Li Po Chun United World College » Admission

Applying from Hong Kong

Li Po Chun United World College — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 03:37:15 +0000

There are two methods of entry available for Hong Kong students:

Scholarship entry

Are you Hong Kong permanent resident? Are you about to commence your final two years of secondary school? Do you:

enjoy learning about new things and solving problems?
have at least one strong extra curricular interest?
have a concern for the environment and other international or political issues?
want to learn more about the world and in particular cultures other than your own?
want to develop an independent and pro-active approach to life?

If you have answered yes to all the above, you are eligible to apply for one of the approximately 60 scholarships offered each year to study at one of the residential United World Colleges, which are situated in Bosnia, Canada, Costa Rica, India, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Swaziland, UK and USA, and of course, here in Hong Kong. (Please note that some overseas UWCs have a minimum age requirement of 16 years).

The United World Colleges bring together students on scholarship from all round the world for an intensive and rigorous two year pre-university programme, the International Baccalaureate, which provides entry to all the top universities in the world including Hong Kong.

A considerable number of scholarships are available for Hong Kong students to study at the various United World Colleges. To apply, three parts of an application are needed:

On-line Application Form – to be completed by applicant, click HERE.
Form P – to be completed by parents, download HERE.
Form S – to be completed by your current school’s Principal, download HERE.

Scholarship application deadline is Tuesday 6 December 2011. Late applications will not be considered.

Fee-paying entry directly to the College

The full fee for 2012/2013 will be HK$206,000* (provisional), but fees for 2013/2014 are yet to be determined. This figure includes all tuition and residential (boarding and food) costs, books, stationery and IB examination entry fees. However air fares, pocket money and private medical care are not included. Entry by this route is subject to the approval of the relevant National Committee. Only a few fee-paying places are usually available annually depending on availability of places, and normal selection criteria apply.

To apply, three parts of an application are needed:

On-line Application Form – to be completed by applicant, click HERE.
Form P – to be completed by parents, download HERE.
Form S – to be completed by your current school’s Principal, download HERE.

It is recommended that you submit your application by Tuesday 6 December 2011 as late applications can be considered only if unexpected late places become available.

* estimation only, subject to change and subsequent approval from the Education Bureau of Hong Kong.

Date	What’s Happening?
Sunday 9 October 2011	First Open Day. Information Presentation at 10:00am
Saturday 12 November 2011	Second Open Day. Information Presentation at 10:00am
Tuesday 6 December 2011	Scholarship Application Deadline
Saturday and Sunday 7 – 8 January 2012	Aptitude Test
Sunday 12 February 2012	Challenge Day
March 2012	Panel Interviews
Mid-May 2012	Place of offers for overseas UWCs
Mid-June 2012	Place of offers for LPCUWC

Applying from China PRC

Li Po Chun United World College — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 13:35:28 +0000

There are two methods of entry available for Chinese students living in Mainland China:

1. Scholarship entry

Five full scholarship places are made available each year for Chinese students living in Mainland China who will have completed Gaozhong 3 and have a university acceptance.

This application is for Chinese students living in Mainland China who will have completed Gaozhong 3 with a university acceptance ONLY.

Please contact the UWC National Committee of China at info@cn.uwc.org for application details or visit their website www.uwcchina.com.

2. Fee-paying entry directly to the College

A few fee-paying places are available for students who will have completed Gaozhong 2, subject to approval of the student visa. The full fee for 2012/2013 will be HK$206,000* (provisional), but fees for 2013/2014 are yet to be determined. This figure includes all tuition and residential (boarding and food) costs, books, stationery and IB examination entry fees. However air fares, pocket money and private medical care are not included. Only a few fee-paying places are usually available annually depending on availability of places, and normal selection criteria apply.

Please contact the UWC National Committee of China at info@cn.uwc.org for application details or visit their website www.uwcchina.com.

This application is for Chinese students living in Mainland China ONLY.

* estimation only, subject to change and subsequent approval from the Education Bureau of Hong Kong.

Applying from Overseas

Li Po Chun United World College — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 13:29:22 +0000

There are three methods of entry available for students living outside Hong Kong:

1. Scholarship entry through the National Committee:

Almost every country has its own National Committee that selects students for UWCs around the world, including Li Po Chun UWC. To contact your local National Committee and make an application, obtain the contact details from http://www.uwc.org/how_to_apply/find_your_national_committee/default.aspx.

2. International Quota (IQ) Scheme

Entry under the IQ Scheme is available if you are not a citizen of the country in which you are presently residing. If selected you would normally pay full fees, although financial support is available under special circumstances.

For details of entry under the IQ Scheme, please send an e-mail to office@lpcuwc.edu.hk.

This application is for ONLY for applicants who are not citizens of the country in which they are presently residing. To apply, three parts of an application are needed:

On-line Application Form – to be completed by applicant, click HERE.
Form P – to be completed by parents, download HERE.
Form S – to be completed by your current school’s Principal, download HERE.

It is recommended that you submit your application by Tuesday 6 December 2011 as late applications can be considered only if unexpected late places become available.

3. Fee-paying entry directly to the College:

To apply, three parts of an application are needed:

On-line Application Form – to be completed by applicant, click HERE.
Form P – to be completed by parents, download HERE.
Form S – to be completed by your current school’s Principal, download HERE.

It is recommended that you submit your application by Tuesday 6 December 2011 as late applications can be considered only if unexpected late places become available.

* estimation only, subject to change and subsequent approval from the Education Bureau of Hong Kong.

Arriving at LPC

Li Po Chun United World College — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 01:02:27 +0000

Welcome

Welcome to Li Po Chun United World College. This page has been designed for international students who will be joining us in September.

Orientation Week

“Everyone made me feel so welcome. It was an once-in-a-lifetime experience. I
don’t think it’s possible to get so many nice people in one place!”

“Fantastic International Evening! The second years did lots of preparation to
welcome the first years, creating a memorable Orientation Week.”

“Orientation Week was daunting, overwhelming, scary, exciting, and exhilarating.”

(Quotes from recent LPCUWC students)

Orientation Week is dedicated to making our new first year students welcome, introducing them to Hong Kong (both the city and its country park area), and attending to necessary administrative things: making initial subject choices, registering with the nurse, going to Immigration Department to get a Hong Kong ID Card, getting stationery supplies and most important of all(!) stocking up on pot noodles. Whether it be the highly entertaining No Talent Show, the stylish Orientation Week Cafe, the energetic Sports Night, the astonishing Hong Kong evening Orientation, the exhilarating Camping Trips, or the extravagant International Evening, both first and second year students have enjoyed every minute awake during the week. It is by far the best way to begin a great new year at a new school. The schedule of orientation week differs between different residential blocks, but a typical schedule given to a new student would be:

Sunday		Principal’s welcome
		Tutor meeting
		House Welcome Party
Monday		Meeting for all 1st year students
		UWC Presentation
		Service Presentation
		Service consultation
		Alcohol Awareness
		Meeting with Head of House
		Flea Market
		Music Night
Tuesday		Information session for all 1st year students
		Academic day
		Bank accounts
		Academic briefing
		Subject teacher consulations
		Meeting with tutor to confirm subject choices
		Peak Tram
		Tutor group optional dinner / UWC Discussion
Wednesday		Meeting with tutor to confirm subject choices
		Overseas students: ID cards
		Admin Office – check data
		Pool Games
		Overseas students: ID cards
		Camp
		Admin Office – check data
		Tutor group optional dinner / UWC Discussion
Thursday		Overseas students: ID cards
		Admin Office – check data
		Camp return
		Admin Office – check data
		Pool Games
		Peak Tram
Friday		Overseas students: ID cards
		Pool Games
		Camp return
		Quan Cai Fair
		Games Night
Saturday		HK Presentation
		HK Magical Mystery Tour
		International Evening
2nd Week		Welcome drinks with the Principal

Arriving at Hong Kong

Li Po Chun United World College — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 00:59:45 +0000

When to arrive

LPCUWC will advise you when to arrive in a package that is posted to you. Before you leave home, make sure that you have informed the College about details of your flight and expected arrival time.

Visas

You should mail your visa application directly to the College. Do not contact the Chinese Embassy in your country. If your family is travelling with you, make sure that their passports should be valid for at least one month after your planned departure date from Hong Kong. For some nationalities, this condition extends to six months. Nationals of most countries are not required to obtain visas for periods varying from seven days to 180 days, depending on nationality, if they are visiting as tourists. Details of visa requirements can be found at Hong Kong Immigration Department’s Homepage.

Arriving at Hong Kong

For all 1st year students arriving at Hong Kong for their 1st time, some 2nd year studnets will meet you at Arrivials Hall of Hong Kong International Airport. Look for the sign “Li Po Chun United World College”. After you have been met and welcomed, our college bus will take you to LPCUWC.

Details for public transport to the college can be found using the interactive map below. More information can be found in “About LPC>Location” section.

Admission: FAQ

Li Po Chun United World College — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 00:57:56 +0000

How many different countries do the students at LPCUWC come from?

At present, we have students from about 80 different countries. 42% of our students come from Hong Kong, and the remaining 58% come from around the world.

Why do you have such a large proportion of students from Hong Kong in an international school?

LPCUWC aims to be a bridge of understanding between the cultures of China and the rest of the world. This is a two-way process. We want young people from Hong Kong to understand the global environment of the world they will enter, and we want students from elsewhere to learn about Chinese culture from those who know it best – young men and women of their own age who have been raised within that culture.

Are the international/overseas students mainly the children of expatriates working in Hong Kong?

No, LPCUWC is unique among schools in Hong Kong in this respect. Our students are invited to come to Hong Kong specifically to study at LPCUWC. In almost all cases, their families are still living in their home countries. The international/overseas students mainly come on scholarships, and are selected by the UWC National Committee in their home country.

I have heard that it is very difficult for Hong Kong students to get into LPCUWC because so many apply. How many students apply to come to LPCUWC each year, and how many do you accept?

The number of applications varies each year, but we usually receive just over 500 applications from Hong Kong students annually. Each year, we accept about 50 new students from Hong Kong into the College, and about 78 from other countries.

Given that so many students apply to come to LPCUWC, how do you select the successful students?

The first stage is an aptitude test, held at the College in early January each year. There are four parts to the aptitude test: (a) reading comprehension, (b) mathematical and scientific reasoning, (c) written expression, and (d) abstract reasoning.

Based on the results of the aptitude test, a short-list of students is selected to attend Challenge Day, which is held during February each year at the College. At Challenge Day, students are divided into groups and given various fun tasks that are designed to measure how well the applicant can co-operate with others, and other factors such as a student’s creativity, articulation, initiative, thoughtfulness and reflection. Challenge Day is used to develop a final short-list of applicants who will be invited to the third stage, which is a panel interview with the Hong Kong Selection Committee, during which the student’s understanding of current events, attitudes towards serving others and philosophy of life are explored.

What should I study for the aptitude test?

You cannot study for the test. The test does not examine content learnt in any course. It is equally fair for students from all backgrounds and educational programmes.

Are applicants from overseas expected to attend the aptitude testing day and Challenge Day?

All applicants who apply for scholarship funding through the Hong Kong selection process must attend the aptitude testing day, Challenge Day and interview.

You have said that an important factor in selecting students is the recommendation from the student’s current Principal. My Principal refuses to write a reference in support of any application from my school.

We are aware of a very small number of Principals who refuse to write references to support students wishing to apply to change schools. We understand the reason is that these Principals do not want to lose their best students to a UWC. Although it is sad that these Principals seem more concerned about their enrolment numbers than providing the best opportunities for their students, it does NOT affect the chances of a student being accepted into a UWC. Where a Principal refuses to provide a reference, a student is encouraged to obtain a reference from a teacher who knows them well, such as their tutor or form teacher. Where all teachers in a school have been instructed not to provide a reference, the student should explain this in their application, and provide a character reference instead from a respected person such as a doctor, minister of religion, teacher in another school, etc.

I have heard that LPCUWC places great emphasis on both academic performance and community service. Which is more important when LPCUWC selects students – previous academic record or past community service?

When LPCUWC selects students, many factors are taken into account, including the two mentioned (academics and service), but also creativity, enthusiasm, innovation, compassion, resilience, attitude towards life, understanding of contemporary issues, ability to live in a residential community, and so on.
The importance of these factors varies from student to student, because we seek to evaluate each student as an individual according to his or her own strengths.
We are not seeking clones – we are seeking unique individuals.
We know that some students have had more opportunities than others to engage in community service, because some schools support this more than others. We are not seeking to reward past performance – we are looking out for the potential to gain from the UWC experience in the future.

I really want to attend LPCUWC, but the cost is more than my family can afford. Are scholarships difficult to obtain?

Almost every student who comes to LPCUWC does so with scholarship assistance. Most overseas students are supported by the National Committees. Most Hong Kong students receive scholarship assistance according to their family’s financial situation. As far as possible, we try to ensure that no student is prevented from attending LPCUWC for financial reasons.

I do not live in Hong Kong, but I really want to attend LPCUWC. How can I apply?

There are three methods of entry to this College, depending on your individual situation:

Scholarship entry through the National Committee: If you are a citizen of the country in which you are residing, and if there is UWC National Committee in your country, you should send an application to that Committee. To obtain the contact details of your National Committee, visit the relevant section of the UWC website at
International Quota Scheme: If you are not a citizen of the country in which you are presently residing, or if there is no UWC National Committee in your country, you can apply under the International Quota (IQ) Scheme. IQ students normally pay full fees, but they may receive support under special circumstances upon written application. To apply under the IQ Scheme, you should download an application from this website and submit it directly to this College.
Fee-paying entry directly to the College:Only a small number of fee-paying places are available annually, and normal selection criteria apply. Entry by this route is subject to the approval of the relevant National Committee, although application is made directly to Li Po Chun UWC.

I live in Mainland China and I really want to attend LPCUWC. How can I apply?

Students in Mainland China may apply for a full scholarship to attend LPCUWC if they have completed Gaozhong 3. Students who have only completed Gaozhong 2 may apply for a full-fee place. Further details are provided here.

Applicants from Mainland China should download an application form from this website and submit it directly to the College.

What are the staff like?

The staff at LPCUWC are a highly professional team of committed educators, all with university education and teaching qualifications, many with postgraduate degrees. Staff are very generous with their time, and seek to help students maximise their potential in every area of their endeavours. Staff come from many countries and regions, including Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Malaysia, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

What is the food like?

LPCUWC has the reputation of having some of the best food in any school in Hong Kong, or indeed in any UWC according to many reports.
Breakfast starts at 7:00am and finishes at 9:30am. Before 8:00am, cereals, yogurt, fruit, bread, cheese, tea and coffee are available, and grillers, toasters and microwaves are available. From 8:00am, cooked breakfasts are available. The routine is different on Sundays, when breakfast is replaced by brunch, which extends from 10:30am to 1:00pm, during which a wide range of breakfast and lunch dishes are available as a buffet.
Lunch starts at 12:00noon and finishes at 2:30pm. Each day, a choice of Western and Chinese meals is available, with a vegetarian and non-vegetarian option within each. In addition, there is a sandwich bar and a salad bar, in addition to bread, fruit, tea and coffee being available.
Dinner starts at 6:00pm and finishes at 7:30pm. Like lunch, a choice of Western and Chinese meals is always available, with a vegetarian and non-vegetarian option within each, plus the salad bar, in addition to bread, fruit, tea and coffee being available.
Meals are served in the Canteen, which is a contemporary circular air conditioned facility, with floor-to-ceiling windows providing a tree-filtered panoramic view across the beach and waters of Starfish Bay, and a large skylight filling the room with natural illumination.

I know that LPCUWC is fully residential. What are the living areas like?

Staff and students live in four residential blocks that curve along the ridge overlooking the waters of Starfish Bay and Tolo Harbour. Most rooms have views looking over the water. Each floor of a residential block is allocated to either males or females, and each room accommodates four students with a fairly generous amount of space. Curtains divide each room to provide privacy at night. All rooms are air-conditioned. Each floor has a shared bathroom with toilets and showers, and each residential block has a laundry, computer laboratory with broadband internet access, and a “day room” which is used as a social gathering space. All residential blocks have covered access to the canteen and academic blocks.

Do I need to bring my own laptop computer?

There are computer laboratories in each residential block with broadband internet access, so you do not need to bring a laptop. However, a majority of students (about 90%) do bring their own laptop, which gives the advantage of computer access at any time. Every room has broadband internet access, making e-mail and chat access to home very easy with a laptop. Some students also use laptops to listen to music or watch VCDs or DVDs (using headphones so as not to disturb others in the room). Both Windows and Macintosh computers can be accommodated, and we have students using either or both.

Is LPCUWC a profit-making school?

Definitely not! LPCUWC is a registered charity in Hong Kong, and a not-for-profit organisation. The College was established through a generous grant from the Li Po Chun Charitable Trust Fund and support from the Hong Kong Government. Generous donations from the Li Po Chun Charitable Trust Fund and the Hong Kong Jockey Club continue to enable the College to provide substantial financial assistance to students who are selected to attend the College.

Life in LPC

Li Po Chun United World College — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 08:35:24 +0000

For some, Li Po Chun United World College is located in an isolated suburb. For others, LPCUWC is the closet they have ever been to with so many people in such a small area. LPC’s location in Ma On Shan provides a happy medium for most students between city bustle and remote wilderness. It also provides a place where students from around the world come together. Located 45 minutes from Kowloon by bus, the college offers most students a chance to experience something new, be it living with people from all over the world or living without parents for the first time.

Life at Hong Kong SAR

Hong Kong SAR, as gateway to China, as Asia’s world city, provides exciting experience to all LPCUWC students. For more information about visiting Hong Kong, please visit Discover Hong Kong website provided by HK Tourism Board.

Life at Li Po Chun UWC

A typical daily schedule at LPCUWC:

7:30 am	Morning Class
8:30 am	Breakfast
9:00 am	Classes
11:00 am	Break or Announcement
11:20 am	Classes
12:50- 2:30 pm	Lunch
2:30 pm	Afternoon activities:Monday - ICA/S3 lectures, Service planning Tuesday- Quan Cai activities Wednesday - College meeting or block activities Thursday- Services or Quan Cai activities Friday- QCT or Quan Cai activities
6:00 pm	Dinner
9:00 pm	Check in (Sun-Thur), House Meeting (Wed)
After 9:00 pm	Private Studies

A typical year round
calender at LPCUWC:

early September	Orientation Week
end October	China Week
mid December	Christmas Break
mid January	Term 2 Begins
late February	Science Project Week and Mock Exams
early Match	Project Week
May	IB Final Exams, 1st year exams

Open Days

Li Po Chun United World College — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 08:34:13 +0000

Every year, Li Po Chun United World College welcomes the general public and prospective students and their parents to the campus on Open Days. Visitors to Open Days can meet our students and hear first hand about our programmes and the aims of UWC. Students play a large part in organising these open days.

This year, we will have two open days including “Information Sessions” about scholarships and admission, one on 9 October 2011 (Sunday) and one on 12 November 2011 (Saturday).

Our College is 5 minutes walk from Wu Kai Sha MTR station, Exit A. Please feel free to contact us at 2640 0441 if you have any questions.

Open day presentation can be downloaded here.

Time	What’s Happening	Location
9:30am – 11:30am	Video: Introduction of UWCs	Room 104 (English) Room 105 (Cantonese)
9:30am – 11:30am	LPCUWC students are available to talk to visitors	Courtyard
10:00am – 11:10am	UWCs Information Presentation (with Question and Answers section)	Assembly Hall (bi-lingual – English/Cantonese)
11:10am – 11:40am	Campus Tours	Depart from Assembly Hall
11:45am – 12:30pm	Performance at Courtyard