Counselling

BIS begins its counselling programme from Grade 8 (MYP 3), earlier than most schools. The belief at BIS is that the earlier students start building their profile and exploring their options, the better positioned they are when applications open. Early start activities include career assessments, profile-building awareness, PSAT/SAT introduction, and in-person university visits — giving students years to develop a purposeful and credible profile before they apply.

The programme is structured across five stages. Grade 8 (MYP 3): career assessments, profile-building awareness, university visits, and PSAT/SAT introduction. Grade 9 (MYP 4): exploring STEM, STEAM, and non-STEM pathways, summer programmes and internship guidance, and PSAT/SAT awareness. Grade 10 (MYP 5): researching colleges, understanding college essays, studying options across different countries, and guidance on IB Diploma subject selection. Grade 11 (DP 1): identifying best-fit universities, crafting a resume and CV, writing college essays, understanding application types and deadlines, and planning SAT exams. Grade 12 (DP 2): finalising the college list, guiding the full application process, meeting early action and early decision deadlines, transcript guidance, and understanding conditional and unconditional offers.

BIS has established a dedicated, full-time, in-house college counselling cell — the first of its kind in the region. It is a physical resource centre stocked with university brochures, pennants, and reference materials from institutions worldwide. Students can explore these materials, engage in guided discussions with an experienced college counsellor, and receive individual attention tailored to their specific aspirations. This is not a generic service — every student receives personalised counselling based on their academic strengths, interests, and career direction.

BIS administers College Board’s PSAT tests on campus, three each year: PSAT 8/9 (for Grades 8–9), PSAT 10 (for Grade 10), and PSAT/NMSQT (for Grades 10–11). These standardised tests help students benchmark their academic skills and prepare for the SAT. Importantly, BIS welcomes students from other schools to sit these exams at the BIS centre. Students from external schools can register by contacting the college guidance counsellor.

Yes. BIS is a registered SAT test centre (College Board centre code 61603) and hosts SAT sittings on campus, in addition to the PSAT tests. On the dates BIS hosts, students can sit the SAT without travelling to another city, removing logistical disruption during an already demanding academic period. Dates, fees and registration steps are on our SAT Test Centre page. AP examinations are also in the pipeline. BIS counsellors help students plan their SAT attempts around international university application deadlines to maximise their scores and options.

BIS students consistently gain admission to leading universities in India and globally. SAT scores regularly reach 1260 and above out of 1600. Students receive offers from top Indian universities as well as prestigious institutions in the USA, UK, Canada, and other countries — including Ivy League and Russell Group universities. BIS students collectively receive international scholarships exceeding USD 440,000 annually. These outcomes reflect genuine learning and strong profile development, not last-minute coaching.

Yes. BIS's counselling covers both Indian and international university pathways equally. Over 51% of IB graduates in India pursue higher education within the country, and BIS counsellors are fully equipped to guide students through Indian university applications, entrance exam preparation, and course selection. Whether a student is applying to an IIT, a top private university, or a global institution, the counselling team tailors its support to each student's specific goals.

UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) is the central body through which students apply to universities in the United Kingdom. BIS is the only school in Andhra Pradesh with UCAS affiliation, which means BIS students can apply directly to all UK universities without needing additional qualifications or going through an external centre. This affiliation also gives students access to dedicated UK university guidance from BIS counsellors — covering course selection, personal statement writing, reference letters, and application timelines for the UK system.

Profile building at BIS is a multi-year, structured process that begins in Grade 8. Counsellors work with students to align their academic choices, extracurricular activities, leadership roles, service projects, and creative work into a coherent profile that reflects genuine intellectual curiosity and personal growth. Students are guided through the IB's CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) requirements, the Extended Essay, and the Personal Project — all of which generate strong, authentic material for university applications. By the time students apply, they have a credible, well-documented profile rather than a last-minute collection of activities.

Yes. Scholarship and financial aid guidance is a formal part of BIS's counselling programme. Counsellors help students identify relevant scholarship opportunities, understand eligibility criteria, and prepare strong applications. BIS students receive international scholarships exceeding USD 440,000 collectively each year — a direct result of the school's systematic approach to helping students present themselves effectively to universities and scholarship bodies. Students are advised on both merit-based and need-based financial aid options across different countries.