Go after Your Dream! 天津惠灵顿学校2020优秀毕业生的成功故事

A Success Story of 

Recently Graduated Students 

at Wellington College Tianjin

勇敢追求你的梦想

天津惠灵顿学校2020优秀毕业生的成功故事

Cindy

When did you start your studies at Wellington College International Tianjin?

I first came to Wellington College Tianjin in Year 7 and studied here for three years before I was transferred to another school, and I returned in Year 12, and it was here that I graduated.

Why Wellington? What attracted you the most to study in Wellington?

The Wellington College education system was the most important reason to return and what attracted me to graduate here. Of course, I also missed my classmates and teachers, but more importantly, the whole environment at the College. It does not feel like a school, but rather like a home, a big family, where everyone treats me as someone they value.

你是什么时候来天津惠灵顿学校学习的？

我第一次来天津惠灵顿学校时是7年级，在这里学习了三年后我转去了其他的学校。我在12年级的时候再次回到天津惠灵顿学校学习直到毕业。

为什么会选择天津惠灵顿学校？学校的哪方面优势最吸引你？

惠灵顿的教育体系是吸引我回来的最重要的原因。当然，我也想念我的同学和老师。但更重要的是这个学校的环境，这里的感觉不像是一所学校，而是一个大家庭，每个人都把我当作自己珍视的人。

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Briefly describe for us a typical day in your life as a student at Wellington.

During a typical day at Wellington, I attend a tutoring group and lessons, as well as meeting with my friends for a chat, and attending after-school activities. Students can choose whatever we’re interested in to spend some down time. After the activities, there is prep time when students do homework, after which we go home.

What do you do during the time you have to yourself?

I spend most of my free time with my friends, and even when we have heavy academic demands, we work and study together, which is less stressful than working alone. I also spend time with my pet, who gives me a lot of comfort when I am feeling stressed.

What part of studying at Wellington College International Tianjin will you miss the most?

When I leave Wellington, I will really miss high school life, and of course spending time with my friends.

天津惠灵顿学校学生的一天是什么样子的呢？

我在学校的一天一般是这样的：和辅导员见面，上课，和朋友们见面聊天，然后参加课后活动。在课后活动时间，学生们可以选择任何他们感兴趣的课程，活动结束后是做作业的自习课时间。

课余时间你一般会做什么？

我大部分课余时间都和朋友在一起，即使在学业压力很重时也是这样；我们会一起学习，这比起独自学习有助于我们疏解压力。我也会和我的宠物一起玩，当我感到有压力时，它会给我很多安慰。

毕业之后，你会最想念惠灵顿学习时光的哪个部分？

当我离开天津惠灵顿学校时，我会非常怀念高中生活，当然也会怀念和朋友们一起度过的时光。

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What universities have you received offers from so far, and where are they? Why did you choose these universities as your dream universities?

I have received offers from the University of Virginia and the University of Rochester in the U.S., and from UCL, Warwick, and Edinburgh in the UK. I plan to major in Business, and I was looking for universities that would provide the best preparation for my future career, so I chose those with the strongest Business majors. I also considered the location and rankings of the institutions, as well as what they could offer in addition to the academic aspects.

Talk us through the process of applying to universities abroad. What do you have to do, how long does the process take, and what is expected of you?

Regarding the application process, there were differences between applying in the U.S. and applying to the U.K.  The U.S. process was a long one, because it involved taking many tests that I had to study for, such as the TOEFL and SAT tests. In addition to making sure that my grades in AS, the first year of A-Level, were good, I participated in many extra-curricular activities to show that I was a well-rounded student.

I also had to prepare an application essay with a Personal Statement and get recommendation letters from teachers. The process took me about three years. The U.K. application process was similar, but a little less paperwork.

Once I had finally decided to go to the University of Virginia in the U.S., I had to fulfil a long list of requirements regarding my courses, accommodation, health aspects, and the necessary visa. I plan to stay in a dorm and have already discussed sharing with a friend from Beijing.

Why is the application essay so important, and what do you think made your essays so successful?

The essay is an important part of the application process because it allows me to really express myself. While anyone can get good grades or do special activities, in an essay, you can really show who you are, what kind of person you are, what you value the most in your life, and what has shaped you. You can also explain what makes you suitable to be a part of a particular university, and what kind of contribution they can expect from you.

Which part or parts of the process did you find most challenging, and why?

The essay was the most challenging part of the process, because each university would ask different questions, all of which required plenty of writing, and sometimes I felt I was running out of ideas, or that the questions were difficult to answer. I had to spend a lot of time thinking, exploring, and coming up with ideas that I could really develop.

With whom did you have an admissions interview? How did you prepare?

I was offered an alumni interview with someone from one of the universities. I prepared by doing some online research to find typical interview questions. I needed to know what I’m looking for, and make sure I know who I am and what I want. I also needed to know what I expect from the university, and what really attracted me and made me want to apply to that university.

How did you feel after the interview? Did you get any feedback from the interviewer after the interview?

After the interview, I felt relieved that it was over. The person who interviewed me commented that it had been a good interview but was not allowed to give more specific feedback.

到目前为止，你收到了哪些大学的录取通知书，是哪些国家的大学？你为什么选择这些大学作为你梦想中的大学？

我收到了来自美国弗吉尼亚大学、罗切斯特大学，以及英国伦敦大学学院、华威大学和爱丁堡大学的录取通知书。我计划主修商业，因此在选择大学时，考虑的是哪所大学能为我未来职业生涯提供最好的前期准备，因此我选择了那些拥有最强商业专业的大学。我还考虑了这些大学的位置和排名，以及它们除了学术方面之外还能提供什么。

现在和我们聊聊申请海外大学的过程吧。你需要做什么，这个过程需要多长时间？

在申请过程中，申请美国和英国的大学有很大的不同。申请美国学校的流程很长，包括很多需要花时间准备的考试，例如托福和SAT考试。除了确保我的成绩全A，我在学习A-Level的第一年也参加了许多课外活动，以展现我是一个全面发展的学生。

我还需要准备一篇包括个人陈述在内的申请文书，同时请老师们为我写推荐信。这个过程花了我大约三年的时间。英国申请程序相似，但需要的文书会少一些。

当我最终决定去美国弗吉尼亚州大学后，还有一系列的事情要忙，包括我未来的课程、住宿、健康方面以及签证的要求。我打算住在学校宿舍，已经决定和我一个北京的朋友做室友。

为什么申请文书如此重要？你觉得自己的文书的成功之处在哪里？

这篇文书的重要之处在于它能够让我真正展示自己。任何人都可以取得好成绩，或参加一些特别的活动，但在这篇文书中，你可以充分展示独一无二的自己，尽情表达自己是什么样的人，你生命中最珍惜什么，以及什么塑造了你。你也可以在文书中阐述是什么让你格外适合这所大学，你又能为大学做出什么样的贡献。

你觉得这个过程中的哪一部分最具挑战性，为什么？

这篇文书是整个过程中最具挑战性的部分，因为每所大学都会问不同的问题，所有这些问题都需要大量的写作。有时我觉得自己已经不知道要写什么了，或者问题太难回答了。我需要花很多时间思考和探索，这样才能够写出真正有建设性的内容。

你参加过哪所学校的入学面试？你是怎么准备的？

我有幸获得过一所大学的校友面试的机会。我在准备时，先在网上搜到了一些典型的面试问题。以这些问题为基础，我需要思考自己想要追求什么，擅长什么，想要什么。我还需要思考自己对大学有何期望，大学的哪一方面真正吸引了我，使我想申请那所大学。

面试后你感觉如何？面试后你从招生官那里得到了什么反馈吗？

面试结束后，我感到如释重负。面试我的招生官说，这是一次很好的面试，但他不能给出更具体的反馈了。

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What support and assistance did you get during the application process?

I received a lot of valuable support from my two counsellors, including help with collecting the necessary letters, writing the essays and generally getting everything in order.

How has being a student at Wellington College prepared you for studying abroad?

The College enabled me to experience an English-speaking environment, and also encouraged independent learning, a skill which is really necessary at university. I also learned many social skills which will be required when I have to interact with people from all around the world. Studying at an international school gave me the opportunity to get to know more about other backgrounds and other cultures.

你在申请过程中得到了哪些支持和帮助？

我从我的两位升学指导老师那里得到了很多宝贵的支持，其中包括帮助我请其他老师写推荐信、撰写文书，保证我按部就班地完成申请流程。

天津惠灵顿学校对你准备出国学习有怎样的帮助？

这所学校让我体验了一个全英文的环境，同时也鼓励了我独立学习——这是大学里非常必要的一项技能。当我在学校与来自世界各地的同学们交流，还学到了许多必要的社交技巧。在一所国际学校学习使我有机会更多地了解其他国家的背景和文化。

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You will always be known as the Class of 2020 - the Covid-19 year. In spite of very difficult circumstances, you managed to get to the top. How did the virus impact you and your studies, and what you have learnt from this experience?

When students had to switch to e-learning, it caused a lot of stress and panic, especially when exams were cancelled and the future looked uncertain. I had felt like giving up, but through their support and encouragement, my teachers and counsellors got me back on track, and I managed to complete all my work and graduate. It was a hard but memorable experience, and I learned that it’s important to stay strong at all times, even if it’s just to support others.

Please share one piece of advice you have for other students.

The most important skill to focus on while you’re applying to universities is time management. You have to have a clear plan of what needs to be accomplished, and when, because deadlines are really tight, and you have to make sure to meet them.

Is there anything you would like to add and share with our readers?

Even though it’s still a hard time right now and the situation is serious outside of China, those who are going abroad shouldn’t worry because they won’t be alone. So, my final advice is, “Be safe, and don’t be scared.”

毕业在疫情影响下的一年，2020届的毕业生将永远是特别的。但尽管情况非常艰难，你们还是收获了优秀的录取结果。疫情对你和你的学习生活造成了什么影响，你从这次经历中学到了什么？

当学生不得不转成线上学习时，这会造成很大的压力和恐慌。特别是当时公共考试接连取消，未来充满了不确定。我曾经想过放弃，但是我的授课老师和升学指导老师们一直以来的支持和鼓励让我重拾信心，我成功地完成了所有的学业顺利毕业。这是一次艰难但难忘的经历，我明白了时刻保持坚强是很重要的，即使只是为了支持自己的人们。

请分享一条建议给其他的学生。

当你们申请大学时，最重要的是管理时间的能力。你们必须有一个清晰的计划，明确什么内容需要在什么时间完成，因为时间真的很紧迫，必须保证在截止日期前完成相应的内容。

你还有什么想要对读者们说的吗？

尽管现在的形势还很严峻，海外的疫情也很严重，但即将出国的人们也不需要担心，因为他们不是在独自奋斗。因此，我最后的建议是，“请保护好自己，不要畏惧”。

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Willy

When did you start your studies at Wellington College International Tianjin?

I started at Wellington College in year 7, in 2013.

Why Wellington? What attracted you the most to study in Wellington?

I chose Wellington after searching through the official website and seeing their photo and video galleries and seeing that they had so many different activities going on. I was also attracted by the diversity in the College.

Briefly describe for us a typical day in your life as a student at Wellington.

I have lessons as usual, like any other student, but I spend my breaktimes and lunchtimes talking with different people and trying to use English or Mandarin with my friends as well.

你是什么时候来天津惠灵顿学校学习的？

我来到天津惠灵顿学校上学时是7年级，2013年。

为什么会选择天津惠灵顿学校？学校的哪方面优势最吸引你？

来到天津惠灵顿学校之前，我浏览了学校的官方网站，看到了许多学校的照片和视频，了解到学校里经常进行着很多不同的活动。同时，我也被学校呈现出的文化多样性所吸引。

天津惠灵顿学校学生的一天是什么样子的呢？

我和大家一样上课，在课余时间和午餐时间与不同的人交谈，尝试尽可能多地运用英语或普通话。

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What part of studying at Wellington College International Tianjin will you miss the most?

I have become used to studying in small classes with very few students. When I go to university, there will be many people crowded into one place, listening to one person, so teachers will not be able to pay very much attention to me, and I think the interest and attention that the teachers have given to me since Year 11 is what I will miss the most. The individual attention and support I have received at Wellington will help me to excel at university.

What universities have you received offers from so far, and where are they? Why did you choose these universities as your dream universities?

I have received an offer from YONSEI University in Seoul, one of the best private universities in South Korea, founded in 1885. I chose this university because they have an international institute with students from around the world, and I think such a society will be great in helping me adapt after 17 years of living in the same place.

毕业之后，你会最想念惠灵顿学习时光的哪个部分？

我已经习惯了小班教学的形式，一个班里只有几位学生。但在大学，会有很多人在一个教室里，听一个人讲课，因此老师们不会格外关注到我，我想我应该会最怀念从11年级以来老师们对我的关心和关注，而我在惠灵顿得到的关怀和支持将帮助我在大学里同样取得优异成绩。

到目前为止，你收到了哪些大学的录取通知书，是哪些国家的大学？你为什么选择这些大学作为你梦想中的大学？

我收到了位于首尔的延世大学（YONSEI University）的录取，这是韩国最好的私立大学之一，创建于1885年。我之所以选择这所大学，是因为他们有一所汇集了来自世界各地的学生的国际学院，在同一个地方生活了17年后，我认为这样的环境会帮助我更好地过渡和适应。

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What are the fields you finally decided to study in at university?

I chose International Relations. I feel suited to this type of field because I can speak English, Mandarin and Korean, and in International Relations, one communicates with many international people, or works with people around the world. 

你最后决定在大学学习哪个方向？

我选择了国际关系。我觉得我很适合这一领域，因为我掌握英语、普通话和韩语三种语言；在国际关系中，一个人需要与许多国际人士沟通，并且与来自世界各地的人们合作。

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Which part or parts of the process did you find most challenging, and why?

I found parts of the application process very hard, especially the application essay. The process should be very carefully thought through and carried out because although there are several chances to succeed at later stages, it’s important to do well at this stage, but getting good grades for a subject is the most important part.

The application essay is very important. The university is giving students the chance to show what kind of person they are, and what kind of personalities and abilities they have. Students can showcase themselves in their Personal Statement in the application essay.

The Personal Statement was the most challenging because I had to think about the past and what I had done, my activities, the academic progress that I had made, and what kind of person I am.

Part of the application process involves an interview. I had my admission interview with my university counsellor at Wellington, and he prepared me by getting me to think about what kind of questions I would be asked, and the answers I could give. After the interview, I didn’t get any actual feedback, but I felt relieved that it was over.

你觉得申请大学的过程中，哪一部分最具挑战性，为什么？

申请过程中，有些部分很难，尤其是申请文书的撰写。整个过程需要非常慎重地考虑和进行，因为虽然在后期也有对取得成功非常重要的阶段，但在文书阶段做好文字工作是很重要的；此外，取得好成绩是一切的重中之重。

申请文书也是十分重要的。它是一所大学给予学生的机会，让申请人充分表达自己，展现自己的个性和能力。学生可以在申请文书中的个人陈述中完整地展示自己。

个人陈述也很具有挑战性，因为我必须仔细梳理自己过去都做了些什么，参与过的活动，在学习上取得的进步，深入地进行自我分析。

申请过程中还有面试环节。我在学校接受了升学指导老师团队的入学面试模拟，老师让我思考我会被问到什么样的问题，以及我能给出什么样的答案。真正的面试结束后，我虽然没有得到任何的反馈，但让我感到欣慰的是，我终于完成了面试。

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What support and assistance did you get during the application process?

What made my essay so successful was the help I received from the university counsellor at Wellington College and people around the school who advised me on things like grammar and where I could give more insight in the essay. 

你在申请过程中得到了哪些支持和帮助？

学校的升学指导老师和其他老师都给了我许多帮助，他们在语法等方面给我提供了建议，也指出了我文章中欠缺的东西，我的申请文书因为他们才变得出色。

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How has being a student at Wellington College prepared you for studying abroad?

Wellington College has prepared me for studying abroad because it has a lot of diverse nationalities among teachers, friends and classmates. I feel that talking with different people and learning about new types of language and culture have prepared me for studying abroad because it’ll be easier to accept and understand others.

天津惠灵顿学校对你准备出国学习有怎样的帮助？

天津惠灵顿学校让我做好了出国留学的准备，因为这里有很多不同国籍的老师、朋友和同学。我觉得和不同的人交谈，学习新的语言和文化，都是为出国留学做准备，这些都让我更容易接受和理解别人。

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What are the steps to follow after you have secured a place at a university? 

Briefly explain about the visa process and other procedures you need to follow in order to go abroad.

Since I chose a university in Korea, this process will be complicated because I am still going to be spending time in both China and Korea and will have to get my tourist visa processed whenever I travel back to China.

当你确定了要去的大学的时候，接下来需要做什么？签证和其他准备工作的流程是怎样的？

因为我选择了韩国的一所大学，这个过程会很复杂，因为我还要在中国和韩国各呆上一段时间，而且每次回中国都要办理旅游签证。

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You will always be known as the Class of 2020 - the Covid-19 year. In spite of very difficult circumstances, you managed to get to the top. How did the virus impact you and your studies, and what you have learnt from this experience?

I learned through this experience that you know yourself better. Although I found it quite hard getting through the virus crisis since students couldn’t do their exams or have their graduation, I have become more independent and self-disciplined, with better time management, and these are important skills for my future, too.

I feel proud of what I’ve done. Although I wasn’t always a student who worked hard, as from Year 10, I started to view the world more widely, and think about what kind of university offered the opportunities that I was looking for, and which subjects I would need to study. I came to realize that a person must develop from being immature to being mature, and through this process understand how certain subjects are essential and influential.

毕业在疫情影响下的一年，2020届的毕业生将永远是特别的。但尽管情况非常艰难，你们还是收获了优秀的录取结果。疫情对你和你的学习生活造成了什么影响，你从这次经历中学到了什么？

我从这次经历中学到，只有自己才更加知道如何管理自己。虽然疫情导致有些学生不能参加考试或参加毕业典礼让我有些焦虑，但我变得更加独立和自律，也拥有更好的时间分配管理能力，而这些也是我未来的重要技能。

我为自己目前的成绩感到骄傲。虽然我并不是一个一直非常努力学习的学生，但从10年级开始，我就更广泛地了解这个世界，思考什么样的大学会带来适合我的机会，我又需要为之学习哪些科目。我开始意识到一个人必须从不成熟成长到成熟，并通过这个过程了解一些特定的学科对自己的重要性和影响力。

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How do you balance a hectic academic schedule and your free time? What do you do during the time you have to yourself?

I like to do sport, such as football, swimming and badminton. Whenever I’m frustrated with an academic task, I put it aside and go out for some exercise, like walking around or running, just to relieve the stress, and then come back again and start from a new point.

你是如何平衡繁忙的学习日程和课余时间的？你对自己有什么要求？

我喜欢运动，如足球、游泳和羽毛球。每当我在学习上遇到阻碍，感到沮丧时，我就把它放在一边，出去做一些运动，比如散步或跑步，这样可以减轻我的压力，并帮助我从新的角度重新思考学业上的问题。

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Please share one piece of advice you have for other students.

I advise those who are staying at Wellington to enjoy the time that they are spending here right now, feel great appreciation for the teachers and the people around them, and make the best of the opportunities that they are given. I feel that Wellington has been a special place for me to enjoy all the things I could do, and I was able to choose what I wanted. “This place was just like a dream to me.”

请分享一条建议给其他的学生。

我建议那些还在学校的同学好好享受他们现在在这里度过的时光，对老师和周围的人抱着感激的心情，并充分利用他们所能得到的机会。我觉得天津惠灵顿学校对我来说是一个特别的地方，我享受我在学校能做的，能够选择的以及想要的一切。“这个美好的地方对我来说就像一个梦。”

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Would you like to learn more about Wellington College International Tianjin? 

Registration is now open for families who would like to know more about our unique approach to teaching and learning as well as how we support graduates attain their top goals for university entrance. You can arrange a visit by scanning the QR code below. Our admissions’ team is available to host individual campus tours and to help you to discover what makes Wellington College special.

Scan the QR code to submit an enquiry