Many people assume that taking A‑Levels means applying to UK universities. At YWIES Lingang, however, diverse pathways and whole‑person education have never been empty words.

With a full 12‑year through‑train schooling model, a dedicated CUGO (Careers and University Guidance Office) team, and a campus culture that encourages students to find their own voice, our A‑Level students also have the option of applying to both the UK and the US. James, a student of the Class of 2026, is a perfect example. As an A‑Level student, he moved beyond the single‑track application mindset, secured offers from several US universities, and ultimately enrolled in the top‑three ranked Sports Management programme at UMass Amherst. His journey speaks volumes about what YWIES truly stands for.

James initially set his sights on Loughborough University in the UK. Supported by the university guidance team, who recognised his outgoing character and rich extracurricular portfolio, he opted for a dual UK‑US application strategy just two months before applications opened. After receiving an offer from Penn State University, he reviewed his personal development priorities and focused fully on US admissions. Following thorough comparison, he selected UMass Amherst.

'Applying to US universities with A‑Levels brings real advantages: you can submit applications using AS grades and predicted grades, without being reliant on final A‑Level results. That said, maintaining a strong GPA is the main challenge. Most students at our school target UK universities, where internal assessments carry limited weight. US universities, by contrast, place great importance on every assignment and test across senior school. From the start of my IGCSE studies, I treated all coursework carefully to ensure my ongoing grades never became an application weakness.'

American universities use a holistic review process, so applicants are never judged on grades alone. Instead, admissions officers look at the full picture: four years of consistent academic performance, extracurricular involvement, personal essays, language scores, and more. This means a complete and coherent school record is absolutely crucial.

At YWIES, our CUGO programme runs from Grade 8 all the way through Grade 12 – a distinctive feature of the school. It's far more than just application coaching. The programme encourages students to look inward, explore their own strengths and interests, and think early about careers and future directions, all while motivating them to get involved in meaningful activities. We also help students reflect on what those experiences have taught them, so they can present their genuine strengths effectively in their applications. Take James, for example: he founded a robotics club at school and competed in the FRC, honing his teamwork, creativity, and strategic thinking along the way. That experience became a standout element of his US application.

Sport has been a lifelong passion running through James’s school years. From an early age, he played football, rugby, basketball and volleyball. While he never planned to turn professional, he was deeply drawn to the sense of camaraderie that comes from competing side by side as part of a team. During his IGCSE years, the school’s PE curriculum — and the encouragement of his PE teacher in particular — sparked a genuine interest in the sports industry, and cemented his ambition to pursue a career in sports management. He went on to choose business-related subjects, building a solid understanding of the industry and laying strong academic foundations for his university applications in business.

At YWIES, the A‑Level programme strikes a careful balance between specialisation and all-round development. It gives students ample room to grow, while offering the guidance and support they need along the way — helping them build resilience and develop the broad range of competencies that overseas holistic admissions systems look for. Thanks to the flexible subject choices offered by our A‑Level pathway, students are able to tailor their own learning journey to suit their individual interests.

As there was no flag football club at the school, James took the initiative to put a proposal to the principal and teachers and secure campus resources. He recruited players with sporting backgrounds from the frisbee and basketball teams, designed plays and organised regular training sessions. This newly‑formed club won its very first friendly fixture.

His consistent hard work paid off. The team went on to win the inaugural Shanghai International High‑School Flag Football League championship and secure third place in the Yangtze River Delta Championship. James himself recorded the highest number of touchdowns across the league. Within the school basketball team, he progressed from a reserve shooting guard to a key team contributor, helping the side finish top of the regular‑season league table. When the school football team needed a goalkeeper, he stepped back into that role.

One memory from shortly before graduation stayed with James. On the sports field, younger pupils were voluntarily practising flag football and running through plays, with no seniors prompting them. The passion had been passed on across the student body, making all his hard‑earned efforts feel truly worthwhile.

Many families fall into a fixed mindset when choosing a curriculum: A‑Levels mean applying to the UK, AP means applying to the US. James's story is a perfect illustration of the value of YWIES's multi-pathway approach: a curriculum is not a cage. What really matters is respecting a child's interests, offering enough support, and helping students choose the path that suits them best.

A‑Levels were never a one-country track; interests are more than just a hobby; and an ordinary student can still make their own mark on campus. The school rejects standardised, cookie-cutter education, honours every individual passion, and — through a professional support system — helps young people reach the horizons that are theirs to claim.