Columbia International College (CIC) is proud to celebrate the outstanding achievements of Class of 2026 graduate Elizabeth Ding, who has received admission offers from Peking University and many of the world’s leading universities across Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, along with more than $100,000 CAD in scholarships.
University Offers
Elizabeth received offers from:
Peking University (Arts)
University of Toronto: St. George (Mechanical Engineering)
University of Toronto: St. George (Physical and Mathematical Sciences)
University of Toronto: Mississauga (Chemistry & Physics)
University of Bristol (Mechanical Engineering)
University of Birmingham (Mechatronics Engineering)
University of New South Wales (Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering (Honors))
University of Sydney (Mechatronics Engineering)
After carefully considering her options, Elizabeth chose to pursue her studies at Peking University, one of China’s most prestigious institutions.
Turning Perseverance into Success
Elizabeth admits that she wasn’t always the most focused student.
“My biggest change at CIC was learning to dedicate more time to studying. Before, I spent most of my time having fun and rarely stayed focused for long periods.”
Her university application journey became a lesson in persistence. Determined to produce an outstanding personal statement, Elizabeth spent nearly a year developing and refining her application essays.
“I began planning my UK personal statement in February 2025 and spent almost a full year working on it. Since writing wasn’t my strongest skill, I wasn’t sure which experiences were worth including. I wrote countless drafts, discarded many of them, and finally had a version I was satisfied with in October. Then, in early November, I decided to change my intended major, which meant rewriting the essay almost from scratch before submitting it in early December.”
Looking back, she believes perseverance made the difference.
“Success comes from constantly learning and practicing. At first, everything feels uncertain, but through trial and error, you eventually find the approach that works best.”
Next Destination: Peking University
For Elizabeth, earning admission to Peking University represents far more than acceptance into a prestigious institution.
“Studying at Peking University will give me the opportunity to better understand China’s economy, culture, and development. It’s also a bridge connecting me to China. I hope to pursue a career that connects China with the rest of the world, and Peking University’s faculty and alumni network will provide invaluable perspectives and opportunities.”
She also noted that the university places significant emphasis on critical thinking and communication skills during its admissions process.
“The interview felt much like a debate. Six students discussed the same topic, presented their viewpoints, and supported them with evidence. The interviewers weren’t simply evaluating our answers—they wanted to see how we thought, reasoned, and communicated.”
Learning Independence Through International Education
Elizabeth chose to attend high school in Canada after hearing positive feedback about CIC’s safe residence environment and strong academic support.
Reflecting on her experience, she found Canada’s education system encouraged students to take ownership of their learning.
“In China, many aspects of your schedule are decided for you. In Canada, students have much greater responsibility for managing their own time and pursuing their own goals.”
She embraced every opportunity available at CIC, participating in numerous extracurricular activities, including:
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award (Gold Award)
DECA Business Competition
Robotics Team
Student Volunteer Committee
Student Media Team
Morning Announcements Team
Basketball Team
Soccer Team
Balancing academics with athletics taught her valuable time management skills.
“We often started basketball practice at 6 a.m., stayed after school for training, and travelled to competitions during class time. Those experiences taught me how to use every spare moment efficiently.”
She also developed a habit that continues to guide her success.
“Every evening, I write out my schedule for the next day. Without a plan, it’s much easier to procrastinate.”
Dedicated Mentor Who Inspire Confidence
Throughout Elizabeth’s university application journey, Hassan Elkhalil, University Placement Counsellor at CIC, played an important role in encouraging and supporting her.
“Elizabeth is an exceptionally well-rounded student,” Hassan said. “She excels academically, especially in mathematics and science, while actively contributing to the school community through basketball, robotics, student leadership, volunteer service, and media activities.”
When Elizabeth first considered applying to Peking University, she questioned whether she was competitive enough.
“My biggest advice was simply to believe in herself,” Hassan recalled. “Helping students build confidence is often one of the most important things we can do as counsellors.”
Seeing Elizabeth achieve her goal has been deeply rewarding.
“Her success demonstrates what students can accomplish when they fully commit themselves and are willing to step outside their comfort zones.”
Congratulations to Elizabeth on her remarkable achievements. The CIC community wishes her every success as she begins this exciting new chapter at Peking University
