Wellington’s University Fair: getting ahead of the process

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Joshua Beard

Director of Higher Education & Careers

In March, Wellington Shanghai held its annual University Fair. This year, over 75 top-ranked schools from more than 20 global destinations participated. Our University Fair is the key event in the College’s university guidance programme and is an important annual milestone on our 'Higher Education Pathway’, which provides our Senior School pupils with a structured programme of university and career education, advice and guidance tailored to the needs of their age group.

Pupils in years 9 to 12 got direct access to admissions officers from over 75 top-ranked schools in more than 20 global destinations. They were able start mapping out their futures and learn more about what higher education opportunities are available to them as well as what they can do to become more competitive applicants.

Our University Fair is the key event in the College’s university guidance programme and is an important annual milestone on our 'Higher Education Pathway’, which provides our Senior School pupils with a structured programme of university and career education, advice and guidance tailored to the needs of their age group.

Selected Offers 2023







For the past three years, we have hosted this event online. This has been out of necessity, owing to pandemic-related restrictions. But we have also seen universities make a general strategic shift to online. Part of this is simply a matter of meeting potential students where they are. After all, secondary school-aged children are digital natives through and through. 

Whether we continue to hold this event fully online in the years to come remains to be seen.

Watch Global University Fair 2023 

Questions Asked, Questions Answered

Regardless, we have discovered a lot of unique and unexpected benefits to an online format. For instance, this year, we were even better equipped to give more of our Senior School pupils a way to get ahead of the process. This is because we opened virtual conference rooms with admissions representatives to anybody who wanted to attend. Even our year 9 pupils who had not yet conducted any in-depth university research could join in and observe. They had the opportunity to learn what these schools can offer them and what kinds of questions they should be prepared to ask when start looking for schools in earnest.

The event was also exclusive to only Wellington College China pupils. They, therefore, had a lot more face time with admissions representatives from top-ranked schools like McGill, Pomona, School of the Visual Arts and Nanyang Technological University and enjoyed much more personal attention. This allowed them to dive much deeper than the FAQs on schools’ websites. For example, when it comes to merit-based scholarships, most universities only volunteer two figures: the number awarded and how much money. That does not paint the full picture. A key number they typically do not advertise is what kind of IB score usually gets the scholarship. Our exclusive online setting enabled pupils to drill down on more questions like these and get much more detailed and actionable information.

Another clear benefit to this online format was simply its versatility. It offered a suitable means of interaction for a wider range of personality types. Some of our pupils prefer direct conversation, others prefer to take in information passively. Some want to be seen. Others prefer to sit in on a conference with the camera off. Going digital enabled our pupils to participate in whatever way they felt most comfortable.

And although the fair has concluded, we encourage all Senior School parents to talk with their children about the fair experience and the questions it has stirred in them about the future. For those parents who want to learn more about the event or have other questions about university and careers, please contact the University Guidance team anytime.

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