Receiving a university offer is a milestone that reflects years of hard work, determination and careful planning. For five Grade 12 students at American International School Hong Kong (AIS), those offers have already arrived, with places secured at leading institutions including Imperial College London, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong University, University of the Arts London and North Carolina State University.
We caught up with Kiki, Anson, Christine, Daniel and Ian to hear about their application journeys, the support they received at AIS and the ambitions that are shaping their next chapter.
Read more: Our complete guide to American International School Hong Kong
What was it like receiving your first university offer?
Ian: “I was really excited. It was the first thing I saw when I woke up and I couldn’t catch my breath. I immediately wanted to tell my mum. It was the programme I really wanted to get into.”
Daniel: “I was absolutely thrilled when I received my offer from HKU for Quantitative Finance. It was incredibly rewarding to see all the hard work pay off. I was also fortunate to receive offers from HKUST and CUHK, which made the decision both exciting and difficult.”
University applications can be stressful. What was the process like?
Kiki: “Honestly, it was one of the most challenging periods. I wrote around 18 personal statements, adapting each one for different universities and courses. When I wasn’t working on applications, I was worrying about them. Looking back, I couldn’t have done it without the support of my parents and the school counsellors.”
Christine: “I knew from Grade 10 that I wanted to study at an art school. My art teacher, Ms Lynsey, really encouraged my creativity and gave me the confidence to believe I could pursue art professionally.”
How did AIS support you throughout the application process?
Anson: “Mr Inman has been incredibly supportive from the very beginning. He guided me through every stage of the application process, helped me prepare for deadlines and regularly checked in to make sure everything was on track. His support made a huge difference.”
Ian: “The counselling team helped me understand the different universities and programmes available, which made it much easier to decide where to apply.”
What will you be studying and where do you hope it will lead?
Kiki: “I’ve received offers from four Hong Kong universities, including PolyU, CityU, HKMU and HKBU. I’m hoping to study Engineering in Hong Kong, although I haven’t made my final decision yet. I don’t have a fixed career plan, but I’d love to work in motorsport one day because of my passion for Formula 1.”
Anson: “I’ve received offers for engineering programmes, including the MEng at Imperial College London and the BEng at HKU. My goal is to become a chartered civil or structural engineer, although an engineering degree also opens up opportunities in areas such as technology and finance.”
Christine: “I’ll be studying Art Direction and Visual Effects, specialising in 3D modelling and storytelling.”
Daniel: “I’ve been accepted into Quantitative Finance. I’d like to combine my interests in mathematics and computer science to explore the intersection of finance and technology, whether that’s algorithmic trading, fintech or AI applications. I’m looking forward to discovering where my degree takes me.”
Ian: “I’ll be studying Nuclear Engineering at North Carolina State University. It’s a subject I’ve been interested in ever since I discovered it at a university fair in Grade 10, and I’m excited to explore it further.”
What inspired your choice of subject?
Kiki: “Engineering is about applying everything you’ve learnt. After years of studying complex theories, I wanted to understand how they solve real-world problems. My interest in Formula 1 definitely played a part too.”
Ian: “During the university fair, I explored the program and quickly realized it was exactly what I wanted to study. Not only did it genuinely interest me academically, but it also aligned with the career path and opportunities for growth and exploration I envisioned for my future. That experience gave me a clear sense of direction and motivated me to pursue it as my major.”
AIS offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses, allowing students to study university-level subjects while still in high school. How did these courses prepare you for university?
Daniel: “I’ve completed 10 AP courses and I’m currently taking another five, alongside HKDSE Mathematics. Studying advanced maths, computer science, economics and physics has given me a really strong foundation for Quantitative Finance and helped demonstrate that I can handle rigorous university-level work.”
Ian: “I’ve taken AP Physics 1 and 2, AP Physics C: Mechanics, AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism, AP Calculus and AP Chemistry. The classroom experience has been really valuable, especially the teamwork and pace of learning, while self-studying some of the more advanced courses has also taught me independence and discipline.”
Looking ahead
From designing infrastructure and developing financial technology to creating visual effects and advancing nuclear engineering, these five AIS students are embarking on very different paths. What they share is the confidence to pursue subjects they genuinely enjoy, the determination to challenge themselves and the ambition to turn their interests into future careers.
Their stories demonstrate how curiosity, perseverance and the right support can help students realise their potential, qualities that continue to shape the learning experience at AIS.
American International School is located at 125 Waterloo Road, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong. To find out more, visit ais.edu.hk or call (852) 2336 3812.
