△Mark delivered a speech as the freshman representative at the Opening Ceremony.
“I always thought my son was more of a humanities student—I never realized he was this strong in the sciences!” said Susan, a Peking University master’s graduate and mother of Mark Gao, a 2026 graduate of Royal Mile Academy (RMA) at Shenzhen Merchiston International School, shortly after he received an offer from the University of Oxford to study Biochemistry.
△an offer of admission from the University of Oxford
This program admits fewer than 5% of applicants from mainland China each year, making it exceptionally competitive—often described as “one in ten thousand.” Typically, successful applicants show a strong science background from an early age. Mark, however, broke the mold: a student with a distinct “humanities spirit,” he grew up immersed in Harry Potter, wrote scripts tens of thousands of words long, and even directed his own school plays.
In addition to his Oxford offer, Mark also holds an unconditional offer from Imperial College London, ranked 2nd globally in the QS World University Rankings.
From Thailand to Top Tiers: How Four Years at Merchiston Transformed a Budding Playwright into a Science Standout
Mark’s educational path reflects the multifaceted journey of an international student. Born into an academic family in Beijing’s Haidian district—often called the “universe of intensive parenting”—his mother chose to step away from the traditional exam-oriented system. She moved him to a British-style primary school in Chiang Mai, Thailand, followed by a British secondary school in Bangkok. These cross-cultural experiences, combined with a book-rich home environment, cultivated in him a love for extensive reading and confident self-expression.
“He loved watching BBC documentaries from a young age, wrote a tens-of-thousands-word script called Ant War in third grade, and directed his class in a performance of The Odyssey in sixth grade,” recalled Flora, Mark’s Biology teacher and university guidance counselor. “His deep curiosity about nature and life was a key reason he ultimately chose Biochemistry.”
As his mother put it, “I always thought he was heading toward a career in writing or directing.”
Yet over his four years at Merchiston, this same student not only maintained his strengths in the humanities but also revealed remarkable potential in Biology and Chemistry—ultimately leading to his Oxford Biochemistry offer.
Behind this compelling journey from a humanities-leaning student to an Oxford science admit lies Merchiston’s educational philosophy: it’s not only about helping students reach top universities but also about matching them with the academic path that best fits their strengths, ensuring every effort is purposeful and well-directed.
△MIS Halloween event in 2022 (Mark, first from left).
Nurturing Talent: How School Support and Teacher Guidance Helped Mark Excel in the Sciences
Chemistry teacher Ian noted, “Mark’s success in receiving an Oxford offer stems from his innate talent and potential, which were systematically identified, supported, and brought out by the school.” Early in Mark’s time at Merchiston, the teaching team recognized his strengths: rigorous thinking, deep comprehension, and the ability to apply knowledge across disciplines. They saw in him clear potential for top-tier university preparation.
At the time, Mark’s foundation in Mathematics was relatively weak, and he initially struggled to keep up with the pace of instruction. Rather than assigning repetitive drills, his Math teacher Emily patiently guided him to build a logical framework, encouraging him to “think slowly and master deeply,” progressing steadily based on genuine understanding. After four years of consistent, tailored support, Mark not only achieved and maintained strong grades in Math but also developed a solid academic habit of “consolidating what he understands and advancing through genuine learning.”
By the time he applied to Oxford, Mark had already secured A grades in three A Level subjects—Mathematics, Chemistry, and Biology—laying a strong academic foundation for his application.
In his subjects of interest—Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Geography—teachers did more than deliver content. They connected classroom material with BBC documentaries and interdisciplinary readings, leveraging Mark’s broad knowledge and curiosity. They also encouraged him to participate in debates and academic competitions, helping him transform knowledge into strong communication and critical thinking skills. As Caitlyn, Academic Director of RMA and Geography teacher, observed, “He didn’t spend excessive time on Geography, yet he achieved a score of 95%. This came from thorough understanding and the right approach.”
Balancing Personal Voice with Professional Guidance: How an “Atypical” Personal Statement Won Over Oxford
When it came to choosing a major, Mark initially wavered among several directions, including Medicine and Neuroscience. His university counselor, Flora, did not rush to decide for him. Instead, through multiple conversations and interest assessments, she helped him gradually focus on Biochemistry at Oxford—a field that aligned with his passion for life sciences while allowing him to apply his strengths in experimentation and logical analysis.
During the personal statement and interview preparation stage, the guidance team demonstrated a thoughtful balance between respecting individuality and providing professional direction. When Mark submitted a personal statement with a unique, less conventionally “British” style, opinions within the team differed. However, Kurt, Head of Royal Mile Academy, who had followed Mark’s growth closely, made the final call: “Preserve his distinctive narrative style. Not being confined to traditional formats may well be what moves the admissions committee.” This essay, full of intellectual curiosity and reflective thinking, ultimately resonated with Oxford’s admissions officers and became a true asset in his application.
Strategic Collaboration: How Merchiston and Shenzhen Bay Laboratory Empowered Mark’s Scientific Research
At the same time, Merchiston’s strategic partnership with Shenzhen Bay Laboratory provided Mark with invaluable hands-on research experience. Over two summer breaks, he participated in frontline research projects, traveling early and returning late between Nanshan and Guangming districts. Working as a junior assistant alongside doctoral and postdoctoral researchers educated at world-leading institutions (including Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, MIT, Oxford, and Cambridge), Mark gained not only deeper subject understanding but also developed a research mindset and the ability to tackle real-world problems. This experience allowed him to approach his Oxford interview with confidence and demonstrate substantial academic preparedness.
Mark’s journey to Oxford is more than another success story for Merchiston in Oxbridge admissions. It reflects the warmth and depth that education should embody: empowering students to the fullest while honoring their individuality and passions.
On this path, Merchiston strives to be that steady beacon—guiding the way forward and keeping the spark of curiosity alight.
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