I'm posting because I'm really interested in the UWCs, but I feel like I need a lot more information before I can really make such a huge commitment. Some of the questions on my mind concern the rigor and levels of the schoolwork, the music program at the College of the Adriatic, language requirements, and what I should do to prepare for a UWC experience.

The International Baccalaureate was created about 75 years ago because diplomat's children needed to have a school system that they could all attend, anywhere in the world, without having to start over on a new curriculum each time they moved. It's actually a pretty widespread degree internationally; in England they do 13 years of school (like how we do 12), and the last two are a lot like the two-year IB. It's not "insanely" hard or anything. For an American, it's like taking six AP classes, doing about 20 hours a week in CAS (which is anything from playing soccer to helping the community build something or basically anything fun), writing a 4000 word essay on a topic of your choosing (research though), and a semester of Theory of Knowledge. The coolest part though is the people. You naturally get completely culture shocked when you go: you're in a new place that you've never been before and it's awesome, but you're nervous. Then you realize everyone else is culture shocked too, and you all just get along. It takes getting used to, and a lot of people feel homesick for the first month. After that, you're pretty much just having an awesome time and learning about yourself and the world you live in. If you go to a UWC, you should expect to learn the language of the country it is in. That's part of the experience! It's not as hard as you think; when you're immersed in a different language you pick it up pretty quickly. The music program at Adriatic is said to be the best of the UWCs. I believe their music teacher is a famous European conductor, and the music program produces great work every year. I don't know any specifics, I've heard good and bad things, what do you want to know?


Oh, I'm Josh btw, one of the alumni administrators. Welcome to the site!

Nice to meet you Josh,

Sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Will, and I really appreciate your help. Before now, I was actually considering dropping music when/if I go to a UWC, but I'm encouraged by what sounds like a great program at the Adriatic. Of course, I also very badly want to be fluent in Spanish by the time I get to (real) college, which draws me to Costa Rica. Are UWC language classes strong enough that I could become proficient in Spanish wherever I go, or would UWCCR be a far better fit for my language goals? Is the Adriatic music program really that great? I looked it up and it seemed like it just had a chamber music program. Also, as I will be taking Calculus next year, will there be a math class for my level? Not that I love math--I don't--but it is a concern of mine. One thing I've heard is that the UWC education is a unique experience, which is why you can take both 11th and 12th graders in the same year, but I'm curious as to how you can accommodate teaching students with such diverse educational backgrounds. I mean, math is math, right?

I guess if I had to describe the perfect UWC for me, it would be one where I could learn Spanish; become as knowledgable (and maybe opinionated) as possible about world affairs; develop an understanding of the different cultures of the world; play soccer, or somehow be active; play in a great music group; get a great education, particularly in the Theory of Knowledge and language departments; do a lot of community service; and maybe do a bit less of the nature stuff, not because I don't believe it's important, but because I tend to value the other pillars of UWC more than the environmental emphasis and there is only so much time in a day. I guess a lot of these things describe most or all of the UWCs, but maybe some of them would better match this description than others. If you don't have enough information to give me a match, it would be great if you could at least descibe any significant differences you are aware of between UWCs.

Right now, I am very drawn to the United World Colleges. One question I have, that I'm sure many others have as well, is this: Can I even get in? I do very well on standardized tests, I have a 4.0, I traveled to Turkey last summer with an exchange program, I'm currently tutoring kids in reading, I'm hoping to have a public service internship over the summer, I interview well, I'm good at music (does that even help?), and I really like the mission and structure of UWC. But with the selectivity of the program, combined with the fact that the UWCs are self-selective (not that many kids apply for a program that forces them to give up their senior year of high school), means that I'm going to be up against these super-applicants, who are brilliant and know 17 languages and are volunteering loads of time and know everything about current events. I just don't want to get my hopes up if there's minimal chance of me getting in, though I'll probably end up applying regardless. Also, is there anything I can do in the year until I actually submit my application that will help my chances of being accepted?

Also, in the event that I am accepted next year, when am I expected to arrive on campus? My hope is to go to Mexico that summer with the money I make interning and to take a pretty rigorous Spanish course for a month there. Will I have time to do that?

What about activities at the schools? Beyond music, I really enjoy soccer, running, and generally being active. Is there any encouragement of physical excercise, and is it even feasible that I will have time for it? Is it feasible that I will have time to practice my instrument, and that people wouldn't be disturbed by the practice (the bass trombone is pretty powerful)? I'm thinking it might make more sense to stop with trombone if I do get in--a sacrifice that I am willing though somewhat reluctant to make.

I'm also curious about your own experience. What were you expecting to get out of UWC? What were your motivations for applying? Was it as you expected? What unexpected benefits did you reap by going, both before and after? What was your first choice? Did you get it? What were some of the most challenging things about UWC? I've had a lot of trouble with getting bad teachers in high school. Did you ever have bad experiences with teachers? Did you mesh well with the other kids? Was there ever a tendency for the kids from the same area to stick together, or was it more inclusive?

Sorry, I've written a lot more than I meant to. Thanks for reading, and for your information.

Will Hunt