For pupils who dream of studying abroad, selecting the right university is undoubtedly an important and complex task.
How does one choose the best-suited university among an array of renowned institutions across the world?
What are the distinctive characteristics and strengths of each university?
Which are the top courses in each university?
What are the potential career prospects after earning a degree from these universities?
All these questions were answered at the 2024 WCCH university fair held this Monday afternoon.
The fair brought together 87 admission officers and distinguished alumni from such countries and regions as the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, and Hong Kong (China). It was an exceptional offline university seminar and exhibition at Wellington College Hangzhou. Pupils and their parents had the opportunity to meet and interact with the officers and alumni face-to-face and gained valuable insights and experiences about studying abroad.
During this extravaganza, representatives from the participating universities provided in-depth analyses of the latest academic research for different courses and education trends and offered invaluable advice and information to support pupils in their future academic and career planning. By the end of the fair, almost 500 pupils and parents actively participated in the event.
Exploring application insights for
some of the world's top universities
"It is indeed a rare and valuable experience to have the opportunity to engage directly with 87 top international universities and gain personal insights from their admissions officers, also with the guidance of our highly experienced senior counsellors," expressed Ms Sherley Zhao, lead university counsellor at WCCH, who added, “taking advantage of these valuable opportunities can lead to a clearer direction and increased efficiency when it comes to formally apply to these universities."
An important objective of this university fair is to provide a wealth of university guidance and resources to the Wellington College Hangzhou community. Along with renowned universities from Europe, America, Canada, and Australia, we have also extended invitations to institutions from Hong Kong (China) and Japan. This aligns perfectly with our philosophy of providing world-class education opportunities.
Selection of participating universities
University of Birmingham (UK)
University of the Arts London (UK)
University of Manchester (UK)
University of Bath (UK)
University of Exeter (UK)
University of California (USA)
Northeastern University (USA)
Washington University in St. Louis (USA)
University of Toronto (Canada)
University of British Columbia (Canada)
Monash University (Australia)
University of Hong Kong (Hong Kong, China)
Nanyang Technological University (Singapore)
At the university fair, some admissions officers accommodated our Chinese-speaking parents by introducing their universities in Chinese, while others conversed with our pupils in English, which was no challenge to our Hiba or Wellington pupils, demonstrated by their effortless communication.
As a new pupil in Sixth Form, I have felt uncertain and confused about my future, but attending this university fair has ignited my excitement for what lies ahead. Meeting with admissions officers from a variety of domestic and international universities was an invaluable experience. It provided me with personal insights that solidified my plan and expectations for my Sixth Form years and future university life.
I was highly impressed by the university fair. The opportunity to meet with representatives in person allowed me to gain a better understanding of the unique features and strengths of each university. The admissions officers at the University of Manchester were especially passionate as they answered all my questions about the application process and provided me with valuable information about potential future study opportunities.
My interests lie mainly in the arts, and this university fair allowed me to get a closer look at overseas art schools. I had a conversation with representatives from the University of The Arts London and found their curriculum and practical opportunities incredibly attractive.
I was overwhelmed by stress at this university fair. Seeing so many prestigious universities, I couldn't help but worry whether my grades and capabilities would meet their admission requirements. On the other hand, this pressure is a source of motivation for me to work harder and improve my overall performance to get admitted into my desired university in the future.
This university fair has broadened my horizons. I had never considered psychology as a potential area of study before, but after speaking with the representatives from the University of California, I found the subject to be both challenging and enlightening. I am now open to the possibility of pursuing this discipline.
This on-site university fair could not have been so successful without the dedicated individuals who worked behind the scenes, including the WCCH team of university counsellors who organised the event, all the participating admissions officers, the alumni who shared their experiences, the pupils who provided translation support, and every pupil and parent who attended the event with eagerness and responsibility. Some admissions officers overcame jet-lag to attend the fair so that our pupils and parents could learn more about their universities. Not only did the pupils enthusiastically raise their questions on-site, but also the parents of our lower and upper Sixth Form pupils and even the parents of our Junior High and Senior School pupils.
An opportunity to study abroad is not simply a change of location. It is a life-changing experience that brings forth a wealth of knowledge, understanding of the world, and the chance to shape one's future. It is said that chance favours the prepared mind. With every small step taken towards one’s dream, we have every reason to believe that we are embracing a better future with more to look forward to.
