College Advice

College Advice for Middle and High School Students

No matter what you dream of doing with your future, preparing yourself for your education and life after high school is important.

Get started now:

• Explore careers: http://mappingyourfuture.org/PlanYourCareer/
• 8th-grade students: Start planning and prepare for college now: http://mappingyourfuture.org/collegeprep/
• Make sure you take the right classes in high school
• High school students: Prepare for life after graduation: http://mappingyourfuture.org/guidetolife/
• Seniors: Follow the college planning timeline below.

You can explore careers and majors, create a plan, and search for colleges through BigFuture on College Board: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/majors-careers

Senior Timeline:

October-December Tasks

During your senior year, you will finalize your college choice. This year is filled with admission applications, college essays, scholarship and financial aid information, and the need to meet deadlines. Throughout your senior year, continue to build your resume by achieving academic success, as well as participating in extra-curricular activities. Colleges are very interested in well-rounded students. The college preparation that takes place during your senior year is filled with a lot of details and paperwork. It is very important that you involve your parents with this process.

• Attend college fairs.
• If accessible, visit your top university choices.
• Complete admissions applications by their deadlines.
• If necessary, retake the EST and/or ACT and English proficiency tests (TOEFL or IELTS).
• Work on your college essays.
• Complete applications for every scholarship for which you may be eligible.
• Explore and review financial aid options.
• Double check the deadlines for submission.
• Meet with your college advisor to develop a college admission plan.
• Make a folder for each of your college choices.
• Request letters of recommendation and follow up to ensure your teachers send them.
• Finalize portfolios, writing samples, or other evidence of talent if required for admission.

January-June Tasks

Unless you have submitted an early application, this is the time to work hard at completing your college essays. Proofread them rigorously for mistakes. Check out the following links: 8 Tips for Crafting Your Best College Essays (https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-in/essays/8-tips-for-crafting-your-best-college-essay) and Tips for Writing an Effective Application Essay (https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-in/essays/tips-for-writing-an-effective-application-essay-college-admissions).

• Follow up to ensure that letters of recommendation are sent on time to meet your deadlines.
• Send college applications as early as possible.
• Make sure your EST/ACT and/or English proficiency test (TOEFL or IELTS) scores are sent to each of your colleges.
• Have your college advisor send your first semester grades to colleges. Contact your colleges and confirm that all necessary application materials have been received.
• Continue to perform well in school and don’t get “senioritis” or “senior slump”; colleges want to see strong final grades. Check out College Board Tips for Staying Motivated (https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-started/inside-the-classroom/tips-for-staying-motivated).
• Read carefully any admission decisions that arrive; some may require action on your part.
• Make a final decision and pay your deposit to the college you select before the enrollment deadline.
• Notify each of the colleges that accepted you but that you will not attend of your decision, so that your spot can be freed up for another student.
• If you’re on a waiting list, contact the admission office and let them know of your continued interest in the college; update them on your spring semester grades and activities. Check out these links: No Acceptance Letters? You Still Have Options (https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-in/making-a-decision/no-acceptance-letters-you-still-have-options) and What to Do if You’re Waitlisted (https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-in/making-a-decision/what-to-do-if-youre-wait-listed).
• If you take any AP Exams, make sure your AP score report is sent to your college.
• Study hard for final exams. Most admission offers are dependent on your final grades.

EST Test Information

The Egyptian Scholastic Test (EST I) is currently the only entrance exam accepted by Egyptian public and national universities.  It is also required by all private universities that follow the Egyptian Ministry of Higher Education (such as GUC, BUE, MIU, New Giza, …).

EST II is a subject-based test required by some colleges.  Students choose two subject tests from the following:  Math Level 1, Math Level 2, Biology, Chemistry, Physics.  The choice of subject test to take depends on the field of study they plan to pursue.

University Major/Faculty		Required EST II Test
Medicine Pharmacy Dentistry	Physiotherapy Veterinary Medicine Nursing	2 subjects required: Biology + one of the following: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics 1 or Mathematics 2
Engineering Information Technology Computer Fine Arts, Architecture section Urban Planning		2 subjects required: Mathematics 1 + one of the following: Physics, Chemistry or Biology

 

EST Structure            

EST I:

• Literacy Test 1 (Writing and Language): 35 minutes – 44 multiple choice questions
• Literacy Test 2 (Reading): 65 minutes – 52 multiple choice questions
• Math: 90 minutes – 45 multiple choice questions and 13 short constructive response questions (Graphing or scientific calculator is allowed for some questions)
• Essay (Optional): 50 minutes

EST II:

• Math Level 1: 60 minutes – 50 multiple choice questions (Graphing or scientific calculator is allowed for part 2 of the exam)
• Biology: 60 minutes – 80 multiple choice questions (Calculator is NOT allowed)
• Physics: 60 minutes – 75 multiple choice questions (Calculator is NOT allowed)
• Chemistry: 60 minutes – 85 multiple choice questions (Calculator is NOT allowed)
• Math Level 2: 60 minutes – 50 multiple choice questions (Graphing or scientific calculator is allowed)

Register and prepare for the EST at this link:

https://www.egyptianscholastictest.com/

ACT Test Information

The ACT is accepted by some universities in Egypt (AUC and others), all colleges and universities in the United States and more than 200 universities around the world. The test takes approximately 3 hours and 35 minutes to complete. Including a short break.

 

 

ACT consists of:

• English Test: 45 minutes – 75 questions
• Mathematics Test: 60 minutes – 60 questions
• Reading Test: 35 minutes – 40 questions
• Science Test: 35 minutes – 40 questions
• Writing Test (Optional): 40 minutes

ACT composite score ranges between 1-36, which is the average of the four test scores, not including the writing. ACT writing scores, which is optional, ranges between 2-12.

You can send your scores to up to four universities at no additional cost.

Register for the ACT at https://my.act.org

You can prepare for the ACT test for free through ACT Academy:

https://global.act.org/content/global/en/products-and-services/act-academy.html

Free practice tests can also be found at this link:

https://mena.actclub.org/cbt-practice-tests/

Information about the ACT subject tests can be found at this link:
https://mena.actclub.org/cbt-practice-tests/