The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) is a leading social science university, ranked first in London and sixth worldwide in the QS World University Rankings 2024. With around 26,000 applicants for just 1,800 places in 2023, it’s incredibly competitive, and top candidates usually have excellent academic records.
If you aspire to study at LSE or any other top UK university, starting early with a strong academic foundation is crucial. Take Zoe Soh, for example — her successful admission at LSE was built on a solid education from elc International School, HELP International School (HIS) and Sunway College.
Zoe started her education at elc when she was three. The school’s focus on providing quality education set her up for academic success from the beginning. One of the core values at elc, represented by the ‘C’ for commitment, played a big role in shaping her approach to both learning and personal growth.
At nine, Zoe began participating in the Federation of British International Schools in Asia (FOBISIA) events. These events allowed her to meet and compete with students from across Asia. Through sports and competition, she learned resilience and discipline — qualities that have stuck with her ever since.
“I also served as a prefect and was recognised as an all-rounder, acknowledging my balanced involvement in academics and extracurricular activities.”
In Year 8, she moved to HIS for a different experience, eventually completing her IGCSEs there. After that, she pursued her A Levels at Sunway College, which further developed her academic skills and personal growth.
Zoe started her education at elc International School at the age of three.
Studying at HIS
HIS marked a big turning point in Zoe's educational journey. Unlike the more traditional learning methods at ELC, HIS embraced a modern approach, incorporating technology and group work into everyday learning. This helped Zoe develop critical thinking and creativity while adapting to new ways of learning.
The pastoral care at HIS stood out, as the school emphasised mental health and a balanced education beyond academics. Teachers were approachable and created an engaging, supportive environment, encouraging students to push their limits. What's more, they always offered support and ensured that students' questions and concerns were addressed.
“At HIS, two educators had a profound impact on my studies and personal growth: Ms. Elaine Tay and Mr. Keith Sortez. Both played significant roles in shaping my academic journey and fostering my development.”
Ms. Elaine Tay was particularly inspirational. Her dedication to her students went beyond the classroom. She was always willing to clarify doubts and answer questions, even the night before exams. Her approachable nature and willingness to provide extra support were invaluable. Ms. Elaine’s belief in Zoe's potential was a constant source of motivation for her.
“Her encouraging words and positive reinforcement pushed me to strive for excellence and to work harder to improve myself. She helped me recognise my strengths and guided me in overcoming my weaknesses, making her a crucial influence on my academic achievements.”
HIS's strong academic and extracurricular support enables Zoe to excel in all areas.
Mr. Keith Sortez also left a lasting impression, particularly in encouraging creativity. His teaching style was supportive and inclusive, creating a classroom environment where Zoe felt free to express her ideas and explore new ways of thinking. Mr Keith valued creativity and innovation, urging students to think outside the box and approach problems from different angles. This made learning more engaging and helped develop her critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
“Both Ms. Elaine and Mr. Keith were not just educators but mentors who provided guidance and support during a critical time in my academic journey. Their encouragement and belief in my abilities were instrumental in building my confidence and shaping my approach to learning.”
The result? Zoe scored 10 A*s and 1 A in her IGCSE. Among the subjects she took were English (first language), mathematics, English literature, coordinated sciences, business studies, accounting, physical education, food technology, Bahasa Melayu and second language, English.
Active Participation in Co-Curricular Activities
HELP also offered a variety of extracurricular activities, from sports clubs to unique options like the World Scholars Cup (WSC), gaming, and even cooking and baking classes. Zoe was heavily involved in sports and extracurricular activities, taking on leadership roles that shaped her personal growth and helped with her university applications. As captain of the MSSD athletics team, she learned how to lead, motivate and inspire her teammates. This role taught her key leadership skills, resilience, and teamwork — qualities that are useful both in sports and in life.
At HIS, Zoe was actively involved in various sports teams and co-curricular activities, taking on leadership roles beyond just being a team member.
Zoe also served as a house representative for Yellow House (Pegasus), organising house activities and events. She was also a Majlis Sukan Sekolah Daerah (MSSD) runner and team captain, winning the Gold medal. These experiences not only enriched her personally but also helped make her university application stand out. They demonstrated her ability to balance academics with extracurriculars and highlighted her leadership and teamwork skills — highly valued in university settings.
With great facilities, including a swimming pool, two multipurpose sports halls, restaurant-quality kitchens, art rooms, design technology labs and computer rooms, the school allowed students to explore different interests and grow into well-rounded individuals.
Experience at Sunway College
Transitioning to Sunway College was another transformative step for Zoe. Sunway's focus on independent learning helped her develop important skills like time management and self-discipline, which prepared her for university-level education. The competitive atmosphere at Sunway was motivating, pushing Zoe to strive for academic excellence and keep improving her study habits.
“Being surrounded by driven and ambitious peers pushed me to strive for academic excellence. This environment not only encouraged me to aim for high scores but also instilled a deep sense of perseverance and resilience.”
This paid off in spades, as Zoe scored an A* in Accounting and Economics, and an A in Mathematics, emerging as Sunway’s A-Level Top Achiever.
Beyond academics, Sunway offered a variety of extracurricular activities that enriched her overall experience. As a member of the Sunway Investing Society, she was able to explore her passion for finance through industry-led talks and events. These opportunities deepened her understanding of financial markets and investment strategies. The Investing Society held workshops, guest lectures and seminars featuring experts from the finance industry. This real-world exposure gave Zoe a taste of the practical side of finance, helping bridge the gap between what she learned in the classroom and how it applies in the real world.
Sunway College played a crucial role in Zoe's successful application to LSE. The college’s International Office for University Placements (IOUP), along with their partnership with Mabecs, a UK-based education consultant, provided valuable guidance throughout the application process.
“Mabecs played a crucial role in my preparation, hosting workshops that covered various aspects of the UK university application process. These workshops included sessions on degree-specific requirements and personal statement writing. For the personal statement, focused on crafting a compelling narrative highlighting my interest in accounting and finance, backed by extensive reading on real-world issues in these fields.”
Zoe believes that family support is crucial to academic success, alongside hard work.
Pursuing Accounting and Finance at LSE
Today, Zoe is in her first year at LSE studying Accounting and Finance degree. From a young age, she was encouraged to explore her academic interests, but her success was not solely due to hard work; it was also the unwavering support of her family that made the difference.
“Throughout all my schooling years, my family played a major role in my development, offering encouragement and guidance at every step. Their belief in me, their sacrifices, and their constant presence were critical to my academic journey, and for that, I am incredibly grateful.”
Her fascination with financial statements has grown from seeing numbers as mere figures to understanding how they reveal a company’s financial health and business strategies. This shift in perspective ignited her passion for analysing financial data and making informed decisions
So why LSE? Zoe answers, “The Accounting and Finance programme at LSE offers a comprehensive curriculum that covers both theoretical and practical aspects of financial analysis, providing the perfect platform to deepen my understanding and skills in this area.”
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