Hi there,
My name is Joanne Clark (but I’ve always been Jo). I am a Brit, mother of 3, proud New Yorker, recent American citizen and founder of Overseas College Counseling.
I started my working life as a high school teacher in the UK, specializing in post-16 education and working closely with British students as they navigated the UK university process. Moving to the US, I was shocked (and, let’s face it, horrified) to learn about the college application process here: The intensity, stress, supplemental essays, application fees, lack of transparency, unfair admittance policies (legacy admissions, quotas – what!!!) not to mention the sky-high tuition costs. The list could go on.
I could see the pressure students and their families were under and totally understood why the US college application process was frequently described to me as a ‘rat-race’. As time has gone by, the process hasn’t become any easier – in fact quite the opposite.
It was clear that the university admissions system I had left behind was far more applicant friendly – cheap, transparent, straight-forward and only one application essay! Factoring in the excellent (globally respected) education, lower tuition costs, ease of travel and the reassuringly familiar culture, I understood why the UK and Europe were becoming an increasingly enticing option for US students.
However, despite all the benefits the UK and European university systems offer, they do differ quite significantly from the US and, from the beginning, I could see that navigating this was not only stress-inducing for many US students but also presented significant barriers all round.
There are nuances and intricacies involved in both the UK and various European university application processes which not only present stumbling blocks to the uninitiated but can also impact application success. In addition, as US students are understandably unfamiliar with UK and European geography and universities, many excellent and globally ranked institutions were being completely overlooked in favor of the popular few. The requirement to select a major(s) at the time of application and the stereotype that studying overseas was only for a certain ‘type’ of student also presented hurdles.
It was apparent to me that US applicants needed a guide, an expert who understood both education systems to ‘translate’, explain and inform in simple and straightforward terms. Overseas College Counseling was born and the rest, as they say, is history.
I understand the unique questions and concerns you face in navigating unfamiliar academic systems and institutions and can guide you through the process with as much or as little handholding as you wish. I aim to match you with your best-fit UK or European universities and help you find that just-right course. I want to make your university application journey a refreshingly positive and successful experience (one which will lift your confidence, self-esteem and optimism, rather than the opposite).
So, whether you just want to chat through the possibility of studying in the UK or Europe, or you’re ready to get your application started, please feel free to contact me at any time.
Cheers,
Jo
