Application Story: Chen Yiwei's Journey
Chen Yiwei is a girl who is passionate about film and literature, and she has obtained impressive results in her Chinese high school entrance exams and attended the best local high school. However, her active and thoughtful nature soon led her to realize that the traditional education system didn't suit her. With the full support of her parents, Yiwei decided to pursue her studies abroad. She initially transferred to the international division of her high school and later moved to an international school in Guangdong for a better academic environment. This marked the beginning of Yiwei's application story.
Basic Information:
Name: Chen Yiwei
Educational Background: Transferred from the international division of a high school in Changsha to an international school in Guangdong
A-Level Predicted Grades: Economics A*, Mathematics A*, Chemistry A
Offers Received: University of Hong Kong (Philosophy), Chinese University of Hong Kong (Philosophy), London School of Economics and Political Science (Philosophy), Cambridge University (Philosophy) (Interviewed)
Final Choice: London School of Economics and Political Science (Philosophy)
Tutoring Program from Meetcam:Yiwei participated in an application consulting program that included early-stage planning, unlimited personal statement revisions, written exams, and mock interviews with a Cambridge Philosophy tutor, Patricia(see tutor section).
Q&A with Yiwei:
Q: What courses did you take in international high school?
A: I initially studied the IB curriculum, taking psychology, mathematics, and chemistry at SL and economics, Chinese, and English at HL. After two years, I switched to A-Levels, studying geography, economics, mathematics, and chemistry, but I later dropped geography.
Q: How did you choose your major?
A: At first, I wasn’t sure about what to major in. However, I always had an interest in humanities and social sciences. I enjoyed literature and film, and reading Camus' The Outsider introduced me to existentialist philosophy, which sparked my interest in philosophy. Eventually, I realized that philosophy was the subject I loved and excelled at. I made the final decision to apply for philosophy in the second semester of my senior year, which was a bit late compared to others, but I had no regrets.
Q: How did you manage both studying and applying in a short time?
A: My school’s philosophy teacher recommended that I read a philosophy history book during the winter break. I focused on the parts that interested me, which became the theme of my application essay. However, I encountered a challenge when I realized that my teacher specialized in continental philosophy, while I was preparing for an analytic philosophy-based system. At this point, I met my tutor, Patricia, from MeetCam, who guided me through the Cambridge syllabus, helped me better understand British university philosophy, and supported me in drafting my application essays. The program was comprehensive and cost-effective, with unlimited revisions and mock interviews.
Q: What was the biggest challenge during the application process?
A: The biggest difficulty was the written and mock interviews, especially the Cambridge ones. The written exam had a strict time limit—40 minutes to write a few hundred words on a philosophy essay. I was also very nervous during the interview, fearing I wouldn't perform well. Fortunately, Patricia helped me prepare systematically, which eased my anxiety. Although I didn’t get an offer from Cambridge, the process helped me gain a thorough understanding of philosophy, which strengthened my applications to other schools.
Q: How did you find out about MeetCam?
A: I found out about it through a senior on Zhihu, who shared her experience. I was initially wary of highly commercialized agencies, so I added her WeChat. She recommended Patricia, who was a Cambridge student, and unlike commercial tutors, Patricia provided personalized and practical advice. I felt that she was incredibly helpful and guided me through the application process in a very tailored manner.
Q: Any advice for juniors?
A: First, decide on your major early and start reading related books. Also, I highly recommend using the Douban app to filter books by ratings and reviews, which helped me avoid unnecessary detours. Finally, I wish all juniors success in their applications and hope they receive their dream offers!
Note from Yiwei's tutor:
Philosophy is a subject that demands high proficiency in English reading and writing and greatly develops logical thinking and critical abilities, which I focus on through lectures, mock interviews, and assignments (including readings and essays).
Philosophy is relatively niche, and many high school students in China may not have access to specialized philosophy teachers, especially in analytic philosophy. I recommend that students interested in philosophy start preparing early. The key is to build knowledge, improve skills, and strengthen their background in philosophy. Regularly read introductory English and American philosophy books and classic articles, such as Plato's Meno, and explore your areas of interest. Consider online courses (like Coursera) or academic projects as well.
For those applying to Oxford or Cambridge philosophy programs, it's important to familiarize yourself with the university's syllabus (especially for first-year courses) and supplement your knowledge through reading. During mock interviews and written exams, practice thinking and responding quickly, as university professors are more interested in the process of exploration rather than just showcasing what you already know.
Yiwei demonstrated excellent time management and self-learning skills, so I gave her a lot of space to learn independently. For her personal statement, I helped her brainstorm ideas, organize her writing, and refine the language. While Yiwei had a solid foundation in reading philosophical works, I encouraged her to explore analytic philosophy more broadly, and during lectures and mock interviews, I often challenged her responses to help her think critically in English and express herself clearly. This was the kind of ability professors look for in interviews: not simply demonstrating what you already know, but engaging in a process of inquiry and learning.
Yiwei is about to begin her university life in the UK, reading, thinking, and exploring new possibilities. MeetCam is honored to have played a role in her growth and transformation. If you have similar thoughts or questions about your application journey, feel free to reach out to MeetCam’s senior students for advice and support—we’re here to help you unlock your potential and create a better future!