5
Issue 50 – June 2014 – QUEEN MARGARET CALLING
and Shruti Iyer who after receiving a perfect
score of 45 in the IB Diploma was offered
a scholarship to Monash University in
Melbourne.
For Sarah she was able to look into a
number of universities including several
Australian universities, the University of
Cambridge in the UK, New York University
Abu Dhabi, Monash University and Yale
University. The process that comes with
applying for an international university is
no small feat, as Sarah discovered.
“It pays to start early. I sat the
Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT), a
compulsory component for entry into
most US universities, during my last year at
school (2012) and again in my first year at
university (2013). The SAT exams are held
several times annually at most major cities
in New Zealand. I had to sit two different
SAT exams: the reasoning test, and then the
subject tests separately. Finally, in September
last year, I began my application to Yale-
Another Past Pupil Takes Flight
NUS College online. The process took over
a month and included essay writing, short-
answer questions about various scenarios,
and also an interview. In early December
2013, I was offered a place at Yale-NUS.”
To this end Sarah has accepted her place
at Yale-NUS College in Singapore, where
she will study Liberal Arts - a four year
undergraduate honours programme.
“Yale-NUS College is a relatively new
university that was set up by Yale University
in the United States and the National
University of Singapore, with the intention
of creating a truly modern and ground-
breaking education suited for young people
in the world today.” Sarah explains.
Attending Yale-NUS will offer Sarah the
international challenge she craves, and once
had in the IB Diploma.
“However, while doing IB Diploma
opened many doors for me, the attitude I
had on leaving Queen Margaret College
of giving everything my best was just as,
if not more, valuable than the education
system I took. One of the projects I am
considering for myself over the next few
years is to promote tertiary education for
New Zealanders overseas, because I think
that the majority of young people here are
not fully aware of the options available to
them on emerging from high school.“
The College fully supports Sarah in her
mission to raise awareness around overseas
tertiary education to New Zealanders.
The steps that students take after Queen
Margaret College are just as important as the
steps they take while at school. This is why
the College is making a concerted effort to
increase the knowledge and understanding
about the Next Steps to students.
“Constantly changing patterns of work
and education worldwide make it essential
that every student has access to career
education and guidance that is future-
focused and personalised.” Ms Paula Turner
explains.
In 2014 French and English teacher,
Paula Turner, has taken on the role of Future
Pathways and Careers Coordinator. She will
predominantly be working with Year 11, 12
and 13, where she will guide them through
their final years giving them appropriate
information and guidance around their next
steps.
I
n 2012 Sarah Novak completed her IB
Diploma studies at Queen Margaret
College gaining a mark of 40, putting
her in the top 5% of the world. The taste
of an international education, which the
IB Diploma programme offered Sarah,
remained on the forefront of her mind
throughout her first year of University at
Otago where she studied Health Science.
In her words, “I emerged with a niggling
sense that something new, exciting and
truly international was more suited to my
interests.”
Sarah spent much time researching her
options online. To an extent the world was
her oyster, however she did take a practical
approach, only applying to those where she
would have a chance of being awarded a
scholarship and/or aid.
For many students the thought of
studying overseas is overwhelming, with
the main obstacle being the cost. A number
of Queen Margaret College students do
travel to Australia for university as New
Zealanders are treated as domestic students,
so pay the same fees as Australians. Studying
in locations where Kiwis do not hold
citizenship will mean paying international
fees which are higher than domestic fees.
This can put a number of young Kiwis off,
however there are other options as Sarah
discovered.
“Many top US and UK universities
(including Yale-NUS) offer need-blind
admission, which is a policy that admits
students based on merit and without
looking at their financial situation. Once
admitted, these universities then promise
to meet all demonstrated financial needs
of students who accept their offers. Most
universities also have scholarships in place
for international students, whether they
be for rewarding sporting, cultural and/
or academic prowess. The New Zealand
Government also offers many generous
international study scholarships.”
Five Queen Margaret College 2013
Leavers are living proof of international
scholarships being offered to New Zealand
students. Bridget Liddell and Sophie
Macadre both have four year sporting
scholarships, Grace Huang and Allanah
Avalon have fully funded scholarships at
New York University Abu Dhabi campus
