Celebrating August Gao's Success:
9 Top University Offers!
Academic Excellence: Perfect Blend of Talent and Diligence
Since joining MIS in 2023, August has distinguished himself as a top performer with his outstanding academic achievements. When August joined MIS, he secured an A* in A-Level Mathematics with a near-perfect score of 591 out of 600, earning him a full scholarship at MIS and join our Royal Mile Academy (RMA).
His academic brilliance continued to shine: A* in Mathematics, A* in Further Mathematics, and predicted A* in both Physics and Chemistry. His potential was further validated by offers from nine top universities:
Imperial College London (QS #2)
University College London (QS #9)
University of Manchester (QS #34)
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
UC Davis
UC Irvine
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Ohio State University
University of Washington
When asked about his offer for the Biomedical Engineering Combined Bachelor's and Master's Program at Imperial College, he admitted feeling surprised, wondering "Why me?", Yet behind this "pleasant surprise" lies his profound passion for engineering and physics—from participating in wearable device research at Shanghai Jiao Tong University to independently designing a Parkinson's symptom-relief device, he has demonstrated the boundless possibilities of academic pursuit through action.
Holistic Education, Achieving Excellence: Thriving in a Nurturing Environment
August mentioned that transferring to MIS was a pivotal change in his life. Previously, the high-pressure environment at his former school left him anxious, but MIS’s free and friendly atmosphere helped him maintain balance between study and life, restoring his confidence.
Here, students support and uplift one another, and RMA teachers genuinely care about all students' well-being. This supportive environment empowered him to explore boldly and ask questions fearlessly. He is especially grateful for the encouragement and guidance of his physics teacher, Yoyo, believing that a teacher's encouragement is the driving force behind a student's breakthroughs.
MIS's holistic education philosophy not only honed his academic abilities but also shaped his calm and chill mindset—even when faced with an offer from Imperial, he maintains a relaxed attitude of "taking one step at a time." This serenity is the most precious gift of his growth.
Well-Rounded Excellence:
A Multidisciplinary Explorer
August's talents extend far beyond academics. He is a versatile athlete: a basketball point guard, badminton enthusiast, and soccer player. He is also a creative storyteller, having attended the UCLA Film & Television Summer Institute to explore narrative through film. Additionally, he is an adventurer in the world of esports, where he hones teamwork in virtual battles.
His travels span over ten countries, fueled by a dream to "travel the world" and a belief that journeys can broaden our horizons. Awards like the Silver Prize in the Physics Bowl and UK Senior Physics Challenge attest to his versatility in both arts and sciences. "Life shouldn't be defined by a single label," he says—it is this embrace of diverse experiences that makes his youth so extraordinary.
Grateful for the Past & Hopeful for the Future
Reflecting on his journey, August is deeply grateful for his parents' respect for his academic choices and cherishes the friendships he forged at MIS. His advice to younger students is simple yet profound: "Make unforgettable lifelong friends." To him, true success lies not just in offers and awards but in those heartwarming moments—"late-night study discussions and sweating it out together on the court." In the future, he will chase his biomedical engineering dreams in Imperial's labs, but no matter how far he goes, he will always remember his life in MIS, and the companionship of teachers and friends that made every step meaningful.
August's story is a vivid testament to the interplay of talent and effort, freedom and self-discipline. In him, we see a young man who achieves excellence while staying true to himself in dialogue with the world. His next destination is the stars and the seas, but MIS will forever remain the harbor from which he set sail.