2019 Graduates Series – IB Preferred by Korean Universities?

Upon the ending of this academic year, our D2 graduates are getting ready for their new adventure.

We interviewed four of our outstanding graduates and see what they think about their past school years and their brand-new future.

Blake is one of our Korean graduates who have received offers from both Hongkong and South Korean universities, including Hongkong Polytechnic University.

1

Q: From which grade did you start IB education?

A: Since P5. I have studied in American School, local school and Korean School and then an IB school in Guangzhou and moved to Wuxi in M2. So I basically started IB curriculum from PYP Programme.

Blake from PYP to DP

 

2

Q: What is the difference between an IB school and your previous school?

A: For primary school, I think IB is much easier. When I was in Korean school and local school, they gave me a lot of homework. But since P5 I’ve noticed that IB doesn’t give a lot of homework to students. Therefore, IB students have a more balanced life between studying and living.

3

Q: So you had more opportunities to be involved in different activities in IB school?

A: Yes. IBPYP also develop students’ creativities through various kinds of volunteer activities. I believe IBPYP laid a solid foundation of creation and innovation for future study.  I also realized who I am and developed the habit of learning by myself instead of doing whatever teachers ask.

Blake in different activities

4

Q: Comparing to PYP, MYP is more intensive. Do you think the transition from PYP to MYP difficult?

A: It was smooth. One thing really different in MYP is that you get more exams, like unit exams, terms and finals. But one year study in IBPYP did help me transit to IBMYP easier.

5

Q: Is there anything special in MYP that worth mentioning?

A: Since M4 I’ve found my interest is business. M5 Personal Project also helps students to find their interests. For my Personal Project in M5 I did something related to business.

Blake presenting his Personal Project in M5

6

Q: Besides the IBDP score, what other elements do your think are important for your college application?

A: I think leadership is really important. I’ve been volleyball captain for two years and I was involved in the student council. When I was interviewed by Hongkong Polytechnic University, they asked a lot of questions about leadership. Students appealing their leadership is really important in college application.

Blake in volleyball and basketball competitions

7

Q: Do you think our College Counselling Program helped?

A: Of course. We have a very special College Counselling Program here in BIS. My College Counsellor Mr. Wagner followed the whole process of my application. I even got a reference letter from him and it really helped a lot.

8

Q: Do you think IBDP helped you with college application?

A: Yes. Because IB is recognized by the whole world, especially when I was applying for South Korean universities, they prefer IB students. If you don’t take South Korean national education, then IB students would be more competitive comparing to AP students and other local education students.

9

Q: English is the teaching language of our school. As a Korean student you also applied for Korean universities. Do you think our school helped when you were applying Korean universities?

A: Yes. I feel very lucky to be backed up by the school when applying Korean universities. Although English is the main language we use in school, we also attended mother tongue classes. When applying for Korean universities, all the documents should be written in Korean. My Korean teacher Mr. Ju helped me a lot with my personal statements and portfolios. He also gave me a lot of advices and instructions through the whole application process.

Korean classes

10

Q: For the 6 IBDP subjects, which three did you take high level and which three did you take standard level?

A: For standard level, I took English A, Chinese B and Math. For high level I took Business, Geography and Chemistry. I mainly took my future major subject for high level.

Congratulations to Blake!