Guiding WIS Students to Ireland: Sharing My Expertise with Counselors Across the U.S.

by Pam Joos, Co-Director of University Counseling

I was honored to be selected by Enterprise Ireland, through its Education in Ireland initiative, to present at their Counselor Webinar Guide Your Students to Ireland on September 29. Speaking alongside fellow U.S. counselors, I shared why Ireland is such a popular university destination for American students, and what our experience at WIS has taught us about guiding students through the process.

Our students apply to universities around the world, so I was glad to bring a global perspective to the conversation. Here are some of the key ideas I shared.

1. Ireland offers world-class academics and real-world experience in a welcoming setting.
Irish universities are internationally respected, with innovative courses and internship opportunities at global companies. For many students, this combination of academic rigor and a warm, supportive culture makes the transition abroad feel manageable and exciting.

2. Students can focus on their field from day one.
Many Irish degree programs are built around a chosen field from the start, rather than a broad general-education requirement. For students who already know their direction, this can be a real advantage. Medicine and law are offered as undergraduate degrees, with distinct routes for international applicants, so students can begin professional study right after high school. In the past few years, several WIS students have entered Irish universities to study medicine directly from high school.

3. Flexibility exists too.
For students who aren't ready to commit to one field, some Irish universities offer broad entry routes that let them sample several subjects before choosing a specialization.

4. IB DP students are well prepared.
The rigor, independence, and global outlook that come with the IB Diploma Program translate well to Irish university expectations.

I'm grateful to Enterprise Ireland for the invitation and to the counselors who joined and asked such thoughtful questions. WIS families, I look forward to talking through the possibilities in Ireland whenever your student is ready to begin exploring.