advice
Q
What are admissions committees
looking for?
A
US college admissions is a “holistic
process”, meaning, in addition to
reviewing a student’s transcripts for their
last four years of secondary school and
standardised test results (SAT or ACT),
admissions officers are also looking
at extracurricular activities, teacher
recommendations, essays and, in some
cases, an interview.
In evaluating a candidate’s
application, admission officers look for
examples of the following attributes
(among others):
•
Intellectual curiosity:
While choosing
a major is usually not required until the
second year of college, showing passion
for learning beyond what is available in
school is important. This can be cultivated
by reading books outside of required
class assignments, attending lectures
and cultural events, and choosing
summer experiences that allow a deeper
understanding of subjects.
•
Leadership and initiative:
Colleges
are looking for an indication that a
candidate will be the type of student
who will make an impact on campus,
which can be demonstrated through
being deeply involved in a few clubs
rather than just passively attending a
multitude of clubs. Taking up a leadership
role, including organising an event or
coming up with a new, better way to do
something, are ways to show the impact
a student made in high school.
•
Community involvement:
Colleges
admit students who look beyond
themselves and devote their time and
talents to making a difference in their
communities. Whether a student is
advocating for children, the elderly, the
environment or education, committing
oneself to a cause indicates a desire to
improve the world around them.
Q
What can my child do to prepare?
A
Preparation for college applications
should begin a few years before the
applications are written. Once your child
starts high school, it will be important for
him/her to be involved in activities, and
to choose activities they want to become
more deeply involved with. They should
An
American
education
Going to college in the United States can be an intensely enriching,
exciting four-year educational experience, where students will learn to think
critically and creatively, be introduced to new networks and professional
opportunities, and develop leadership and teamwork skills.
Carole Bird
explains how the admissions process works.
also be selecting rigorous courses and
planning to take standardised tests. Also,
since students are most likely to succeed
academically and to maximise their
college experience if they feel happy
in their surroundings, it’s wise to start
researching colleges well before they
start their applications.
Carole Bird is the director of Apply Ivy,
one of Hong Kong’s leading US boarding
school and college admissions consulting
firms, which has been helping students in
Asia gain admission to schools in the US
since 2006. Learn more at
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