I know – why do 6th form if you don't HAVE to?
Well if you are:
1. An International Student
OR
2. Need substantial financial aid
OR
3. Applying to competitive universities
OR
4. All 3 of the above
Then 2 years of 6th Form is a MUST!
Disclaimer: NOT ALL COLLEGES REQUIRE 2 YEARS OF 6th form for ADMISSION.
We know.
But most people don't just want to "get in", they NEED to get scholarships... the ones who don't do the 2nd year of 6th form inevitably get in to many colleges but then don't get enough money, and write to us and corporate Jamaica seeking scholarships but no local company is going to cut a check for $20,000 US for 1 year of a US University when that could send more than 1 student to a local university for all 4 years!
2 years of 6th form makes you more competitive for admission AND scholarships (especially if you are international) because you have more advanced coursework so are therefore deemed more college ready.
Your competition has done 2 years of 6th form. Faced with you, with only CSEC results ... and your competition with CSEC and CAPE 1 results ... who do you think a competitive college would choose (and give money)?
(if you do 1 year of 6th form you put in your app during Lower 6 which means you do not have CAPE 1 results to show...)
So yes, you can GET IN at many colleges but you probably won't get the MAXIMUM financial aid / scholarships you could.
One of our students, Domonique is headed to University of Miami on a full-tuition scholarship and we literally forced her to do 2 years of 6th form – beyond her large scholarship she is happy she listened to use because she is more mature and academically ready to THRIVE in college.
So – scholarships, maturity, access to better universities ... all those reasons for 12 additional months of school – WELL WORTH IT!
