BAID College Fair: Students and Alumni Share Their Experience
On April 21, 2026, BAID's graduating students took the roles of college admissions officers for mock interviews with students in Grades 10 and 11. The activity offered younger students firsthand guidance from those who had just completed applications. Earlier, during the fall 2025 semester, the Alumni Association had organized campus visits connecting graduates with current students. Together, these exchanges helped members of the Beijing Academy community learn from and support one another.
1. Graduating Students as Interviewers
The graduating students began with a clear brief: represent the colleges that had admitted them and guide younger students. They arrived at their stations five minutes early and agreed on criteria with their partners. Clear reasoning and specific examples, combined with academic enthusiasm and distinctive personal qualities, could earn an Accept. Promising responses could receive a Waitlist, while a disengaged attitude or seriously inappropriate response could lead to a Deny.
Each interview lasted approximately three to five minutes, beginning with an introduction and followed by questions. Interviewers considered their represented colleges' preferences when asking about academic potential and depth of activities, personal qualities and future plans. They adapted follow-up questions to the student's introduction and materials.
One graduating student reflected: “When I asked why someone had chosen a major, many could say they liked it but struggled to explain how they had explored it. We had made the same mistake ourselves.” Evaluating younger students also encouraged interviewers to reconsider their own development.
2. Feedback and Practical Guidance
Every participant received specific advice. A student who described activities convincingly but struggled with English expression might receive a Waitlist and suggestions for improvement. Someone clearly explaining connections between subjects might receive an Offer immediately. Afterward, interviewers spoke individually with younger students about finding a suitable university and choosing summer programs, sharing lessons from their own applications.
Younger students described what they gained:
01 | Jiang Jiayang
An older student preparing to attend the University of Hong Kong gave me valuable advice about engineering. He encouraged broad exploration before choosing a specialization. His suggestion to allow myself time to explore helped me feel more relaxed and clear about choosing a major.
02 | Liu Zhongbo
Alongside several mock Offers and a clearer understanding of applications, I received advice about course choices and extracurricular plans. Older students listened patiently and drew on their experiences, explaining how to balance standardized exam preparation with exploring interests and how to identify work I enjoyed within limited time. Speaking directly with them felt more immediate than looking for advice online. I would gladly participate again.
03 | He Ziming
The graduating students had recent application experience and information to share. They discussed what different universities emphasized in reviewing applications and how to make decisions within limited time, including planning standardized exams alongside activities. Their interviews and advice helped me understand how to prioritize my remaining high school time.
These responses demonstrate how mock interviews can offer guidance and a clearer starting point for further preparation.
3. Staying Connected with Alumni
During the fall semester of 2025–2026, from September 2025 to January 2026, the Alumni Association also organized opportunities for graduates and current students to connect.
Returning to Campus
Since fall 2021, graduates have regularly returned during holidays to revisit campus, catch up with teachers, and speak with younger students. Their affection and gratitude contribute to the school's welcoming sense of community.
September 2025
Among returning graduates was Tian Xinyi from the Class of 2021. She discussed undergraduate study at University College London, an exchange at Sciences Po in Paris, and applying for an Oxford master's degree. London offered cultural variety and inclusion alongside high living costs. Language barriers initially made adjustment in France harder. She described university's greater academic demands and the difference between language exam results and practical communication. She encouraged students to explore sincerely, prepare applications over time, and understand different countries' preferences. She also advised balancing aspirations with practical considerations and making personal choices with confidence.
On December 17, Zhang Zihe, a Class of 2025 graduate at the University of Virginia, shared his experience of UVA. He emphasized that university freedom requires greater self-discipline and encouraged students to explore across subjects during high school.
Ma Yidi from the University of Sydney, Wang Yihuan from King's College London, Chen Suyang from the University of Florida, and Cao Zhicheng from University College London later visited together. They discussed adapting to different cultures, using academic resources, and learning to live abroad, including insights gained through those experiences.
On December 22, Zhao Youxuan from the University of Southern California, Gao Tianlang from Washington University in St. Louis, Duan Ruihan from Wesleyan University, and Li Mufeng from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology returned. Their discussions of liberal arts colleges and larger universities, continuing academic interests and communicating across cultures prompted lively exchanges.
Other visitors included Class of 2022 graduates Liu Yuntong, Wang Sijia, and Yao Tianle; Wang Zixuan from the Class of 2024; and Class of 2025 graduates Zhang Qianyi, Wu Guancheng, Chen Guanxing, Du Sibai, Li Keyan, You Zihan, Qin Lang, Ma Ruize, Liu Zhenhan, Liu Runqing, Cui Jiaxuan, Hua Ruisi, Lu Siyuan, Xie Yang, Zhao Siyuan, and Li Xinran. They visited teachers and toured the new campus, sharing updates. Some discussed university life; others spoke with College Counselors about differences between imagined and actual experiences of their majors. Their accounts offered current students concrete perspectives on college and course choices and contributed to the school's counseling work.
More graduates returned during spring break in 2026, individually or in small groups. Revisiting familiar corridors and classrooms gave them opportunities to recall school life and express lasting affection.
Each reunion allowed experiences to be shared and relationships renewed.
Introducing the New Liaison Team
The BAID Alumni Association connects the school with its graduates and develops a community where alumni feel they belong. It maintains close relationships and offers services and resources for graduates and current students.
Ms. Zhang Danmeng oversees the Association. She has guided students in organizing alumni visits and coordinating resources for different activities, helping graduates feel at home on campus. To update your contact details or arrange a visit, contact:
Email: zhangdanmeng@beijingacademy.com.cn
The new liaison team includes student head liaisons. Its members bring different interests and experience while sharing a commitment to connecting alumni and current students:
Tian Xinyi, Student Head Liaison: A Class of 2021 representative from BAID's second graduating class. She completed her undergraduate degree at University College London, spent a year on exchange at Sciences Po, and now studies for a master's degree at Oxford.
Zhang Xinyan, Student Head Liaison: An enthusiastic explorer with broad experience and interest in biology. She believes, “Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood.” She sees exploration and connection as mutually supportive and hopes to encourage communication among alumni.
He Ziming enjoys outdoor sports and has achieved strong results in rowing and paddleboarding, as well as skiing. He also continues pursuing varied academic interests.
Liu Binhe enjoys books and pets, including cats and dogs, and observing people. Inspiration motivates him, and he finds connections with everyday reality in films.
Zhao Wangshu has a longstanding interest in applying mathematics to practical problems. She values communication and hopes to help alumni and current students connect easily.
Guan Yinan enjoys biology and sociology, history and art, along with theater. She brings perspectives from the humanities to scientific research and its applications.
Chen Yiyou modestly describes himself as “a humble commoner” and hopes to serve the community sincerely.
We also thank the previous team: Class of 2026 students Ding Yiyi, Piao Jiachen, Wang Xiangwen, Fan Tingxin, Sun Kexin, and He Dayou. Despite the pressures of Grade 12 applications, they continued contributing to the Association.
4. Continuing to Learn from One Another
Mock interviews and alumni visits support BAID's commitment to academic development and independent thinking. Receiving an encouraging mock decision, reconsidering plans after advice, and hearing graduates' experiences each offer ways to learn through the community.
The BAID Alumni Association plans further activities, creating more opportunities for students and graduates to connect and pursue their aspirations.