transformative power of education; interest in furthering the values of equity and access to educational opportunities; openness to new ideas, stamina, collaborative spirit and a sense of humour.

Applications

The UWC Mission is to make education a force to unite people, nations and culture for peace and a sustainable future. We are committed to creating a community in which all members feel safe and secure, and know that their authentic selves and individual differences are accepted with respect and care. At UWCSEA, we acknowledge that diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEIJ) is an ongoing and evolving process and strive to create and sustain a sense of belonging for all members of our community, past, present and future. All qualified applicants, including those who identify as a part of marginalized group(s) and individuals with (dis)abilities are all encouraged to apply. Our school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all the students in our care and expects all applicants to share this commitment. We follow safe recruitment practices and all appointments are subject to interview, satisfactory references, identity and criminal record checks.