How to Apply to United World College as an American Student

The United World Colleges movement aims to bring together high school students from all over the world and help them to learn together in order to promote global peace and understanding. There are a total of 12 UWC schools: UWC of the Atlantic (Wales), UWC of Southeast Asia (Singapore), Lester B. Pearson UWC of the Pacific (Canada), Waterford Kamhlaba UWC of Southern Africa (Swaziland), UWC-USA (United States), UWC of the Adriatic (Italy), Li Po Chun UWC (Hong Kong), Red Cross Nordic UWC (Norway), Mahindra UWC (India), UWC-Costa Rica, UWC in Mostar (Bosnia-Herzegovina), and Simon Bolivar UWC of Agriculture (Venezuela), which is the only vocational UWC.Students at UWCs earn an International Baccalaureate Diploma, a high school diploma that is respected almost everywhere in the world. The curriculum is rigorous, oftentimes more difficult than American AP classes; like APs, however, IB classes can be used for college credit.American students can use the following instructions to apply for spots at ANY of the 12 UWCs. For all American students, tuition and fees are paid for by the Davis Scholarship, a scholarship given by philanthropists Gale and Shelby Davis. Good luck with your application!

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• -US citizenship
• -to be in either 10th or 11th grade (and at least age 16 or 17) at the time of your application
• -a strong academic background
• -scores from either the PSAT, SAT, PLAN, or ACT test
• -a commitment to peace and global cooperation

1. Decide which UWC might be right for you, and rank your preferences. Consider those issues that might be most important to you or your family when deciding where to go. For example, take into account travel costs, flight lengths, language goals, and your personal country preference. Take a look at the UWC website (see link below) and check out each school's online profile— each one offers something different, so see which one you think might fit your personal style best. Discuss your intentions and choices with your parents or guardians; you'll need their approval to proceed.

2. Fill out part A of the application, which can be found online at the UWC-USA homepage (see link below). Part A is entirely online, and may require one or more essays. This is the section where you can express why you want to go to UWC, what you hope to achieve there, and why you think you would be a good pick for the UWC movement.

3. Print out parts B, C, and D of the application, which can also be found online at the UWC-USA homepage. Give parts B and C to your high school guidance counselor, and he or she will write a report on how well you are doing in school and on standardized tests. Give part D to a teacher, who will write a letter of recommendation on your behalf. Give part E to an adult who sponsors an activity in which you have participated, such as a sports coach, a drama club director, a French club sponsor, or a dance teacher. Don't forget to give stamped, addressed envelopes to your guidance counselor, teacher, and adult sponsor.

4. Make sure to send your scores from one of the accepted standardized tests to the admissions office. Try to take the test well in advance of the application date, so that the scores will have plenty of time to reach their destination.

5. Sit down with a parent or guardian and fill our part F of the application together. Part F is simply a consent form, which says that you and your parent/guardian know the demands of the application process and of the program.

6. If your application is chosen by the US Selection Committee, you will be asked to attend a regional interview. If you live near or in a major city, this probably won't be much of a journey; however, if you live in a rural or remote location, you may be asked to travel to a large city to be interviewed.The interview will be conducted by one or more members of the US Selection Committee. They may ask you questions about your home, your culture, your school, your interests, and your motivations. They may also ask you which UWC you would like to attend, and why. Answer honestly and openly, and don't be too nervous— the interviewer isn't so much interested in grades and scores as he or she is in your personality.In some cases, two interviews may be scheduled, or group interviews may precede individual interviews.

7. If you are eventually offered a Davis Scholarship and a place at a UWC: congratulations! UWC is a wonderful opportunity. Think carefully about whether or not you are ready to attend a UWC, then sign the agreement form and send it in. You should receive a New Student's Packet containing important information within the next two or three months.

Tips & Warnings

• The number of American students accepted is usually about 50. Around 25 are given places at UWC-USA in New Mexico, and another 25 are sent to the other UWCs outside of the country.
• Remember to give your teacher and guidance counselor ample time to fill out their parts of the application. They need plenty of time if they're going to write great recommendation letters for you!
• While the Davis Scholarships cover all of your tuition, room, and board at the school, there are other expenses to consider. You'll need to pay for personal items (like toiletries, sheets, and towels), as well as airplane or train tickets, and, if you are leaving the country, a passport. If you think your family may have difficulty paying for some of these things, you can apply for additional assistance using the information in your admissions packet.

Resources

• Admissions website for Americans applying to UWCs
• Website for the global UWC movement
• Learn more about the IB curriculum

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