moramora

Hi everyone, I'm applying this year too so I'm just going to join in the conversation haha..
@lindzmm Tell your parents that it's hard to get in and that you really want to go so you might as well apply! They're more likely to let you go in 11th grade if you kind of ease them into it, like get them to let you apply first and then if you get in they will have had more time to think about it and get used to the idea of you going so they might be more likely to say yes? Just a thought.
@littleivy first of all, congratulations on getting in and I hope UWC is as awesome as it seems! You must update us on how it goes. I have so many questions lol but just wondering: having applied and gotten in, what would you say is the most important thing in getting accepted- personality, EC's, academics, interesting accomplishments, volunteering, some combination of all of the above?
So anyways, where are you guys all from and which UWCs do you want to go to?

littleivy

@moramora: thanks! I think in regards to academics, you just need a solid GPA. Again let me say that I did not apply from the US national committee and for some reason I feel like it's a lot harder to apply through the US or Hong Kong than it is through China simply because more people know about UWC. You're probably going to want to be quite involved within the local community, and definitely with volunteer service. Honestly, though, you should join a group that you actually like and don't mind dedicating time to.
For me at least, I don't have any "interesting accomplishments" or anything. At all, haha. You definitely need to have a good personality. I'm not saying that I have a good personality lol but you obviously need to be able to get along well with others.
I have previously applied to HADES schools before and FOR ME, THROUGH THE CHINA COMMITTEE, the paper application was nowhere near as difficult. I didn't have to write any essays and everything was short answer, basically.
In essence, just be a good person. Be a good, well-rounded student, and actually believe in the values of the UWC movement.

v00jin

@littleivy Please, update us with all things UWC as often as possible. I would mean a lot to me and others, as well, I think.
I have a few questions:
1. What ECs did you do before UWC?
2. What's your favorite thing on campus?
3. Are there any people from Ex-Yugoslavia at the school?

Oh, and congrats on getting accepted!

littleivy

Hi v00jin! I'll answer the first one for now, because I'm only heading to the campus tomorrow (my visa finally came through! lol.)
The only time they asked for my ECs were on the paper application and I had to handwrite it and there was barely any space to write! I had to pick out basically the accomplishments I was most proud of. The ECs I listed were these (I think I'm remembering them correctly, haha):
1. During the summer between 9th and 10th grade, I got 100 hours of community service when I went to the British Virgin Islands and tagged sea turtles, interacted with local youth, and also helped the local search and rescue center.
2. I worked at a local charity store during the entire summer between 8th and 9th grade. So it was 2 months of lots of sorting and talking to the locals who were hired to make sure the shop itself was running smoothly.
3. I was in a student-led charity organization at school that helped a local orphanage that was for disabled orphans. The organization had wanted to expand and help another orphanage (simply because the first orphanage was about an hour's drive away and it was a whole-day commitment, and a lot of the upperclassmen just didn't have the time) and I was familiar with another orphanage, so I became kind of like a liaison between the executive committee of the school organization and the second orphanage (haha sorry that was a bit complicated.) And basically through the student organization, I got like 60 hours of community service hours I didn't need because it wasn't required lol.
I definitely don't think you need to be some kind of revolutionary new-age young version of Mother Teresa person or anything. Just find something that you actually want to help. It was only through those previous service experiences that I actually realized that I enjoy helping the adults and the elderly more than I enjoy helping children. I know this sounds terrible but I'm not a very big kid-person. I don't click with them! And I know my effort would be a lot more effective and noticeable in a community of disadvantaged adults.

mskchs

Hi Everyone, looking to apply for the 2013 year from canada! I first heard about UWC from my cousin who went to Lester B. Pearson. Since then, I have wanted to apply. I have been reading your discussion for awhile, and finally got an account. Does anyone have experience applying from Canada? I'm only in 10th grade, and in Canada though you can apply in 10th grade, 11th grade experience is preferred. If I don't get selected, I will apply again during junior year. One question, does doing the pre-IB program before entering a UWC give you an advantage?

As for credentials, I have approx. a 96% grade average. Am involved in many school activities, such as badminton, soccer, cross country, debating, geography challenge, orchestra. Where I live, high school starts in grade 10. I plan to join some other clubs since there are more options there. I also play violin in 2 ensembles outside of school, and do 15 hours a week of competitive badminton. For community service and leadership, I am the president of an international organization's local branch. I plan activites and weekend camp for local youth, and run leadership training for other kids working on the planning. I have travelled internationally twice with the organization, and have attended many national leadership meetings and training with other youth.

Anyhow, I was wondering if anyone had experience applying from canada? Especially from a smaller province. I think my province only has one spot per year. Do any of you think I have a chance of getting selected?

I am so excited, this has been a dream of mine for the past 5 years!

emily43

Hi! I am a junior in the US applying this fall for UWC. Could anyone tell me more about the application process, what the interviews are like, etc.? Thanks!

windowpainting16

Hi everyone! I thought I was subscribed to this thread but for whatever reason I never got any notifications about replies. I'm happy to answer as much as I can about the application process.

From what I remember, the application became available around October/November. There is a section about your academics and family and then there are four shorter essay sections. There is also a longer essay, sort of a personal statement. You are required to send in three letters of recommendation: one from a teacher, one from a counselor, and one from an extracurricular advisor. You also send in your transcripts and test scores from the SAT, ACT, Plan, or PSAT.

The interview is very fun, and although I was very nervous I had a great time meeting all sorts of amazing and cool people. That was when I really realized how much I wanted to go to a UWC. We played games and debated current affairs and it was all very interesting to discuss such things with people who are equally passionate about what is happening with the world.

moramora

@mskchs: I'm from Canada too! I only just found out about UWC so I don't know a lot about what they're looking for but it sounds like you have a good chance!

Since some other people are doing this, credentials:
I am now in my first year of an IB program and usually had a 97% average in pre-Ib, although who knows how much it is going to go down with IB haha..
I fence competitively and am on my school's cross country team as well as student council and I am the founder of our social justice club. I'm really involved with the charity Free the Children- I went on a volunteer trip to Ecuador this past summer, I run events with them in my city and my friend and I run fundraisers for them, and I also volunteer tutoring immigrants in English. I love to write and have won a couple contests. Any thoughts on my chances of getting in? :s
@littleivy: thanks, that was pretty helpful! But just wondering about the "good personality" thing: do you have to be really outgoing to get in? I'm not extremely shy or anything but I'm not the most outspoken person either and I'm wondering if that will affect my chances at getting in?

windowpainting16

I don't know very much about your chances since I know more about the American system but from what I can tell, everyone who gets an interview is strong academically (but not necessarily perfect) and had very strong and passionate essays. Once you get to the interview stage, everyone has a very good chance. It has a lot to do with how you fit with the rest of the applicant pool and just how much you can convey your passion and why you want to go to the UWCs.

lindzmm

I've convinced the parents so I officially will be applying with all of you! I'm so excited!
Ok, Credentials-
I'm a sophomore. I've gotten all A's except for a B+ once. I am 2 years ahead in math, in Honors English, and AP history (2 weighted classes by the end of the year). Summer before freshman year I did a Study Abroad type program at Oxford U on a half scholarship. Last summer I interned at the mayors office (only high school student they've ever had). I'm also on the Mayors youth advisory board which is basically a lot of community service and service learning projects. but also we give input on ways to make the city a better place. I'm on the executive board of a program called Girls Give Back, which is basically a group where we learn about whats going on in the community and get involved with many different service opportunities. Being on the executive board means I help plan and organize what we do. I'm part of two clubs at my school. One being community-service oriented, the other is about the protecting the earth. Last year I got the Presidents silver service award (I think that's what its called.It just means I did a certain amount of hours of service.) I took the PSAT last year, and off the top of my head, I can't remember how I did, but I will probably provide the PSAT or PLAN from this year.
Everyone seems so qualified. I'm so nervous already.
@WindowPainting16, Thank you so much for all your information! It is much appreciated. Are you applying again for this upcoming year? Being wait listed has got to be so frustrating!

windowpainting16

In case anyone is wondering, here are my stats:

4.0 UW GPA/I don't know my weighted.
207 PSAT

Freshman year:
Honors English A/A
Geometry H A/A
Biology A/A
Chinese 1 A/A
Spanish 2 A/A
JV Water Polo and JV Swimming

Sophomore Year:
Honors English A/A
Algebra II A/A
AP Chemistry A/A
Spanish 3 A/A
Honors World History A/A
Choir A/A
JV Water Polo co-captain and club water polo

Junior year:
AP Lang
AP Physics B
AP US History
Math Analysis Honors
Spanish 4
I tore my MCL (a major ligament in the knee) and may not be able to do water polo. If I get clearance from my doctor I am hoping to be able to be on varsity.

I have volunteered over 400 hours at the county hospital in a large urban area. I work in the NICU with sick babies, many of whom were born drug-addicted or brain damaged. I wrote my personal statement about how I dealt with the moral difficulties of this job, how it related to my experience being born as a very premature infant, and how I hoped to use this to become a doctor working with charities to help children with orthopedic disabilities.

I have played piano for 12 years and have played in many competitions and festivals including Bach Festival and Romantic Festival. I also do Certificate of Merit and am doing level 10 (the final level) this year.

I am joining Youth and Government this year and hope to advocate health care reform.

My hobbies include playing the electric ukulele and I am currently working on a historical fiction novel.

My top three choices were RCN, Atlantic, and Mahindra but this year I think I am equally interested in all the UWCs.

windowpainting16

Sorry If this is too much I just wanted to give you guys a full picture of my stats.

Also I did a chamber music camp at Scripps College this summer on a full scholarship (one of only 3 pianists out of 35 kids and the only one on scholarship).

And I got a 5 in AP chem and an 800 on the chemistry SAT II. My class rank is 1% but my school doesn't weight so everyone with a 4.0 has that rank.

lindzmm

Whoops, forgot to mention, I played JV water polo last year, used to be on the swim team (had to stop because I had no time), and in my spare time I play guitar (A little uke), and I enjoy long walks on the beach. Just kidding :P

windowpainting16

@lindzmm: I think you have a very good shot. Like I said, however, the admissions process is very holistic and I feel that much of the decision comes down to the interview and your essays.

mskchs

Everyone here sounds so amazing! From what ive heard the canadian process is similar to the canadian, but I cant confirm it. Also, I am a little confused about the dates. Here in canada, I heard you dont find out if you are accepted until late april/early may. If I dont get accepted, I want to do some summer programs (volunteering and shad valley). I wont be doing them if I get accepted in UWC though. I would have to confirm participation in the other programs before thatAnyone been in this situation, or anticipating being in it?

@moramora so cool you are canadian! Where are you from? I am on the east coast!

Also to add to my credentials, I won this competition a couple years ago as one of the top 12 role models for young girls. Also im in grade 10 violin and will be taking my exam to become a teacher soon. So far I have about 550 hours accumulated over 3 years of volunteering with this organization, called CISV.

One thing that worries me a little is at my junior high (which I was in until last year, grade 9), there werent very many oppertunities for enrichment. It only happened if a teacher decided to offer it. I am doing pre IB courses this year, but marks wise I wont be able to send in any advanced marks from last year. I dont know if this will efect my chances of being selected.

You guys all sound like such amazing candidates for UWC, I hope we all get selected!