University Acceptances and Success : TedX

Our colleague at UWC Dilijan addressed the UWC Costa Rica community in a powerful TedX Talk. 

Grade 12 is for celebrating achievements, saying goodbye to high school…and college applications. Brian seeks to change the way you think about college admissions by answering the age-old question : "Why didn't I get in?"

Brian worked at United World College Cost Rica as a University for three years and is now working at United World College Dilijan.  He has seen every type of college application: the great … and the not-so-great. His job has given him perspective into what colleges are looking for and the concept of institutional priorities. 

We encourage our community to watch the video. Please also let us know what you think.

Learn How to Cook : Transitioning from UWCSEA - East to a Gap Year

LEARN HOW TO COOK!! PLEASE! For your own good (and survival)!

 The very first thing I realized when coming to China was: I am hungry. The second thing I realized was that one cannot go to restaurants everyday, for three meals a day. It is simply not smart in terms of finances and health - nor for personal growth. I contacted my mum, cousins, aunts, friends and more, asking for easy recipes. Problem solved! 

It is all about learning, and solving the (many) obstacles you might encounter. It also about having the best time possible. Work hard, push your limits - do further research. I am currently working in a school in the outskirts of Beijing, China; and I am really enjoying the challenges.  

Contrary to the misconception of Gap Years being lazy years, I always find myself busy. If I am not at work, doing household duties, exploring the country or meeting friends…….I would be reflecting! 

I honestly reckon that when we fall into the routine of just following schedules, we do not stop to just THINK! 

So my suggestion would be to take breaks, read a good book, eat good and healthy food, sit down at parks, watch people interacting, make plans, travel, create stories. And more importantly, create your own story :-) 

Take care, and Happy UWC Day! 

Miguel Angel

Looking for Merit Aid?

Looking for a Merit Award to reduce the cost of university?   In order to be considered for merit awards, students are usually in the top 15% of the applicant pool at a particular institution.  Often no special application is needed, consideration is typically automatic and based on grades and standardized test scores.

Here are some colleges and universities that we know awarded merit scholarships to our first graduating class.  There are many others out there, but they are not always advertised.   Many Canadian universities offer merit awards automatically based on IB scores.  Research to see if any of these are a good fit:

Boston University
Drexel University
Earlham College
George Washington University
Hofstra University
Lafayette College
Marist College
Northeastern University
University of San Francisco
Syracuse University
Simon Fraser University (Canada)
New York University - Shanghai (China)

If you know of more universities that offer merit awards, tell your Advisor!   More information will be provided in another post on applying for financial aid based on need and on the Davis UWC Scholars Program, which is need-based.