More Acceptances Wednesday Blog

Ok, what a great start to the year as more acceptances come a rolling in!

CANADA

Sue-Wayne Richards - St. Mary's University
                                    University of New Brunswick

USA

Bradley Frankson -     Florida Institute of Technology
Keneesha Darlington - Mt. Holyoke
Jheanelle Hughes -      Quinnipiac
                                   Samford University
                                   Trinity College

BOARDING SCHOOLS

Theo Raje Virgo -        Washington Academy
Chandapaul Hamilton - Washington Academy

Good luck if you got your visas today.

GRADUATE SCHOOL

Arlon Morrison - Purdue University (Krannert) - MBA

I know that there are more creeping in, you will be featured next week.

FINAL SAT FOR THE YEAR!!!

This will be on Saturday.  Good luck everyone. Standbys, please have your cheques ready and your forms and ID's...Get there early and grab your standby tickets.  I will try to be there by 7 a.m. to see that the standbys get in.

2012 SAT CLASSES:

These will begin on February 4th.  One can choose Tues/Thurs or Saturdays and remember we are no longer at Shortwood Teachers' College!

SSAT

Congrats to Young Shirley from Munro's first form who scored a 98% on his SSAT!  Do remember that financial aid forms need to be done and there are a few of the SSAT group who are outstanding!
That is the sss.nais.org!

LSAT, GRE, GMAT

STUDY, STUDY, STUDY - your exam dates are rapidly approaching.  I do not mean use 2 or 3 books for practise, I mean 6-7 or 8 would be better,even 10!

QUESTIONS!
Please email and ask!

TRINIDAD, GUYANA AND DOMINICA

We are coming!!!!!  Finish those apps!!!

See you next week Wednesday!

The St. Mary's University Canada Wednesday Blog

Apart from having one of the friendliest Presidents I have ever met in any given academic institution, an intuitive faculty and staff (very caring) and nestled within a community whose shipyard building enterprise just received Canada's highest infusion of cash to re-energize a flagging industry ($25 billion to be exact), St. Mary's University, known for a well-rounded education and home to a few Jamaicans is back on our soil again!

They will be presenting this evening at 7 p.m. to those students and parents who are interested in hearing about their wonderful program and scholarships.  What I truly admire about this program is that it is locatd in the wonderful sea-coast town of Halifax, close to Dalhousie University and my favourite restaurant, FID.  Equally, a student is able to work on and off campus, later earning the ability to take up Canadian residency after 3 years.

Give it a shot and be on time.

ACCEPTANCES ALREADY

Congratulations to these students:

Mary Quant - UPenn (Early decision)

 Adam Simpson - Purdue University

Gabrielle Rogers - Georgia Tech University and University of Florida

Vanessa MooYoung - Florida Institute of Technology

Shervain Barrett - Florida Institute of Technology

Danielle Wilson  - FIU

Ajani Heslop - Florida Institute of Technology


BOARDING SCHOOLS

Ariana Kumst  - Rothesay Netherwood
Sherica Hamilton - Stoneleigh Burnham
Chandapaul Hamilton - Washington Academy
Theo-Raje Virgo - Washington Academy, Olney Friends, Trinity-Pawling
Jhanelle Williams - Buffalo Seminary

As we await the fall-out for all other acceptances, keep the numbers rolling in and we will continue to tabulate our lists.

CLASSES

SAT enrollment continues for classes commencing in February.  We will begin on the 4th of February.

CSS Profile and FAFSA

If you are being asked to do these forms, please come in early and get them done as most deadlines are by February 1.  Do I recall having Rushell's to do?  Lickety split, by the end of today.

MISSING DOCUMENTS

I have asked all and sundry who report to me that items are missing from their applications overseas, particularly the transcripts that were not sent off from your high school to the institution overseas - please react quickly and have your high schools fax or upload. After, you can vent your rage, but do complete the file you have open overseas.  (I know Immaculate and Campion students, I feel your pain...)

The CSS Profile Blog

Having done quite a number of FAFSA and CSS Profile forms with students since January 3, 2012, I know there are quite a number of you out there who have not yet started and it is NOW TIME!!!!

Having checked the deadlines, I see where January 15th to February 1, 2012 are the minefields to get this form (CSS) completed.

Hurry up!

MISSING DOCUMENTS

I said to many students  last year, please keep copies of everything.  Since January 3rd, I have heard the calls of those who  have items missing. I said this occurs every year and that you should keep copies so if they say from overseas something is missing, then something is missing.  Gosh!  Fax, scan....and keep the name of the person who reminded you that it was missing and submit immediately.

CRASH COURSE FOR JANUARY 28TH EXAM

The Kingston group is having a crash course on Tuesdays 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Thursdays 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.  Call me to confirm those times!

REGISTRATION
Registration has started for the new SAT classes commencing in February.  It is the sole time of the year when Ms. Bramwell teaches...as the new manual is being redone.  And she uses the classes as fodder for the mill.

MONTEGO BAY GETS NEW VERBAL TEACHER

We hail Ms. McKenzie, our new Verbal teacher.  her daughter was a past student, past Manager of the Mobay branch. We are ecstatic as she knows the Versan family well and ought to be a great replacement for Ms. Bramwell who had to cover for the gap and travelling often to Mobay for classes.  Whoopee!  Quality teachers - yaay!

MAILBAG

The mailbag continues.

STAFF

We salute all members of staff who carry on a courageous job.

ADS

Look out for our ads in The Gleaner, Observer and Western Mirror, appearing soon.

SCHOOL VISITS

Do remember that St. Mary's of Canada will be visiting soon as well as Long Island University (known for Pharmacy and Health Science Programs)...

CLASSES ALREADY STARTED

GRE, SSAT and GMAT will regain their foothold this week in our new digs at the plaza.  Classrooms are air-conditioned.  No more Shortwood Teachers!

BOOKS

New SAT, GRE, LSAT, GMAT are back on sale.

SUMMER SCHOOL

Lower VI'ers are asked to come in now to do the Summer school applications.  The erly birds catch the scholarship worms for summer school!

The Financial Aid Imbroglio Wednesday Blog

Dear Readers:



The election has come and gone, it is, we hope, back to life as usual.

Happy 2012!

I thought I would creep back into the island unannounced but lo and behold, we have had a mighty flood in the office from past students, current and prospective students.  So good to see so many of you!

From MIT, Ithaca, Pratt, Queens College, Albert College, University of Rochester and others too many to remember, they poured in...I was quite happy to hear the lofty GPA scores, the most memorable being a 4.2 as well as the happy faces and loss of the Freshman fifteen pounds.  I was ecstatic for those who made their athletic tryouts and will represent their school teams...Go Team Versan!

I am sorry that some of the SSAT students are still awaiting their scores, I can assure you it will be soon....

Also exciting to see that students are also receiving feedback from the mail we sent off...Alleluia!!!!


We do have a few Most Wanted students who left off zip codes from packages taken up before Christmas...those names will be posted next Wednesday.  The mailbag continues...
For those resitting the January exam, I need you to know that there is a free app on Blackberry for SAT words and Math questions,,,go to it!


On January 18th, a Wednesday, I believe, St. Mary's University of Halifax, Canada repute will be visiting Jamaica.  Come out one and all to the Versan Conference room to sample the fares of this school.  It will begin at 7 p.m.  Do not be late!

Those of you applying to Colgate University, please go to livestream.com/colgateuniversity to speak with associate directors for international student admission.

Welcome back to classes GMAT, GRE, LSAT as we prepare for the February exams.

FINANCIAL AID

The CSS Profile has to be done for those of you who must complete for your various universities.


For the Americans and Landed students amongst the group, it is time to complete the FAFSA.


Happy Birthday Gabrielle Morrison.  Rashid, you will be called shortly and to those whohave heard one or two items were missing from their packages, this is the fare for admissions, this is why we said keep copies of everything you send off.  So if a request is made of you toproduce Page 3, do so, as you should have had your copies!

Back to the drawing board, let's have a whoopee year!

The Last Wednesday Blog of 2011

Well Folks:


Every last mail has been sent off since last Thursday.  I know that all Versan packets received have made their deadlines.

I have been receiving scores and seen where some valiant attempts were made and some who will have to resit in January.  We have the forms so do not try to register online as some have been emailing me.

There are some who forgot to get their packages in on time.  I do hope that you have deadlines as early as January 15th so I will get back to office early so that I can sign off and check a number of packages.

The mailbag continues till May 1, 2012.

Gee, set your pens to write 2012 come January 1.

As for the elections, be safe!  I am sorry I am not there but take care....We will meet in our new space next year for classes.

Have a Prosperous 2012!!!!!

The What Happened Wednesday Blog?

Dear Fans:



It is 1 a.m. in the morning and I have just dropped off the staff to get home to Stony Hill and Patrick City.  We have just packed the bags for all the mail.  50 kg left on December 15th and the final batch tomorrow morning on December 22, 2011.

What a crowded room of students in the latter part of the afternoon, waiting to the 11th hour to get their applications off....oh what a tangled web we weave when we procrastinate!

The prize for the last student to rush in at 11 p.m. was, no other than, Nicholas Brown!  His poor dad seemingly towing all the applications behind, cajoling Nicholas to complete the last few applications.  He wins the prize!

There are students who are still clueless about writing out the envelopes, please check with the Managers and Administrative Assistants in the offices - Mandeville, Montego Bay and Kingston!

You have just a day and a half left before the office closes for the New Year!

XMAS WISHES

To all our students near and far, have a Holy, Blessed Season!  Be careful on Election Day, stay away from crowds...we would like to get you overseas in one piece.

EUROPEAN AND ASIAN SCHOOLS

I am overjoyed at the sudden interest in all those schools I met at the Global Education Summit.  I am glad that some of you are applying to my favourite schools in Sweden, Finland, Spain, Germany, Holland, Scotland, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, go Jamaicans, gone abroad!


OPENING AND CLOSING SCHEDULES

The offices across the island will remain open till 2:30 p.m. this Friday.  Versan will reopen on January 3, 2011.

Can you still send packages to us for mailing - well, yes!  Direct your fedexes to: 137-45 Francis Lewis Boulevard, Springfield Gardens, NY 11413.  Contact telephone number is : 7189784089.  I will accept mail up until  December 28th get mail in for the 1/1/12.

To send the mailing fees, do Western Union and do not send cash or kind in the envelopes.  Simply fedex and then leave a message on the phone for the NY office to pick up the Western Union for the fees for the  packages.

MAILBAGS

The mailing will continue throughout the year.  We know there are deadlines for colleges/universities as late as July 2012.  So every Wednesday commencing in the New Year, we will continue the mailbag to the States.

ACCEPTANCES

For boarding schools, we salute the January acceptances for Shericka Hamilton, Suzanne Knibbs, Romario Hinds, Janelle Williams, Xian Xian.

For University acceptance, we say to Mary in Philadelphia, congrats on your early acceptance to UPENN.

Versan is back at its best performance.

NEXT YEAR'S AGENDA

As we get ready for satellite expansion in Trinidad, Dominica and India, we ask that students hold copies for each application, have diaries to plan and use their time management skills more effectively.

Classrooms will now be centrally located alongside the office, that is something we delight in....

The Versan van will have a new wrap, the new logo will be featured on the doors and the main window at the MidSpring Plaza, and off we go to 2012.  We had a busy year and know that we will continue to grom from strength to strength on the wings of good families, students, friends and our new alliances around the world.

Just a hint...do not rule out schools in Vermont, an upcoming feature....

Next blog will be coming at you from wintry New York City!  Chirag, get cracking!

Drawing Close....Wednesday Blog

Rapapampam!

Yes, as the Digicel truck traverses the terrain spreading good news, and "Shower", "Power" cuts across Jamaica, I urge you all to be safe during the Silly Season of Christmas and Elections!

We have been doing the late hours in the office, and might I add, the newly refurbished office. Many have come in and wondered where they are.  I must also add that we have expanded to Unit 22 and come January when this office will be up and operable, classes will no longer be at Shortwood Teachers' College.

This expansion will give me more latitude with classes and quality control.

Yaaay!  The unveiling of the new logo created by Stephanie Black, a past student of Versan who currently studies at Memphis School of Art, will be showcased on the doors of each office and on the van...Again, we feel blessed at Versan to have had this grace to do a few more things for the ease of our parents and students.  Let us move to bigger and better things in 2012!

THE UNHOLY DEADLINE OF DECEMBER 15!


So let me see, I guess the office will close around midnight on Thursday....just so that you all know, each package for mailing is $800, that's Jamaican per package.  Do not put your return address, but use the Versan one:

6703 NW 7th Street
KIN 9280
Miami, FL 33126-6007
USA

Each packet should be addressed to Director of Undergraduate Admissions, the College/University's name and the school's address.

We do recommend that you write the addresses with a type of marker pen, not easily washed off by water or snow.

I will be in Mobay today till the wee hours of the morning, so Kingston and Mandeville today and tomorrow are days to get your packets in.....

We will grant fee waivers for those students who cannot really afford these onerous application fees.
Each letter printed is J$400 per application.

And though we know many are working to make the deadline, we do know that some may not.  Do we have a Plan B?  Call and find out!  Or just email.....

EXAM RESULTS


The December exam results will be in soon.  Please email me so that we can have a plan of action.  Or email (sandra@versan.org)....along with your schools.  It is possible that during the Christmas period, after hearing the results, we may man oeuvre for other schools with later deadlines.

Do remember if you are re-sitting in January, the deadline is December 20th!

OFFICE HOURS


During Christmas, please note the days the office is opened and closed.

The office will be open till December 23.  We will not reopen until January 2.

My email is open to queries during that time!

CLOSURE OF ACCOUNTS


Please ensure that you close all balances off owing before the year ends.  We may have a problem in the New Year if not.......

THE FINANCIAL AID BLOG

As school comes to a close, for some, this Friday and for others, next week, I realize that for once the office is semi-quiet, but not for long!

Most students have gotten the gist of the applications and I am being asked what is needed for mailing off on December 15th and what should the schools send out?  Here goes:

Application forms

Resumes

Essays

Teacher Recommendations

Financial Aid

Optional statements

Athletic/Artistic Forms


CSS Profile

SAT students should check to see whether their schools require the CSS, if so, get a credit card as there is a charge when we complete this form during consultation.

THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT FINANCIAL AID FORM

Please come in and get a form, get  it done!

FAFSA

For the American students,  we will do this form in January when the file opens online.  Book your appointments after  January 8th.

I know the rush will start soon, so please come in  organized. Very appreciative of those who are already done and sent off their applications!  I know...the European schools, on its way!

The Pre-Xmas Wednesday Blog

This is the week when all heads anchor down and study for the second to last SAT exam.  The SSAT students will follow next weekend.

Some students were in a tizzy about the reshaping of the essay at the last hour, but my final words are, please get the points and a sample of the example int he introduction...thank you.  It should all flow smoothly after that.

We could have put more time into the Marathon session, but time prevailed and we did not get to Critical Reading and Sentence Completion.  But I do hope that everyone is plugging away with the CLOCK to get through time management issues and reading comprehension strategies learnt over 12 weeks.

All in all, we will only have one person posted at Priory.  So do not forget the items necessary  - ticket, photo ID, eraser, calculator, #2 Pencils...and those of you who still have not received a ticket by today, please take a standby form just in case!

DEADLINES

So December 15 looms....the packets each cost JMD 800.  Some of you are struggling with the application fees, let me remind you all that your schools can produce fee waivers, but when in doubt see us at the office.  What we cannot produce are fee waivers for online applications.

THE NOVEMBER SAT EXAM

Kudos to some of the great results I am hearing...from Glenmuir, Wolmer's Girls', Campion, Immaculate and Hillel, I am seeing some 800's in subject tests, high 700's and know that there is a stiff competition afoot for the scholarships next year.

As for the ACT's, there are some 32's and 33's - good for you!  And for those still struggling with borderline scores, why not attempt the ACT in January?

And oh, the doubting Thomases who still think this SAT exam is the last and final result tendered by the colleges and universities...it is actually the January exam!

Good luck on Saturday, I will be at Priory, early!

SSAT

Congratulations to the team of Versan students who wowed the crowd with scintillating interviews.  You are all in hot demand...Good for you!

Get those applications off....If not, how can they then skype you for interviews if not held at the recent Fair?

LSAT/GRE/GMAT

You all get a break till next January, after the 8th...so do not gambol too much, please get the studying on during the holidays and do not see this break as one where you can fritter it all away!

Oh and do not forget to register for your exams.  Despite the sitting of your exams in January and February, do realize your applications must get in....


TENNESSEE

I must send fair warning that the state of Tennesse and the schools I visited are big on two majors: Medicine and Education.  Those seeking nursing and health science related careers, this is a state to take a big look: Vanderbilt, Fisk, Tennessee State - a quiet place, very Southern, country and western with very civil people.  Give it a shot if you would like to be close to Atlanta or Alabama or Florida/Louisiana....not far from home....

And for my boarding school students, there are many here: McAllie's The Webb School, Baylor, St. Andrew-Sewanee.   Just a great little state....Take a look.

See you next week when we will look at our Christmas Schedule and some good news about no more Shortwood Teachers' College!  We will have our own unique space for next year's classes, be wary of the change, effective January 2012.

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS

Yes I hear the clamor for the schools I have in our resource bank in India, Moscow, Spain, Sweden, Brazil, I will sort out and send to the respective emails!

The Marathon Weekend Wednesday Blog

We have had a busy year at Versan Educational Services.  From the fair that recently ended to the Symposium at the Pegasus, to trips to India, Trinidad and New Brunswick, Canada, and of course the million and one consultations, classes - what a year!

As we see Christmas looming on the horizon, we know one thing, it is time to get all applications in order.

It is time to read recommendation letters carefully.

It is time to do the financial aid paper work with due diligence.

It is time to write all essays competently, creatively, truthfully and grammatically well.

It is time for our SSAT students who just completed days of harrowing interviews to realize that thee may be a few more schools out there that need to be applied to.....

It is time for graduate students who have not yet taken their exams to select a date.

It is time for all to be neat and organized.

It is time to make copies of everything.

It is time to look at those checklists and fine-tune your days against the items.

Start purchasing those 8 1/2 by 11 envelopes.  For those apps going off to cold climes, search for the padded envelopes.

Remember, Versan's collection dates for applications is December 15th!

MARATHON WEEKEND


This Saturday, the SAT students will have their marathon weekend where they will work with Ms. Bramwell for three hours, along with pizza, of course to zone in on areas of strategy for the exam.

Right after, during your 1-4 sessions, classes will extend a bit backwards as we will then do a simulated test with the students and your teachers will correct the papers with you.  You may call in during the week for your results.

You are to reflect on the weak areas and hone in on your test-taking strategies for that last week before the exam on December 3.

Sunday students are invited to attend the 3 hour session.

The Sunday students will do their mock exam on SUnday, so they are not allowed to sit the one on Saturday from 1 -5.

SSAT GROUP


Congrats to the Versan group of students who interviewed on Friday, November 18th, Saturday, November 19th and Sunday, November 20th.

All the schools who attended were delighted by you all and thought you were all fantastic!  I overheard one school saying "I am going back to dig up as many scholarship funds as I can, as these students were so civil and polite, I just do not know how I can refuse any!"  Good going Versan crew!

SCHOLARSHIPS


Anyone applying to Babson University, please see me about a special scholarship that I must nominate you for....it is special.  Do remember this is the premier school for entrepreneurship!  Famous for Business!

LSAT/GRE/GMAT


Classes will come to an end this weekend.  We will resume in the New Year after January 9th.  Then it is full speed ahead to GMAT, GRE and LSAT exams in January and February.

EMAIL DAYS


On November 28, 29 and 30, and December 1, we are asking our parents and students to send us all emails as we strive to clear up backlogged work in the office and bring everyone to a level playing field.

There will be no consultations on these days.

THANK YOU'S


We thank you for the assistance you gave us over the past few days - Jean Bramwell, Sonia Kerr, Mechel Kerr and Ian Wilson.  Thanks!!!!!

FAREWELL


I say adieu to my former Vaz Prep teacher, Ms. Magnus who prepared me for the Spelling Bee and led me to teaching,  I say a teary farewell and Godspeed.