Journey to Preferred University: Eisa

The course I intend to pursue at university is BA International Relations, and the offers I received were all from leading UK universities, including the London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE), King’s College London (KCL), SOAS University of London, and the University of Sussex. While making my final decision was challenging, I decided to make LSE my first choice.

There were two leading reasons for my course decision. Firstly, I was always passionate about social sciences and humanities during my time at BSKL, especially History and Geography, and I saw International Relations as an extension of these aspects while also being something I hadn’t been exposed to much during my prior years of learning. Secondly, I personally intend to make a difference in the humanitarian field, by working towards solutions for contemporary issues affecting our societies such as poverty, climate change, etc. and I believe this degree will help harness and prepare my skills in this area. The reasons I chose LSE in particular included the university’s excellent Politics and IR department, the recognition of LSE as a top global university, and the appealing structure of the course. Another personal reason was that my great-grandmother was an alumna of LSE, as she read Economics for her Master’s degree in 1966.

BSKL’s academic and extracurricular environment was hugely important in helping me decide my university path. Firstly, the wide range of lessons offered in BSKL throughout KS3, IGCSEs, and A-Levels helped me identify my skills and passions, and therefore helped me pursue these interests within and beyond the classroom. 

Additionally, the teachers and staff at BSKL provided excellent support during my application process, as my subject teachers provided valuable advice when I prepared for university interviews, while the university counsellors' weekly tutorial sessions helped me continuously improve my personal statement and learn more about the universities I was interested in through university talks. 

Finally, the leadership opportunities available at BSKL also supported my decision for my major. Since joining BSKL, I have been able to take part in numerous leadership roles, such as attending the NAE-UNICEF Summit in 2021, co-founding the school’s Social Impact Team and being Sixth Form Prefect in Year 12, and being Head Student in my final year. By taking advantage of these opportunities, I understood much more about the value of leading and taking initiative, which made me realize that I wanted to continue my studies in a field where leadership and advocacy is essential to make change.

The support during my decision-making process extended beyond school, as my parents always provided consistent encouragement and advice. By encouraging my interests, advising me to play to my strengths, and helping me get in contact with graduates from the universities I was considering, they were essential in helping me make my decision with much more clarity and confidence.

The best life lesson I learnt at BSKL would probably be to take initiative. When I joined BSKL in Year 9 from Pakistan, I was nervous about fitting in and being successful because it was the first time I had ever moved schools. And I am very pleased for the immense opportunities I availed at BSKL in academics, sports, advocacy, etc, allowing me to develop new skills, broaden my horizons, and form (hopefully) lifelong friendships. 

My main advice for future BSKL graduates would be to trust your instincts and listen to others. If you have an interest in a particular subject, or a liking for a particular university, don’t hesitate to pursue it – find out more about the course and convince your peers and family why the university is best for you. But at the same time, listening to the advice of others is essential for success, so always be eager to understand other people’s point of view regarding your potential university or career path (especially if you know that those people want the best for you). 

Ultimately, in my opinion, 1. being confident in your own judgement, 2. listening to the opinions of others, and finally 3. potentially reworking your original way of thinking to make an informed decision will promise success for the future.