Detailed Guide to Westlink Admission Roadmap with 7 Simple Steps The admission roadmap at Westlink is designed to be simple and clear, helping parents and students easily grasp each step. From filling out the contact form, visiting the school, to trial lessons and the CAT4 entrance test, everything is carefully prepared. Explore the admission process now to start your international educational journey at Westlink! Find out detailed information about the steps and initial costs to prepare right in the article below. Overview of the Admission Roadmap at Westlink The admission roadmap at Westlink is designed in 7 steps, lasting an average of 4–8 weeks from the first contact to the day the child enters class. Standard applications usually take 4–6 weeks; the fastest recorded case was 2–3 weeks when the family had prepared documents in advance. Westlink applies a year-round admissions policy – accepting applications throughout the year, not just at the beginning of the school year. This policy is particularly suitable for three groups of families: mid-term transfers from other schools, returnees from abroad, and students transitioning from Early Years to PYP. Unlike many parents' imagination, onboarding new students does not end with the offer letter. The support process extends to the child's first week in class – with the buddy system, personalized EAL programs, and the Toddle app helping families track their child's journey. Introduction to the admission roadmap for new students at Westlink 7-Step Admission Roadmap at Westlink for Parents & Students The admission roadmap at Westlink is not only simple but also very clear, helping parents and students easily grasp and perform each step conveniently. Below is a detailed guide to the 7 admission steps, helping parents best prepare for the journey into this international school. Step 1 - Fill out the contact form (Westlink responds within 24 hours) As the first step, parents and students can contact admissions via the online form or hotline (+84) 865 777 900. After receiving the form, Westlink will respond within 24 hours to provide detailed information about the next steps and answer any questions for parents. Step 2 - Schedule a school tour (45–60 minutes) Next, parents will schedule a school tour to witness Westlink's facilities and learning spaces firsthand. The visit lasts 45 to 60 minutes, helping parents and students feel most clearly about the international learning environment at the school. Step 3 - Submit admission application After visiting the school, the next step is to submit the admission application. The dossier includes: Academic transcripts Birth certificate Passport Medical records Other documents depending on each student group. This is an important step for the school to review and assess the possibility of admission. Step 4 - Half-day trial study & CAT4 test Once the application is approved, the student will participate in a half-day trial study session at the school. This is an opportunity for them to experience a real classroom and get familiar with Westlink's teaching methods. In addition, the student will also perform the CAT4 test, which helps evaluate their academic skills and basic competencies. Step 5 - Meeting with the Academic Board Afterward, parents and students will have a meeting with Westlink's Academic Board. Here, parents will learn about the learning roadmap, curriculum, and advanced learning opportunities the school provides for students. Step 6 - Admission Letter, enrollment & reservation deposit When the student is accepted into the school, parents will receive an admission letter. Subsequently, parents complete the enrollment procedure and pay a reservation deposit to ensure the student has a seat at Westlink. This is the final step before preparing for the new school year. Step 7 - Start a new journey with Westlink Finally, once all procedures are completed, the student officially joins Westlink and begins their educational journey at this international school. Westlink will support them throughout their learning process, helping them develop holistically with a high-quality educational environment and dedicated teachers. With just 7 simple steps, parents and students can complete the admission process at Westlink quickly and efficiently. This is a streamlined new student onboarding roadmap, helping students easily integrate into the international learning environment. Guide to the admission roadmap at Westlink for parents & students What is the CAT4 test? Does my child need to practice? CAT4 is a cognitive ability assessment, often used in the international school admission roadmap. This test is not intended to see how much knowledge the child has memorized. The main goal is to help the school understand how the child reasons, processes information, and approaches new problems. During the trial study session at Westlink, CAT4 is often seen as part of an overall observation process. Test results should not be simply understood as pass or fail. The school also needs to look at the ability to integrate into the classroom, confidence level, communication skills, and the academic support needs of each student. What skills does CAT4 assess? CAT4 helps the school better understand how the student: Verbal reasoning: Evaluates the ability to understand and use language. Quantitative reasoning: Processes and analyzes mathematical problems and numbers. Non-verbal reasoning: Processes images, shapes, and understands relationships between them. Spatial reasoning: Recognizes and analyzes space, direction, and position. The special thing is that no prior practice is needed. CAT4 focuses on how the child solves problems and approaches new information. Why does Westlink use CAT4 instead of making its own test? Westlink chooses CAT4 because: Objective assessment: CAT4 provides an international standard assessment toolkit, helping the student competency testing become fair and accurate. Deeper analysis: Helps the school understand the child in many aspects, from thinking to adaptability in a new learning environment. Better student support: Results from CAT4 help the academic team advise on a suitable learning roadmap for each student, especially those transferring schools or newly returning home. Advice for the child before the trial study session Parents do not need to worry too much about practicing before CAT4. Here are some tips: No need for stressful practice: The test does not require the child to remember specific knowledge. Create a comfortable mindset: Remind the child that this is just an opportunity for teachers to understand them better, not an important exam. Spiritual preparation: Ensure the child gets enough sleep, eats well, and arrives on time. The key is to help the child feel confident and ready to participate, without pressure. Does the student need to practice anything for the CAT4 test? Admission Dossier Checklist According to 3 Student Groups When preparing a dossier for international school admission, parents and students need to master the documentation requirements according to each different student group. Each group will have its own requirements, ensuring the admission process goes smoothly and on schedule. Below is a detailed checklist for each student group when preparing the admission roadmap. Group 1: Students from Vietnamese schools (public / private / bilingual) For students coming from domestic schools, the dossier needs to have the following documents: Vietnamese academic transcript: Provide transcripts from the 2 most recent years to help the school evaluate the student's learning process and academic results. Contact book/Comment sheet (if any): This is a supplementary document helping the school understand more about the student's learning attitude and communication ability. Birth certificate, passport/ID card, immunization record, photos: These documents help verify personal information and ensure the student is healthy enough to participate in learning. Note: If the dossier is in Vietnamese, no notarized translation is required. Group 2: Students currently studying at international schools in Vietnam For students currently studying at international schools in Vietnam, the admission dossier will require the following documents: Transcript/School report in English: Academic records from the 1–2 most recent years in English so the school can review the learning results. Reference letter from the homeroom teacher (if any): A letter of recommendation from the teacher helps supplement information about the student, especially in assessing ability and learning attitude. Medical records: This document helps the school confirm the student's health status. Note: If the student is transferring from an IB system to Westlink IB, please discuss with the former school to receive credit transfers. Group 3: Students returning from abroad Students returning from countries such as the USA, UK, Singapore, Korea, Australia, etc., will need to prepare the following documents: Transcript/Report card from the foreign school: A copy of the academic transcript or grade report from the international school helps evaluate the student's learning process. Notarized English or Vietnamese translation: To ensure the dossier is accepted, notarized translations will be needed for important documents. Passport & visa (if applicable): These documents help verify movement status and student's nationality. Special note: Westlink supports returnee students with personalized EAL programs if the student needs to enhance English or Vietnamese language ability after returning home. Types of dossiers to prepare for 3 student groups when enrolling in an international school Total Initial Costs of the Admission Roadmap for Students at Westlink (not including annual tuition) When starting the educational journey at Westlink, parents and students need to prepare the necessary costs, helping the admission process go smoothly. Below are the fees during the admission stage, not including the school year tuition: 1. CAT4 entrance test fee To ensure the student is suitable for the learning environment at Westlink, they will participate in the CAT4 entrance test. This test fee is 2,500,000 VNĐ. This is the first step in evaluating capacity and orienting the learning method suitable for each student. 2. Enrollment fee & reservation deposit After completing the selection procedures, parents need to pay the enrollment fee and reservation deposit to officially confirm the admission for the student. This fee not only ensures a seat for the child but also shows the family's commitment to the school. 3. Optional auxiliary fees In addition to the basic costs, Westlink also provides auxiliary services such as extra classes, extracurricular activities, or supplementary skill development programs. These services are not mandatory, but if parents want their children to have more opportunities for holistic development, these will be suitable choices. The Child's First Week at Westlink – How Does Onboarding Happen? When the student starts the educational journey at Westlink, the first week is a special experience to help the child get familiar with the new learning environment. New student onboarding at Westlink is designed to ensure that each student will feel comfortable and confident in the first days. Below are the activities and support the child will receive in the first week. First orientation session Right on the first day, the student will participate in an orientation session to get familiar with the school's facilities and new teachers and friends. This is an opportunity for the student to better understand the regulations and activities at Westlink, as well as special learning programs the school provides. EAL support & buddy system for transfer students For transfer students or returnee students, Westlink provides EAL (English as an Additional Language) support programs, helping the child quickly integrate and improve English ability. Besides, the Buddy System will help students have a companion, assisting in learning, entertainment, and finding out about school culture. Toddle App – how parents track their child's journey Westlink provides the Toddle App, helping parents easily track the learning progress and daily activities of the child. Parents can view reports, images, and detailed information about the child's feelings and learning results, helping connect with the child and ensuring timely support when needed. How does the first onboarding day of a new student take place at Westlink? Frequently Asked Questions about Westlink Admission Roadmap 1. Does Westlink accept mid-year students? Westlink can accept students mid-year depending on the classroom situation and program requirements. For more details, parents and students need to contact the admissions department to check the conditions and procedures necessary for mid-term admission. 2. Do English academic transcripts need notarized translation? If academic transcripts or school reports have already been issued in English, parents usually do not need further notarized translation. The school only needs a clear copy, full of information about academic results and previous learning processes. In case the dossier is in another language, the family should prepare an English or Vietnamese notarized translation. 3. Is remote registration possible when the family is abroad? Remote registration is entirely feasible. If the family is abroad, admission steps can be performed online, helping parents and students afar easily complete the procedures without being physically present at the school. We hope that the admission roadmap at Westlink will help parents and students easily prepare for the international learning journey. With clear procedures and dedicated support, Westlink is committed to bringing a good learning environment, accompanying families at every step. Do not hesitate, contact Westlink now via hotline (+84) 865 777 900 to start a new journey for your children's future!
