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Few schools nurture a culture where students not only excel academically but also run their own communities, engage in internships, address societal challenges, and spearhead NGO initiatives. But it’s schools like these that help learners achieve high examination scores before progressing to Ivy League institutions. Achievements like these are common at Marlborough College Malaysia, simply because it encourages its learners to pursue their passions beyond getting good grades.
Take Elisa Yicen See, for instance. The Malaysian graduate stunned the academic world with a perfect score of 1,600 out of 1,600 for her SAT, placing her among the world’s top 0.0002% and securing her spot at Harvard University. The SAT is a standardised test that serves as strong evidence to university admissions teams of a student’s potential to succeed in college or career. “I think we woke up most of Gaia (my boarding house) with our screaming,” she says, reminiscing the day she received the good news.
Source: Marlborough College Malaysia
None of this would’ve been possible without a stellar application, which is precisely what Head of Careers and University Guidance, Laura Moody specialises in producing. “I enjoy collaborating with students to help them discover their strengths, interests, and potential career paths through various workshops, university guidance lessons, and career exploration activities,” she says. “Being able to provide personalised guidance and support to each student as they embark on this journey of self-discovery is truly rewarding.”
Elisa was a model student to guide. She had plenty of strengths to list, having studied at Marlborough since Year 3. She credits her achievements to the school’s emphasis on embracing new opportunities while staying true to her passions.
One such example is IntMUN, an online Model United Nations (MUN) conference Elisa spearheaded during the COVID-19 pandemic. Motivated by a desire to keep the MUN community engaged and active, she rallied a modest team of five — together, they represented Pakistan, Korea, France, Oman, and Malaysia. What began as a grassroots endeavour quickly evolved into a global phenomenon, attracting over 2,000 students worldwide, winning a US$3,000 grant from the UN and earning recognition from esteemed organisations like the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. “I hope to continue IntMUN and help build a strong MUN and debate culture within Malaysia,” says Elisa.
Community outreach laid at the heart of her endeavours, too, as evidenced by her involvement with the Raising and Giving Society. Alongside them, she helmed projects that left a lasting impact, from organising stationery donation drives to facilitating music education programmes and raising money for instruments for disadvantaged youth at a nearby local school. “I have passed on this project to my juniors who will continue visiting the school, ensuring it is sustainable and maintaining a close link between our two schools,” she says.
Elisa hopes to immerse herself in her studies at Harvard, bridging the gap between technology and politics — an intersection she became fascinated by as a Year 11 student at Marlborough. Miss Moody was quick to step in as a source of support, conducting Lunch and Learn sessions to demystify the intricate process of university applications. It was during these sessions that Elisa gleaned insights into the importance of crafting a distinctive narrative — a revelation that inspired her to intern for NGOs like Undi18, which lobbied to lower Malaysia’s voting age, WikiImpact, a Malaysian research news organisation, and YPolitics, which was focused on getting youths involved. Of course, taking on two STEM (that’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and humanity subjects during the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme solidified her goals.
“The IB made me sure I wanted to apply to the US for a liberal arts education as it fit my interests perfectly,” Elisa explains.
For student Alex Weeke from Denmark, it was the Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) component of the IB programme that provided him with a structured framework to pursue his interests and develop key skills outside the classroom. From leading the score for Mamma Mia to improving the effectiveness of his mixed martial arts sessions, CAS has been instrumental in fostering his growth as a leader and self-aware individual.
Source: Marlborough College Malaysia
“I’m especially indebted to college-provided opportunities because, upon getting ‘stuck in,’ as many of the teachers like to say, and getting involved in activities, I discovered a tight network of people that were happy to accept me,” he shares.
The opportunities Alex speaks of span serving as Senior Prefect and chair of the Wellbeing and Outreach school committee. His participation revolved around initiatives aimed at enhancing student welfare and community engagement. Such exposure has fueled his ambition to pursue further studies in economics, recognising its potential for effecting meaningful change on a global scale.
Hence Alex’s decision to pursue Higher Level Mathematics, Economics and English Language and Literature for his IB. “We work closely with students and Head of Departments to ensure students choose the right GCSE and IB subjects to match their strengths and their ambitions for the future,” says Miss Moody.
Moody’s team also works with organisations to ensure students are paired with opportunities to apply knowledge. For instance, Alex’s internship at GN ReSound Malaysia deepened his understanding of sustainability within economics. Through deep research and analysis, he presented a compelling business case that led to the implementation of eco-friendly solutions, resulting in the site’s carbon neutrality.
“Marlborough offers many opportunities for keen students like myself to explore our options,” he says. “Being nominated for the Lester B. Pearson scholarship to attend the University of Toronto could provide me with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to further my life goals brilliantly — therefore I’m incredibly grateful to the college.”
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