PSYCHICO COLLEGE, IBDP October 2013 Revised June 2017 1
C O N T E N T S Admissions Philosophy 3 Academic Criteria and Timeline of Selection Procedure 4 1. HAEF students 4-5 2. External students 6 Reviewing the Admissions Policy 6 References 6 2
Admissions Philosophy The IB Diploma Programme welcomes students from both colleges of the Hellenic American Educational Foundation (HAEF), Athens College and Psychico College. Given that it is an inclusive programme, the IBDP also accepts students from other Greek schools (including public and private schools) as well as international schools, as long as they meet basic admissions criteria. In 2017, the HAEF announced that it will offer up to four full scholarships for external students entering the IBDP (Haef.gr). The scholarships will be awarded to students that have performed with distinction on the School s entrance exams, have a record of high academic performance and demonstrate the need for financial aid. The scholarships are funded by the HAEF Special Scholarship Program and the School s Board of Trustees (BoT). The school accepts applications for full IBDP candidates only. The programme is flexible with the students individual course combinations so as to ensure that they meet the academic requirements when applying to universities abroad. Additionally, whilst the IBDP provides academically-outstanding students an opportunity to excel, the IBDP at Psychico College is not for the academically elitist. It provides most students with the opportunity to achieve their own optimum performance. Students who intend to join the HAEF IBDP need to take into consideration the following issues: The IBDP utilizes 'student-centered' approaches and students are more 'teacher-guided', than 'teacherdirected'. This provides students with greater scope to develop their initiatives and strengthen their confidence in choices they make. Students must recognize that the IBDP involves different curricular content and approaches, different assessment criteria, and diverse forms of assessment activities. In the main, IBDP subjects require the setting of lengthier homework assignments which, in turn, involve students being given longer periods of time (perhaps 2-3 weeks and more) in which to complete their assignments. IBDP students who do not learn to use these longer periods of time productively in order to reflect, research, outline, as well as write drafts, before submitting the final copy of their assignments to teachers, will find it difficult to successfully complete the IBDP. Developing time management skills is an essential quality of the successful IBDP student. The 2 nd year of the IBDP, in particular, is characterized by deadlines for the submission of work relating to areas such as the Extended Essay (EE), Theory of Knowledge (ToK) essays, Written Assignments (WAs), Written Tasks (WTs), and Internal Assessments (IAs). The official language of instruction in the HAEF IBDP is English. Because the curricular emphasis is on interactive learning, it is essential that IBDP students have solid knowledge, understanding and use of the English language. The Modern Greek A: Literature course in the HAEF IBDP ensures that IBO s policy of mother-tongue entitlement is delivered. The policy promotes respect for the literary heritage of the student s home language and provides an opportunity for students to continue to develop oral and written skills in their mother tongue while studying in a different language of instruction. (IB. 2015. p.5) References Haef.gr (n.d.). Merit Scholarships Raise the Bar at the College. The College at a Glance. http://www.haef.gr/en/aboutus/interestedin/entrance_exams_18. Accessed 1 June 2018. IB. (2015). Language A: Literature Guide. First Examination. 3
Academic Criteria and Timeline of Selection Procedure HAEF Students 1. Academic Criteria The 10 th Grade annual averages are taken into consideration when deciding to accept students. Beyond English, students annual performance in a total of 10 additional subjects are taken into account. Details are given below: a. English: Minimum of 15.0/20.0 b. 10 Core Subjects: Minimum average of 13.0/20.0 in each of the 4 Subject Groups, with none of the grades being less than 10.0/20.0 in any of the 10 subjects. - Languages: 3 subjects - Ancient Greek / Greek Language / Greek Literature - Mathematics: 2 subjects - Algebra / Geometry - Experimental Sciences: 3 subjects - Biology / Chemistry / Physics - Social Sciences: 2 subjects - History / Political Education 2. Restricting Course Combination In the case students who apply to the IBDP do NOT meet the minimum academic criteria, their course combination will be restricted. In some cases, students are to sit an exam in a specific subject and achieve at least 50% before their course combination is restricted. Details on the framework that is used is indicated below: Grade 10 Subjects Annual Average Grade / 20.0 Exams and Restriction in IBDP Subjects/Levels English 14.5-14.9 Only English A: L&L (SL) or English B (HL) 14.4 or less 50% in exam in English AND only English A: L&L (SL) or English B (HL) Greek Language - including 1. Ancient Greek Language 2. Modern Greek Language 11.5 12.9 11.4 or less Only Modern Greek A: Literature (SL) 50% in exam in Modern Greek Language AND 3. Modern Greek Literature Math including 1. Algebra 2. Geometry Experimental Sciences including 1. Biology 2. Chemistry 3. Physics Social Sciences including 1. History 2. Political Education only Modern Greek A: Literature (SL) 11.5-12.9 Mathematical Studies (SL) OR Math (SL) 11.4 or less 50% in exam in Algebra and Geometry AND Mathematical Studies (SL) OR Math (SL) 11.5-12.9 Environmental Systems and Societies (SL) OR any other experimental science (SL) that reflects the subject with the highest annual performance in Grade 10 11.4 or less 50% in exam in subject with the 2 nd best annual grade AND Environmental Systems and Societies (SL) OR any other experimental science (SL) that reflects the subject with the highest annual performance in the 10 th grade 11.5-12.9 Any Social Science (SL) OR History (SL), only if the annual performance in History was higher than that of Political Education in Grade 10 11.4 or less 50% in exam in History AND any Social Science (SL) 4
3. Timeline of Selection Procedure Month Details January Over 12 input sessions (lasting 35 minutes each), teachers and IBDP students introduce all 24 subjects and the 3 core elements offered by the school. Emphasis is placed on syllabus coverage, forms of assessment and skills to be developed. Areas that are covered are listed below: - Introduction: Application Process to the IBDP - Group 1: English A (Literature) / English A (Language and Literature) / Modern Greek A (Literature) - Group 2: English B / Language B - Group 3: Business Management / Economics / Global Politics / History / Philosophy / Psychology / Social and Cultural Anthropology - Group 4: Biology / Chemistry / Computer Science / Environmental Systems and Societies / Physics - Group 5: Mathematical Studies / Mathematics / Further Mathematics - Group 6: Film / Music / Theatre / Visual Arts - Core Elements: Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) / Theory of Knowledge (ToK) / Extended Essays (EE) February - Application of Interest to join the IBDP Contents to be included cover: a. Application Form and Student Information Sheet b. Student Résumé c. IBO Policies and Declaration Form (signed by student and parent) d. Student Photo e. Photocopy of ID Card and/or Passport - Meetings with University Counselors (for selection of 6 IBDP subjects) - Three Teacher Evaluations (from English, Math, and Project teachers) - Interview with IBDP Coordinator, Deputy Coordinator and other members of the IBDP faculty March Submission of Subject Combination Form April Conditional Offer to join IBDP June Confirmation of Conditional Offer (after 10 th grade annual report cards have been issued) 5
External Applicants 1. Academic Criteria - Students sit for Entrance Exams in three subjects: Modern Greek Language/Literature, Math, and English. - Duration of each exam is 75 minutes. - To apply to the HAEF IBDP, students have to attain at least 50% in each of the three subjects 2. Timeline of Selection Procedure Month Details May June Entrance Exams in 3 subjects (Greek Language and Literature / Math / English) - Application of Interest to join the IBDP Contents to be included cover: a. Application Form and Student Information Sheet b. Student Résumé c. IBO Policies and Declaration Form (signed by student and parent) d. Student Photo e. Photocopy of ID Card and/or Passport f. Annual Report Cards (Grades 9 and 10) - Meetings with University Counselors (for selection of 6 IBDP subjects) - Three Teacher Evaluations (English, Math, and Project teachers) - Interview with IBDP Coordinator, Deputy Coordinator and other members of the IBDP faculty - Submission of Subject Combination Form Reviewing the Admissions Policy 1. The Admissions Policy will be reviewed every 5 years to coincide with the 5-year Self-Evaluation of the IBDP. 2. Such an interval will provide the School with ample evidence on the effectiveness and/or shortcomings of the Admissions Policy time to share and exchange best practices between the DP and MYP 3. The primary responsibility for the overall framework of the Admissions Policy lies with the school s Administration, the IBDP Administration and the IBDP Faculty. References Haef.gr (n.d.). Merit Scholarships Raise the Bar at the College. The College at a Glance. http://www.haef.gr/en/aboutus/interestedin/entrance_exams_18. Accessed 1 June 2018. IB. (2015). Language A: Literature Guide. First Examination. 6