With the growing interest among Brazilians in pursuing higher education abroad, it’s important to understand how the admissions process works at international institutions. In most cases, the criteria differ significantly from the university entrance exams we are used to in Brazil. Overseas, the “ideal candidate” is not just someone who scores highly in a single exam; universities look at academic performance over the final years of school and also value involvement in extracurricular activities, personal projects, volunteer work, and experiences that reflect who you are beyond the classroom.
St. Paul’s School is a British international school that prepares pupils for this challenge not only academically but also holistically, offering a range of opportunities to maximise their chances of being admitted to top-tier universities abroad. Scholars from the St. Paul’s Foundation experience this journey during the final years of their basic education here at school, and so we are drawing on their experiences, alongside insights from a Higher Education specialist, to share valuable advice about this process. Enzo and João Gabriel, who have just graduated in the Class of 2025, have left Brazil to begin their graduation in Physics and Mathematics respectively. They share the lessons they’ve learnt, which can help those seeking admission to prestigious universities around the world.
Thoughtful Subject Selection
One of the first steps towards a strong university application is careful academic planning aligned with your intended career path, especially when the course has specific prerequisites. With the range of subjects available in the IB Diploma Programme, it’s essential that your choices reflect genuine interest and coherence with your chosen field, strengthening your application against other candidates.
However, it’s important to remember that universities appreciate candidates who are able to balance academic challenges with strong performance, and who seek to excel within their areas of interest. “I chose subjects related to the STEM field that would strengthen my application, such as Physics, Computer Science and Mathematics Analysis and Approaches at Higher Level,” Enzo shared.
Here it’s worth explaining: within the IB curriculum, many subjects are offered at two levels – Standard and Higher. Standard Level provides a more general overview with a lighter workload and less rigorous assessments. Higher Level, on the other hand, covers more extensive content, requires more study hours, and demands greater critical analysis. Enzo’s choices showed that, although he was within his area of comfort, he continued to challenge himself by opting for the more advanced level within each subject.
Extracurricular Activities
Extracurricular activities are a crucial component of a standout application. These activities may or may not be part of the mandatory curriculum in the British system and allow candidates to demonstrate leadership, intellectual curiosity, and engagement with their areas of interest beyond the purely academic, enriching their application.
In these extracurricular activities, what is often assessed are the skills developed rather than the specific activity itself. Enzo, for instance, played basketball on the school team; however, the more relevant factors, depending on the institution, are the competencies gained through the sport: teamwork, resilience, and the discipline required to balance training and studies.
João, on the other hand, collected various awards and honourable mentions in mathematics olympiads, which helped him stand out from other candidates. Such achievements are concrete evidence of dedication, discipline, and talent.
Another way to shine is by applying for leadership roles within school – such as prefects, in the case of Claudia and Mariana, two scholars who also graduated in the Class of 2025. In addition to positively contributing to the school community, being a student leader helps develop essential lifelong skills: communication, empathy, conflict resolution, organisation, and of course, leadership. These qualities not only make you stand out within school, but also in university selection processes.
Dr Heitor Santos, Director of Careers and University Guidance at St. Paul’s School, offers more insight into student engagement outside the classroom: “I divide involvement in extracurricular activities into three categories: activities that demonstrate the student’s leadership skills, activities focused on community service that improve the lives of those around them, and activities that show the student has taken opportunities related to the course they wish to pursue at university.”
Enzo, for example, took part in activities related to his field: “I participated in Pioneer Academics, a research programme for high school pupils, where I developed a theoretical paper on applying the variational principle to estimate the ground-state energy of helium.” This project earned him four university credits and confirmed that his true passion lies in quantum mechanics.
Besides strengthening the academic profile, these experiences are also a great way to test whether you truly connect with the course you plan to pursue.
Volunteering and Community Service
Experience with volunteer projects and social initiatives also significantly enriches a candidate’s profile during university admissions. These are extremely important aspects for international institutions, as Dr Santos highlights: “Foreign universities are interested in selecting pupils based on their complete profile, considering both academic performance and extracurricular activities. While academics are an important part of the process, good grades alone will not secure university admission.”
In this regard, Enrichment activities are an excellent option within the British curriculum. They are part of the mandatory schedule and differ from regular subjects, as they help develop personal skills and interests, promote community wellbeing, and can be aligned with each student’s career goals.
João Gabriel had a clear academic focus and knew how to make the most of it: “I was able to create an Enrichment programme at school, in collaboration with the Mathematics Department, aimed at preparing students for the olympiads I took part in.” João also engaged in external initiatives, such as teaching mathematics to children at the Unidos de Paraisópolis Institute, a local organisation in São Paulo.
Enzo got involved in projects like “Mão na Massa” , an Enrichment initiative created by pupils, where they build or renovate the homes of people with disabilities living in vulnerable areas of São Paulo.
The difference between these experiences shows that Enrichment activities don’t necessarily have to take place inside a classroom or have an academic focus. Scholars can explore a wide range of options to enhance their profile. They also foster interpersonal skills and demonstrate the value a candidate can add to a university community.
The combination of all these actions enabled Enzo and João Gabriel to present a robust profile, which opened doors to world-renowned universities. Enzo was accepted to Columbia University, University of Chicago, University of Michigan (USA), University of Toronto (Canada), Manchester and Edinburgh (UK), and chose to begin his Physics degree at Columbia, with a scholarship. João also received an offer from the University of Chicago, where he will study Mathematics with a merit scholarship focused on research and internships.
Their journeys show that building a strong profile for university applications goes far beyond good grades. It involves strategic academic choices, meaningful extracurricular engagement, and a strong sense of community involvement. By aligning your actions with your interests and goals, you not only become a more competitive candidate, but also develop skills and experiences that will benefit you throughout your academic and professional life.