From XWA to the World
XWA students gain acceptance to leading universities worldwide, including Ivy League and other top institutions,
thanks to personalised guidance and preparation every step of the way.
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and many more universities across the globe.
What Sets XWA University & Career Guidance Apart
Bespoke Guidance from Grade 8
Early, structured support helping students explore pathways and make informed decisions from a young age
Personalised University Planning
Individual attention tailored to each student’s strengths, goals, and aspirations
Global Admissions Expertise
Specialist knowledge across US, UK, Europe, Oceania, and Asia university systems
End-to-End Application Support
Guidance through every step: from course selection to essays, testing, and final offers
Mentor Network & Real-World Insights
Access to alumni, parents, and industry professionals for guidance and career exposure
Personalised Support from Applications to Admissions
Most international schools assign one counsellor to over 100 students. At XWA, two full-time counsellors support around 120 students across Grades 11 and 12, approximately 30 per counsellor per grade. This allows for truly personalised guidance, with regular meetings and a deep understanding of each student’s academic profile, interests, and goals. From building university lists to writing essays and making final decisions, every student is supported by someone who knows them well.
University preparation is built into the school day, with timetabled sessions focused on US and UK applications and essay development, no need for after-school or weekend work.
Students graduate with a well-balanced university list, strong application essays developed over time, a clear understanding of global admissions systems, and a counsellor who actively advocates on their behalf.
Beyond Applications: Personalised Guidance for Life After School
XWA counsellors walk alongside each student throughout the university journey—celebrating successes, supporting them through challenges, and guiding them at every step. While the work is ultimately the student’s, they are never alone. This support is strengthened by strong relationships with global university admissions teams, allowing counsellors to stay current, provide context, and advocate directly for each student.
Students benefit from regular interactions with universities, including campus visits and events like the Lion City Fair, where over 160 institutions connect with Grades 9–12. Guidance extends beyond admissions, supporting pathways such as gap years or National Service, ensuring the right outcome for every student.
At XWA, academic excellence is combined with deeply personalised support: integrating pastoral care, life coaching, and future-ready skill development. University preparation isn’t just about grades and rankings; it’s about nurturing resilience, independence, and self-confidence. Students learn to make thoughtful decisions, set realistic goals, and develop the mindset to thrive in any environment, ensuring they are fully equipped for success beyond school.
What Your Child Gains Over Time
Research shows that students in bilingual programmes often make strong gains in both language development and overall learning. In this programme, students not only learn two languages, but also learn through both languages—using them to think, communicate, and solve problems across subjects. This strong bilingual foundation prepares students well for the IB Middle Years Programme.
By this stage, your child will have spent years reading, writing, discussing, and interpreting increasingly complex ideas across subjects in two languages, developing both academic proficiency and confidence.
Career Exploration That Starts in Grade 8
Career exploration at XWA starts as early as Grade 8, well before university applications. At this stage, the focus isn’t on specific universities, which can create unnecessary stress, but on helping students understand their interests, the types of work that exist, and how different paths connect. In Grades 8 and 9, students meet professionals from various industries and visit companies to see real-world work in action.
By Grade 10, guidance becomes more targeted. Counsellors collaborate with students, parents, and academic coordinators on IB Diploma course selection, ensuring requirements for specific fields, like medicine, are met and that international differences are understood. Students with defined interests are also connected with mentors who offer insight into their chosen fields. For example, a student interested in business and biology will consult with a professional with degrees from Oxford and Cambridge, while another exploring human rights law gains clarity from a legal mentor on specialisations and essential skills.
SAT and PSAT Testing on Campus
XWA is a registered SAT test centre, open to both XWA students and external candidates. Your child can take the SAT in familiar surroundings rather than travelling to an unfamiliar location.
For younger students, XWA offers the PSAT 8/9 for Grades 8 and 9, and the PSAT/NMSQT for Grades 10 and 11. XWA is the only non-American school in Singapore to offer the PSAT.
Practice SAT sessions are available for students who want additional preparation. The counselling team also works with test preparation providers in Singapore and can advise families on options if your child would benefit from structured test prep.
From Aspiration to Achievement
Hear directly from XWA graduates as they share their journeys, achievements,
and how XWA prepared them for the world’s leading universities.
Pursuing Pre-medicine at Dartmouth College, USA
XWA Graduate 2024, IBDP Perfect Scorer, recipient of the Freeman Asian Scholarship, pursuing a triple major at Wesleyan University, USA
XWA Graduate 2023, Pursuing Medicine at the University of Belfast, Northern Ireland
XWA Graduate 2025, Majoring in Human Sciences at University College London (UCL), England
Our University & Careers Counsellors
Experienced guidance professionals dedicated to helping XWA students achieve their university and career aspirations.
Leslie Tam
Director of University & Careers Guidance
MEd, Harvard University | BSFS, Georgetown University
With over 25 years of experience across the USA, China, Hong Kong, and Singapore, Leslie is an expert in international university admissions. She guides students through every step of the journey, helping them identify their strengths, craft compelling applications, and gain acceptance to top universities worldwide.
Fidel Garcia
University Guidance Counsellor
MEd, SE Oklahoma State University | BA, San Francisco State University | College Counseling Certificate, Rice University
Fidel brings 25+ years of experience in Malaysia, Montenegro, and Curaçao. Skilled in university counselling and student success coaching, he supports students in making informed choices, maximising their potential, and preparing for success at leading global universities.
Meet the Counselling Team
Book a campus tour and speak with our university guidance counsellors about how they support students through the application process.
FAQs
Get answers to the most common questions from prospective parents about our school.
XWA's counselling team is structured to provide comprehensive support throughout the application process, from building university lists to essay development to direct advocacy with admissions officers. The student-to-counsellor ratio allows for individual attention that many families find sufficient. Some families choose to work with external counsellors as well, and the XWA team is happy to collaborate if that's your preference.
Most students don't, and that's expected. The career exploration programme in Grades 8 and 9 is designed to expose students to possibilities. Counsellors begin conversations by asking what students would do if there were no constraints, then work backwards to identify practical pathways that align with their interests.
Counsellors support students through gap years and National Service obligations. Students can continue working with counsellors, either virtually or in person, when they return to complete their applications.
Career exploration begins in Grade 8 with industry visits and professional speakers. In Grade 10, counsellors work with students on course selection to ensure they're positioned for their goals. Close, individualised university counselling begins in Grade 11, with timetabled lessons and regular one-on-one meetings continuing through Grade 12.
Yes. The counselling team has expertise across US, UK, European, Australian, and Asian university systems. Timetabled lessons in Grades 11 and 12 dedicate different days to different application systems, and counsellors maintain relationships with admissions officers worldwide.
The counselling team approaches this question individually: what is the right university for your child? Rankings provide one lens, but it's more useful to examine strength in particular subjects, campus culture, and fit. One academically strong student attended a session with Harvard undergraduates and afterwards said, "I'm not sure Harvard is right for me. It seems really... academic." She realised she wanted a university with a different atmosphere. Rankings guide is good for understanding, but they don't tell the whole story.
Still have questions?
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