fruitloopery

@applesauce21 I am doing both drama and music too! At my school, so few people take an art it feels great to know someone else out there's doing two like me At my school, we don't call subjects higher, we call them core and extended, and I think that only sciences and maths have those different papers. It may just be slightly different because I do IGCSE instead of just GCSE.
I am also a member of the rotary club here! I got to have lunch with a lady from the UN once at an event hosted by the rotary club.
As for trying to convince your parents, here's what I have to say. It's just my point of view, so don't take it too seriously.
I already go to a private international school, but I can assure that it is not elitist. Yes, it is true that most of my classmates come from relatively well off families, but there are still lots that come from families like mine that struggle to pay off school fees every term. Just because some of them are well off doesn't mean that they start acting like snobs and look down on the rest of us, we all get along very well. Being at an international school is a great experience, and I know that UWC would be a million times better, because they have set a bar to get in. This means that you would be guaranteed to meet people from all over the world who are intellects like you and are there to seriously learn, not to muck around (like so many people at my school). UWC doesn't just sponsor people from the slums, they are open to anyone, so you get to meet people from different socio-economic classes there, just like at any other normal school. Doing IB is hell (especially TOK), but it is worth it, and you are more likely to get into a better university with an IB diploma and UWC, like someone I know who got into an ivy league uni after leaving UWC. I also have friends that graduated from IB that told me IB was easier that uni, and it really fully prepared them for what was ahead. Being at UWC also gives you a heads up (as someone mentioned) on uni, and most importantly, gives you the opportunity to forge life long friendships with people from all over the world.
My family also has concerns about the fees, but I'll still apply and hope for the best I guess. At least I know that I've done my best instead of kicking myself for not even trying. Sorry for rambling, just wanted to give my opinion. Good Luck!

lindzmm

My parents were completely against me going to a UWC as well- but for a different reason. In the US, it is 100% scholarship, so money is not the issue. My parent's were completely against me leaving home 2 years earlier than planned to go live in another country. They had never heard of UWC before and thought they'd miss me too much. I tried everything but they wouldn't listen. Here's how I convinced them: My brother's friends's family (still following? :P) who had just moved here from sweden were over one night and I was talking to them about traveling to the other Scandinavian countries. She said she loved Norway, and I mentioned that I was in love with a school there. She asked me what it was, I told her UWC, and she started going off about what an amazing school it was. My mom, overhearing the whole thing, stopped her for a second, not believing that she had actually heard of the school. She told my mom that she had to let me apply because it would be an amazing opportunity for me. Finally, my parents looked into it. The next day they were on the website and came to me a bit later and said "I don't want to let you go because I would miss you too much, but I understand why you want to go so badly. UWC looks like it was made for you, so I'm going to let you apply." She keeps bringing up how much she doesn't want me to go, but I think the mission kind of excites her too. She know's a UWC encompasses pretty much everything I've been dreaming about my whole life.
Basically what I'm trying to say is... See if you can get your parents to talk to an alumni, or someone that knows the school well enough. They are the only ones who can talk about the school with enough sincerity to possibly convince your parents.

fruitloopery

I guess I'm lucky that my parents have been 100 percent supportive all the way. I didn't want to do IB at my current school because I think the quality of the education here is not as good as I would like it to be, and they understand. They don't really mind which school I apply to, as long as I've done my research on it. UWC seems great to them because the fees are actually decent for an IB school that offers boarding, and a family friend went there, so I didn't have to try so hard to convince them. As for having to move to a different country, they're cool with it as well, cause I've experienced moving to a completely different country on a different continent before (Africa is as extreme as you can get), so it doesn't really bug them. They've still got 3 kids to look after, so won't be missing me that much! I've got family in Europe, and that really helped pacify them too. I think your parents are also sterotyping a bit, try to show them that stereotypes aren't always true.

YogurtHamster

Long story short my mother doesnt want me to go, and if i get accepted without a full scholarship shes refusing to pay. On the other hand my father is willing to pay 50%. My goal as it is now- get a 50% scholarship.

lindzmm

This is a little random, but last year I didn't even know when the PSAT's were and I walked into class completely unprepared. Today I went out and spent $60 on 2 giant books to study. I just find that kinda funny :P

applesauce21

@fruitloopery - I'm not actually a member of the rotary club, but that's only because I didn't realise I could be! Wow! Meeting someone from the UN would be incredible - I would have sooooo many questions And also moving to Africa sounds amazing!! I want to be able to move around in whatever job I get, which is why I think I would like to be in the diplomatic service. And do you think American Universities would respect it more than A-levels? Because that is what 6th Formers do in England. I had no idea that an IB would be like my first year of Uni - that's a good argument for letting my parents let me go haha

@Lindzmm I'm sorry you had trouble with the 'rents too It's tough, especially when their reason is basically "I love you too much" haha :P And the alumni thing is good advice! I am going to try and get in contact with some alumni, but also I would like to go to the english UWC open day - but the only trouble is it's a nine hour bus journey, for a 3 hour meeting >_>. And my studying has had to go up a whole new notch this year too - but not because of, like, not trying hard enough - but I just need to organise my time soooo much! AS levels are tricky haha

@Yogurthamster Yeah, I definitely would need a full scholarship (almost certainly not gonna happen since they do it on a needs basis, and I'm not as in need as some other applicants I'm sure) and also be able to afford insurance//trips//flights//clothes//other crap...:L But I'm applying anyway! Screw logic! XD

sellerofdreams

Hi there! Another potential UWC applicant, though I haven't sent for the application papers yet. I'm Indian but live in Malaysia, so I have to send a cheque to India to get the application forms, and because of the terrible postal service here my dad said he'll post it when he goes to India which is next week, so I'm eagerly waiting!
UWC seems amazing

Manzil

hey there! I am eagerly waiting to apply for IB in UWC. It seems very unique and exciting.
Does anyone know that how much the grades are considered by the selection committee because my 10th grade grades aren't that good. And what kind of recommendation letter do they expect?

lindzmm

Hey guys, just thought I'd keep to conversation going.. I was wondering how people have reacted when you tell them you're applying to UWC? I haven't really told too many people because I don't want everyone knowing, and then having to tell everyone I was rejected (if/when that is the outcome), but the few people I have told have all had very different reactions. Everywhere from wondering why I would want to leave my school, to asking me if I really wanted to leave the US, to saying it sounds like an amazing program.. I was just wondering what you guys get

windowpainting16

Most people are just very confused, either thinking it's:
a) study abroad
b) college
or c) just not really sure at all
It's really hard to briefly explain!

lunascreatures

I've been getting a lot of "oh, that's really cool!" from my brief descriptions to more "aww but you'd leave" from my longer descriptions. But I haven't been telling many people either, for the same reasons. It's also hard because I'm moving after this year anyway But my parents are supportive (although recently, I feel like my mom is trying to convince me not to apply til next year or something of that sort...she wants me to move with them and go to high school there, to keep me a bit longer, but it would really suck to have done 10 years in this school district, then one in a new place, then two at UWC instead of just 10-then-2. sorry, rant over!)

HT2465

I'm back! PSAT testing is in a few days so I'm freaking out, although I scores in the 95 percentile for the overall score on ths practice PSAT. (a 98 percentile-Critical reading-a 95 percentile-math- and a 92 percentile-writing-). My 4.0 GPA is still in tact with my lowest class score as a 92% (including my pre ib classes) I followed the advice of the previous commenters and joined extra curricular activities, such as, debate, teen youth and government/Model UN, key club, rotary interact club, learn to lead club ( all volunteer clubs), and possibly NHS. I have also completed over 200 volunteer hours (and counting!). Any suggestions and/or comments from UWC applicants and current students. Thanks!

applesauce21

Fantastic!! Well done on the amazing SAT scores and hello to all newcomers - welcome to the world of people who have a 1/1000 chance of getting their dream (which is a lot higher than the rest of the world). Also, I'm telling everyone, but mostly because I want to ask their advice

fruitloopery

@applesauce21 Just came back from a field trip to the bush today One of the advantages of living here is that because there's fewer international schools, there's a higher chance of being invited to such events. Working for the UN can also mean being away from family for extended periods, so if you're a family person, it's not the best option. Have you considered teaching at international schools instead? I think its a great option too if you're into teaching. IB is accepted worldwide, and it would make you more attractive to universities all over the world compared to if you do A levels, because it is way more intense and really prepares you for university. I also was planning to do A levels, but I changed my mind after seeing the difference IB makes. IB is really intense though, but it has its benefits. Just talk to someone doing it and you'll see what I mean.

applesauce21

@fruitloopery thank you so much! If there is anything I can do don't hesitate to ask - but it seems to me like you have a truly amazing life, one I aspire to. Although I don't have any solid career aspirations (I love everything haha), I am interested in the diplomatic servie, but I think the effects would be similar to working for the UN (lots of moving around, and time spent away from home). And if taking an IB is what is what it sounds like, teaching it must require a LOT of work too! It had never occurred to me to teach

My mum basically told me that that getting in with a scholarship was impossible yesterday - it's hard, trying to remember why they are so amazing when I'm around someone who is so negative about them, even if I do respect her opinion, and see the logic of it. Forums like this help give me hope - though I'm not sure if that's an entirely good thing haha