Michael Q: A Journey of Getting US & UK Offers

Behind each offer lies a unique story of personal growth. In this issue of the ‘Behind the Offers’ series, we once again get to know a DHSZ student with outstanding academic performance and a broad range of talents: Michael Q. Currently, he has received offers from top universities such as New York University, University College London, King's College, Boston University, University of California San Diego, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and Ohio State University, most of which are focused on his beloved field—Economics. 

Pursuing both the US and the UK:  A Dual Endeavor 

Michael told us that his firm decision to choose Economics as his field of study is based on a careful consideration of his interests and future plans. "In fact, before Y11, I had no idea what major I wanted to pursue in the university. It wasn't until I took the Liberal Arts course that I realised economics and social sciences are fascinating fields. So, in Y12, I chose economics for my AS level and discovered that I was quite good at it." 

After determining his direction, Michael embarked on a new journey. When faced with the different university application systems in the UK and the US, he carefully planned and devoted himself to it. "For the applications to UK universities, I started paying attention to and participating in many academic competitions, such as the National Economics Challenge (NEC), the International Economics Olympiad (IEO), the John Locke Institute Essay Competition, the Marshall Society Essay Competition, as well as some online research programmes.” 

Involvement in these competitions and projects not only expanded Michael's professional knowledge but also played a positive role in his applications. For example, he participated in an online research project during the pandemic last year, analysing the types of national economies and trends in economic growth. "The macroeconomic aspects involved left a deep impression on me, and my mastery and understanding of them became a highlight in my personal statements and interviews." 

At the same time, Michael also actively participated in the "extracurricular experiences" that the US universities value. "I mostly chose CCAs related to my major, such as joining the school's business competition team in Y12, where  my teammates and I researched various economic events. I also joined the economics book club led by Mr Richard Clancy, where we engaged in extended readings beyond the economics curriculum, and had discussions and exchanges of ideas, which were very interesting." Additionally, Michael was selected for the Dulwich Scholars Programme in economics. "In the Scholars Programme, teachers would inform us about competitions, discuss the John Locke essays, and even teach more advanced theories, such as game theory. It was very fascinating." 

Apart from that, Michael believes that outstanding essays played a crucial role in his applications to the US universities, allowing him to stand out and present a more complete image and personality to the admissions officers through his writing. "Among them, I am most satisfied with my main Common Application essay. It not only showcases my personal life but also demonstrates my thoughts and reflections. It incorporates my understanding of various disciplines, particularly in the social sciences, including sociology, economics, history, and philosophy. I think it was this aspect that attracted the admissions officers at NYU." 

Learning at DHSZ: Advancing through a Comeback

Reflecting on his four years at DHSZ, Michael was deeply impressed by his "inspiring experience" in a IGCSE English class. In Y11, due to his exceptional language abilities, Michael was placed in the IGCSE English as a First Language course (EFL). He modestly admits that when he first entered the class, his vocabulary was lacking, and his spoken English was not fluent compared to his classmates. "But after a period of study, my grades went from a B to an A*—both my language skills and expressive abilities improved significantly!" Regarding the course content, Michael explains, "It is similar to the native English speaker courses offered in American or British high schools. The class provides numerous opportunities for reading and writing, teaching students how to write narratives, argumentative essays, and letters. In terms of reading, it cultivates students' ability to understand intentions, metaphors, and figurative language in texts." 

Through this class, Michael asserts that his logical thinking abilities also experienced significant improvement. "Although I cannot quantify it or directly compare myself to my past self, I can feel that when I think about problems, write essays, or express myself, I am able to approach them from more diverse perspectives." 

Additionally, Michael mentions a notable leap in his mathematics abilities, thanks to the additional math courses he took in Y11. "I took this maths course because the university counsellor suggested that it would help me a lot with A Level Economics and Advanced Maths. This turned out to be true because the thorough understanding of numerical significance has made my study of economics much more efficient." 

Support from the Counsellor

During the university application process, Michael received significant support from his university counsellor Mr Jack Rau. "Initially, I was not very clear about the positioning of the US universities, but Mr Rau provided me with professional advice, helped me establish a list of schools, and guided me on how to begin my statements, giving me a lot of inspiration. Additionally, he taught me how to look up acceptance rates for schools and how to find the information I was looking for on the school's website." 

Mr Rau also told us that NYU is getting more and more competitive every year and that he was happy to see that Michael received an offer from it, "I think Michael’s strong passion for economics – evident through participating in multiple competitions and published research – helped Michael stand out from other applicants." Also on the choice of university, he said, “At this time of year, many students are struggling to make a final choice on which university they will attend. I highly recommend them to contact their counsellor when thinking these decisions over.” 

Advicefor Lower School Students

Michael said that, "Based on my own experience, my first bit of advice is to start preparing for the university applications as early as possible. After completing the IGCSE exams in Y11, you can begin determining what major you want to pursue and start planning activities for yourself. Secondly, internships and research projects are very important. Many of my friends have taken advantage of these opportunities, so I believe that if I could also have experience in these areas, it would be beneficial for my applications. Lastly, it's about developing personal abilities. In an international school like DHSZ, we should cherish the English learning environment. Not only with teachers but also with my friends, we enjoy communicating in English. Through continuous practice and accumulation in daily life, it greatly benefits both the IELTS and TOEFL exams and helps in adapting to the language environment in foreign countries." 

Whether in the UK or the US, Michael will continue to unleash his unlimited potential and seize opportunities in pursuit of his passions. Wherever he may be, we believe he will continue to strive for excellence!