http://www.uwcblogs.com was one of the most helpful and enlightening sources that allowed me to view real life updates and experiences from students all over the world through my application process. And because I myself can understand how stressful the experiences can be, I thought I'd share the story of my own application experience. So here goes.
(Warning: This might be a very long post. Read on for my story or skip ahead to the end for some general tips and advice.)
Why'd I ever want to leave in the first place? Here's the thing - I've never been one to be content with staying in the same safe haven forever, and have always longed for an outlet for expression of my own creativity. In Hong Kong, where I grew up, the education system has a certain style and mode to follow, which being a person who likes thinking out of the box instead of simply sitting in a classroom and following guidelines 24/7, was to some extent, slightly suffocating. Whereas I personally was doing fine, I just felt like I could somehow be doing more, and I knew in the bottom of my heart that there was just so much more out there waiting for me.
I first heard about UWC from a close family friend back in Grade 7, when I'd actually shook my head and scoffed at the idea. How naive I was back then, and I wish I could see the reaction on that 13 year old's face if I could tell her what was going to happen. LOL. But when things got more stressful, and I started getting overwhelmed by an immense load of pressure, that was when some of my seniors got into LPC (The Hong Kong UWC), and seeing the way they changed and the things that differed so much from local school made me dream of the possibility of discovering that for myself, too.
Back in freshman year was when I started seriously considering finishing my high school studies in a school that offered the IB curriculum. A couple of my classmates were headed to the UWC Open Day at LPCUWC, and after briefly mentioning it to my parents, they practically dragged me along (at the time I wasn't too sure just yet), and I am thankful everyday that they did, because at the first glance of the absolutely breathtaking campuses around the world, and the idea of going to school with people from diverse backgrounds, (this is cliche but) I fell in love with the idea. Especially, at the introductory talk where the LPC Head introduced the various colleges was when I knew of Pearson, and right at the very moment when I saw they offered Marine Science (being a marine biologist was a childhood dream of mine), I knew I desperately wanted to go, and waited all year long until I could apply in sophomore year.
So after much anticipation, I literally finished my application the VERY FIRST DAY the application pack was uploaded to the UWC Hong Kong Committee page (extreme but well yeah) and crossed my fingers for the best. For those of you who don't know, you apply to the UWC Movement not directly and not to an individual school, but through your national committee who evaluates your performance throughout the entire application process. If they think you're suitable, then they'll nominate you to that respective UWC where they think you'll thrive most.
If you're reading this, there might be a chance that you're a prospective student, so YAY for a little more insight and advice on the application process! I'm pretty sure every country's process differs, e.g. (correct me if I'm wrong) I've heard about overnight camps in the UK, US, or China (idk) but the experience is sure to be a memorable one that varies for every single person.
In Hong Kong, after you hand in your application, there are a total of 3 preliminary rounds before one gets an offer/acceptance. As long as you hand in your application, everyone is invited to take a standardised Aptitude Test (which just so happened to be on the chilliest morning ever in winter and I'll never forget how much I was shivering and also sick and coughing like crazy). It was honestly quite challenging and unlike anything I'd ever done at school before, so imagine my disbelief when my results turned out really well and I received my invitation to proceed to the next round. Challenge Day was on a Sunday in January, which took up the entire day. We got to pick which language we wanted to use (English or Chinese, where I picked English), and were assigned into one of 14?16? groups of 10 according to your language preference. A series of activities was held to see how you cooperate, think, your sense of teamwork, etc. - which was a lot of fun and allowed us to get a further glimpse into how UWC works. If any of you get to do something like that during your journey, enjoying yourself is definitely more important rather than trying to impress; that way, you'll get to really be yourself and show the world who you truly are. Although there were a team of invigilators and assessors that looked on our progress throughout the entire day, the fun overweighed the stress and I turned out to love the experience although I didn't really think I excelled - everyone was so amazing, and you get to see all these different people your age who are all unique, talented individuals. By this time, I was just exceptionally grateful and well, very relieved when getting notified that I was one of the few that had been narrowed down to return for the final panel interview. March 5th will forever be one of the most nerve-wrecking days I've ever had to go through since there was so much on the line (and a very crucial math test in the morning that would change a whole lot of other things too how :0) so I'm just so glad that it's all over now. Then came the waiting game.
I knew the chances were slim because normally only one applicant is picked out of the hundreds from Hong Kong to go to Pearson, which I'd placed as my very top choice, and I already knew of many who had placed it as theirs as well. My second choice was Atlantic, which was also very competitive, and LPC was my third. By the time the panel interview was over, however, I was just attempting to throw everything to the back of my mind and try not to stress so much. Originally, the Hong Kong National Committee had informed us that overseas college nominations would be sent out at the end of March, whilst offers for LPC would be given out early April. Mid March came, and I received the news on the 19th that a Challenge Day group mate of mine got an overseas offer, and so did all the people who had wanted to go to international UWCs. I tried to reassure myself, telling myself it'd all be okay, maybe some things just weren't meant to be - but I ended up breaking down anyway. It was seemingly the end of my dream.
Two days later, I was out getting food with my friends when my mother sent me a text telling me I'd been accepted to another competitive IB school here in Hong Kong, but at this time I was still hanging on in the hopes that I might get accepted to LPC. At this time, my phone tinged with another text from the group saying another had received an offer to LPC. I checked my email... but nothing. By this time I was just so fed up and empty inside - my dream was shattered wholly and completely, and there was nothing I could do except accept my fate. I was walking back to school when my parents both sent congratulatory texts to our family group. At this point I knew something was wrong, because the texts said 'Congratulations Lena on your acceptance to (other school) AND...'. My heart started picking up pace, and beat rapidly. What were my parents concealing from me? What if...? Hope bloomed once more. Could it be...? Just as I stepped onto an elevator (passage between a mall and my school), a Canadian flag appeared in the group chat. My heart stilled, and I suddenly started repeatedly muttering, 'no,no,no...' and ran up the elevator. My friends chased after me, worrying that something was wrong, only to find me blubbering and already in tears. I'd desired to go so badly, thought that there was no hope anymore, and now that I could... let's just say the extent of my emotions was met when the waterworks burst right in front of my friends and they actually asked me how I looked more like I'd received a rejection rather than some of the best news in my life since I was so in shock and there was no trace of any smile or excitement on my face (lollll quite the opposite!!)
I'm very fortunate to have gotten to come on this journey along with two great friends of mine which turned out to be amazing because we got to rant to each other and express all our worries and stuff like 'omg omg I don't think I did well' and countless 'have you heard back yet's and of course, the support we had for each other. They'll both be attending LPC and I'm so excited for them (shoutout to Rosy as well as Emily if you ever finally find this page because you're not seeing this unless you find it for yourself I'M NOT TELLING YOU)
Okay, coming back on track. So, that was my application story and I'm hyped to see what life has in store for me. But before then, here's some general information and advice that's pretty widespread, but in my opinion, still very important:
1) Know your own application very, very well.
- I was honestly caught off guard by how well the panel seemed to know me (fyi I was too tired that day to function properly lol so my brain wasn't whirring as well) but that's how they see how genuine a student is and what their passions are. Be truthful, show not only your strengths, but your weaknesses as well and look through your own application a few more times before heading to the interviews.
2) Have a general idea on the latest news (local and international).
- Get a brief understanding of the top news and delve into the components. Try to develop a stance towards the issue if it's more controversial. How would the issue affect you from your point of view, and your identity as a student/resident in your home country?
3) Have fun.
- Honestly, though! The experience, whether you get it or not, will definitely come in handy for the future, and you'll get to learn so much more about yourself - your personality, your limits, and your own persona. Instead of treating it as an interview, relax and enjoy the experience. No matter what happens, life still moves on, and it is up to you to make the best of your journey.
I understand how some people might face opposition or get judged for making the decision to leave home so early, give up education at a perfectly wonderful school and study away from peers, family or friends, which can bring a hard time. Since my friends and family have always known that I'm the sort of person to eagerly welcome adventure, this wasn't something that I had to struggle with, and I'm more than grateful to know that I can embark on this journey with full support behind my back. If you are considering UWC, or any other opportunity that others around you might oppose, here's a little something more: always hear from different perspectives, and respect whatever opinions those around you might have; after all, they must all have their own reasons, and will only have your best interests at heart. But in the end, if it's something you deeply desire, go for it and try instead of coming to regret never having made the first step in the future.
And that's it for my general advice! Drop me a message in the contact part of the 'About Me' page if you want to ask me any other questions or would just like to share your experience.
I'd love to get to hear from you!
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(alternatively, ask me questions anonymously using this link: https://l3nagrace.tumblr.com/ask that'll take you to my Tumblr page where I'll also have a more casual blog/visual diary of sorts for more random updates in case you want to follow that as well :))
All the best! xx, Lena