University & Careers

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Two Upper School student sitting in the university area researching universities

Whether a student is planning to go to university, a gap year, military service or pursue other options, the Upper School University and Career Counselors provide personalized assistance in that transition.

We guide students in their quest to find the pathway that best fits their abilities, interests and needs. ZIS graduates are highly regarded, and each year more than 100 university representatives from a variety of countries visit our Upper School to meet with students and their counselors.

Our counselors are experienced and have the most up-to-date information on trends in the admissions world, and how changes specifically affect ZIS students. So, whether a student is planning for university, a gap year, or military service, our counselors offer individualized academic planning and help with university applications.

Grade 9 Overview

ZIS counselors know that Grade 9 students who focus on transitioning into Upper School, doing well academically, and joining extra-curricular activities have the widest range of opportunities and success in the future. So rather than developing anxiety about life after ZIS, Grade 9 students concentrate on doing these three things well, and understanding themselves as learners.

To help students meet with success, we work closely with the Grade 9 Grade Level Leader to provide students opportunities for learning more about their signature strengths and their learning style. We introduce the academic and post secondary planning tools using the Unifrog platform.

Grade 10 Overview

The focus for Grade 10 students is on further leveraging their strengths and interests. This is a year in which academic planning is a major focus.

We know students who work to their strengths are more likely to be engaged and less likely to experience stress or anxiety. Similarly, a student who knows his/her personality type will have better insight into the situations in which he/she works best.
Therefore a student’s strengths, personality traits, and abilities underpin our in-depth individualized academic planning process in Grade 10.
To help create the best academic plans, Grade 10 students will be introduced to UniFrog, and they will have the opportunity to complete career interest inventories, personality type inventories, Morrisby testing and PSAT.
We offer a coherent, step-by-step process Pathway Planning process designed to offer the best advice for each student. This is done via student and parent information sessions, grade level information meetings, and individual family meetings about the academic pathways

Grade 11 Overview

In Grade 11, the focus is on doing well academically and on researching post-secondary options. This exploratory time is one for the student to focus on their learning, their aspirations, and to honestly self-evaluate strengths and weaknesses. This will inform their research on what post-secondary options are available to them.

To achieve this, Grade 11 students have mandatory Counseling Blocks scheduled during their free periods. Students are also strongly encouraged to attend as many on-campus university visits as possible. Grade 11 students should work regularly with UniFrog and other country specific search tools. Grade 11 students will meet individually with their University and Career Counselor. By the end of the year, students should have a preliminary list of universities they are considering and be ready to draft personal statements and application essays.
For some ZIS students, this is also an important year for standardized testing. Therefore, we are a testing center and we offer the PSAT and SAT. Students should work with their counselor regarding whether the tests are recommended.

Grade 12 Overview

Grade 12 is the time for applications for most ZIS students. The goal is for the student to be true to themselves; to show their ability, individuality, strengths, and character and explain why that makes them likely candidates for admission to university.

Depending on the country and the course to which they are applying, applications can be due as early as October of the Grade 12 year or as late as three weeks after graduation. Planning is important, and students will regularly use UniFrog.
Grade 12 year starts with a “Grade 12 Senior Retreat” where important work is done and where timelines are set. Students continue to have individual meetings with their ZIS University and Career Counselor to develop specific timelines, work on finalising their applications, sitting any remaining required tests, completing teacher recommendation surveys, polishing their application statements or essays, and completing application forms.
Parents should be aware that universities maybe in direct contact with the applicant; therefore regular and open communication between students and ZIS University and Career Counselors ensures a smooth process.

What is UniFrog?

UniFrog is a website that students and parents can use and is an integral part of the university and career readiness counseling program at ZIS. Here are some of the things we use this program for:

It lets students develop profiles, explore careers that fit those profiles, and build academic, college, and career plans.
It helps students manage college/university applications, and build portfolios necessary for university applications.
It helps counselors manage student progress, and keeps families involved in the process.

The web address for UniFrog is:

https://www.unifrog.org/

Websites for further information about studying in English in various countries

University Fair

ZIS is a truly international school, with students preparing for opportunities around the world.

Our reputation as a leading school has been shown by the number of university representatives that visit our campus each year.

The ZIS University Fair is a regular fixture on the Upper School calendar. Students and parents have the opportunity to open a personal dialog with university representatives from all over Europe and North America.

In This Section

Meet the Counselors

Upper School Profile 2023/24

Information for University Representatives

Each year nearly 120 university representatives come to ZIS to meet with students, counselors, and interested parents.

Scheduling a Visit to ZIS Upper School

We look forward to welcoming you to our campus. Please contact Yoshiko Keller (ykeller@zis.ch) to arrange your visit. It is best to plan a visit during lunch.

Wishing you a safe and successful travel season!

Travelling to the Upper School

Travelling to the Upper School

By Public Transport - Option 1

Across from the main entrance of Zurich main station (Zurich Hauptbahnhof) is Bahnhofstrasse. Buy an all-day ticket for zones 110 and 150, which is good for 24 hours on all public transportation in these zones; the round-trip should cost about CHF 14. Take the Number 7 tram in the direction of Wollishofen.
Take the tram to the final station Wollishoferplatz (about 15-20 minutes from Zurich HB).
Turn right upon exiting the tram and cross the main street (Albisstrasse) and turn left. The bus stop is a short distance past the Cafe Restaurant Wollishofen.
Take the 185 bus - direction Adliswil - until you get to the Adliswil, Dietlimoos stop, which is just before ZIS. Turn left upon exiting the bus.
Bus 185 leaves from Wollishoferplatz at 25 and 55 past the hour. It’s less than a 10 minute bus ride.

By Public Transport - Option 2

At the Zurich main station, buy an all-day ticket for zones 110 and 150, which is good for 24 hours on all public transportation in these zones; the round-trip should cost about CHF 14.
Take the S4 train, which leaves from Track 21 at 18, 38, and 58 minutes past the hour, towards Langnau-Gattikon or Sihlwald.
Get off at Adliswil (about 15 minutes from Zurich).
Upon exiting the train station, turn right and make your way to the main street looking for bus 185 (direction Wollishofen), which stops in front of the Migros supermarket.
Take bus 185 until you get to the Ahornweg stop just before ZIS Upper School. Exit the bus, cross the street and turn right. Bus 185 usually departs from the Adliswil train station at 21 and 51 minutes past the hour.
There is also a taxi stand across the street from Migros. There are numbers to call if a taxi isn't already waiting there.

By Car:

Take the A3 Highway from Zurich and exit at Wollishofen
Turn right, direction Adliswil
Turn left onto Moosstrasse immediately past the Binelli BMW/Mini Cooper car dealership (across from the Hotel Ibis on your right).
Stay on Moosstrasse for approximately 1 km, ZIS Upper School is on the right.

Zurich International School - Upper School

Moosstrasse 15
8134 Adliswil

Online train and bus timetable available here.

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