Founding Alumnus Returns to Harrow Beijing: From A Level Success to Cornell University — Sharing Insights into University Admissions and Personal Growth

This year’s annual Speech Day at Harrow Beijing arrived as scheduled, and we were delighted to welcome back Jerry Jia, an outstanding alumnus of the founding cohort from the Class of 2009. Now serving as Head of China Institutional Business at Amundi Asset Management, Jerry returned to Harrow Beijing to share his journey – from Harrow Beijing’s A Level classrooms to Cornell University in the Ivy League, and onward to a thriving career at one of the world’s leading asset management firms. His talk was candid, personal, and filled with insights that resonated with everyone in the room.

Alumni Insights:

How Can A Levels Open Ivy League Doors 

During this alumni homecoming visit, Mr Akerman sat down with Jerry for an in-depth interview, tackling the question that matters most to students and parents alike: How can a British A Level curriculum successfully lead to admission to a top U.S. Ivy League university?

As a standout graduate from the Class of 2009, Jerry is a compelling example of exactly that path. Having completed the full British A Level programme at our school, he was successfully admitted to a popular major at Cornell University, one of America’s Ivy League institutions. Looking back on his own application journey to Cornell, he highlighted three key takeaways:

Academic Foundations That Transfer Seamlessly:

The rigorous academic mindset and self-directed, inquiry-based learning cultivated through A Levels proved to be an ideal match for the teaching style at U.S. universities. The independent research and problem-solving abilities he developed at school allowed him to settle quickly into American classrooms – there was no learning gap to bridge.

A Well-Rounded Profile That Stands Out:
Unlike a purely exam-oriented approach, Harrow’s A Level programme was always enriched by hands-on projects, exchange programmes, and a wide variety of co-curricular activities. These experiences aligned perfectly with the “whole-person development” that U.S. colleges look for, and they became the centrepiece of his Cornell application essays and interviews.

A Global Perspective That Matches U.S. Admissions Values:
The international outlook embedded in Harrow’s daily teaching gave Jerry a distinct advantage. Admissions officers could see, through both his grades and his way of thinking, that he had developed an open, inclusive mindset – a quality that set him apart in a highly competitive applicant pool.

Back on Campus:

More Than Academics–Soft Skills Cultivated Through Exploration

In his Speech Day address, Jerry wove together warm memories of his own time at Harrow with sincere advice for the students sitting before him.

Jerry stated that a solid academic foundation built through A Level studies serves as the stepping stone to university admission. Based on that, what truly sets people apart in life are the opportunities the school provides every student to cultivate soft skills: self-confidence, resilience, interpersonal communication, independent problem-solving capabilities and a global mindset. In his current daily work, he communicates with institutional clients at home and abroad, handles complex business matters, and steps out of his comfort zone to engage with unfamiliar people and new scenarios. The seeds of all these capabilities were actually planted back when he was studying at Harrow.

Jerry shared a few vivid memories that brought his point to life:

Back in 2005, before the school officially opened its doors, he took part in the very first summer camp. Accompanied by teachers, he headed to Wangfujing Street and plucked up the courage to interview passers-by with self-designed questionnaires. On Valentine’s Day during Year 11, he teamed up with classmates to sell roses on the street. Turned down countless times, he gradually built mental resilience to withstand rejection. He later joined an exchange programme at Harrow School in the UK. It was the first time he managed all daily arrangements—food, transport and accommodation—entirely on his own, which gave him a genuine understanding of independence. He also joined a hiking study trip to Yangshuo. Trekking mountain paths and crossing streams was physically gruelling, yet the trip forged lifelong friendships he still cherishes to this day.

He also cited alumni success cases: those active in school business clubs later built a renowned domestic coloured contact lens brand; some secured Wall Street careers via the alumni network; students inspired by drama lessons now pursue performing arts professionally after overseas studies; others sparked by maths teachers went on to read a Master’s in Mathematics at Cambridge. He said these achievements are no accident, as Harrow empowers every student to discover their true passion and potential.

A Message to Harrow Students —

and the Start of a New Journey

Towards the end of his speech, Jerry turned to the students before him with these words:

Cherish every moment at Harrow. Devote yourself to excelling in your A Level studies and building a strong academic foundation for university. But equally, embrace every challenge, every study trip, every friendship with your classmates with courage. Make full use of everything the school offers — hone your abilities, build your connections, and seize the opportunities that Harrow’s outstanding international platform provides.

These words were not only advice for the students — they are also what Jerry himself is putting into practice.

His return was more than a talk. It felt like a beginning. He is already exploring new possibilities: bringing together younger alumni who are at university or just starting their careers, creating opportunities for them to connect, share and build meaningful networks. At the same time, the companies where alumni now work could form closer ties with Harrow, building an extended alumni network that stretches from the classroom into the wider world of industry.

From Harrow, into the world, and back to Harrow again — the value of this journey lies not in how far one person has travelled, but in the quiet promise that with every step forward, another light is lit for those who follow.