Graduate Story

Over the 19 years since its establishment, Harrow Beijing has sent numerous graduates to top universities worldwide. From Ivy League schools like Yale, Cornell, and Columbia in the US, to G5 universities in the UK like Oxford and Cambridge, and institutions like Imperial College London, New York University, University of California, Berkeley, University College London, Rhode Island School of Design, Boston University, and the University of Manchester, among others, Harrow Beijing alumni have made their mark globally. The professional choices of Harrow Beijing graduates reflect a diverse trend, ranging from typical fields like economics, mathematics, and business to more specialized ones like chemistry, sciences, and even relatively niche areas like music, film, and psychology, all ranking among the top choices for student admissions, thanks to the wide range of subjects offered during the IGCSE and A-level stages. 

While the offers for the Class of 2024 are still being updated, as of now, our graduates have received acceptance notices from top institutions such as the University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, University College London, Northwestern University in the US, and the University of Toronto in Canada.

So, how does Harrow Beijing help students find their suitable paths of development and obtain offers from prestigious universities worldwide? In this issue, let’s hear from three outstanding graduates from the Class of 2024 about their firsthand experiences!

Linda Z

Join in Year 6

– Offer：

The University of Edinburgh, King’s College London, University of London, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, University of Leeds

– Major: Music

Adrien Z

Join in Year 4

– Offer：

King’s College London, University of London, University of Birmingham, University of Bristol

– Major: Chemistry

Christina Z

Join in Year 9

-Offer：

University of Toronto,University of British Columbia (UBC), McMaster University, Queen’s University

– Major: Life Science

As you’re about to graduate, 

what unique traits do you think set Harrow apart?

 Linda: The teaching methods is diverse in Harrow Beijing , with teachers customizing goals and study plans for each student based on their developmental direction. Harrow’s House system fosters a sense of belonging for every student, especially when new students join; the school arranges for seniors from the same house to help them integrate. When I joined Harrow as a transfer student, a senior from my House helped me adapt quickly to the new environment, facilitating my transition. The school also organizes various house activities, where everyone collaborates to achieve a common goal, bringing honor to their House. I find the House system particularly meaningful as it gathers everyone together and promotes interactions among students of different grades.

Christina:I transferred from a prestigious school in Haidian to Harrow Beijing and found it brimming with opportunities. Initially, my English wasn’t strong, but with the help of teachers and classmates, immersion in English through daily exposure, extensive reading, and watching English and American TV series, my English improved, gradually adapting to the all-English teaching environment. Here, learning isn’t the sole focus; the school emphasizes holistic development and provides numerous activities and opportunities for self-expression. Additionally, Upper School operates on a flexible schedule, meaning we attend different classrooms based on our course selections, resembling a university setup with no fixed classes and varying classmates each session.

Adrien:Coming to school every day feels more like coming home; the teachers are very friendly, and everyone can find their own social circle here. I feel that in my ten years at Harrow Beijing, I have become a more responsible person, learning to take issues seriously and handle them carefully, which will be very helpful for me in adapting to university life in the future.

How are the IGCSE and A Level courses 

at Harrow Beijing?

Christina: I took a total of 11 IGCSE subjects at Harrow, including the core subjects and additional ones like economics, geography, and art. Despite being in Year 13, equivalent to Grade three in public high school, I find the current workload less stressful than in the middle school. This is because of a balanced approach to learning, allowing me time for hobbies like dancing and playing the piano. For A-Levels, I chose biology, chemistry, and mathematics to align with my future career aspirations.

Linda：Harrow Beijing’s IGCSE and A-level courses offer a wide range of subjects, including extensive options in arts and sciences. A-levels have introduced new courses like psychology and media studies, which are highly popular and core subjects. As a music enthusiast, I opted for music during IGCSE, along with additional subjects like business and geography. For A-levels, I chose music, psychology, and media studies. Teachers provide professional guidance in course selection, preparing us well for future academic pursuits.

Adrien:For A-levels, I chose mathematics, economics, chemistry, and Spanish. The school’s curriculum allows me to select subjects I’m interested in alongside the core courses. I’m grateful to my Spanish teacher for enabling me to speak three languages now. I believe that motivation for learning mainly comes from interest; only when driven by interest can one persevere and succeed, especially when university studies are challenging and not easy to succeed in.

How does Harrow guide you step by step to advance to world-renowned universities?

Adrien：The school has a dedicated college counseling and career planning team. I worked closely with them throughout my application process. We planned the entire year, researched schools, and crafted personal statement together. The counselor provided timely feedback and arranged opportunities for me to interact with university admissions officers. The school also offered support like mock interviews and entrance exam preparation.

Christina：In terms of selecting and applying to universities, the college counseling teacher was incredibly helpful. Initially, I only knew about the top 3 universities in Canada, but the counselor analyzed the strengths of other schools’ programs and helped me choose the final 5 to apply to. Regarding essay writing, the teacher provided numerous suggestions and made many revisions, which greatly benefited me.

Linda：The music major I applied for is a niche field, but the college counseling provided me with a lot of assistance. They guided me on when to write essays, how to search university websites, how to choose suitable institutions, and how to submit application materials, among other things. The supportive environment at the school was the biggest factor in my successful application to my desired university.

Besides academic development, are the extracurricular activities at school diverse?

Christina：The school offers a wide range of clubs where students can learn various musical instruments, programming, public speaking, and more to enhance their skills. I joined a biology competition preparation club, which broadened my knowledge. I also participated in the school’s wind band. The school encourages us to develop our own clubs, and many students have started their own. I once considered establishing a fragrance blending club.

Adrien：I’m most active in sports clubs, which serve as my social and recreational outlets while boosting my applications. In middle school, I had five different club activities daily. In high school, I practice soccer and volleyball three times a week. Sports foster competitiveness and sportsmanship. I’m also the captain of the school’s volleyball team and involved in charity fundraising. Recently, we’ve been rehearsing for the graduation play “West Side Story,” where my Spanish skills are useful.

Linda：In Year 12, the music teacher initiated the Music Ambassadors program. Another music student and I gathered around 5 or 6 students to form a music team and organize various performances. In Year 6-8, I participated in many extracurricular activities after school, such as badminton, handball, and drawing. Through various trials, I have now found my passion and focus on what I love.