Year 13 Wisdom: The Leaver’s Guide to Mastering Your Admissions

So you’re probably wondering: how can I get into a good university? If you’re a Y10 or Y11 student in IGCSE, it’s hard to picture interviews, university admissions and acceptance letters flashing on your computer screen. I’ll be honest, I had no idea what I was doing either.

The good news is, I’m here to help! As I sit here typing away on my last KGV school day, preparing to leave the place that’s served me well for six years, I’d like to tell you how you can achieve the next step after high school. 

I’ll divide my advice into three areas: Academics, Activities, Admissions.

Firstly, let’s talk about getting your grades up, achieving that elusive 45 or D*. 

The most important thing I could tell you is: don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. Personally, maths was the hardest subject for me. But - instead of trying to ask for teacher help or getting a tutor outside of school, I deluded myself into thinking I could do it all by myself. I’d spend countless hours trying to figure out past papers, not understanding a single question because my math fundamentals were all messed up. To this day I can’t solve a quadratic equation with complex roots. I ended up getting a 4 for my overall average, dragging everything down - and I’m sure you, dear reader, won’t want that to happen. Of course, you should have faith in yourself! I’m not telling you to be entirely dependent on others. But you should always be aware there are people out there who can solve a problem you’re struggling with easily.

Additionally, you should figure out the best studying environment for yourself. For me, I absolutely can’t study with other people in the same room, so study groups and study calls have never worked. However, I have several friends who can’t study without the encouragement of their nearby classmates. I can’t study with music either, as it really distracts me: but studies have shown that classical and lofi music helps some people concentrate and get into a flow state. In short, everyone studies differently, and don’t engage in an environment you will find distracting just because all your friends are doing it. There will be plenty of time to hang out or catch up on the latest gossip in the future! Always prioritize what you need.

Secondly, let’s talk about the kinds of activities or CAS you should include in your university application!

You should always have a good balance of charitable activities, leisure activities and work experience. I’m not one to toot the horn of creativity, activity and service, but it’s actually pretty accurate. Universities are looking for someone who’s well rounded, who can display a deeper side of themselves apart from their outstanding academics. For me, I chose to lead the charity Body Banter for my charitable activity, participated in Chamber Choir, school camping, and musicals for leisure activities, and did a youth magazine internship for work experience. It’s always best to start these activities early, so universities can see your deep commitment to a cause or self-improvement. So keep an eye out for the school bulletin or school newsletter. Even if you’re not in IB, it sounds impressive if you’ve been leading an activity since Y10 or Y11. As an example, me and Anna led The Lion’s Crest from Y11 to the start of Y13.

Remember to pick activities that you will genuinely enjoy! Don’t stay in an activity you absolutely hate just because all your friends are in it. I started a poetry club at the start of Y12 that I ended up disliking, as it didn’t really fit with the rest of my activities or current interests. Even though finding someone to replace me as leader was challenging, I still did it so I wouldn’t feel overwhelmed and tired later on. Try and step out of your comfort zone as well, and try things you normally wouldn’t attempt. The 3-day CAS hiking trip Mr Nealis organized was BRUTAL on my non-athletic joints - however, I had fun learning outdoor skills that I wouldn’t have known without CAS.

But don’t overload yourself with excessive CAS either! I know everyone might be worried about CAS requirements, but the reality is you only need ONE CAS project to pass IB. If you load up on too many leadership roles, you won’t be able to put as much effort into all your academic commitments. 

Lastly, let’s talk about some things you should be aware of for admissions - applications, interviews and scholarships. 

For admissions, the crucial thing is to start early before all your deadlines. I applied to only Canadian schools, and I made sure to apply way before the January deadline in October. This allowed me to be considered in the earlier pool of applicants, and ensure that there was a spot available in a program for me. Some programs accept students on a rolling basis, which means they don’t accept you after all the spots have been filled up. Additionally, for scholarships, extra essays and admissions awards, please START AS SOON AS YOU CAN! I’ve seen friends fretting over writing 500 word essays in half an hour because they neglected it in favour of their academics. University stuff should ALWAYS take precedence over KGV materials. If it’s not a nail-biting summative, such as a dictation or a formative, please spend the time on your soon-to-be-due university application instead of studying.

In interviews, please make sure you’re prepared for every situation! This is particularly true for renowned universities like Oxford and Cambridge, who allowed several of my friends' first interviews, but rejected them after the interview itself. These top universities already know that you’re a good student - now, they’re looking for creativity, innovation and insight. Make sure to research basic interview questions, and practice answering them in a natural and enthusiastic way - give yourself several days or weeks to do this instead of several hours. Treat it like practicing for an oral exam! Additionally, do some background reading on the subject you’re applying for. As an example, in my friend’s medical school Oxford interview, they showed her a picture of an MRI and asked about its function in the medical field. Knowledge about things you don’t learn in school is extremely important, as it gives you an edge over less-prepared applicants. 

So, now that I’ve fully racked my brain for you, please try and put my tips and tricks into actual practice! Procrastination is a demon and a beast that threatens us all, but hopefully you’ll feel more confident and secure to take the first step. Good luck for your MYP exams, IGCSE exams, or Y12 exams: even if I don’t know you, I’ll be cheering you on every step of the way!