Top students enrol in NYU scheme

Exceptional Emirati pupils in Abu Dhabi have been awarded scholarships for a coaching programme on admission to top-tier international universities.

Exceptional Emirati pupils in Abu Dhabi were yesterday awarded scholarships for a coaching programme on admission to top-tier international universities.

The Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Scholarship for Outstanding High School Students enrols youths in an 18-month training programme organised by the New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD). Thirty girls and boys were selected.

The American International School provided the largest number of participants in the programme, with eight of its pupils chosen. The Zayed Private Academy and the British School Al Khubairat have six and five students respectively participating.

The training is given over two summers following the 10th and 11th grades. There are also three semesters of online and in-person instruction, building up students' English, maths and critical reasoning skills, and introducing them to the philosophy and benefits of a broad-based liberal arts education.

The students will receive help to prepare for the SAT exam, which is required to secure admission to most US colleges and universities.

"The feedback received from students in last year's inaugural class of the Summer Academy has been eye-opening and encouraging," said Diane C Yu, co-executive director of the Summer Academy. "We have seen astounding progress in everything from their confidence and English-language communication skills, to their SAT practice test scores."

The students will also get the opportunity to travel to New York University's academic centre in Florence, Italy, during their first year of the programme.

During the second year, they will visit the university's main New York location.

The scheme includes guided visits to museums and sites of historical and intellectual interest, cultural events and private meetings with local leaders.