<p>The application isn’t out until August 31st though…just a few more days!</p>
<p>@emmy0126, small world!! I live about three hours out of Chicago! Hopefully we will be able to meet in person at UWC interviews! :)</p>
<p>what are you doing to set yourself apart from other applicants? I still really don’t know what sets me apart yet…</p>
<p>@Spislaa I’ve also been pondering that question and wondering what I would answer with. There are plenty of routes to take when answering this extremely difficult question, and I, for one, know that I’m a bit unclear as well. Start with something specific that you are extremely passionate about. Then think about what it means and says about you. My general idea of an answer to this kind of a question seems to be specific to me, yet extremely broad at the same time. I believe in you! (And we still have plenty of time :D)</p>
<p>That is tricky one for me as well. I think you can write something very small that is nothing special for you about yourself but they find that very interesting. I don’t think they are expecting us to write huge things. I can imagine myself answering an other question and writing something very simple about myself but that thing captures their attention. I think you never know what they are going to find interesing about you. :)</p>
<p>I know that last year (in the U.S.), the website said that applications would be out on August 31, but it was delayed and they didn’t actually come out until October 31. I’m hoping that won’t happen again this year…</p>
<p>I live in Washington! Where in Oregon do you live?</p>
<p>@Spislaa, sorry that was directed at you.</p>
<p>@amayzingdaisy omg I hope that doesn’t happen again! I live in Milwaukie, so right outside of Portland. hbu?</p>
<p>@aanpan, Where in the UK do you live? I just moved to South Cumbria 
Are you in Year 11 or 12? And yep, definitely a tough process, but we have it lucky cos there are only about 120 applicants as opposed to almost 1000 in the U.S. (I think?). Also, do you know when the application is coming out in the UK?</p>
<p>About our passions and stuff, I find myself interesting in lots of ways ( 
) and I’ve had lots of experiences from living overseas that set me apart, but I don’t feel I have ONE main passion about something. I enjoy lots of things, I like finding out about things, I love reading, I have various hobbies but no one passion… 
Does it matter? Or would the national committees not be bothered that there wasn’t one topic that you knew loads about or felt really strongly about or… yeah. Would it make sense to say that perhaps a UWC would help you find that one thing to be passionate about?</p>
<p>Thanks :)</p>
<p>@sour5hip, I live about 30 minutes north of the city. YES! we will meet in person at the interviews—Positive mindset!</p>
<p>@Pashay I think I have that same problem that I’m not really super super passionate about one thing. I love a few things but there isn’t one that really stands out… maybe they will like that??</p>
<p>Yeah Spislaa, I’ve been thinking about it for a while… Obviously they don’t want everyone the same so variety’s ok; I think so long as you stand out and are unique they’ll find you really interesting :)</p>
<p>Hi guys! i’m considering applying for the 2014 school year. </p>
<p>I’m kind of nervous about a few factors of my application. Last year I spent a year abroad in France. This international experienced made me want to continue to take advantage of any international opportunities that could be presented to me - with UWC being the prime example of a perfect way to satisfy this need. </p>
<p>France, of course, taught me loads about myself and the world around me and I regret absolutely nothing about having this wonderful experience as a sophomore. However, for applying for UWC, I’m a bit worried about my grades.</p>
<p>In freshman year I had a weighted 4.5 gpa with straight A’s, I did field hockey and varsity speech and debate and theater - many generic high school activities. Then I went to France for my entire sophomore year. Though it was a great experience, I dont really have anything besides pass/fail grades for my entire sophomore year, would that put me at a disadvantage? I also haven’t taken the SAT and feel that taking the SAT in time for the application might rush me a bit, for I’ve missed all last summer where I could be preparing. I’ll try anyway, but I’m worried about that, too.</p>
<p>Now that I’m back I’m taking 4 AP classes, one honors class, and I’m part of the school news paper. I’m starting two clubs, one that volunteers with children in my community, and another that allows high school students who enjoy performing to put on shows (like talent shows) to raise money for local charities. I also volunteer with AFS - the volunteer organisation that I used to go abroad. I prepare kids to start their international experiences abroad and I’m here to greet them when they return.</p>
<p>Knowing all this, and knowing, as well, that I may be stunted a bit in my sat (having not been in American high school for a year) and my sophomore year grades, do I have a chance of getting in? </p>
<p>Thanks so much, I’d love to hear back from anyone who could give even the smallest amount of feedback!</p>
<p>I don’t think that grades are a huge deal, I’m sure studying abroad will help you, but I’ve read lots of other forums and they just want to know that you are capable of doing the IB work.</p>
<p>I agree with the above, though I recognise that in the US there is a lot more competition which means you do have to be very good academically. You sound like you’ve done a lot of interesting things and are really invested in your community; make sure you’re doing it for you not just so it sounds good on a CV 
Otherwise, I think that your year in France will be an advantage rather than a disadvantage even if it has perhaps affected your grades or whatever… Were you in a French school or an American school in France?</p>
<p>Hey there everyone (:
Really?! Theres almost 1000 applicants for the US??
Thats some serious competition then!
@pashay well im actually half malaysian and half sri lankan by origin but I’m british citizen…
I’m actually currently living in south africa for almost 12 years now…before that i was in indonesia
its so hard to know what other applicants are like and what type of student UWC is really looking for… I’ve always studied at the american school here and its amazing at how many different types of people i meet each and every year…we have almost 96 different nationalities here… I’ve visited 25 countries around the world and its breath taking to realize how amazing and diverse our world actually is. I’ve also climbed the roof of africa, Mount Kilimanjaro when i was fourteen… Which taught so many important lessons for my future which I will carry with me forever…
I’m applying for UWC altantic college for september 2014 I’m in 10th grade now(which is if I’m correct year 11 in the UK)</p>
<p>Im so glad i found this thread!
Got an email saying that they removed the question on how you relate to Britain! Have you started filling out the application already and answering the questions??
The application just opened a few days! But i was recommended to apply through the Great Britain National Committee so everything is online for me :)</p>
<p>Thanks for replying!</p>
<p>Is the ib program considerably more difficult than normal high school, even ap classes? I’m trying to get a feel of what type of information I should display on the app… </p>
<p>I was in a French school! It was really wonderful, though I’m not a fan of the French school system ^^</p>
<p>@aanpan, Woah cool! And 25 countries 
My record is 13, on 4 continents… While I was reading through the Pearson College website, I found this thing they did with the “ideal” candidate; it basically has like 10 qualities people applying to UWC should have: [Pearson</a> College - Canada’s full scholarship school for students of exceptional promise and potential worldwide](<a href=“http://www.pearsoncollege.ca/p/?pgn=Apply&subpgn=ThingsYouShouldKnow&pn=IdealCandidate]Pearson”>http://www.pearsoncollege.ca/p/?pgn=Apply&subpgn=ThingsYouShouldKnow&pn=IdealCandidate)</p>
<p>@neeve16, I don’t know much about AP classes etc., I’ve never been in the American system though I have lots of friends who have, but the IB is often described as more rigorous and challenging than typical courses like A levels in the UK (dunno about how it compares to the States…). It prepares you more for what university will be like, but yes, it is probably a bit harder. That’s why they ask for your grades when you apply to UWC, because they want to be sure you’re capable of managing the IB; if you can get into UWC, you’ll be fine in the IB 
I’m not a massive fan of the French system either, and I’ve been in it 8 years 
But didn’t it set you back when you returned to the US? As in having been in a different system, you must have missed some things they did in the US and been ahead in some things in France… Were you in 2nde?</p>
<p>That’s really interesting. I mean, the french system was great on a national level, just because of how standardized and uniform it is. In the states, the caliber of a public high school depends on the area that it’s in, which I find to be a giant flaw in the system. But with the right teachers, I find that the american system is a lot more inspiring to students. </p>
<p>Well I took a lot of courses online to make up credits. I was in premier L. I took algebra 2, English 10, and health online to make up credits, and I got physics, chemistry, and pe credits from my french school.I didn’t take the bac in France, though (at my school you had to sign up in 2nde so I couldn’t apply to take it).</p>