Among the Class of 2026 graduates at Sendelta, Judy Zhou Yiran stands out remarkably. Without a Hong Kong permanent resident identity, she secured offers from four top-tier universities: HKU Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, CUHK Faculty of Medicine, HKUST and PolyU.
Her journey was far from flawless. Obsessed with elite universities, she once fell into mental exhaustion and self-doubt. Yet nurtured by Sendelta’s inclusive and enriching campus environment, she learned to reconcile with herself, rediscovered passion through in-depth academic research, and clarified her career direction via humanistic practices. She finally forged a steady, unique path of growth.
This is Volume 76 of Young Talk. In Judy’s own words, we revisit her high school years here and explore how a non-local student won offers from Hong Kong’s four leading universities.
Campus Roles
Vice President, Biology Club
Vice Minister, Academic Department, Student Union
President, Psychology Club
Member, Autism Care Club & Urban Ecology Research Club
Academic Awards
2024 British Biology Olympiad (BBO) Global Gold Medal
2024 USACN Biology Olympiad National Gold Medal
2023 HOSA-Future Health Professionals China Division: National Silver in Chemistry, National Bronze in Public Welfare Campaign
2022 Canadian Junior Chemistry Olympiad: Global Silver Medal, China National Gold Medal
Interview
Q: Many claim a passion for biomedicine, yet your motivation seems far more specific.
Judy: It is less a generic passion for biomedicine than a lifelong immersion in medicine. Both my parents are pediatricians. Dinner conversations revolved around medical cases, and I waited for them at hospitals after school. Hospitals, consultations and comforting patients have long been etched into my childhood memories.
Grateful calls and silk banners from recovered patients showed me how medicine eases suffering and brings hope to families. I deeply felt the unique warmth and value of being a doctor, cementing my resolve to pursue medicine.
Q: How has Sendelta most elevated your academic capabilities over three years?
Judy: My three years here transformed both my academic skills and learning mindset. First, all science courses are taught by native English teachers, so I grew accustomed to academic thinking in English early on. Biology and chemistry classes exposed me to extensive professional terminology and medical knowledge, laying a solid science foundation and easing my transition to university-level studies.
More importantly, I never needed private tutoring. Classes are highly efficient, and teachers are fully dedicated. Office Hours allow us one-on-one support anytime. Even basic mistakes receive thorough, patient walkthroughs. I once stayed two to three hours seeking guidance, and my teacher stayed fully engaged to ensure I grasped every concept.
During university applications, the Oxbridge & Top 3 Hong Kong Universities Programme provided tailored interview coaching. Mentors refined my academic logic, case analysis and presentation skills, letting me stay calm amid fierce competition for Hong Kong medical programmes and earn my dream offers as a non-local applicant.
Q: Beyond academics, what club and charity work have you done, and what insights did you gain?
Judy: As Vice Minister of the Student Union Academic Department, I launched free peer tutoring sessions. Academics should be shared, not competed over.
As Psychology Club President, I hosted weekly mental health workshops and organized the 525 Mental Health Day to teach students to embrace their imperfections, greatly boosting my empathy.
I also joined a hospice care programme, accompanying terminally ill patients. This experience taught me medicine is not only curing illnesses, but preserving human dignity and soothing souls.
Q: You took a gap year once. What happened, and how did you restart your journey?
Judy: I was fixated on gaining admission to Oxford and Imperial College London. When I thought those goals were unattainable, I sank into self-denial.
Later, traditional Chinese medicine philosophy guided me. Its core ideas of yin-yang balance and following natural rhythms reminded me life is not a sprint, but a steady long-distance run.
I spent the gap year conducting research on Alzheimer’s disease medication, interning at hospitals and reflecting on my true aspirations.
I realized university prestige cannot define me; the right path is the best one.
Q: Looking back, what are you most grateful for at Sendelta?
Judy: The freedom to slow down.
When I was lost, emotionally volatile and at my lowest, my form teachers Lina, David, Ray and Kathy devoted plenty of personal time to talk me through struggles, ease my anxiety and restore my drive.
The school does not judge students solely by grades. It encourages us to explore hobbies, participate in charity and care for our mental wellbeing.
Academics form the foundation, yet personal growth matters equally. This balance kept me grounded amid intense college admissions pressure.
Q: Why did you ultimately choose CUHK’s Chinese Medicine programme? What do you expect from university?
Judy: I visited CUHK’s campus and was impressed by approachable professors and rigorous academic culture, plus its vibrant college system.
Most importantly, Chinese medicine aligns with my core passion. It integrates science and humanities, adopting holistic and personalized treatment approaches that perfectly match my vision of compassionate medicine.
In the future, I aim to master my profession, carry forward traditional Chinese medical culture, and become a skilled, empathetic physician.
Q: As a non-Hong Kong student, how did you prepare for Hong Kong university applications? Any advice?
Judy: Solid academic results and standardized test scores are the basic threshold. Beyond that, admissions officers focus on three core questions: Do you truly understand this major? Why this discipline? Why our university?
For my Chinese Medicine application, I avoided generic statements like “I want to study TCM”. Instead, I detailed my subject choices, clinical internships and research projects to prove genuine preparation and interest.
I researched CUHK’s TCM curriculum and professors’ research to explain precisely why this programme fits me.
Admission essays do not require flowery language; alignment with the programme is key. Show admissions officers you did thorough research and sincerely wish to join their school and major, rather than sending mass applications blindly.
Closing Thoughts
Like many teenagers, Judy wandered and paused along her growth path.
Anxious over chasing elite university offers, she found understanding and space at Sendelta. Teachers never rushed her progress, but offered patient companionship. The school prioritizes her personal calling over mere exam scores.
Now enrolling in CUHK’s Chinese Medicine programme, she embarks on her next academic chapter with genuine passion for medicine.
Her story illustrates excellent education does not force every student toward identical goals. Instead, it empowers each individual to discover their own suitable path and walk forward with confidence.
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