coexistxx

Hey everyone! I haven't really gotten a chance to read through all the posts yet, so I'm sorry if this question has already been asked, but I'm really into photography and I was wondering if anyone knew if there was a photography program at any of the campuses. I was also wondering whether any of the campuses were more serious about art in general. Are any of you guys really interesting in the arts (photography, drawing, painting, print making, film, musical theater ect. ect.)

lindzmm

I think the reason for the few negative things I've heard is because 1. I gave them a very brief description and they don't really understand it, and 2. I go to a really good school as it is. It's a lottery so I'm one of the lucky ones who got in and it was ranked the 20th best public school in California and number 1 in San Diego based off the API score which is determined by the standardized tests we take (Star). So basically they don't understand why I would want to go to a UWC when I go to such a good school already.

lindzmm

Also, I saw this yesterday and I wanted to share it: I'm going to succeed because I'm crazy enough to think I can.
I think that is absolutely true

lunascreatures

@lindzmm woah, you live in San Diego? I haven't lived there for most of my life now, but I was born there and my siblings lived there for quite a while. I'm pretty sure they went to a different school district (because it wasn't by lottery), but the schools in that area are great! I'm in the same situation with being at a very good school, but as I'm moving next year anyway, there's less of a conflict there.

Is anyone else checking the website for the application daily? 17 days at most to wait for US applicants...

lindzmm

@lunascreatures hah, that's so funny. Yeah, it's a relatively new school so probably not. And yes. I keep checking it and hoping they'll send out an e-mail when it comes out... I just want to see whats on it even though I kinda already know :P

lindzmm

I thought this was funny.. kind of a perfect example of why I'm not really telling people about applying to UWC. Well I was at our friends house who convinced my parents to let me apply and they kept asking me questions like 'So when are you moving to Norway' and 'We have friends there that will look after you when you're there' and I have to keep reminding them that 1. I still have to apply and thats a super competitive process and 2. Even if I get in, I probably wouldn't be sent to Norway. Then I get things like 'No, you're so smart, of course you'll get in'. I just don't want to have to deal with this with a bunch of people and then tell everyone that I wasn't accepted. Basically thats why I'm keeping quiet about it.

applesauce21

For the arty colleges I don't really know, but apparently Adriatic has a massive music department, and so it might have art too.

Also I know what you mean - telling people you didn't get in is tough, but I think I'd be more bothered about simply not having got in haha. and no one I told really thought it sounded attractive, so theyll probably have forgotten I mentioned it by April, and won't ask I didn't get in

fruitloopery

@applesauce21 Glad I could help! I know living in Africa sounds really cool and stuff, but it has its downsides too. After all, UWC isn't the only reason why I want to leave my school. Always have hope, better to try and fail then not try at all!

I've been involved with the last four school production and I take both drama and music. I play four instruments, and I taught myself to play three of them. I think Atlantic lets students do music therapy for CAS.

v00jin

I'm really interested in design, illustration and photography and I will probably do that for a living.

applesauce21

@fruitloopery I do play an instrument (piano), but I wouldn't call myself musical. I love piano though, particularly Einaudi and Yiruma - it just makes me so happy. I remember learning Chopin's raindrop prelude, and then studying it in music GCSE, and it was the only piece I ever got high marks in for analysis since I //understood// it if that makes sense. And wow!! Four instruments?! I couldn't manage two - I used to play violin, but never really liked it, and didn't work at it.

My school doesn't do performances. I mean, they sort of do, but the drama department doesn't really have the resources to put on proper productions, and they all like doing things in a non-naturalistic style, so I haven't really been able to get involved in them since they weren't there! But I would have liked to. I never got selected in middle or first school since everyone said my voice was too quiet pahaha. Ah well.

And that loss of hope carries less bitterness than regret is my motivation for applying - let's hope that's true

@v00jin it's very refreshing to hear that. Everyone around me it too afraid. I hear people all the time saying "I want to do history, but it's useless" or "If I take two languages universities will look down on me". It's really sad that the English school system makes the Arts seem like lesser options, but it does. And they're not.

fruitloopery

History is actually a very popular subject at my school. We just finished analysing Mozart's Sonata in A major first movement. I don't know about GCSEs, but for us we only have to analyse one classical piece. I get what you mean by understanding the piece. When we went through the whole 23 pages of music bar by bar, it was boring but it made sense why he wrote what he wrote. It's like putting a puzzle together bit by bit. Analysing really helps in composition too. I only managed to teach myself instruments because I have a really good theory knowledge on piano, which helps with understanding stuff on other instruments. Also, because my school has few musicians, I decided to teach myself the common instruments in a rock band so I can be flexible and fill in whenever.
My school has a lack of resources too, we're actually in debt, we only have one follow spot and it's hard to find props around here. But we always manage to pull off something with what we have, and its been really good every time. We have some pretty good actors in my school I used to have problems with projection too but years of vocal training in drama fixed that.
MYP actually has a lot of emphasis on the arts, I think it's compulsory to do one of the three. But other than that, I've heard that it's not the best option.

coexistxx

Does anyone know how much grades matter in applying? I think I read having good grades is important, but having the interest in international affairs/ other cultures is more important. Is this true? Also does anyone know what type of GPA they're looking for. I have like a 9.8 (basically a A-/B+)and I'm really nervous that it won't be good enough. I do a lot of other international related things though like Model UN, Amnesty international, NSLI-Y, SYA and things like that. I'm so scared, though. I want this so badly.

windowpainting16

@coexistxx: I can't really tell you for certain as I've heard different things from current students. Most assured everyone that one or two B's would not negatively affect one' application, but obviously stronger academics can only help you. I agree with you, though, that academics are not the most important part of the application by a long shot. A girl last year who was on the wait list with me had been taking 5 APs and didn't get in. My advice would be to do things that you're passionate about and try to strengthen your application in any way that you can.

HT2465

just took the PSAT.... not very confident in my score this time around :-( . Does anyone know how much weight of the application lies on your PSAT score?

lindzmm

@HT2465 I just took that today too. I'm not sure how much weight is put on it although I read somewhere that the scores are evaluated in the context of your grade level and overall academic achievement. Could you possibly take the PLAN? I've heard that that is a more straightforward test that a lot of people tend to do better on. Plus, then you can compare your scores and send in the better one.