“When you first encounter your TOK lessons, you may think they are useless or boring. Especially if you are a good thinker, who knows to consider different perspectives, you may think TOK exhibitions and essays are just “saying good words”. However, in TOK, none of the essays or exhibitions are more important than the way of thinking. Someday you will fall into thoughts and wonder about right and wrong. And at that time, TOK will teach you, despite sheer black and white, the world has another area, which is TOK’s favorite phrase: ‘To what extent?’

Tips from Lark, “No fear, get your arguments and examples done early, plan in your own way (it will be more comfortable to use compared with the all-in-one planning sheet). You can write the essay in a single day if your preparation is good enough!”

The Road to Cambridge

When she was small, Lark’s father gave her a book called “God's Scissors: Human Gene Editing” and that lighted her passion for biology and huge interest in genetic studies. Ever since then, Lark has never stopped exploring her interest in the area of science.

With this passion, Lark decided to apply to Cambridge University. In her preparation for the interview, Lark discovered a key point which again, related to the thinking process.

“I found out (through reading other people’s experience) that in Cambridge interviews you are usually asked some questions that they don’t expect you to solve. What you have to show is not your ability of directly solving the issue - which is impossible too, in natural science subjects, due to the limited information given - but your talent in thinking and approaching. You have to talk about what you see, what you interpret, your assumptions and your knowledge. Basically, exhibit your thought process, and let them know that you know a lot about the subject (but don’t go off-track!) and you are confident in solving problems. Do not stay silent and only work on the problem in your head. It would be helpful if you can do a few mocks before the actual interview.”

Lark has participated in many science competitions, such as the USA Biology Olympiad and the British Biology Olympiad. She has obtained a gold medal in USABO (USA Biology Olympiad), silver in BBO (Britain Biology Olympiad), silver in UKCHO (UK Chemistry Olympiad), and 5 in AP Biology.

Her suggestion in this area is, “If you think you have talent in a subject and want to see if you should consider it a major? International competitions may be your trials.”