“5 FINGER BALANCE” - Holistic College Counseling at Amerasia

Amerasia offers comprehensive and holistic support to students as they prepare for their higher education journeys. Dr. Kierstan F. Connors, affectionately known as Dr. KFC, joins Amerasia with an impressive background that includes degrees from Stanford (BA in Economics, BS in Industrial Engineering), the University of Panama (MSc in Administration & Technology), Indiana University (BS & MS in International Education & Developmental Economics, PhD in Literacy/English Language Learning & Developmental Economics), and a Post-Doc with MIT/UNHCR. Dr. KFC brings 36 years of experience supporting students worldwide in gaining admission to top universities. Dr. KFC and her team believe in the African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child.” For College Counseling, this translates to “It takes a VILLAGE to get ONE STUDENT into university.” By fostering a strong triangle of support among parents, students, and the school, QAIS aims to create a nurturing environment where each student can thrive.

QAIS offers tailored support across all grade levels, starting from MYP 1 through DP 2. Central to Dr. KFC and her team’s college counseling program is the “5 Finger Balance,” which ensures students develop holistically by focusing on:

Academics: Including standardized exams.

Extracurricular Activities.

Community Service: Defining community and serving others beyond CAS.

Philosophy of Life/Moral Compass: Developing ethics and a moral compass that guides decisions.

Family Dynamics: Understanding the support system and background of each student.

By nurturing these five areas, we aim to answer two pivotal questions for college applications: “Who are you?” and “Why this academic pathway?”. This approach creates well-rounded students who are ready to excel in their chosen careers and make meaningful contributions to society.