Vice-Chancellor International Scholarship Recipient, Keane from Thailand, Shares His Journey of Pursuing a Bachelor’s in Biomedicine in Australia

Hello! My name is Keane. I’m a graduate from Regent’s International School, Bangkok. I enjoy hobbies such as reading, playing the piano, rock climbing, and hiking. I am currently studying biomedicine, with the intention of studying medicine in the future.

Vice-Chancellor International Scholarship Details

Vice-Chancellor International Scholarship – 50% scholarship for the entire duration of study. Granted to a highly limited number of students annually based on academic achievement, social engagement, and leadership skills. Additionally, awardees gain access to the exclusive Vice-Chancellor’s Professional Excellence Program, which provides tailored personal and professional development sessions for future employability. This scholarship must be applied for.

Were You Offered any Other Scholarships?

I also received the highest-level of automatic scholarships from various other Australian institutions that were available at the time of my application, including:

20% Academic Merit Scholarship (~$28,800AUD)  – RMIT

20% UQ International High Achievers Award (~$40,000AUD) – University of Queensland

25% Melbourne International Undergraduate Scholarship (~$51,050AUD) – University of Melbourne

25% (~$32,700AUD) Deakin International Scholarship - Deakin University

$10000AUD per annum, Monash International Merit Scholarship ($30,000AUD) – Monash University

Educational Background

I graduated from Regent’s International School with an academic scholarship, completing the IB Diploma with a score of 41/45 and a GPA of 4.17.

Doing the IB program helped me immensely as I was able to tailor my subjects accordingly to target units that I would have to take in university. The IB diploma gave me the opportunity to improve my soft skills, such as critical thinking and communication, through the TOK and CAS frameworks. This helped with my applications as I was able to demonstrate that I was a well-rounded individual, while also preparing me for my course.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Deakin University?

I applied through OneEducation, an accredited university agency that assists in applications to universities. I did not take any additional standardized tests, as most Australian institutions accept the IB diploma results as an equivalent to a standard high school education. I was also exempt from any English proficiency exams as I met the requirements through my IB English grade.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to the Vice-Chancellor International Scholarship?

I found these courses through research on the internet and talking with my university counselor. Most university websites contain all the necessary information on the scholarships that are offered in that year/intake. Throughout this process, I constantly drafted and re-drafted personal statements and took note of anything that could help me stand out in the selection process for the scholarship.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I think that the main thing that made my application stand out is my breadth of experience that I was able to portray in my personal statement. I was fortunate enough to gain internship experience in the field I was going into, as well as a variety of other roles that involved leadership and community engagement, which I was able to draw on and demonstrate in my personal essays. For example, I highlighted my experience co-founding community projects, my responsibilities in school leadership roles, and my participation in volunteer work outside of school. Through this, I was able to portray myself as a well-rounded individual with clear goals, and that my ambitions were grounded in real experiences that I had already begun working towards.

What Would You Have Done Differently if You Were Going Through the Process Again?

I would have started preparing my answers for essay questions at an earlier stage. Although I had my personal statement completed, the essay questions required more in-depth answers - ones that I had not really prepared or thought out. Because of this, I didn’t really have as much time as I wanted to draft my responses.

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

The most important thing to keep in mind when applying for these types of scholarships is to demonstrate your defining features – what makes you unique compared to other candidates. Keep in mind that everyone applying for these types of scholarships will also be coming from an equally distinguished background, so the things that will truly define and separate you from them are your own experiences, values, and strengths. Your experiences don’t need to be exceptional. Be authentic and really reflect on why your experiences show your passion for what you are applying for.