THE UNITED WORLD COLLEGES (INTERNATIONAL)

Student Application Form

For Applicants to any United World College1

Before you apply

Please make sure that you find out as much as possible about UWC before going ahead
with your application. It is important that you understand the aims of the organisation
and the commitment involved with the programme offered. A short outline of the
programmes offered, selection criteria and process can be found in Section E. Further
information can be found in the UWC general leaflet, at the UWC website www.uwc.org
and/or in information published by the UWC National/Selection Committee in your
country.

Before filling out the application form it is essential that you contact the Selection
Committee that will handle your application to make sure that you have the correct form
(many Committees have their own forms or adaptations of this form) and to find out if
there are any additional materials you need to submit. Applicants generally need to have
a recommendation from their current school for their application to be considered.
Section D of the application form is for references and provides space for two reports.

Applicants will be short listed on the basis of the information in the application forms,
their references and any other documentation required by the Selection Committee.
Short listed applicants will usually be interviewed by their regional and/or national UWC
selection committee. General criteria for selection are described in Section E; in addition
to these the UWC selection committee processing the application will be able to provide
applicants with a more detailed set of criteria applicable to the selection process in
question.

The decisions of UWC selection committees are recommendations to the Heads of

Untied World Colleges, not firm offers of places. A nominated applicant is enrolled only
after having received written acceptance by the Head of the College to which the
nomination has been made.

UWC wish to encourage graduates to return to their home country after completing their
education and training. Applicants should show a commitment to return to home to use
their experiences, skills and knowledge to assist in the development of their own
countries and the furtherance of peace, understanding and justice in the national
context.

Parents or guardians are, together with the applicant, responsible for signing this form,
but the decision to apply must lie above all with applicants themselves.

1
If there is a UWC Selection Committee in your country please contact them as they may have their own form or an
adapted version of this form to be used by their applicants.
 THE UNITED WORLD COLLEGES (INTERNATIONAL)

Student Application Form

For applicants to any United World College 2

Section A Applicant information (to be completed by applicant, please use clear text and use
a dark ink)

Last name Photograph

First name(s)

Date of birth (dd/mm/yy)

Gender Female Male (please circle)

Citizenship(s)

Home language(s)

Other language(s)

Home address

Telephone/Fax

E-mail

If you would like to indicate an order of preference for the Colleges please do so below.

UWC of the Adriatic, Italy

UWC Mostar, BiH

UWC Changshu, China

Please note Most Selection Committees only have places at a limited number of Colleges each year.
2
If there is a UWC Selection Committee in your country please contact them as they may have their own form or an
adapted version of this form to be used by their applicants.
* Please delete as appropriate
 THE UNITED WORLD COLLEGES (INTERNATIONAL)

1. Current school:

Start date
(month/year)

Address:

Tel. number:

Fax number:

E-mail/
Homepage:

Head of school:

2. List your present school subjects and your most recent term/course/predicted
grades.

3. If you have ideas for what you would like to study at university or do for a career
please give details below.

4. Are you a member of any organisations or clubs? Please give details.

* Please delete as appropriate

 THE UNITED WORLD COLLEGES (INTERNATIONAL)

5. List any positions of responsibility or leadership you have held (at school and/or
outside school).

6. Describe any activities you have taken part in which serve others

7. Please give details if you have a strong creative or artistic interest

8. Describe any physical activities or sports that you regularly pursue.

9. Describe any special interests or achievements you would like the Selection
Committee to know about.

10. How did you hear about UWC?

* Please delete as appropriate

 THE UNITED WORLD COLLEGES (INTERNATIONAL)

I have discussed all aspects of the commitment involved with applying for entry to a United World
College with my parent(s)/guardian(s) and this application has their full approval. Should the
application be successful, I hereby undertake for myself to observe the rules, regulations and
guidelines of the College. I recognise that the College has the right to exclude me for violations of
these and/or behaviour bringing disrepute or danger on the College or other students/staff.

Signature of applicant:

Date:

* Please delete as appropriate

Section B Essay (to be completed by applicant, please use clear text and use a
dark ink)

In the space below, please write a statement of not more than 300 words explaining why you are
interested in attending a United World College. Describe both what you might contribute and
what you would hope to gain. Include a description of your background, family and an account of
any experiences you have had in meeting people from other backgrounds than your own.
Section C Parental information & consent (please use clear text and use a dark
ink)
Full name of mother
or guardian*:

Occupation: Citizenship(s):

Full name of father

or guardian*:

Occupation: Citizenship(s):

Address
(mother/guardian)

E-mail:

Telephone (day): (evening):

Mobile number: Fax:

Address (if different)

(father/guardian)

Email:

Telephone (day): (evening):

Mobile number: Fax:

If there is anything of special note (background, health information etc) that you would like
to bring to the attention of the Selection Committee or the College Head please add that
here or attach a separate letter.

I have read the application for entry to a United World College made by my son/daughter/ward; we have
discussed all aspects of the commitment involved and this application has my full approval. Should the
application be successful, I hereby undertake for myself and for him/her to observe the rules, regulations and
guidelines of the College. I recognise that the College has the right to exclude my son/daughter/ward for
violation of them and/or behaviour bringing disrepute or danger on the College or other students/staff. While
my son/daughter/ward is in residence at a United World College, I wish and authorise the College to act as
Guardian in my place for decisions involving his/her personal care and welfare.

Signature of mother/guardian Signature of father/guardian

Date: Date:

* Please delete as appropriate

Section D School report 1 (to be completed by applicant’s head or teacher)

We would be grateful if you (and/or relevant members of the staff) would write a brief
assessment of the applicant’s suitability for attending a United World College.
Information about UWC and its selection criteria is provided in Section E, further
information about the organisation can be found at www.uwc.org. Please attach any
relevant documentation and include comments on the following:
 Academic ability (please give information on the applicant’s present and, if possible,
previous years’ performance)
 Personality and character
 Non-academic interests and activities

Report 1 from applicant’s school

Please rate the applicant on the grid below, any further comments can be made in the box above or on a
separate piece of paper.
No basis Poor Adequate Good Excellent Outstanding
Ability to work with others
Adaptability
Communication abilities
Concern for others
Creativity
Energy
Initiative
Maturity and balance
Motivation
Openness of personality
Self-confidence
Self-discipline

How long have you known the applicant?

Signature: Position:

Name: Date:

* Please delete as appropriate

Section D School report 2 (to be completed by applicant’s head or teacher)

We would be grateful if you (and/or relevant members of the staff) would write a brief
assessment of the applicant’s suitability for attending a United World College.
Information about UWC and its selection criteria is provided in Section E, further
information about the organisation can be found at www.uwc.org. Please attach any
relevant documentation and include comments on the following:
 Academic ability (please give information on the applicant’s present and, if possible,
previous years’ performance)
 Personality and character
 Non-academic interests and activities

Report 2 from applicant’s school

Please rate the applicant on the grid below, any further comments can be made in the box above or on a
separate piece of paper.
No basis Poor Adequate Good Excellent Outstanding
Ability to work with others
Adaptability
Communication abilities
Concern for others
Creativity
Energy
Initiative
Maturity and balance
Motivation
Openness of personality
Self-confidence
Self-discipline

How long have you known the applicant?

Signature: Position:

Name: Date:

* Please delete as appropriate

 THE UNITED WORLD COLLEGES (INTERNATIONAL)

Section E Information about UWC and general conditions of entry

United World Colleges (UWC) is unique. It is the only global educational movement that
brings together students from all over the world – regardless of their ability to pay – with
the aim of fostering international understanding, peace and justice. A UWC education
features high academic standards, a strong emphasis on community service and a wide
range of cultural and outdoor activities.

Eleven of the United World Colleges teach the International Baccalaureate (IB) which
blends the specialisation preferred in some national education systems with the breadth
of others. IB students take three subjects at higher level and three at standard level. The
language of instruction in the UWCs offering the IB is largely English; basic knowledge
of English is helpful but not a requirement to apply. Many students with little or no
English on acceptance have been very successful thanks to their determination and
motivation.

The twelfth College, Simón Bolívar UWC offers a three-year tertiary level diploma in
Farm Administration, mixing practical and academic work with sustainable development
activities in rural communities. At Simón Bolívar the language of instruction is Spanish,
the College offers a course before term starts for those with no or limited Spanish skills.

Students entering Simón Bolívar are usually aged 18 or 19; students entering the other
UWCs for the IB diploma programme are usually between 15 and 17 years old when
selected. The local UWC National Committee can give more information about age and
other prerequisites for application.

Scholarships
Students are selected for United World Colleges on the basis of merit, regardless of their
background. To make this possible scholarship funds are raised from graduates, friends,
foundations, business, non-governmental organisations and governments. Scholarship
support is usually based on need; however some students' parents may be asked and
expected to make contributions to the costs of their attendance, travel and/or pocket
money according to their ability to do so. Assessments of families' ability to make such
contributions will be made as impartially as possible and by agreement between the
UWC National/Selection Committee or the College and the families concerned.

How to apply
Students should apply through the National Committee or Selection Contact in the
country in which they live, who will be able to tell them which Colleges they have places
for, as well as give information about the scholarships available.

The selection process includes written applications and interviews and there may also
be examinations, teamwork exercises, excursions or camps. Committees will be looking
for open-minded applicants who will thrive in an intensive, multicultural environment.
They will also be searching for academic potential, a commitment to community service,
a ‘grand passion’ such as music, drama or sport, and enthusiasm for UWC’s ideals.

Applicants with disabilities but that are self-sufficient in their everyday needs are
encouraged to apply.

Further information about UWC, including contact details for National Committees &
Selection Contacts, can be found on our website; www.uwc.org.