Scholarship Criteria

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2023-2024 Scholarship Programme for Current MIS Students

At Merchiston International School (MIS) we believe in high quality academic and holistic education. We strive to provide deserving students with the opportunity to experience the British international education in a culturally diverse environment so that they will achieve success in college application and in their future career.

1. Who is eligible to apply?
• Students entering Year 5, Year 7, Year 10 (IGCSE) & Year 12 (A-level) in 2023-2024 Academic Year.
• Students who demonstrate high academic / music / sports achievement and English fluency.
• Students with good communication skills and leadership attributes.
• Students with active participation in co-curricular activities including sports, performing arts and other events.

2. Scholarship Categories

Elite Scholars (100% tuition waiver) Our Elite Scholars are the best of the best
Applicants' Current Year Group	Year Level Entry	Academic Achievement Criteria	Other Criteria
Year 4	Year 5	Exceptional grades including internal assessments and an end of year PTE and PTM score of above 100. Consistently good and fluent use of spoken English evidenced in the MIS interview. National or international certificates in academic competitions will also be taken into account.	95% or above attendance record A track record of successful contributions to the wider school community (e.g., Clan Captain, Student Council Representative, Gifted Musician)
Year 6	Year 7	Exceptional grades (95%+ average) in MIS Scholarship examinations in English, Mathematics & Science.	A track record of success evidenced in previous school reports & exceptional performance in the MIS interview. National or international certificates in academic competitions will also be taken into account.
Year 9	Year 10	Exceptional grades (95%+ average) in MIS Scholarship examinations in English, Mathematics, Science and a self- selected IGCSE subject.
Year 11	Year 12	Exceptional grades (95%+ average) in MIS Scholarship examinations in English, Mathematics & a self-selected A-level subject. At least 7 A/As (with 5 grades at A) in their IGCSE examinations or equivalent.

Premium Scholars (50% tuition waiver) Our Premium Scholars are recognised for their high achievements
Applicants' Current Year Group	Year Level Entry	Academic Achievement Criteria	Other Criteria
Year 4	Year 5	Very Good grades including internal assessments and an end of year PTE and PTM score between 80 and 100. Consistently good and fluent use of spoken English evidenced in the MIS interview. National or international certificates in academic competitions will also be taken into account.	95% or above attendance record A track record of successful contributions to the wider school community (e.g., Clan Captain, Student Council Representative, Gifted Musician, Sport Talent) A track record of very good performance in previous school years
Year 6	Year 7	Very good grades (85%+) in MIS Scholarship examinations in English, Mathematics & Science.	A track record of success evidenced in previous school reports & exceptional performance in the MIS interview. National or international certificates in academic competitions will also be taken into account.
Year 9	Year 10	Very good grades (85%+ average) in MIS Scholarship examinations in English, Mathematics, Science & a self- selected IGCSE subject.
Year 11	Year 12	Very good grades (85%+ average) in MIS Scholarship examinations in English, Mathematics & a self-selected A-level subject. At least 5 A/As (with 3 grades at A) in their IGCSE examinations or equivalent.

Head of School Award (tuition waiver will be at the discretion of the Board) Our Head of School Award Scholar is a valuable member of our community and is recognised for their outstanding efforts and achievements.
Applicants' Current Year Group	Year Level Entry	Academic Achievement Criteria	Other Criteria
Year 4	Year 5	Applicants have demonstrated a positive attitude to all activities at MIS, committed to develop and foster the MIS values. They are positive leaders among their cohort and the Juniors School in general and are role models in terms of behaviour and commitment. They offer an impressive commitment to academic work and chosen sporting & CCA activities. They will be an exemplary member of the day or boarding community, contributing positively to the Merchiston culture.	Attendance record of 95% or above The interview with the Head of School will be especially important for this award. National or international certificates in academic competitions will also be taken into account.
Year 6	Year 7	Applicants have demonstrated a positive attitude to all activities at MIS. They offer an impressive commitment to academic work and chosen sporting & CCA activities. They will be an exemplary member of the day or boarding community, contributing positively to the Merchiston culture.	track record of success evidenced in previous school reports. The interview with the Head of School will be especially important for this award.
Year 9	Year 10	Applicants demonstrate a positive attitude to all activities at MIS. They offer an impressive commitment to academic work and chosen sporting & CCA activities. They will be an exemplary member of the day or boarding community, contributing positively to the Merchiston culture. Impressive performance in the end of Year 9 examinations is an important criteria too.	National or international certificates in academic, sporting, debating or extracurricular competitions will also be taken into account.
Year 11	Year 12	Applicants demonstrate a positive attitude to all activities at MIS. They offer an impressive commitment to academic work and chosen sporting & CCA activities. They will be an exemplary member of the day or boarding community, contributing positively to the Merchiston culture. Impressive performance in the IGCSE examinations, or equivalent, is an important criteria too.

3. Award duration
• Scholarships will be awarded for the duration of the student’s education at MIS, providing the student fulfills the requirements to maintain the scholarship as outlined in the ‘Expectations to maintain scholarship’.
• Students are eligible for only one scholarship.

4. How to apply
Step 1 – Contact MIS Admissions (mis_admissions@merchiston.cn) for the application form and gather the necessary documentation. Before you begin to complete the application, make sure to prepare the following documents which you will submit in the first section of the application form.

5. Required Documents:

Personal Statement – a 300-word essay

Standardised Testing Results (if any)

Copies of any awards received

Recommendation forms from English and Maths Teacher

Step 2 – Write your personal statement, a 300-English-word essay on “How does the Merchiston motto “Ready Ay Ready” relate to your personal experience and ambitions

Step 3 – Complete the application form and attach your personal statement as a PDF file plus all the documentation gathered at Step 1.
Step 4 – FOR SHORTLISTED APPLICANTS ONLY – Shortlisted applicants will be invited to visit MIS to sit the scholarship assessment and attend an individual and family interview.

6. When should I apply?
7 Apr: All completed applications must be submitted by Friday 7 April 2023.
14 Apr: Shortlisted candidates will be informed of date for interview.
21 Apr: Candidates to sit scholarship assessments and attend an individual and family interview.
28 Apr: Candidates will be notified of the status of their scholarship application.
5 May: Successful scholarship awardees and their families will sign a letter of acceptance.

7. Selection Process
MIS recognises academically strong students who are well rounded and who continue to contribute positively to the school community. Candidates are evaluated based on their past academic performance, awards received, participation in leadership and extracurricular activities and their personal statement. Final scholarship award decisions will also take into consideration the results of the candidate’s assessments and interview. All applicants will be notified of their scholarship status. The scholarship award decision made by the school is final and may not be appealed.

8. Number of available scholarships
The number of scholarships that will be awarded will vary from year to year taking into consideration the number of available places in that year group and the quality of applications received.

9. Expectations to maintain scholarships
Scholarship awards are intended for the duration of a student's current stream at MIS: namely for their A-level years (Year 12 to Year 13), IGCSE years (Year 10 to Year 11), KS3 years (Years 7 to Year 9) and Upper Juniors (Years 6 and 5). Scholarships can continue through their years at MIS, for example with students moving from Year 9 into Years 10 & 11, but a renewed application process is expected. Students must meet the following conditions in order to continue receiving the scholarship:
• Student must maintain a high academic standing.
• Student must consistently demonstrate a positive attitude and maximum effort in their learning.

• Student must participate in the full school programme including school trips and after school activities.
• Student must show exemplary personal behaviour and appropriately represent the school’s image.
• Student must meet the school ‘s attendance requirements, not missing more than 10% of school days.
• Parents or guardians are expected to be positive school community members.

10. Deferring the scholarship
The scholarship is non-transferrable and the term of study cannot be deferred. Should a student withdraw, the scholarship will be terminated and cashing out for the remaining value of the scholarship is not permitted.