Applying to University Booklet 2019 wcis_ATU_2019 | Page 4

INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
FROM THE HEAD OF
SIXTH FORM
Making the decision about where to pursue
higher education is an exciting one, perhaps the
first real adult decision many of us ever make.
Selecting the right course at the right university
is important, a decision that has the potential
to significantly shape the course of our pupils’
careers and the life they will lead. Guiding pupils
through this process is a responsibility we take
extremely seriously. We are unashamedly
proud of the outstanding destinations our Old
Wellingtonians have elected to study in pursuit
of their undergraduate degrees, and excited
to be a part of the journey of all of our pupils
to come.
Pupils undertaking the International
Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma at Wellington
thrive, each year achieving outstanding point
scores which ‘opens the door’ to the world’s
finest higher education institutions. However,
as the world of higher education is becoming
an increasingly larger one, Wellington pupils
have a huge number of options and choices at
their disposal, including courses, university, or
indeed countries that they may not have even
considered.
The demands of the IB Diploma Programme are
significant; it is a challenging and rigorous course,
and arguably the best possible preparation for
the demands of an undergraduate degree. Our
academic expectations of our pupils are high,
and rightly so, as they mirror the institutions our
pupils aspire to attend.
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However, outstanding academic
achievement is simply not enough. The
world’s best institutions seek applicants who
can offer more than an excellent academic
record. From leadership skills and qualities,
to participation in sport and on stage, and
wider academic pursuits, universities seek
well-rounded pupils with a breadth of
knowledge and interests gained outside of the
conventional classroom setting. Not only do
we offer an abundance of these opportunities
at Wellington, we help our pupils frame
their experiences in a manner that allows
them to make applications with confidence,
successfully showcasing their talents and skills.
Wellington pupils are supported by a
considerable team of people as they begin
their journey towards higher education.
Through offering pupils and their parents
bespoke, one-to-one support, creating
opportunities to meet representatives from
the world’s leading universities, and drawing
on the experiences of our talented teaching
faculty, we enable our pupils to explore what
is possible.
FROM THE
DIRECTOR
OF HIGHER
EDUCATION
AND CAREERS
Navigating the world of university admissions
is becoming an increasingly complicated
process which requires careful research and
considerable planning. This booklet sets out
some information about how we support
Wellington’s sixth form pupils through this
exciting and challenging part of their academic
life. It is not intended to be a comprehensive
manual. Admissions processes are constantly
changing, and no one written guide can hope
to provide all the detail that pupils and parents
require. The basic information contained here is
supplemented by a comprehensive programme
of advice, support and guidance which all pupils
receive during their time at Wellington. Aside
from attending a series of dedicated workshops
and tutorials, each pupil is offered individual,
one-to-one, guidance to help them fully consider
their options and to ensure that their application
has the greatest chance of success. The school
also organises a number of additional events, for
pupils and parents, giving them the opportunity
to meet representatives from the world’s
leading universities while providing timely
advice at every stage of the application process.
Further information about all of these elements
of the application process can be found on the
school’s website - www.wellingtoncollege.cn/
shanghai/academic/university-and-beyond/.
We do hope that you find the contents of this
guide useful. We very much look forward to
supporting you and your daughter/son over the
coming years as they make plans for life beyond
Wellington.
Steve Tippen
Director of Higher Education and Careers
Ewan McCallum
Head of Sixth Form
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