At GIS, our Oxbridge Advisory enables current Oxbridge-bound students to benefit from advice and insight from GIS alumni already studying at the University of Oxford and Cambridge.
It was a wonderful experience to welcome back our alumni members Nicole Choong, now in her third year reading Computer Science at Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge, and Isabel Lee, now in her second year reading PPE at The Queen’s College, Oxford.
Both alumni generously gave up their time at the end of their summer break to come back into school and speak to our current Oxbridge applicants from Year 13 during our weekly Oxbridge CCA. During their lively and warm presentation, which was followed by a Q&A session, both students confidently shared their experiences with our current applicants on their application journey and how to diligently prepare for interviews. They also introduced the collegiate system and the tutorial/supervision system to the current cohort.
There was an exceptionally positive atmosphere throughout as both students shared happy and successful experiences in their time at university, as well as the challenges and trials new students would have to face and how to overcome them. Both girls also spoke about steep traditions in Oxbridge and costumes used in matriculation, the rowing rivalry, exams and formals in both their universities. It was also wonderful for both of them to offer different worldviews on life in both esteemed universities, as well as share about the differences between STEM and the Humanities.
GIS is so honoured and privileged that our alumni are so willing to return to their alma mater to give back what they have received. Both our former GIS students answered the questions with sincerity and aplomb and maintained their sense of humour as they reminded potential Oxbridge aspirants of the rigour and hard work involved in the process.
Both Isabel and Niocle also took the time catching up with former teachers who were delighted in seeing them face to face again. Thank you both Nicole and Isabel; we wish you all the best in the Michaelmas term. We also wish our current cohort all the very best with their applications!
Renie Leng
Higher Education Advisor/Counsellor
“It was an absolute privilege to have an opportunity to return to GIS and share my experiences at Cambridge with such an enthusiastic group of high-achieving students. I hope that my anecdotes and insights were able to inspire and motivate them to excel in the last push of their application process. Best of luck to the Class of 23′!”
Nicole Choong, Class of 2020
Reading Computer Science at University of Cambridge
‘It was truly an honour being back in GIS and having the opportunity to meet all of the aspiring Oxbridge applicants. I had the pleasure of sharing my life at Oxford and providing these high achieving students with some insights on the application process. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to catch up with all of my old teachers who have made a big difference in my academic life. Best of luck to everyone applying to university this year!’
Isabel Lee, Class of 2021
Reading Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) at the University of Oxford
A huge ‘Thank You’ to these inspiring Alumni who met, mentored and coached our students despite their busy daily schedules. A special thank you to Renie Leng and Christopher Mercer from GIS Higher Education Department for organising the talk for our students.
If you are interested in sharing your journey post GIS, and offering pearls of wisdom to our current students at future events, then please get in touch with us at alumni@gardenschool.edu.my.
We are always updating our page with news from the Alumni community across the continents, and would love to hear from you and share your stories. Please get in touch via Facebook, LinkedIn or simply send an email to alumni@gardenschool.edu.my. We can’t wait to hear from you!