How I did it: I decided I didn't really want to stay at my school for sixth form (the last two years before university), and I knew I wanted to do the International Baccalaureate. The only state school in London that offered it didn't have a very good selection of subjects, and all the other (fee-paying) schools only had scholarships for current students who had fallen on bad times.

I was speaking to my maths teacher (who I was later told had taught at the UWC in Swaziland). She told me about the United World College movement and encouraged me to apply.

I wrote a personal statement (the first time I had written one, so my maths teacher, Ms G - who's also an assistant headteacher at my old school, - looked over it and gave me a few tips). She asked me what sort of schools I imagined the other (British) applicants would mostly come from, and what I might say about my school that could make me different.

At interview I was mostly asked about things I had written in my personal statement by (I think) two teachers and an ex-student. There was also a very informal interview with another teacher, and games, workshops and debates watched over by ex-students. These and the more formal interview and the information on the application form I was later told by a UWC GB Committee member hold about equal weight when selecting candidates.

There was no conditional offer based on my GCSE grades.

When I received a letter I was very fortunate enough to get in first time and with a full scholarship, but if this doesn't happen for you don't panic -- I know both people who have successfully applied second time round and who have found the resources (through Committee-recommended scholarship funders, family friends / employers, loans, et cetera).

Lessons & tips: If you're applying in Britain (England, Scotland or Wales) then my experience should shed a little light on the application process -- they vary from one National Committee to another.

A good UWC student, some would argue, is (in no particular order): -
- Academically able
- Committed to community service
- Aware of international issues

Resources: The UWC website and those of the various National Committees.

Perhaps you could use Facebook, MySpace, et cetera, to talk to current and ex-students, and co-applicants

Oct 08, 2008, 11:23AM PDT | 2 comments | 3 cheers