Our Alumni Community

Interview with former DSC student Silvia Guo - Class of 2020

Silvia Guo, who graduated in the Class of 2020, was recently accepted to attend her first choice, the University of Edinburgh to study a Bachelor of Law (Honours). We caught up with her recently and asked her about what she hopes to pursue in the future and how she found her Year 12 experience.

What led you to apply to the University of Edinburgh?

I selected Edinburgh because of its historical importance and scholarly study. Charles Darwin, David Hume, Adam Smith, and Malala Yousafzai are among its notable alumni, all of whom studied there and thus demonstrate its excellent academic results. Edinburgh's strong international law and arbitration law encouraged me to strengthen the legal system in my hometown, leading me to choose Edinburgh as my university.

Do you know what career path you’d like to take and if so what inspired you to pursue this?

I plan to continue my studies and do a PhD, after which I intend to pursue a career as a university professor, conducting academic research in the fields of gender studies, family law, and child security. I chose this path because I believe that while domestic violence has many protections for women, it still lacks protection for children, and aiming for equal justice is a fundamental motivation for me to study law and help society prosper.

How was your Year 12 experience?

It was stressful at first because of the COVID-19 lockdown, and it was difficult for me to remain motivated during the remote learning time. I was incredibly busy last year juggling education, my part-time work, and my application to the United Kingdom. I'm working on my IELTS, personal statement, and reference letters, as well as submitting my application. I have a huge appreciation for all of my teachers, particularly Ms Stewart and Ms Ramsay, for assisting me with my applications. Thank you very much to Ms Ramsay and Ms Pilkington for advising and writing my reference for my application to the United Kingdom.

Also, thank you to all of my teachers for answering my questions thoroughly and helping me to improve my academic performance. Even though it was a rough start, it was a wonderful year in the end.

Do you have any advice for this year’s Year 12 students?

Your ATAR does not determine who you are, so do not be discouraged if you earn a weak grade at the end of the year. Simply enjoy the whole year and try your best to balance extracurricular activities and academic results. Believe in your own potential; you can do whatever you set your mind to if you never give up and keep trying.

Is there anything else you would like to share with the DSC to community？

As an international student, DSC is a great school that provides me with many opportunities to connect with others outside of the classroom. I definitely enjoyed my time at DSC, and I believe that DSC made me realize my potential and build me to be a better person in the future.

Well done Silvia for your fantastic achievement. We look forward to seeing what you achieve in the future!