#GraduateStory | Howard Li: The Courage to Take the First Step

Hello, I am Howard Li. I applied to study Environmental Science and received offers from UNC Chapel Hill and Imperial College London, along with Colgate University and other institutions.

Four descriptions suit me: I love bowling and films, my interests sometimes change quickly, and I am always eager to travel.



Part 01 A Question That Prompted Action

My interest in environmental science began with noticing frequent extreme weather. One day, a news report showed a flood rapidly engulfing a village near my hometown. Residents climbed onto rooftops to await rescue. The force of the disaster struck me, and I wondered how human activity might have contributed. I began exploring the subject through the United Nations' Introductory E-Course on Climate Change. It gave me my first systematic understanding of a term I had often heard. I learned how climate change connects science with policy and economic questions, as well as wider social concerns.

The more I learned, the more interested I became in environmental science.

High school offered further opportunities to explore. In Grade 10, I joined the Sustainability Student Club and met students who shared my interests. We organized composting activities and sustainability talks, putting our ideas into practice. Chemistry and Geography electives, together with independent study of AP Environmental Science, helped me develop a more organized and thorough understanding of the field.

In Grade 11, I built a website to calculate the school's carbon emissions. When I showed it to teachers and classmates, they began discussing how it could be used on campus. Seeing that response gave me my first clear sense that my work could make a practical difference.



I realized how much I wanted to contribute to solving environmental problems.

Part 02 Balancing Preference and Probability

Choosing an Early Decision university was my greatest dilemma. I repeatedly weighed Rice, which I loved, against UVA, where I believed admission was more likely. Rice's academic environment and sense of community made it my preferred choice emotionally. UVA felt more reassuring in terms of my chances. I kept asking whether to pursue the opportunity I wanted most or the outcome I considered more attainable. I ultimately applied Early Decision to UVA. The decision reflected my assessment of the options and made me consider how to balance enthusiasm with caution. Although UVA ultimately declined my application, the decision helped me understand my approach to consequential choices: I consider the circumstances carefully and seek a balance between aspiration and practicality.

After UVA deferred me, I struggled emotionally and began doubting myself. I repeatedly reviewed my materials, looking for what might have gone wrong. Gradually, I came to accept the uncertainty inherent in admissions. I learned to focus on what I could influence, including my Regular Decision applications and my continuing interests and projects. Recovering that balance helped me respond more thoughtfully and keep working despite uncertainty.

Part 03 Learning to Find My Own Direction

During high school, I became more willing to explore independently and motivate myself. When I first entered BAID, the extensive use of English and open classroom discussions, along with greater expectations for independent learning, felt unfamiliar. I struggled to keep up and rarely volunteered my ideas. Over time, I participated more actively and adapted to different approaches to learning, gaining confidence in the new environment. I also began pursuing what genuinely interested me. Independent environmental science study and the Sustainability Student Club, together with projects and exchanges of ideas, helped me broaden my options.

Projects sometimes stalled, others misunderstood my ideas, and I occasionally questioned my direction. Working through these experiences taught me to decide amid uncertainty and accept responsibility for my choices. Support from teachers and classmates showed me how relationships contribute to growth. Alongside admissions results, I gained a clearer understanding of myself and the confidence to discover a direction through exploration.

Part 04 Advice for Younger Students: Begin

If I could repeat high school, I would start exploring possible futures earlier. It is easy to postpone action while waiting to feel more capable or mature. Experience itself helps us develop abilities and discover directions. I would also continue pursuits I genuinely enjoyed, even when their immediate value seemed uncertain. The interests I explored deeply over time influenced me most.

For studying and applications, my advice is to concentrate on genuine engagement. Doing one or two things thoroughly and developing your own understanding offers convincing evidence of your interests. When choosing universities, consider what you value in the academic environment and program structure, along with the location. Researching those priorities helps you make decisions suited to you.

I also encourage you to experience different aspects of life. Student Clubs and travel, as well as conversations with people from different backgrounds, can broaden your understanding and connect with later experiences. I particularly recommend The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. It helped me appreciate the courage required to begin and how a small decision can open possibilities that once seemed distant.

At Beijing Academy, I particularly recommend clubs led by students. They offer a chance to meet people with shared interests and develop ideas through practical work. Guidance from older students can deepen your understanding of a pursuit. Committing to a club also helps you understand who you are and what you want, making your approach to university applications clearer.

Part 05 Acknowledgments



I thank every teacher who taught or guided me at Beijing Academy. Our Homeroom Teacher and mathematics teacher, Ms. Ming Ming, accompanied us for four years. Our College Counselor, Ms. Liu Jie, gave me patient guidance throughout. My Chemistry and Integrated English teachers, along with those teaching economics and other subjects, supported me in different ways at different stages. You helped me improve academically and learn how to live and relate to others. I also thank my classmates and friends for bringing enjoyment and companionship to a demanding period.

Thank you to my family for encouraging me to explore and giving me the freedom to find my own direction.

I look forward to a better future.