{"id":12269,"date":"2024-08-13T11:16:46","date_gmt":"2024-08-13T03:16:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/?p=12269"},"modified":"2024-08-13T11:20:36","modified_gmt":"2024-08-13T03:20:36","slug":"a-fulfilling-student-life-at-utm-paves-the-way-to-top-universities-for-mary-sun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/a-fulfilling-student-life-at-utm-paves-the-way-to-top-universities-for-mary-sun\/","title":{"rendered":"A fulfilling student life at UTM paves the way to top universities for Mary Sun"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-12269 gallery-columns-1 gallery-size-herald-lay-a-full'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"herald-popup\" href='https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/UTM-Photo-4.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"990\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/UTM-Photo-4.jpg\" class=\"attachment-herald-lay-a-full size-herald-lay-a-full\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-12265\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/UTM-Photo-4.jpg 990w, https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/UTM-Photo-4-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/UTM-Photo-4-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/UTM-Photo-4-414x276.jpg 414w, https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/UTM-Photo-4-470x313.jpg 470w, https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/UTM-Photo-4-640x426.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/UTM-Photo-4-130x86.jpg 130w, https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/UTM-Photo-4-187x124.jpg 187w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 990px) 100vw, 990px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-12265'>\n\t\t\t\tUTM graduate Mary Sun Rongqie has won a master\u2019s degree study place at the prestigious University of Toronto, in Ontario, Canada\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"herald-popup\" href='https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/UTM-Photo-2.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"990\" height=\"658\" src=\"https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/UTM-Photo-2.jpg\" class=\"attachment-herald-lay-a-full size-herald-lay-a-full\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-12264\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/UTM-Photo-2.jpg 990w, https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/UTM-Photo-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/UTM-Photo-2-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/UTM-Photo-2-414x276.jpg 414w, https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/UTM-Photo-2-470x313.jpg 470w, https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/UTM-Photo-2-640x426.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/UTM-Photo-2-130x86.jpg 130w, https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/UTM-Photo-2-187x124.jpg 187w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 990px) 100vw, 990px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-12264'>\n\t\t\t\tShe graduated from UTM&#8217;s Tourism Business Management Bachelor&#8217;s Degree Programme\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"herald-popup\" href='https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/UTM-Photo-5.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"990\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/UTM-Photo-5.jpg\" class=\"attachment-herald-lay-a-full size-herald-lay-a-full\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-12266\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/UTM-Photo-5.jpg 990w, https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/UTM-Photo-5-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/UTM-Photo-5-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/UTM-Photo-5-414x276.jpg 414w, https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/UTM-Photo-5-470x313.jpg 470w, https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/UTM-Photo-5-640x426.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/UTM-Photo-5-130x86.jpg 130w, https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/UTM-Photo-5-187x124.jpg 187w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 990px) 100vw, 990px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-12266'>\n\t\t\t\tMary chose to pursue a Master\u2019s in Developmental Psychology and Education, influenced by a volunteering experience in her second year at UTM, through the UTM Volunteer Circle\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"herald-popup\" href='https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/UTM-Photo-3.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"991\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/UTM-Photo-3.jpg\" class=\"attachment-herald-lay-a-full size-herald-lay-a-full\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-12267\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/UTM-Photo-3.jpg 991w, https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/UTM-Photo-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/UTM-Photo-3-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/UTM-Photo-3-414x276.jpg 414w, https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/UTM-Photo-3-470x313.jpg 470w, https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/UTM-Photo-3-640x426.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/UTM-Photo-3-130x86.jpg 130w, https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/UTM-Photo-3-187x124.jpg 187w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 991px) 100vw, 991px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-12267'>\n\t\t\t\tMary says she began preparing for her application process for international postgraduate studies as soon as she started her UTM undergraduate programme, setting a personal goal of achieving a 3.8 grade point average\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n<span class='pum-trigger  popmake-12273  text-center font-blue' data-do-default=''>\u4e2d\u6587\u7248\u672c \/ Chinese version<\/span>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em><em><em><em><em><em><em><em><em><em><em><em><em><em><em><em><em><em><em><em><em><em><em><em><em><em><em><em><em><em><em><em><em><em><em><em><em><em><em><em><em><em><em><em>Mary Sun Rongqie, freshly graduated from UTM, has won a master\u2019s degree study place overseas, after receiving offers from universities in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. She advises undergraduates aspiring to go abroad for postgraduate studies to start preparing promptly. Mary emphasises the importance of planning and of well-crafted applications<\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/em><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mary Sun Rongqie, who graduated from UTM this summer having studied Tourism Business Management, was recently accepted into the prestigious University of Toronto, in Ontario, Canada. She also had postgraduate-study offers from other top-tier universities, including The University of Edinburgh and The University of Manchester, in the United Kingdom; and The University of Melbourne, in Victoria, and The University of Sydney, in New South Wales, both Australian institutions. Ultimately, she chose to pursue a Master\u2019s in Developmental Psychology and Education at the University of Toronto, inspired by a calling she discovered during her undergraduate years at UTM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mary says her decision to opt for postgraduate study in education was influenced by a pivotal experience in her second year at UTM. Through the UTM Volunteer Circle, she offered her talents to support the English-language teaching work of the Second National High School, in Congjiang County, an impoverished area in Guizhou Province.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThat experience made me realise that education is my true calling,\u201d Mary reflects. \u201cI hope that by studying developmental psychology, I can help children develop their learning capabilities, and guide them to identify their passion.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Tips for applying to postgraduate programmes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Drawing from her own experience, Mary advises current UTM undergraduates aspiring to study abroad for a master\u2019s degree to make an early start in preparing applications, plan strategically, and have clear goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The application process for international postgraduate programmes is rigorous and demands long-term preparation. For Mary, this began as soon as she started her undergraduate studies, setting a personal goal of achieving a 3.8 grade point average (GPA).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She also stresses the importance of early preparation for English-language proficiency tests, which might be mandated for top postgraduate programmes. Achieving a high score either in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam is commonly required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYou can start preparing for these tests from the summer of your second year, and continue improving your scores to meet the language requirements of your target universities,\u201d she advises. Mary also highlights the possibility that some universities may waive language requirements. She says would-be applicants should inquire about this possibility with admissions teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Relevant work or internship experience may be other elements crucial to a successful application. Mary recounts her two education-related internship experiences during a one-year exchange programme at Beijing International Studies University and East China Normal University in Shanghai; the exchange programme was part of her undergraduate studies at UTM. These internships served to \u201cstrengthen the credibility and competitiveness\u201d of her application for postgraduate studies, she points out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The statement of purpose and the applicant\u2019s r\u00e9sum\u00e9 are equally important elements of the process. \u201cThe key is to be sincere and incorporate storytelling, with specific examples rather than being too vague,\u201d Mary suggests, referring to the statement of purpose. She also encourages candidates to include extracurricular activities in their r\u00e9sum\u00e9 \u2013 such as volunteer work, participation in entrepreneurship competitions, and involvement in undergraduate student activities \u2013 to demonstrate their comprehensive abilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Recommendation letters are a critical component of the application package. Mary suggests that prospective master\u2019s degree programme candidates should begin identifying potential referees \u2013 such as internship supervisors and professors \u2013 from the first semester of their third year of undergraduate studies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When it comes to selecting graduate schools, Mary highlights the importance of conducting thorough research. By compiling a list of schools that offer relevant programmes, understanding admission rates, and analysing the profiles of admitted students, prospective applicants can make informed decisions. She also suggests applying to a range of schools, to increase the chances of getting offers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mary says the most crucial piece of advice is to take the initiative and check the official websites of prospective schools. \u201cUnderstand the programme requirements and be aware of the application opening and closing dates,\u201d she stresses. \u201cSome schools even have early admission rounds and rolling admissions, so the earlier you apply, the more likely you are to receive an offer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Editor: UTM Public Relations Team<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mary Sun Rongqie, freshly graduated from UTM, has won a master\u2019s degree study place overseas, after receiving offers from universities in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. She advises undergraduates [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":12265,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"gallery","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1703],"tags":[2383,3181,3182,400,2861,946,1648,948,3177,3179,3178,3180,2859,730],"class_list":["post-12269","post","type-post","status-publish","format-gallery","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-postgraduate-studies","tag-application","tag-application-process","tag-international-postgraduate-programmes","tag-macao","tag-macao-university-of-tourism","tag-masters-degree","tag-postgraduate-studies","tag-university-of-edinburgh","tag-university-of-manchester","tag-university-of-melbourne","tag-university-of-sydney","tag-university-of-toronto","tag-utm","tag-volunteer-circle","post_format-post-format-gallery"],"views":3265,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12269","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/18"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12269"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12269\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12276,"href":"https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12269\/revisions\/12276"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12265"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12269"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12269"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12269"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}