Fit for Civil Engineering | Yuchi, Carnegie Mellon University
We talk a lot about nurturing tomorrow’s bridge builders at Wellington. But Yuchi, Class of 2025, took our message to heart. He wants to build bridges for a living. Literally!
At a young age, Yuchi discovered that he had a unique talent for designing and building things. During his seven years at Wellington, this grew into a passion for Desgin & Technology as well as STEM （Science, Technology, Engineering，Mathematics) subjects.
In a few short months, he will be pursuing a degree in civil engineering at Carnegie Mellon, one of the US’s premier STEM universities. Nice job, Yuchi!
Today, Yuchi talks about why he loves building things and how Wellington helped him to pursue his passions.
Why civil engineering?
I chose civil engineering because I’ve always been intrigued by the infrastructure that quietly shapes our lives. As a kid, building model train towns sparked my interest—I used real-world designs to create miniature highways, bridges, and cities.
Over time, this creative hobby grew into a love for STEM, especially math and physics, where I enjoyed applying abstract concepts to real-world problems. Two U.S. summer engineering programs in high school deepened my understanding of the field, and I was especially drawn to civil engineering for its scale, societal impact, and the challenge of analyzing forces and materials.
Why did you choose Carnegie Mellon University?
The most appealing element of Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) to me is its flexible curriculum. Although my major is civil engineering, I can take programming courses from its famed computer science department, minor in finance at CMU’s Tepper School of Business and even hone my design skills in the College of Fine Arts.
I hope to become a holistic engineer to not only build but also design, create, promote and communicate in a working environment. Having a flexible curriculum is key to gaining exposure to knowledge in various fields of study. Also, CMU has a great reputation in the tech and finance industry; it offers tremendous networking opportunities.
Can you pinpoint the moment when your passion for
engineering was ignited?
I found my passion for hands-on work during IGCSE DT. It is rewarding when I can create utensils and structures at will. I’ve continued my woodwork outside of school despite not taking DT at the IB level.
What courses at Wellington helped you receive an offer from Carnegie Mellon?
IB Physics, Chemistry, Maths, Economics, IGCSE DT. I tied my STEM passion to entrepreneurship.
What advice for younger pupils on the same path as you?
Decide early, plan early. Learning engineering requires you to have hands-on experience, so attend summer programmes, earn credits, enter STEM competitions and reach out for long-term research opportunities. Try to tie your exploration in engineering with your passion and values. Make your academic exploration personal, but also aim for a social impact.
What was the biggest challenge to applying for university?
Time management. Because I was applying to US schools, I had to write two to three supplement essays for the 15 schools I was applying to. It ate away my brain power because it costs me a lot of deep reflections and many drafts of refinement to craft a convincing and realistic essay. It was challenging to maintain academic records during the application season.
How long have you attended Wellington?
Seven years! I’ve been a pupil here since year 7.
What will you miss most about Wellington?
Friends. I would not have achieved my current self without my friends. They were there for me on the basketball court, preparing for the Diamond Challenge pitch and beside me during hectic revisions. They are my strength and motivation.
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