Top 10 Burning Questions From High School Students

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Returning to another semester of school, most of us are probably starting to worry about something which can be summed up with two words: University Applications. Questions like “What am I going to major in?”, “Should I have a dream school?”, and “What about extracurriculars?” start popping up in your head more and more as you approach the final countdown to college.

Well, you’re in luck. Because I have rounded up some of the most brilliant seniors and juniors to give you some tried-and-true advice!

Q

How do you determine your dream school/college?

Linda H. a senior at Beijing City International School (BCIS) in the IBDP program says:

“For me, I have to see whether or not the school has a rigorous and famous program for what I want to study. But more importantly, I look at how well my values are embodied by the school mission, and how well I can fit into the atmosphere and the school body.”

Q

Am I still able to have time to myself (aka fun) in my junior & senior years of high school?

Juyeon K. a senior at BCIS in the IBDP program says:

“Of course, you can! As long as you don’t procrastinate and find the balance between academics and extracurricular activities (more on that later in Q5 & Q6). Especially kids who are currently enrolled in the International Baccalaureate Programme, don’t procrastinate on your EE and your IAs. You will thank me later.”

Q

How do I determine what I want to major in?

Jenny a junior at Pakistani Embassy College Beijing (PECB) in the IGCSE program says:

“I think choosing courses/classes you’re particularly interested in or something you’re good at is a good option if you’re still unsure of what you wish to major in. Who knows, maybe you’ll find yourself wanting to major in one of those courses/classes as the year goes on.”

Q

Should I be engaged in a lot of extracurricular activities? Or should I be studying 24/7?

Caroline H. a senior at Yew Chung International School of Beijing (YCIS Beijing) in the IBDP program says:

“Yes, you should definitely be engaged in extracurriculars. Most universities take extracurricular activities really seriously because it shows you can contribute to their community. On the other hand, although studying is vital it shouldn’t take up your life. So, find some time for yourself and balance it out.”

Q

I want to participate in extracurricular activities, but there’s so much I want to do.  Which ones should I choose?

Martin W. a senior at THIS in the AP program says:

“Choose the ones you think are beneficial for the pursuit in your major. If you still have extra time, participate in 1-2 more activities that relax yourself. Extracurricular activities should never overwhelm you to a large extent!”

Rachel B. a Y11 at Harrow Beijing (HBJ) in the IGCSE program adds:

“Also, choose a wider range. As in you could do one in sports like volleyball, one in academic or subject based like Model United Nations, and so on.”

Q

How important are internships? And how can I get one?

Kathy S. a Y11 at Harrow Beijing (HBJ) in the IGCSE program says:

“Internships are not obligatory, but there’s no harm in doing an internship that is relevant to your future major. It’s also something you can put on your personal statement if you decide to apply for UK universities. There are multiple ways to get one. You can ask your parents and your teachers for relevant resources, or even contact the firms directly.”

Q

Which program is better? AP (advanced placement), IB (international Baccalaureate),

IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education)?

Juyeon K.:

“IB requires much effort and time, and you may not have enough time for extracurriculars or internship opportunities because of EE, TOK, and IAs. AP is more standardized than IB since IB students only get predicted scores not the actual ones. Taking AP may allow you to spend more time refining your university application and partake in extracurriculars.”

Kathy S.:

“IGCSEs are primarily for the UK universities while IB has more global recognition. In IGCSE, students usually take 10 subjects in preparation for the A-levels where it’s condensed down to 3. So, the A-levels/IGCSE is really focused and for people who have a solid idea of what they want to do in the future.”

Q

Is the university ranking the most important thing to consider when choosing where to apply to?

Linda H.:

“Definitely not. No matter where I go, I’ll still pursue my passion. For me personally, location is what matters. Because I want to study in Boston, all of the universities I had on my list were located in Boston. While people may say ranking is important, and it is to a certain extent, many other things such as the location, the culture, whether it’s safe or not, matters a lot.”

Q

How many universities should I apply for?

Rachel B.:

“The UK universities go through a UCAS application and it has a limit of 5 schools. Another limit is that you can only apply for either Oxford or Cambridge. So, for students taking the IGCSE, your limit is 5.”

Jenny:

“I think 7-10, if you’re doing the United States system, is a good idea so you don’t overwork yourself. If you think you have time for more, then go for it. Just make sure you are comfortable and still able to keep up with your daily workload.”

Images: Pexels

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