My name is Meher, and I studied at Neev Academy my entire life. I completed both the IB MYP and the IB Diploma Programme. I’m currently studying Economics at King’s College London.

If there’s one theme that defines my journey so far, it’s this: say yes to weird things. Say yes to the subjects you didn’t plan on taking. Say yes to the leadership role you’re not sure you’re ready for. Say yes to moving countries. For me, that mindset is what led me from a STEM-heavy classroom at Neev in Bangalore to studying Economics in the middle of London.

My Academic Background

In Grade 9 and 10, my subjects were largely STEM-focused. I took all three sciences, extended math, and Hindi. Everything at that stage was mostly compulsory, including English Language and Literature, Integrated Humanities, Personal Project, Interdisciplinary Unit, and Visual Art. I usually leaned into science and math because I didn’t want to close doors, which is because I realized early on that if I chose only the humanities, I might restrict myself from STEM later. But if I chose STEM, I could always pivot back to the humanities. That flexibility mattered to me, especially because I was not someone who knew what I wanted to study and what path I wanted to take in 9th grade.

In the IB Diploma (Grades 11 and 12), I took:

• Physics, Economics, and Math AA at Higher Level
• English Literature, Chemistry, and Hindi B at Standard Level

In Grade 10, I scored 52 out of 56 for the MYP Eassessments. In Grade 12, I graduated from the IB with a final score of 43.

When I applied to the UK, my predicted grade was a 41. My conditional offer from King’s was a 38 overall, with 6, 6, 7 in my Higher Levels.

I Didn’t Plan to Study Economics

I wasn’t one of those students who knew in Grade 9 exactly what I wanted to study. In fact, when I started IB, I intended to take History as my humanities subject, not Economics.

The decision to even try Economics happened because I said yes to something unexpected. At my teacher’s suggestion, I sat in on an Economics class during the initial trial period we had. I initially chose it as an SL subject, and by December, I moved it to HL. It is funny to think that I hadn’t planned on studying Economics at all.

Around that same time, I was working on a report with the Neev Literature Festival about the state of children’s literature in India. That experience made me realize how fascinating Economics is as a discipline. It allowed me to think both quantitatively and qualitatively. I wasn’t restricted to lab work like in science, nor was I limited to purely opinion-based arguments. Economics lets me work with numbers and ideas at the same time.

Math was also important to me. I genuinely enjoyed it.

Taking extended math in MYP and then Math AA HL in IB DP allowed me to explore the subject, and I knew that I wanted math to remain part of my future.

Economics gave me that space to explore both my opinions and interact with numbers equally.

Leadership, Volunteering, and Impact

A lot of my interest in Economics grew from things that didn’t look traditionally “economic” at first.

I was deeply involved in student leadership, such as being the class representative, House Captain, and Student Body Vice President, to serving as Student Chair for the school’s Literature Festival and helping organize our MUN conference as an executive board member.

Planning events meant budgeting, logistics, and allocation of funds—all real-world economic decisions.

I also volunteered extensively throughout high school. I worked with initiatives supporting children, including a project that focused on young adults aging out of orphanages in India at 18. By law, orphanages are not required to care for them once they turn 18, and many of them suddenly find themselves without institutional support. This is by no means because of a lack of heart towards them, but simply because of the financial constraints that these institutions—which are criminally underfunded—face.

Working on fundraising and awareness for them exposed me to the intersection of economics and policy. I began to see how funding structures, legal frameworks, and resource allocation directly shape people’s lives.

That realization made Economics feel deeply human—not some abstract idea.

None of these were things I did specifically “for my college application.” They were things I cared about. And when I was applying to college, I wove them together to build a narrative about myself, as I applied to universities across India, U.S and the UK.

Looking back, they naturally fed into each other and created what people might call a “super-curricular” profile.

But I didn’t force it. I think that authenticity matters far more than strategically collecting experiences like tokens for university admissions.

Applying to the UK

I applied through UCAS to:

• London School of Economics and Political Science
• University of Glasgow
• University of Edinburgh
• University of St Andrews
• King’s College London

When writing my personal statement, I understood something important: everyone applying already meets the grade cutoffs. Universities know your predicted grades. What they want to know is how you think.

I wrote about the nuance in my subject choices—doing Physics HL alongside Literature. I wrote about continuing sports seriously as a lifelong athlete while maintaining academic rigor. I focused on the ways my experiences shaped my perspective, not just what I achieved.

In the UK system, academics are a given. What distinguishes you is your intellectual curiosity and self-awareness.

Why I Chose King’s

Outside of the UK, I also got offers from strong Indian institutions and top U.S universities like NYU and UCSD; however, because of the high cost of living and tuition, I chose not to opt into the U.S system for my undergraduate degree as an international student, but it is definitely something I am considering for my postgraduate degree, as scholarships are more prevalent at that level.

I held on to my Indian options for a long time and only withdrew from them after receiving my final results.

Academically, foundational economics can be taught anywhere. Supply and demand curves are universal, and university professors are qualified no matter where you choose to study.

But what ultimately drew me to King’s was perspective.

If I had stayed in India, most of my classmates would likely have been Indian. At King’s, my peers come from all over the world.

That diversity changes classroom discussions. Every policy debate, every economic model, every example carries cultural nuance. That global exposure is something I deeply value.

There’s also something transformative about studying in London. King’s isn’t a traditional campus university—you walk through the city, commute, and build your own routines. You learn quickly how to cook, do laundry, budget, and manage your time. It’s not just academic independence; it’s life independence.

Life at King’s

Socially, everyone arrives trying to figure things out. You introduce yourself hundreds of times:

“Hi, I’m Meher. I study Economics. I’m from Bangalore.”

It feels repetitive at first. But eventually, you find your people—those with similar interests, rhythms, and goals.

King’s has around 300 societies—from sports teams to poetry clubs to even hyper-specific pop culture societies. Many of them are low-commitment, which makes it easier to explore.

One of my favorite discoveries has been London’s run club culture. I used to sprint—100m and 200m—never long-distance. But here, I joined casual run clubs. They are relaxed, welcoming, and a wonderful way to meet people. Running past landmarks like the London Eye and Big Ben makes you feel like you’re truly in the center of everything.

As a Bengali, I also discovered the prevalence of my culture during my runs. As we explore the city, I get to see the diversity of people and connect with places such as Bengali-owned grocery shops. Where the excitement prompted me to immediately send a photograph to my parents.

Professionally, I work as a Student Ambassador at King’s. I give campus tours and participate in events, which allows me to gain work experience and earn money, while also balancing my academics. The university hosts frequent career workshops—from CV building to handling rejection in the professional landscape—and being in London expands my networking opportunities enormously.

The city is very student-friendly, with discounts and job opportunities for university-level students being omnipresent. This is also unique compared to the U.S., where people on student visas often have immense restrictions placed on working possibilities.

The Visa Process

As an international student, I took the IELTS and scored an 8.5 out of 9. Most universities have clear requirements, and while it might feel redundant for IB students, it is a straightforward process. It is the type of thing that you can get done in an afternoon. I got my results within a week of writing the test.

The UK visa process was surprisingly clear. The portal clearly outlines the required documents. The biggest advice I have is about timing: IB students receive results earlier than A-level students. If you apply for your visa immediately after getting your results in July, you avoid the massive rush later. I was able to manage the entire process without any external help from an agency.

My Final Advice

Prepare yourself for independence. Learn how to cook at least five meals, and write them down in a notebook so that you have something to feed you for a while regularly.

Learn how to use a washing machine. Fold your clothes. These sound basic, but figuring them out alone in a new country—while adjusting academically—is harder than you expect. Especially because your parents are in a completely different time zone aswell so calling them for every minor thing becomes impossible.

Do not do things just because they “look good.” Admissions officers can tell. Which is something I have learnned through my experience as a Global Ambassador for King’s.

Say yes to things because they genuinely interest you. Sit in that trial class. Take the subject you didn’t plan on taking. Volunteer because you care, not because it fits your intended major.

You don’t need five published papers to prove you love Economics. You just need to show that you’re curious enough to want to study it more.