<p>I just submitted my application for the UWC's a couple of days ago, so naturally I'm a nervous wreck. I was wondering if anybody knows what the chances are of at least getting an interview for the UWC's in the United States. I know that around one hundred students are interviewed, but out of how many?</p>
<p>I hear there is about a total 10% acceptance rate.</p>
<p>Do you mind me asking what area you live in? There are usually 10 or so interview locations in the US, and you're being compared with people who interview at the same location.
Living in NY, I feel that I have a disadvantage compared to someone interviewing in the midwest or similar, since there's probably going to be more (and better) competition.</p>
<p>@ travelcrazed- Do you mean that a certain number of students are chosen from each interview location? I didn't realize that. I live in West Virginia which I wouldn't be too concerned about except that I'm very close to D.C., and I'm assuming that it will be an interview location. Probably competitive.</p>
<p>I honestly have no idea... I'm sure they consider geographical/ethnic diversity, and since there are only 50 people picked the admissions officers probably convene after all the interviews have taken place and lobby for who they think best deserves to be admitted.
By location, I meant that someone from a more affluent area would (most likely) have stiffer competition to be compared against -- not necessarily that each location or admissions officer is allowed to admit x number of people.</p>
<p>
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I hear there is about a total 10% acceptance rate.
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From what I know, the rate is higher than that for the first round. Last year about 400 applied and, as lady janet said, around 100 (125?) were interviewed. So that puts the acceptance rate for interviews at around 25-32%. However, that's only for interviews. The UWC-USA website says that there are about six or seven applicants for Davis Scholarship, so that could make the overall acceptance rate as low as 13%.</p>
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I live in West Virginia which I wouldn't be too concerned about except that I'm very close to D.C., and I'm assuming that it will be an interview location. Probably competitive.
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I never heard of them using the regional acceptance method, but lots of programs do. Makes me nervous too! I just applied as well and I'm from rural PA. The two closest interview locations to me are NY and DC. Eek for both!</p>
<p>Good luck all!</p>
<p>Wow, only 400 applied last year?</p>
<p>I guess that would explain why no one I've talked to (sans alumni) has even heard of them.</p>
<p>@ travelcrazed- I understand you now. They probably have more interview locations along the Eastern seaboard than in the Midwest though, don't you think? I mean, more people probably apply from the East coast just because there are more people there.</p>
<p>@ embeezy- Wow, just 400 applications? I didn't think it would be very high because I know a lot of people haven't heard about it, but I didn't realize it was that low. That makes me feel a little better about getting an interview, but I'm just as nervous about getting in! ;)</p>
<p>Yup, only 400. And I think that was even an increase from the year before. I think that's how a lot of really great schools/programs are. Those in the world of academia know these programs are amazing and really prestigious, but everyone else just thinks you're repeating the 11th grade. Ah well, what can you do?</p>
<p>So what did everyone write their essays about? I'm so nervous! UWC is my dream (high) school.</p>
<p>So I'm not the only one who will be "repeating" eleventh grade? That's good to know. The few people I've talked to are sophomores going into their junior year.</p>
<p>Anyway, my essay was... okay I think. The topic I was going for was identity and the problems it can cause on a personal and international level. I'm really not sure if I got that across in under 500 words though, so I'm super nervous. Not to mention I wrote it pretty informally, and I don't know if that was O.K. The writing itself was good though. I'm proud of the style more than the content, I'm sorry to say.</p>
<p>I'm curious about what kind of extra-curricular/service activities you all listed. That's definitely the weakest part of my application. My academics are very strong and if my essay was coherent then it's really good, but I haven't been involved in a lot of outside activities, at least not in high school. I'm afraid that everyone else who applied has started their own organization to raise money to cure cancer or something like that.</p>
<p>ladyjanet--No, you're not. In fact, I think we're in the significant majority. Almost everyone that is accepted is a junior (don't have a statistic on that one, but it's been the trend for the duration of the program).</p>
<p>My 500 word essay was about being an atheist in a tiny town that is dominated by Baptists and Lutherans, including my parents, and the importance of accepting diversity. I really have no idea if it came across how I planned, but it was pretty personal so I certainly hope so. ou have no idea how nervous I am about this! Eek!</p>
<p>As far as ECs, I don't have anything mind blowing but they're fairly strong in that they're diversified. Music, political organizing, environmental shtuff, lots of leadership positions at my school, etc, etc.</p>
<p>Embeezy, I meant to ask you what part of Pennsylvania you're from. I'm curious because I'm from the Eastern panhandle of WV, so I've been in and out of the southern bits of PA a few times. Maybe I've passed you on the street! lol
Yeah, my EC's are very weak. Concert band, marching band, 4-H, class officers, and then I always help out with inventory at my old middle school library. I used to do a lot more stuff, but that was back in middle school or elementary school. Freshman year was awful for me so I wasn't involved in anything at all. I only started getting back into things towards the end of my sophomore year.</p>
<p>@Embeezy: "Yup, only 400. And I think that was even an increase from the year before."</p>
<p>That's promising. I can see that rising this year, though, because parents are probably looking for ways to skirt a year or two of private school tuition.</p>
<p>@ladyjanet: Southcentral PA, to be vague. PM me for specifics, if you wantsies. : D</p>
<p>@travel: I don't know if I would attribute the rise in applicants to parents wanting to save some dough. I hope, at least, that it's because the program is reaching out to more students and more people are realizing how amazing it is. Just my two cents.</p>
<p>@embeezy- I won't press you for more specifics about where you live for fear I come off as a stalker ;p. But it sounds like we don't live that apart! Kind of a cool coincidence.</p>
<p>So anyway, where are you all hoping to go if you get accepted? I'm personally pretty undecided, but Norway tops my list right now.</p>
<p>They all look pretty awesome, especially Li Po Chun (although that's probably just because they have the most polished website). I'd go to any of them (sans Simon Bolivar) in a heartbeat.</p>
<p>It's funny how much impact the look of the website can have on a person. India topped my list for a long time partly because of how easily navigated and welcoming their website is. Then the attacks in Mumbai occurred and my parents stopped being so supportive of it. They'll still let me go if I get accepted and offered a place at the Mahindra UWC, but they won't be too happy about it.</p>
<p>Costa Rica! I'm in love with it. But I'd be happy at Wales, USA, Canada, or Italy too. The Norway one did look interesting but I don't know much about it. I love Spanish, the environment, and Latin America so Costa Rica is a perfect fit for me : )</p>
<p>Except I will admit that the Costa Rica website is pretty bad grammar wise. There are typos on like ever page. But I'm pretty sure that's because it's the only bilingual school, i.e. the only one where English isn't the only language spoken officially. But still, it's pretty funny reading it.</p>
<p>Can I just say how jealous I am of you all, reading this thread? I only found out about the UWCs last spring, which is too late for me to have actually applied, when a girl from my high school went to Li Po Chun. I wish I'd known in time to apply! My point in posting--she loves Li Po Chun, and has done some awesome awesome things in her one semester there! It's academically rigorous (as you know!), and has a great location for travelling in places you wouldn't otherwise (she's been to mainland China, Thailand, and Cambodia since getting there). Plus, they always do these cool cultural nights with different places. I've seen pictures and videos, and it looks like a lot of fun.</p>
<p>Hye, i just received word that i might be studying at the college in Italy. Was wondering if any of you out there could provide me with some information about the life and academics there since the website wasn't really useful...Especially the academic ranking as compared the other UWC's?? Haiz...Really wanted to go to Armand Hammer...</p>