University Application Consultation

Before their final year of GCSE, students should begin researching their future career choices, so that they can choose the right A-Level courses, so that they can apply to their ideal programs of study at the best British Universities. Hong Kong students who are most concerned about salary should check the SCMP Salary Survey or Forbes. Other students may prefer interesting work, security, or prestige. That being said, students who want to attend university in the UK should begin to research programs using the UCAS Search Tool or the Complete University Guide. UCAS also has very useful International Guides, written in English or Chinese, to help Hong Kong students, who are planning to apply to British universities.

During the summer, young international scholars should also consider visiting Oxford University and taking the Audio Admissions Tours or Cambridge University on an Open Day or LSE on an Open Day, to name but a few of the more prestigious British universities. For students who would like to attend university in Hong Kong, HKU offers many interesting non-credit bearing courses in their Summer Programme, like Dentistry and Oral Health. The Chinese University of Hong Kong offers a two-week summer orientation programme, and Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth runs the CTY at HKUST. Stanford University offers the Summer Institutes High School Program as part of the Education Program for Gifted Youth (EPGY), which is very popular with many young international scholars. We also recommend that students spend the summer reviewing the topics that they learned in the previous year, and also work ahead, learning all the new topics that will be studied in the next academic year. Our tutors have designed courses and also offer one-to-one lessons. Please contact us if you would like to register to join a course or book lessons.

Young international scholars are also advised to volunteer for a worthy and reputable charity, as well as to work in a career related internship, but these are fairly difficult to find without the help of parents. In addition, students should be exceptionally active in extracurricular activities, like sports, the arts, and student government. Most universities look favourably upon applicants who have held positions of leadership and have achieved excellence by winning awards and championships, especially in team competitions. Employers in many of the top firms in the most competitive industries prefer to hire these outstanding applicants because so many of today’s jobs require exceptional leaders who excel in team situations.

During the first year of IB Diploma or A-Level, students should actively attend all the univeristy presentations whether they are held at school or at the convention centre. Once students have narrowed their choices of undergraduate study, they should begin writing their Personal Statements. Our tutors can help in the planning, researching, and editing stages. Students who do not attend a school where English is medium of instruction should begin preparing for IELTS or TOFEL. Minimum required scores required for admission vary from university to university. Please contact us if you would like to register to join an IELTS or TOFEL course or book IELTS or TOFEL lessons. By the end of this academic year, students should begin asking their teachers for letters of reference or recommendation. Students should also begin researching and applying for scholarships, like the HKSAR Government Scholarship Fund or the Prince Philip Scholarship or the Sir Edward Youde Memorial Scholarship or many others.

As an approved UCAS (UK) Centre, International Scholars Tuition School has Educational Consultants who are able to provide valuable advice to Hong Kong students, to help them choose the most suitable courses at the highest ranking British universities, complete the UCAS Application accurately, submit the application before the deadlines, track the application online, and reply to offers.

IST Educational Consultants, who are graduates of Cambridge and Hong Kong (HKU) also offer tutorial lessons that help with planning, writing and editing personal statements and admission essays; practicing verbal and non-verbal interview and preparation skills; formulating and implementing study plans; and teaching the course curriculum and exam taking strategies to help maximize exam results and UCAS Tariff Points. For students who are also applying to Ivy League Universities and other top universities in the USA, IST Educational Consultants can help with the American Common Application and the SAT. Whether students are applying to British, American, Canadian, or Australian universities, or the best boarding schools, like Winchester College, Cheltenham Ladies College, or Milton Academy, IST advisors can also help students to learn cross-cultural etiquette and help to reduce the uncertainty of living overseas and away from home.