Year 13 St Paul’s Collegiate School student Serena Lim-Strutt has been offered four major scholarships to universities across New Zealand, including a three-year academic scholarship to Otago University valued at $45,000.
Her other scholarship offers include a $25,000 academic and leadership scholarship for the University of Waikato and two academic scholarships for Victoria University and the University of Auckland ($20,000 each).
The reason for her success? Well, it’s pure hard work, determination and commitment.
The 17-year-old asked for plenty of help from the school’s Deputy Headmaster Peter Hampton who guided her through the requirements needed to secure such scholarships: more than 80 Excellence credits in Year 12 and a series of sports, cultural, leadership and academic achievements.
“The school was really good at pushing me, Mr Hampton researches everything you need to get the scholarship so you are well prepared and know what to do," Serena said.
Knowing well in advance that she needed more than 80 excellence credits, Serena put her head down and studied hard.
In Year 11, she achieved a total of 87 Level 1 credits, 75 of which were excellence credits. She also gained 99% in Maths, 92% in Physics and 86% in Chemistry in Cambridge IGCSE subjects.
In Year 12, she passed 134 Level 2 credits, 114 of which were excellence credits. This is more than double the amount of credits required to pass NCEA Level 2. She also passed Cambridge AS Maths with a GPA of 94% and was awarded three New Zealand Scholarships: Physical Education (outstanding), English and Earth and Space Science.
Her friends and former graduates of St Paul’s who had received scholarships in their graduating year also played a significant role in her university scholarship success.
“They talked me through their personal application process and gave me their applications to look at. It helped me identify patterns in what makes a successful application."
Serena is understandably ecstatic and now has her pick of some of New Zealand’s finest universities.
Her advice for other secondary school students? Well, she stresses the importance of achieving good grades and having a well-rounded portfolio by the end of Year 12.
“Most students in Year 13 don’t realise how much the Year 12 marks matter, all of my scholarship offers were based off my Year 12 marks and achievements."
While Otago and Auckland University are currently her top picks, she is still unsure about her future career path. At present, it’s a toss-up between commerce, psychology or English.
She is going to take a gap year in 2017 to consider her options while she embarks on a mini-adventure around the world to South-East Asia and Europe.
Whatever she chooses, she clearly has a bright future ahead of her.
