Departing School Captain Secures Place at World’s Best Business School

Class of 2026 Captain Tristan Mills headed across the Atlantic this summer to take up a place studying Economics at the world-leading Wharton School in Pennsylvania.

Tristan set his sights on studying in the US early in his High School career. He began the actual application process to US Colleges in 2025 and spent the year tenaciously dedicated to the significant commitment of making a competitive application. That dedication was rewarded, with an offer to study at not only Wharton, but Yale, Cornell, Columbia, UCLA and Brown.

He choose The Wharton School, part of the University of Pennsylvania and the prestigious Ivy League. The institution is ranked 14th in the world by Times Higher Education and places first for Business and Economics. Wharton is the university, Tristan believes, where he will thrive while studying his passion for economics. Tristan said he choose Wharton not only because of "how specialised it is in finance" but also because of the incredible on-campus opportunities. Wharton’s alumni network spans global finance, technology and entrepreneurship, with its graduates routinely moving into positions of great influence.  

Tristan’s dedication to economics saw him studying the subject from National 5 all the way through to Advanced Higher during his time at the High School, and leading the establishment of his School’s Economics Club. HIs teacher described him as an "excellent young economist" who is a "highly articulate, logical and critical thinker".  

The scale of global competition for institutions such as Wharton is difficult to overstate. Each year, more than 7,600 applicants compete for fewer than 900 places at the world’s best business school. With acceptance rates typically below 5% for undergraduates, Wharton is more difficult to gain entry to than Oxbridge. Those who do make it are drawn from a truly exceptional global pool.  

Unlike domestic applicants, Tristan had to navigate an entirely different admissions process for US colleges. The American system demands far more than examination results, requiring most international applicants to sit the SATs and write a variety of admissions essays, as well as maintaining an impressive academic record. He did all of this while managing a timetable of Advanced Highers and the demanding commitments that come with being Captain of the School.  

As he begin his studies in Philadelphia, Tristan joins a cohort of students from across the globe. He recently commented:

"I’m really excited to go as it is a completely new experience for me. I love challenging myself."  

Tristan has earned a place at one of the most elite business schools in the world, against formidable odds. It is, undeniably, a remarkable achievement - we wish him and all of our Class of 2026 leavers the very best as they begin their journeys beyond the High School.

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