THE GRAND FAREWELL WEDNESDAY BLOG

I know that many of my students will assemble for the last time this Sunday. I may see them intermittently after, read e-mail text messages, run casually into them in supermarket aisles, subways, airport lounges or just haphazardly...so this Sunday is special and symbolic to say thanks to a great group and to gear you all up for a great evening.

Even those attending UWI will need to hear my final words....smile.  And watch our virtuoso violinist, 6 year old Gabrielle Ho serenade you, and delight in the catered affair of Pushpa's restaurants treat, and meet the kids from the West as they meet the kids from the East...and discover who else will be attending your school...and meet past students who stroll in and say we will have your back when you get here and take your information...and listen to past parents who have been there and can tell you much...and watch the emotional heartstrings pull for some... at best, the parents who realize it is just a matter of days before...their loved ones leave...and oh...how you cannot leave those notebooks for the priceless gems we interweave throughout the speeches....and the banks present and their invaluable information...and the embassies present..the press that will be there...and those directed towards coming to cover the event...

We are thankin all the teams who will be giving of their best for Sunday: Phase Three Productions, MAC Design for the backdrop and beauty of the room,  Pushpa's Restaurant, Tiffany at Mona Visitor's Lodge, Steve, , Roger and the entire security team, Ms. Rickett and the rest of the staff, the violinists and singers...and of course all who will be present to make it a swell affair...only God left in the details.

And we know the Good Lord has been there from the start!

The Good Lord has resided with the highs and lows, the disappointments and the successes...we give thanks...

To the priest whose brother has recently passed but vowed that he would not miss praying for those headed overseas.....he said he would not miss this for the world...

To my overseas students caught up in their own graduation ceremonies...who all want to send Skype messages which will be aired to you all there at the function...

See you all on Sunday.  Be on time.  To Mrs. Christine Barnes, I had duly noted the message and to all our great mothers - Happy Belated Mother's Day..do not forget your notepads and yes, it is an affair to remember! 

LOOKING FORWARD!!!!

(And for those deferring till January, it is still your affair too...as there is no other ceremony at that point...)

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HAPPY TEACHER'S DAY WEDNESDAY BLOG!

Acceptances

Romario Moncrieffe- Rochester Institute of Technology
Nicholas Smith-Gannon University

Boarding School

Joshua Butcher- The Kiski School
                            McCallie School


SECOND CHANCES

Folks, we have several students who have committed the most horrible crime. They have sat at home and sulked instead of consulting Versan to discuss alternate options. We are happy and heartened by those who have responded to the recent emails sent and have come in to renegotiate their educational path.  The smiles on their faces when they realized they had a second chance....and we are accomplishing admissions in the ninth hour...amazing....

MAY 19th CEREMONY

Students should call in to tell us how many family members will be attending the function.


 

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TO OUR AVIATORS WEDNESDAY BLOG

It is nice to see the buzz being created around the Farewell Ceremony...I have heard parents ask me to cancel the ceremony until their return from graduation for one child overseas...others who have other commitments for that date, saying they do not want to miss the event.   I know, last year was a blast and the sole complaint was that we did not give the Mobay students any "Starring Roles" as those of the Kingston students....so I wish to add that this year, the billing and prizes are equally shared...just get your bus to The Gold Room on time Mobay students!!!!

When Stephen Woodham of the Music House and Immaculate Orchestra has committed to providing an act, we say, oh boy!!!!!

Great things to come...I am warming up for the final show....my warnings to all heading north or South Pole!!!  A grand fete....

I was equally surprised when I saw an old student drop by to introduce me to his Filipino wife and his landing of an airbus in his newly acquired role of Air China on Macau territory.  To all my potential aviators...I say kudos and wow!  Check the pictures out! Do look at his Youtube version of a landing "Air Macau Landing in Nanjing".......

I am proud of my students.  This is why I stress out to send you off to school...for decent professions, accomplishment of goals and dreams...and to be happy in your selected fields....Go McFarlane!!!!!!

THOSE WHO HAVE NOT PRINTED SAT TICKETS FOR SATURDAY

Step One: Join College Board for Free

Step Two: Create an Account

Step Three: Update Registration by using this number 0034978447

Include Personal Info, Username and Pasword

Step Four: Give teh Graduation Year used on the paper registration.

Step 5: Use 000004 as High School Code

Step 6: Go to My SAT and put in mm/yy of the exam.

You should then be able to print your admission ticket.

ACCEPTANCES
Colleges
Nicholas O'Neil Smith - Averett University

Danielle Nolan - Hofstra University

Sameca Leonhardt - St. Michael's College

Danielle Walters - University of Alberta

Elvin Marlow-Wilson - University of Alaska-Fairbanks

Ashleigh Williams - University of Maine

Chanel Dacosta - University of Ottawa
                            Suffolk University
                            Clark University
                            Ithaca
                            UC: Riverside

LAW SCHOOLS

Rachel Brown - Northwestern Law
                         Loyola Law
                         Southwestern Law
                         Santa Clara
                         New York Law

BOARDING SCHOOLS

Joel Cunningham - Hebron Academy

SUMMER PROGRAMMES

Aleique Allen/Shemar Yap - Frontiers Summer Program

MBA Programs

I mentioned last week that there was a website for those older who would like to secure some funding for MBA programs and they represent that unusual type of learner.  Please go to:

onlinemba.com/blog/the-new-essentials-getting-older-mba-applicants-ready-for-business-school/.

Do check out.

Today is D-DAY for accepting your offers, do not go past this day!!!!!!  By 11 p.m. tonight.

See you next week.  

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THe LAW SCHOOL WEDNESDAY BLOG

I know, off to a late start......problem is the red diary I keep with the weekly tally of acceptances , I am unable to locate.

So I may be sketchy with a few of the names and acceptances...but the ones I have not forgotten are the ones who just made law school and the need to highlight those students...

I will continue to update this blog tomorrow if I locate my red diary ....do not want to prevent anyone from their 5 minutes of fame....

I guess when The Susan Show showed up to do a shoot with a few of our students, we had not realised that reorganizing the office and classroom for the shoot that we would have misplaced that invaluable tool...

So we say kudos to Aaron Johnson (Mr. Wink-Eye-at-camera), Affable David Barnes, Stoic Ashleigh Nelson, Clairvoyant Justin Hamilton, Victorian Nathan Shirley and the Indefatigable Kristovajay Walker.  Susan thought these students were approachable and that they shed light on the goings on at Versan and what we purport to do.  Just a pity that we could not highlight the other students who are currently overseas at their Preview Weekends.

ALUMNI

Proud of the Chai twins who wrote a lovely article for their alma mater Kent School.  Their words of wisdom will certainly be used in my speech at the Farewell Cereony.

Rebecca Brown, good God, you made the Target internship...you go girl!!!

And Jason Murray in cold, snowy Minnesota, has remembered my Farewell Speech and has secured his inernship for this summer.  He will be working for Admissions and is a big top dog at St. Olaf.  Do not worry Jason, we will outdo the Trinidadian who beat us to the North Pole and we will have some Jamaicans there next year.  You cannot be having such a blast at St. Olaf.

MAY 19th EVENT

So, we will have an aria sung for us...

US and Canadian Embassy officials to talk about the visa issues...

Catered Indian food....

Some players from the Immaculate Orchestra....

And the final farewell speech...

A dee-jay...

Who would want to miss this big party?

5 p.m. Gold Room, UWI Mona

SAT REGISTRATION TICKETS

Please get College Board's number, stay on the line, have your laptops open and fight to understand how to print your tickets.  Without a ticket, you cannot enter the exam.

GMAT
There is a wonderful website for adults who never thought they could go back to school...and in need of funding.  Give me a call, I will share...

ACCEPTANCES (at least what memory permits)

GRADUATE

Law Schools

Daniele Robinson - George Washington University

Rachel Brown - Pepperdine Law School
                           Wake Forest University Law School

Colleges

Raveesh Ragbeir - St. Thomas University

Romario Moncrieffe - New York Institute of Technology

Mr. Richards - New Jersey Institute of Technology

(Sorry, without my diary, I cannot remember everyone, so will update on Thursday!)

Boarding Schools

Maia Kumst - Indian Mountain School

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THE DRACONIAN DRAGON WEDNESDAY BLOG

I am born within the Year of the Dragon so we blow fumes where necessary to vent.  Students, the exam is two weeks away.  You have to buckle down and practise.  The grammar sections are giving trouble and instead of practising, some  of you have innumerable excuses or ruses to get out of doing work!  Naram, wherefore are you?

Then, there is the matter of communication.  Do we all speak English or am I existing in the Tower of Babel?  Here comes a delightful young man who says that a packet for SAT registration has not arrived at the College Board.  But what the student failed to communicate is that the address was left off and so they returned it.  Now why was that detail left out?  And had me in a mad rush to do one of the critical taboos of Versan?  We no longer assist students with credit card payments!!! But not having heard that the address was left,  Versan is left feeling culpable....Gee whiz!!! Communication is key!  Clear, articulated sentences,points, ideas - the magic to passing the SAT essay, life,  relationships...ah well...the dragon's smoke has burnt,flinched and spewed out.  She is ready to fly home again.

But happy days are here again, more acceptances:

ACCEPTANCES

Undergraduate
Rachel Smith - Susquehanna University

Giselle Watson  - Clark University
                           Boston University

Joelle Baker  - UMass-Amherst

Danielle Henry - Pomona University
                          Wesleyan University
                           Howard University

Brian Royes -       Amherst College
                            Wesleyan University
                            Lafayette University

Samira Dixon - University of Albany

Alexia Blair - Nazareth College

GRADUATE

Kemar Swaby - Pratt School of Art
                          Parsons School of Design

Lauren Chai        University of North Carolina: Chapel Hill
                           University of Waterloo

BOARDING SCHOOL

Jonathan Bair - Marianapolis

Idrees Perrins - Rothesay Netherwood
Rebecca Hugh - Rothesay Netherwood
Carlloyd Phillips  Hebron Academy

COMMUNICATE CLEARLY!!!!

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BIRTHDAYS, LAWSUITS AND OOOOH, PANAMA WEDNESDAY BLOG

So, it is my birthday, a Wednesday, rarely happens...that I am writing the blog and I thank all the well-wishers.  Love all the flowers in the office.

So, to Dr. Mark Griffiths and Dr. Jennifer Simpson, I say a big thank you to their hospitality and hosting of Versan Educational Services in Panama.  Much work to be done.  We are on our way, great ideas. loved the Rotary Club introduction and ready to press on.  Vamonos!!!!

When one mentions Versan, it is often met with, that expensive, elite group!  Well, no more.  And we did get someone into Harvard this year, without charging this fee.  A college consultant, by the name of Mark Zimny, has been sued by a Hong Kong couple.  They paid him $2.2 million, did you see that, 2.2 million and received rejection letters from Harvard and others...I mean, what was he going to do, bribe the admission officers?  Really?  Put up a building?

Thank your lucky stars we still charge Third World prices!!!!!!!!!!!!!  And we make the top schools....smile.

As for the young lady who made satirical comments to the schools she was rejected from with a 2100 in her SAT's...her response shows why she did not get in...//soa.li/80AK58h.  Arrogance gets us nowhere....or being self-deluded.  Admissions is a weird art/science and totally random and unpredictable.  Most honest consultants guide, then cross their fingers and hope the best student gets in, we just do not look into a magical ball and say you will get in.  Nothing is guaranteed!

Thanks again, Moosie, for sending all articles.  Hilarious!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I must say Moosie is one of our avid readers, likewise her sisters, and they do not hesitate to make our day!

To those with scholarships of 93% and up, congratulations.

Do not forget the Farewell Session on May 19th at UWI Gold Room, it will be special!!!

ACCEPTANCES

Raianne Demetrius - College of Wooster

Jonathan Goldson - Dalhousie University

Dominic Shoucair -Summer Program - Davidson University

Allison McHayle - Summer Program - University of Chicago

Martina Gayle - Mercyhurst, Ithaca

Isiah Perrins - Jacksonville University

Ashleigh Nelson - Worcester Polytechnic

Ashli-Ann Douglas - Hollins
                                Albright
                                Cottey College
                                Nazareth
                                Fisk

Jefferson Daley    - Whittier College

Rebecca Daley - Bates
                           UCLA Berkeley

Raveesh Ragbeir - Lynn University
                             Long Island University

Shauntel Clarke - Lehigh University
                           Ithaca College

Racquel Locke - Lehman College

Corey Shaw - Flagler College
                       FIT


So, I guess I am loving the lists...we are posting on the office door, because we think this year's group has done phenomenally well.

Those who missed the Post Acceptance Meeting ,, we can give you the link on Youtube.

See you next week...and to my new Panamanian students, "Buenas..."

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"SNAGGING HUSBANDS IN COLLEGE" WEDNESDAY BLOG

You know, I have avid readers of this blog every Wednesday and I am enthused, no, enthralled when they send me articles to review.  Sometimes serious...like that of the Jamaican Superintendent in Atlanta (we have decidedly taken ten steps backwards) and of course the 1977 Princeton Alum who says girls, "Snag a husband while in college" as your careers for advancement is one thing but you must dream of children and a husband.  Okay, feminists, get the guns out...

The most interesting part of the article was her warning to young female undergraduates to not speak to any young man who is intellectually inferior....but what of our young black women who face almost more black men in jail in the United States? Whew!  One to chew on...Check out the article at: http:/soa.li/cMNLugR...this is hilarious and food for thought.  Join the debate.

To the students who did graduate counselling this year, we had a windfall of great acceptances.  I wish to commend Robert Lumsden on his entry into his MS in Game Design and Development. Kudos to my Wolmerian artist Meijun Cai who became one of the top 3 artists to get into Pratt Brooklyn on scholarship (I best start collecting his art pieces before he becomes rich and famous.)

What a year, great results!!!!!

GRADUATE ACCEPTANCES

Robert Lumsden - New York University
                             Carnegie Mellon
                             Rochester Institute of Technology
                             Fashion Institute of Technology _ Exhibit Design

UNDERGRADUATE ACCEPTANCES

Catherine Miller       Vassar
                                William and Mary
                                 Bard
                                 Wesleyan

Brian Kay               University of St. Louis-Missouri

David Barnes          Yale University

Aaron Johnson         UPenn
                                  Lafayette

Connoly Black          Ithaca University

Alexia Blair              Ithaca University

Ashleigh Nelson       IIT

Andre Archer           Macalester University
                                  WPI

Tidjan Simpson         WPI
                                   FIT
                                   RIT
                                   FIU

Brian Ho-On             University of Toronto
                                   WPI
                                  University of Waterloo

Racquel Locke         Brooklyn College

To Kereen Beavers for Quest University and to my UBC big scholarship winner, he knows who he is...Congrats. I know that s a big help to your parents!!!!!  Conrats Romario - job well done....at Lawrenceville!!!! Yaay!

And for those still compiling their lists, I await.  Keep May 19th open!

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THE REDEMPTIVE WEDNESDAY BLOG

Salvation draweth nigh...I am sorry this blog is coming out so late...I had to speak to prospective medical students at UWI today (lots of veils removed from their eyes)...and I had to see to many appointments today as this is the long Easter weekend.  I pray many of my students will sacrifice sleep for reading and vocabulary (if wishes were horses, beggars would ride.....) and many of my college and boarding school students are back on Spring Break, tuning in and getting ready to plan their courses with me for next year...Whew, a busy week.   Many of our SSAT students for Round 2 are in the throes of Skype interviews and applications, so the Versan offices are in turmoil since January with acceptances and rejections and a new round of applications....we are in an emotional tailspin but surviving nicely!!!!! With God's help....and did I mention the summer school apps?  Ooooh la la!!!

It has been an exhausting weekend and week.  On Sunday we hosted the SSAT Parents and Past Parents Meeting who shared all the minute details about shepherding a child through boarding school, from laundry to airport pickups.  I was equally happy to see that we resolved the ability to see me and stay in touch while overseas for the college lists and course selections....but the happiest news came from  the sad parents who had not received any acceptances, who came for Plan B and can I say left the meeting charged to complete Round 2.  Dominica also got a resurgence of activity.  Do not worry, Dominica, we have taped the talk for your students and will forward forthwith...and our other territories...

Surprisingly, one parent approached Round 2 with vigor after Sunday's meeting and her son is now on his way to Maine!  The sad and dejected need to revive and "wheel and come again..."  so said Miss Lou!!!

I know most would like to see the acceptances, so here goes.....and though I have a packed day tomorrow and Tuesday, I must now forewarn that I am in Panama for a Versan satellite (April 3-9) and thus we resort blithely I say to the emails once again!  You have been warned!

ACCEPTANCES

Boarding Schools

Joanna James - Cushing Academy
                         Wilbraham and Monson

Carlloyd Phillips - Washington Academy


Colleges/Universities

Nathan Shirley - WPI (Worcester Polytechnic University)

Rachel Smith - WPI

Dimitri Habib - Syracuse University
                          Bryant University
                          Loyola University

Shantel Wright Barry University
                          University of South Florida

Judene Thomas  Mt. Holyoke

Alexia Blair        Mt. Holyoke

Jonathan Goldson   Catholic University

Dominic Chang        WPI

Janelle Campbell - Mercyhurst

Erin Cohen           - Scripps
                                University of Miami
                                UWI Law
                                 Smith
                                
Ashleigh Nelson    University of Washington

Joelle Baker           UWI Law

Connolly Black       UWI Law

Noel Rowe              St. Mary's University

As you can see the list is getting longer and more students are emailing me their decisions and popping in to reveal all and sundry. I am just loving it....all that hard work paid off!  Anddid I hear the big ones are coming out this weekend....smile...Tee-hee! Excited.....

See you all next week!
 

 

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FROM HARVARD TO MIT WEDNESDAY BLOG

I cannot stop gloating ....oh happy day!!!! May I be allowed to boast?????  Can I???

Coming in from New Jersey's Conference, I was elated at my many networking contacts....it seems to have come in handy for those seeking a Plan B alternative...Congrats to all my new friends...we will work together to give Jamaican youths the opportunity for further education overseas.

So, what a year, on the boarding school level to the college level to the graduate school level we have aced the top schools thus far, and we are simply ecstatic for our students...and guess what...more to come...but for what has come, let us watch Jason Murray, one of our freshmen at St. Olaf (known as the Hogwarts of the West), raise that flag on International Day to salute our students' successes.

Hogwarts of the West (St. Olaf College)

You go, Jason!  

Jason waves our flag high as you all will do once you are overseas and fare there well.  May I boast now??  And just to put you all in an elated mood, do watch the Youtube version of Michigan Choir singing the Jamaican version of "This long time gal me neva see You, Come mek me hol' Your Hand" and know that Jamaican fever abounds everywhere, even in Michigan!

Thanks for the pictures, Jason.  Another member of our motley crew from St. Jago.  Hey, Kenesha, he is trying to outdo you here!!!  My visit to St. Jago a week ago was orchestrated by our own Justin Hamilton who did a splendiferous job and made us feel at home there.  Thanks to the Principal who accommodated us and oh, how we see great things for Jago, if we do not know they have the spirit already!!!!!

GRADUATE ACCEPTANCES

Michelle Harrison: Harvard University 

Robert Lumsden: Carnegie Mellon University

COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES

David Barnes: MIT

Aaron Johnson: Macalester, Wesleyan Universities

Erin Cohen: University of Miami

Noel Rowe:St. Mary's University

Raveesh Ragbeir: Barry University

BOARDING SCHOOL

Nereese Watson: Milton Academy

Alex-Marie Roberts: Phillips Exeter, Phillips Andover

Siobhan Pascal: Purnell, Stoneleigh Burnham, St. Andrew's

Jose Thomas: McDuffie, Purnell

Justin Duncan: St. Andrew's

 To the Guyana crew, your list is so long, I will do an entire blog on this bunch!

And happy to say, that once the other 15 receive their packets, they will be announced next week!

So, my! my!

SSAT Parent's Post Acceptance Meeting is this Sunday at the Versan office from 10 a.m. to 12.

And to Dominique Duncan at St. Andrew's, glad your brother is coming to join you, I am hearing great things that you are accomplishing at the school.  I want you to continue in that vein..  I heard that you were recently in Nicaragua and what a spiritually uplifting moment that was...Keep the Versan tradition flying high, young man...and let's get cracking on the college list!!!!

And for those who have not heard yet...hang in there......your day is coming!!!!!!!!

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BOARDING SCHOOL DDAY RESULTS WEDNESDAY BLOG

Sunday was the big day of regrets and hurrahs for many who worked tediously to get into a private boarding school.  I am currently in Morristown, New Jersey and the buzzword is, we have space but not much funding.  One cannot blame the boarding schools, the world's economy is in a bad state and sacrifices have to be made.  We give thanks for those who got substantial aid.  We give thanks for those who got partial.

Dominica and Guyana and Jamaica cracked all the big schools- Deerfield, Phillips Exeter and Phillips Andover, St. Andrew's, St. Paul's, Groton.  For those who clipped 99% on their SSAT exams, nicely rewarded.

I also know that we have a bevy of Jamaicans heading to Canada and whoopee to them, they also did well with aid and early matriculation.

You should all know in Jamaica we will be having our Post Decision meeting, possibly televised for Guyana and Dominica.

To my nephew, Josh, congrats on your 4!  To my students who never thought they would make it because they felt they were not the strongest of students...I see the Good Lord had other plans.

And trust me, this conference I am attending has plans for The Disappointed, as many schools I have met here have rolling decisions and doors opened wide to accept those who did not make the first round so, chin up!

Congrats to all, and note that next Sunday at Versan, we will host the Post Announcements meeting.

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NEW US VISA PROCEDURES WEDNESDAY BLOG

Goodbye, Dervent.  I know you got your student visa seven days late and you are hopefully, en route to snow-storm New York.  Bundle up while up there in Rochester, NY, one of the frigid areas.

I am technically supposed to be out of office on March 8 through March 18 attending two conferences, please email me during this period for all announcements et al...)

Summer school applications should be on their way out, conversations and consultations for summer processes should be underway, but all SAT registrations should be in the mail or completed online by this Friday....this FRIDAY!!!!!!  Ensure all addresses are correct, all email addresses carefully noted, all birthdays duly noted the American way, mmddyyyy.

Whew!

ACCEPTANCES
 COLLEGES
Corey Shaw - Flagler College
Kieran Cousins - McGill University
                             Queens University
                              University of Toronto
                               University of British Columbia
                              Western Ontario
                               Dalhousie University
Justin Hamilton - Embry Riddle University
Samira Dixon -     Rutgers University
Kristovajay Walker - St. Mary's University

GRADUATE SCHOOLS  

Drew Gray - University of Notre Dame
Lauren Chai - University of Waterloo
Michka Sharpe - Harvard University
                             Cornell University
                             Cambridge University
                             John Hopkins
Michelle Harrison - University of Rochester
                                  UCLA
Kemar Swaby         - Otis School of Art

BOARDING SCHOOLS

Medina Tyson - Mariananpolis (Dominica)
Siobhan Pascal - St. Andrew's (Dominica)
William Henlin - Lakefield 
                            Trinity

It is nice to see our graduate students doing so well.



UK SCHOOLS

We had a visit from Capitol College in the United Kingdom.  I am amazed at the cost.  So for many pursuing a Business degree undergraduate, you cannot beat this cost.  Come in for brochures and sundry.  I must remind you this college is strictly for Business undergraduate degrees.

US Embassy

Please visit the website of kingston.usembassy.gov and see the new details on processing a visa.

I await all emails in my absence....and happy Mock exams to every group we currently have.  You will receive these in my absence: SAT, SSAT, GRE, GMAT, LSAT and all private students.  Go study!

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ODE TO MICHKA WEDNESDAY BLOG

This week I heap praises on my Michka Sharpe, a student whom I assisted at a very tender stage to enter a private boarding school in Virginia called St. Margaret's.  Michka excelled whilst her brother, Michael, attended Woodberry Forest boarding school down the street.  Michka ended up at Emory University and her brother Kenyon College.  While relating her wonderful news to me this morning, Michka reminded me of our Versan Farewell Ceremony.  Here she said she kept all the pointers and says admirably it grounded her whilst at Emory University, majoring in Molecular Biology.  And guess what?  She is graduating with a 3.8, as suggested....

Michka now has to decide between 4 graduate school scholarships.  Check these out, fully paid and I am still gloating from these heart-warming stories...

Her choices: Cambridge University, Johns Hopkins, Cornell and Harvard.....Now, you see the Versan legacy...I, we, at Versan, so proud.  The Farewell Ceremony approaches in May.  Stay tuned.

ACCEPTANCES CONTINUE......

Shannon McCue - Barry University

Deidre-Ann Burrell - University of Rochester

Tidjan Simpson - Florida Institute of Technology, Florida International

Gabrielle Campbell - Stoneleigh Burnham (Boarding School)

Siobhan Pascal - Stoneleigh Burnham (Boarding School)

Jose Thomas - Purnell (Boarding School)

Kereen Beavers - Quest University (Canada)

Wilfred Laurier University

Please check out, great scholarships, deadlines still wide open.

PARENTS' MEETINGS

These have now been completed in Kingston and Montego Bay tonight, hence the late typing of this blog.  Great crowd in Mobay..thank God.  Quite a receptive audience as in Kingston....

ABSENCE

I will be out of office for 3 conferences, so email, stay in touch...blog will still appear from March 8th to 17th.  Use the email.... 

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THE 2000 SAT ELITE GROUP WEDNESDAY BLOG

Well, well, well................................

So the SAT scores are out.  Our basic mean from scores reported to the office is 1700.  Highest score 2200.  But what was most surprising were the large number of first-timers who are slated for entry in 2014 who scored 2000 and up!  Congratulations!  This is your first try and you cleared the hurdle...wow!  So it can be done in 3 months!!!!!!  Yay to the naysayers...

So a special shout out to Keren Alfred all the way at Deerfield who simply tried the exam in January and hit the 2000 mark and Justine Murray, she has come a long way,  who scaled the fence into the elite 2000 Club.  And to the second and third time trials who managed to eke out a composite score in the 2000's ...you are in the Elite Club....Congrats to Kashauna Mason as well...

Now, I found it historic, that some eight boys landed 10 points short of the elite club...1990, on the nose!  I salute you as well, worthy effort.

Those who fell below the mean, please see me to evaluate your school options and let us check out Plan B...smile....Below the mean, below 1700....

ACCEPTANCES

And these continue...we are truly blessed this year,  with over seventy acceptances to date and climbing.....Greatttttt!

BOARDING SCHOOLS

Siobhan Pascal - Purnell (Island of Dominica)
Holly Alexander - Darrow (St. Andrew's)
Savannah Norton - Trinity (Hampton)

GRADUATE SCHOOL

Drew Gray - Simon School of Business, University of Rochester
Lauren Chai - MIT (Graduate)

COLLEGES

Toni-Ann McLeod - University of South Florida
                                St. Thomas University
                                Florida International University
                                (Immaculate)

Nicolee Morgan       Barton Comm College

Shavel Watson          University of South Florida

Salome Campbell      Mount Allison University (Canada)

Nathan Shirley           University of Vermont
                                  (Ardenne)

Bryan Ho-On             University of Guelph (AISK)

Nellie Jules                 College of St. Benedict (Dominica)

Ashli Randall               Kendall College of Art and Design (ICHS)

Elias Habib                 Mitchell College

FAFSA

Those who completed the paper form of the FAFSA, please come in and complete the online form as the paper forms are taking tooo long to process.

KENESHA at HARVARD!!!

To our Mt. Holyoke girl Kenesha Darlington who was in awe at the centuries old building that she viewed at Harvard during a Choral event, Kenesha says she is enthralled... Thanks for keeping us in the loop...Eat your hearts out Jason and Rodayne...not to mention Ms. Khandece...might we add St. Jago is representing well this year and we have the mighty Matthew Blake with us this year, soon to be aired on The Susan Show.  Go Jago!!!!!! Miss the motley crew...

"SONGS OF REDEMPTION"

This wonderful documentary hosted by the European Union has done a trememndous amount of work with the Tower Street GP inmates...a wonderful film to watch and wasn't it a fantastic job done.. Do see it Thursday or Friday night of this week at the Courtleigh Auditorium.  For Black History Month, do not miss Emancipation Park's Choral group, should be a doozy! At 6 p.m.   keeping it real...

See you all next week.

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The Nerve Wracking Pre Sat Results Wednesday Blog

So what a Valentine's Day gift- your SAT results!  Tee-here!  We will see....

Summer Programs are underway and we must get on board for 2014!  From college accredited programs to sojourns in Vietnam, we have the goods at the office!

Books

New books are on the shelves, come and get them!

Parent's Meeting

This Sunday, The Blue Room, at 5 pm, bring along notebooks, students, parents, guardians or yourselves,,,


Acceptances

Aashay Anaokar - University of British Columbia

Marlon Rhoden - University of British Columbia

Joel Cunningham - Marianapolis ( Boarding School)

External Scholarships

Time to start the search.  This is a reference book, cannot leave the office, and graduate students, your reference book has just arrived, the search begins.

Classes

Classes have begun and we are oversubscribed.  Look out for us on The Susan Show, a nice one to watch...

See you next week and have a relaxing Ash Wednesday.  (See, it is short this week for holiday purposes).......

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AND MORE ACCEPTANCES...WEDNESDAY BLOG

ACCEPTANCES

Justin Hamilton - Florida Institute of Technology

Martina Gayle - St. Leo's University

Andreen Coke - Barry University

Tracy Ann Dehaney - Barry University

Delroy Watson - Oklahoma State
                           Florida Institute of Technology
                           Arizona State
                           University of Windsor
                           Charlton College

Jenine Shaw - Bentley University
                       University of Tampa
                       High Point University
                       Ithaca University
                   

Not bad, huh?  And the phone calls from parents who are now telling us that our prodigies have graduated and found jobs...Overwhelming!  I ran into a parent in the supermarket who congratulated Versan on her son's success and now says he is fully vested in a job that does Civil Engineering...and if I remembered the essay he wrote and that she still has it framed?  Goosebumps!  And can we look at my Wolmerian Chevonae Walcott at University of Pennsylvania doing what she loves best?  Engineering!!! Too proud! www.thedp.com/article/2013/02/engineers-robot-boats-in-pottruck-pool.  Check the recent publication of the Newspaper article.  Versan students at large!

SCHOOL VISITS

We have already been to Jamaica College, Portland High, St. George's and are slated for Campion, Merle Grove, NCU....so we will be rolling through soon in your "neck of the woods."

GRE

The GRE group tests this Saturday and we hope all is well with their vocabulary, quantitative and reading sections.  Good luck group!

SSAT

This group tested last weekend and said it appeared better than other tests.  Heard the same from the SAT group.  Hope the results reflect this favorable response...A tisket a tasket!

Photography Competition

The Alliance Francaise held its Annual Amateur Competition and Versan copped Third place with our Coconut Man photograph.  Missed going to Paris but hey, that  is Ms. Bramwell's second language and home...but entering was fun!

HAPPY TO HEAR!

We will run a feature soon but we do know that Jonathan Perkinson of Munro College repute is now slated as a Top Scholar at University of South Florida...Go Jonathan!  We will soon complete your article.
We await the pictures from Mom and know that you would make Versan proud!

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WHERE IS THE WEDNESDAY BLOG?

I am truly sorry.

Did I oversleep?  maybe...and forgot about the Wednesday blog?  Just kidding...Again, too many late nights watching the Kerry/Hagel affair.  How interesting the times.  I am also keenly watching the Immigration Debate.  If this passes, Jamaica will truly see the "Brain Drain".

Oh, and another thing, when you have Kristover and Ollando chatting till 10 p.m. in the office...hmmmm....

And, did I note that this week has been busy with registration for SAT classes for this weekend and Tuesday.  I know, apologies, apologies.....

INTERVIEWS

Interviews have been busy for MIT, UPENN and our boarding school applicants.  I do appreciate the stopovers who come in just to familiarise themselves with the process.  Good for them...

CSS PROFILE, FAFSA and other FINANCIAL AID FORMS

My last word of warning, get these done.  Might I add the IDOC's and NonCustodial Parent Forms should be on its way.....Last call.

MORE ACCEPTANCES

Deidre Ann Burrell - University of Maryland

Nicholas Foo - Florida Institute of Technology

Raveesh Ragbeir - New England College

Alexander Nicholson - Illinois Institute of Technology (Go Alex!!!)

Savannah Norton - Albert College (Boarding School)

Corey Shaw - Florida Institute of Technology

Jenine Shaw - University of Tampa
                       High Point University
                       Ithaca University
                       Bentley

I say Go Alex as he won the prioze for handing me his packets last in December before I took off with the mail....Excited about Deidre because she was completely nervous about the process....well for Nicholas, I beleive this is school no #3?  and amazing for Raveesh, the self-doubter.....

SAT

I heard about the exam, those doing it a second time felt some reprieve that this was better.  Those doing it for the first time, said where did the time go...all  I am saying is bring on the results!  Smile.....an evil one...Ha! Ha!

SSAT

They go in this Saturday and I wish them the best of luck...

And to my prompters who said where is the blog...thanks!  Good to know we have our silent fans.

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THE SAT EXAM WEDNESDAY BLOG

I know, some are being called for interviews now and the nerves are frayed!  Just be yourselves and the rest will be history.

Xmas and the month of January were relegated to preparing for the monster of all exams - this Saturday's exam.  Just a word of caution, those on the wait- lists, go see which center you are subscribed and get there early.

On Friday, from 11 to 4, we will have a mock exam for some, while others at that hour still want to work through the papers in the other classroom.  So be it.

Do not forget your ID's, #2 pencils, calculator....

ACCEPTANCES

Nathan Shirley - Purdue University

Andre Archer - University of Edinburgh, Scotland

Jessica Whyte- Johnson and Wales

Tianna Yip - Trinity College

And they keep rolling in..

CSS PROFILE

Please complete by any means necessary!

FAFSA

And this form, too, get it done!

To the February Test takers - the GRE and SSAT students, good luck, your weekends are coming up!
Study hard and beat the odds!

Visas. And Appointments

A few students have headed to the embassy and received their student visas.  But for those who are headed in, please come in and sort out the paperwork!

Racquel, you are next.  Jordan's got his visa last week and moving on to frigid USA. We will miss him (not!), just teasing Jordane...but Bon voyage.

We will have the You tube link for the recently held boarding school fair next week.

Join us on LinkedIn or Facebook, see ya there......

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THE SSAT BLOW OUT WEDNESDAY BLOG

Well, dears, the SSAT results are out and the Caribbean students did a nice sweep of 99% grades from Guyana to Dominica to Jamaica.  Thus, the race is on...CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

I must dust off my SKYPE as I am getting  lot of past students checking  in on law school, medical school and other details for completion...ok, get with technology!

As for the 15th and CSS Profile deadlines, boarding school financial aid deadlines...I had to pull an all-nighter to see them off...even the Dominican students waited to the last hour to have theirs sent.  BRAVO!  Thanks to Mr. Pascal in Dominica, he fearlessly mounted  the last minute campaign and my favorite words of the day-"Heads up, Ms. B, they are off!"  Amen..

And the acceptances keep rolling in...will be posted below...

And the queries for classes for February are filling up nicely...thanks!  Much homage paid there.  Consultations as well...

I  must also give thanks for the graciousness of our families, the students, the camaraderie, while competing for top scores.  I do believe some real friendships are being forged amongst the various high schools.  Way to go!

SUMMER CAMPS

Guys, we have a plethora of camps coming up for the 2014 batch.  Get in here to benefit from the scholarship granting ones.  It starts this early!  Go Kee, ahead of the game!  And my students from South Korea, nice shot!  Waiting on my kimchee to open up....Art students should also know their college fairs are on and this is the last month to show your pieces...

ACCEPTANCES

Boarding Schools

Tianna Yip  Trinity College (Canada)
Jahsem Gayle - Albert College

Colleges

Ashli Randall - New York Film Academy
Janelle Campbell - Florida International
Shannon McCue - St. Leo's University
Kereen Beavers - Barry University
Nicholas Foo - Averett University
Elias Habib - Queens University of Charlotte (NC)


GAP YEARS

Those thinking of taking a year off before college, many attractive plans there as well.  Come in and see us.

PET PEEVES

Coming in on the day of the deadline and requesting us to use the credit card to effect your online payments? Really?  Noooooo. And how about the student who downloads York College's application forms  in England and sends it off to York College in NYC? Nooooo...Thank God for the tracking address so we could circumvent it all...for shame! (Mobay office, that is your side...smile!)

There will be a pet peeve a week.  These are the things that send the potboiler over 100 degrees!!! And out the ears!!!!

Happy New Year to all our colleges, schools and universities who read this blog weekly, most gracious!  Did we see David Barnes' article in the STAR?  Quite fetching...and as teens which paper ranks first, Teen Observer or  the one on Tuesdays in the Gleaner?  Send your votes in by posting your choice at the end of this blog!  On the Comment side, need I have to say where?  Smile...

And Andre, Joelle, Raianne, Connolly-less noise in the office please!!! Although a few licks to Andre's head will suffice..Ahem!!!

See you next week...

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FINANCIAL AID WEDNESDAY BLOG

Dear Versan Crew!

We are happy to see full classes gearing up for the Jan 26th exam.And they are serious....wow!

Most importantly, I have been doing the FAFSA for the US born or naturalized  students - going  pretty well!

I have also noted that those who did the CSS Profile, take their forms along and have made the FAFSA process so much easier!

I applaud the ORGANIZED People!!!!!

ACCEPTANCES

Raianne Demetrius - Lake Forest College
Annaliese McKenzie - Lake Forest College
 and Sir Daley of Ardenne - Caldwell College
Andre Archer - Nottingham University (UK)

SSAT

Congrats on completing your exam, January 5th.  Hope all went well...Heard about Optional Paper ,  don't worry, it is optional and only there for testing whether the exam is to be  made harder....Smile...


Hope the Dominicans are faring well with their interviews  good luck!

SAT

Those who missed registering for the SAT exam in January, do note that the deadline for standbys is this Friday!

Kereen, come and get those application fees paid!  Thank you!!!!

CLASSES

Classes resume Feb 2nd for the MAY/JUNE exams ...

Current classes are Tuesday 4-6 for SAT.  GRE: 6-8 p.m.

All other classes will start in February and registration is now.

2014  CANDIDATES

Please note we start the details now for next year..Athletes, Summer school, glad to see the new recruits....for 2014, that is...all others are biting their nails...

See you next week....

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HAPPY NEW YEAR WEDNESDAY BLOG

Happy New Year to the Versan Crew!

The offices reopen today.  Hope you all greet it with love and blessings, same to go around to all.

May we see many acceptances, scholarships, a reduced look on Versan's part and the general bonhomie felt by all as we all work towards a common goal.

Thanks to the Versan team in all the offices, you all worked exceedingly well. 

Prosperity, Peace and let's work on eliminating all illnesses that are incurable ...let's see some change in 2013!

To the students who brought in 4.0 averages for their first semester in college, I was encouraged and wish you all a Hearty Amen!!!

Vanessa Moo Young
Alex Myrie
Rasheed Chatani
and the Motley Crew's one and only Rodayne Williams....
Cadine Bramwell
Colliet Bramwell

What can I say?!

I took a health tumble while in NYC, thanks for the well wishes, back on my feet, but advised to take it slowly.  See you all soon!

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