German International School of Silicon Valley. DIA The Path to the Finest German and International Universities

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1 German International School of Silicon Valley DIA The Path to the Finest German and International Universities

2 Paving the Way GISSV prepares the students for universities all over the world Germany and Europe with the bilingual DIA format USA with High School diploma, standardized tests plus rigorous coursework

3 Paving the Way Wide academic college and university preparation in both worlds: WASC/CAIS accredited Excellent German School abroad Focus on languages and sciences Truly bilingual education at the level of native speakers in an intercultural environment

4 Philosophy DIA Since the GISSV had the first graduates worldwide of the Deutsches Internationales Abitur in 2009, the DIA has distinguished itself as an outstanding diploma which successfully combines the education towards global citizenship with the challenging expectations of the German Abitur More Information at

5 Philosophy Unique focus on bilingualism and independent learning Outstanding educational program ending with written and oral exams Integration of country-specific requirements, exams, and diplomas New exam format colloquium focuses on project-based and cross-curricular studies

6 Anforderungsbereiche Students are taught and tested based on three performance levels Anforderungsbereich I: Understanding of the given material and the ability to reproduce it Anforderungsbereich II: Reorganisation of the given material, e.g. analysis and interpretation Anforderungsbereich III: Transfer and critical evaluation- the ability of the student to go beyond the text or problem to demonstrate and apply knowledge in another context.

7 Grade 9: High School Not Oberstufe yet One-on-One sessions Choice of 4th language All grades count toward GPA HS Counselor meets with class Individual Counseling Sessions Choice of AP Chemistry

8 Grade 9 All grades count toward the GPA (Grade Point Average) that will be used to apply to American universities 4th Language: French or Spanish AP Chemistry: two-year afternoon course; requirement: 2 in Chemistry

9 Grade 10: Introductory Phase Oberstufe One-on-One sessions Feb 29-March 3: Centralized Exams in Math, English, German May/June: Realschule Oral Exam / Subject choices for April 4-8: Internship Dec 2: DSD II Deutsches Sprachdiplom Individual Counseling Sessions PSAT May 6: AP German

10 Zentrale Klassenarbeiten Part of the official requirements to enter the qualification phase Sent by Germany, graded by GISSV teachers according to set expectations Written exams in all three core subjects: German (150 min), Math (135 min), English (135 min) Count twice as much as a regular exam

11 Internship Objectives: gain insight into the professional world and different job specifications, become aware of their own interests and abilities Weeklong internship from April 4-8 (or during spring break) Students organize their internship themselves Support and information provided by Ms. Wenk Presentation on April 13

12 PSAT Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test American Centralized Test in Reading Comprehension Writing, and Math Students get detailed feedback on their results and tips for improvement for the SAT School gets feedback on class performance

13 Grade 11: Qualification Phase All grades count toward the DIA BES with One-on-One sessions Research Paper (Facharbeit) Oct 28: PSAT /NMSQT Individual Counseling Sessions SATs May 2-13: AP Exams Chemistry, English Language, Spanish/French, Economics Summer: Start College Essays

14 Subject Requirements DIA High School Diploma (additionally) German English Math Four subjects from languages and sciences (English, French, Spanish Physics, Chemistry, Biology) American History/Government (Economics) History, (Economics) Art P.E.

15 Languages of Instruction German English Bilingual German English Biology History Economics Chemistry Math Am. History/Gov. Physics P.E., Art Other French Spanish

16 Grading Scale Point System German Grades American Grade A+ A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D F

17 Facharbeit (Research Paper) The research paper combines an involved process of research, critical thinking, source evaluation, organization, and composition written in a subject of the student s choice Subject teacher advises on topic and grades the paper duration: 8 weeks (end of Jan - March) replaces the exam in that subject in the first half of the second semester

18 Studien- und Berufsorientierung (BES) Career Counseling Weekly class that replaces Experts in the Classroom Unique subject for grades that introduces the students to experts from various fields Students explore different career possibilities, perform job and IQ tests, prepare their resumes, LinkedIn profiles, portfolios, etc. Goes hand-in-hand with one-on-one career counseling starting in grade 10

19 Grade 12: Qualification Phase Aug: DIA Subject Choices BES with One-on-One sessions Nov: Mock Written Exams Jan 29-Feb 4: DIA Written Exams May: Mock Oral Exams May/June: Oral Exams & Graduation July 15: Deadline German Universities Counseling, SATs & College Applications May 2-13: AP Exams Biology, Calculus, English Literature

20 DIA Exam Subjects 3 written and 2 oral Abitur examinations 50% German-taught subjects All three subject areas have to be covered: Languages, Natural and Social Sciences German is a mandatory written subject The other exam subjects could be Math English, French or Spanish (five years of instruction) History or Economics Physics or Biology or Chemistry

21 DIA Oral Exams One oral exam must be a subject taught in German 4th subject: 20 minute oral exam 5th subject: Colloquium (20 min) Students define and structure their topic themselves The presentation marks the pinnacle of an independent, cross-curricular and project-based learning process

22 Corporations & Scholarships TU9 (Association of the 9 most influential Technical Universities in Germany) DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Auslandsdienst), including full scholarship Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes UAS7, stipends of up to $300/month

23 German International School of Silicon Valley US College Counselor: Paving the Way to American Universities

24 Navigating the College Process Terminology Overview Testing Schedule What Colleges Look At Types of Colleges

25 Terminology Freshman (9th) sophomore (10th) junior (11th) senior (12 th ) GPA grade point average calculated from grades The UC (University of California) system focuses on the 10th and 11th grade GPA. PSAT - (preliminary scholastic aptitude test) an abbreviated version of the SAT which tests verbal, math and writing skills. SAT Reasoning Test (3h 45m) New redesigned SAT coming spring 2016 Used by the majority of colleges as part of the admission process. Students take the test externally usually as juniors or seniors and can take it several times.

26 Terminology SAT II subject tests (1 hour tests that test particular subjects) No longer mandatory for all majors but many private and public colleges still require students take 2 subject tests. Students need to check the specific requirements of the colleges they are applying to. ACT - American College Testing. TOEFL The Test of English as a Foreign Language measures the ability of non-native speakers of English to use and understand English as it is spoken, read and written in the college classroom. (4 hours) Taken externally. Required for students whose primary language is not English and who have been studying fewer than 5 years in an English speaking school.

27 Advanced Placement (AP) AP is a series of 37 college-level courses created by the College Board which offers college-level curricula and examinations to high school students. Students who fulfill the requirements of an AP course are given an extra point towards their GPA. A student must take the AP exam in order to receive college credit. AP tests are scored on a scale of 1-5. Students with a grade of 3 or higher may receive credit for a college. AP exams are administered every May at the school over a two week period.

Advanced Placement (AP) Currently we offer the following AP courses: AP German Language and Culture 10th grade AP Chemistry 10th-11th grade (2-year course) AP French Language and Culture 11th grade

28 Advanced Placement (AP) Currently we offer the following AP courses: AP German Language and Culture 10th grade AP Chemistry 10th-11th grade (2-year course) AP French Language and Culture 11th grade AP Spanish Language and Culture 11th grade AP Microeconomics 11th grade AP English Language and Composition 11th grade AP Biology 12th grade AP Calculus 12th grade AP English Literature and Composition 12th grade

29 What US Universities Look At Academic Record: GPA Rigor of the Curriculum: How many extra courses does the student take beyond requirements? (DIAP requirements exceed these by far) Standardized test scores. Number of and performance in University approved Honors and AP courses Experiences that demonstrate leadership qualities; community service and/or participation in school related activities (SMV, Interact, Model UN) Special talents, achievements and awards in a particular field, such as academics, visual and performing arts, athletics Letters of Recommendation and Personal Essay (Insight into a student) School profile (accompanies the transcript)

30 What s Out There? Liberal Arts colleges: 90% private Offer a liberal education to students across the arts, humanities, sciences and social sciences Research universities (the majority are public) Offer a full range of academic programs in undergraduate, master s and doctoral programs Colleges that offer specialized programs Schools like Julliard or CA Institution of the Arts or Babson College MA

31 Financial Aid and Scholarships Need- based and Merit- based. Need- based aid is awarded proportional to your family s financial need (the difference between the cost of study and your ability to pay). Merit-based aid is awarded on your merit (academic or other) Need- blind colleges do not consider your financial situation when considering admission. California student aid commission Free Application for federal student aid Financial aid profile General site with lots of information about financial aid General site with a terrific scholarship search as well as expected family contribution calendar

32 Important Dates 2015/2016 August 31: DIA Subject Decisions (12) November: DIA Mock Exams (12) December 14: Facharbeit Subject Choice (11) January 25-March 22: Facharbeit in Progress (11) January 27-February 4: DIA Written Exams (12) January 28: Latin Written Exams (10) Feb. 29-March 3: Zentrale Klassenarbeiten (10) April 4: Topic Choices 5th Oral Subject (12) April 4-8: Internship Week (10) April 13: Internship Presentation (10) May: Mock Oral Exams (12) May 20: Last Day of School (12) June 3: Subject Choices (10 and 11) May/June: Oral DIA and Graduation July 15: Application deadline at German universities Wednesday October 28: PSAT (11th) November 1-30: Application submission period for UC applicants for fall 2016 End of December - early January: Deadline for most public and private universities March 1-31: notification of fall 2016 admissions decisions March (TBD): PSAT (10th) May 1: deadline for UC admitted freshmen to submit 2016, Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) May 2-13: AP examinations

33 Information Channels Jennifer Krejcik (Counselor American Universities) - jkrejcik@gissv.org Stefanie Wenk (Career Counselor for German Universities) - swenk@gissv.org Jenny Jungeblut (Head of High School) - jjungeblut@gissv.org

TABLE OF CONTENTS Credit for Prior Learning... 74

TABLE OF CONTENTS Credit for Prior Learning... 74 Credit by Examination...74 Specific Course Credit...74 General Education and Associate Degree Credit by Exam...74 Advanced Placement (AP) Examination: