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Student Profile
Student Name: Oliver
High School: Cranbrook Schools
Admitted College: Northwestern University
Oliver began working with the Ivy Talent consulting team as early as his U.S. boarding school application process. With Ivy Talent’s support, both he and his twin brother were admitted to Cranbrook Schools in Michigan from their home city of Shanghai.
When it came time to begin their U.S. college planning and applications, the family once again chose to partner with the Ivy Talent college admissions team. From the initial stages of boarding school applications to the successful completion of their college admissions journey, Ivy Talent worked closely with Oliver’s family for a total of five years.
Through four years of long-term planning and preparation, both brothers were admitted to their dream colleges during the Early Decision (ED) round of the 2022 U.S. college admissions cycle. Oliver received an offer from Northwestern University, while his twin brother, Derek, was accepted to Cornell University.
Let’s now take a closer look at Oliver’s application journey.
Oliver’s Background
Academics:
Top universities highly regard academics at Cranbrook for their rigor and excellence. When I first started, I found some subjects challenging, especially math. The American approach to math emphasizes understanding and applying concepts in different ways, which was a shift from the memorization methods I was used to. However, by seeking help from my teachers and putting in extra effort, I improved over time.
English classes were also challenging. At Cranbrook, teachers hold all students, including international students, to the same standards. Initially, it was difficult to keep up, but I learned through consistent effort and support from my teachers.
Social life:
Adapting to a large American high school like Cranbrook, with over 800 students, was tough. However, the school environment was very welcoming. American students are generally friendly, and I was able to form friendships by participating in clubs, sports, and various extracurricular activities. While there were some cultural differences, I eventually found a sense of belonging and developed strong relationships.
How Ivy Talent Helped
Initially, I was unsure whether I should pursue social sciences or engineering, as I was genuinely interested in both. In 10th grade, after thoughtful discussions with my consultant, and reflecting on my activities and future goals, I decided to focus on engineering.
Leading my VEX Robotics team for four years deepened my interest in robotics and reinforced my passion for engineering. At the same time, I explored my creative side through writing competitions, like the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, where I received both Honorable Mention and Silver Key awards.
Those experiences helped me build a well-rounded profile that stood out in college applications.
How Internships and Summer Programs Strengthened My Application
I attended several prestigious summer programs, including the University of Washington’s Pre-Engineering Program and the Engineering Summer Academy at Penn (ESAP), hosted by the University of Pennsylvania. ESAP was highly selective and rigorous, with challenging coursework and real college-level expectations.
In addition to summer programs, I completed multiple internships. In 9th grade, I participated in a social science and education internship. Later, I interned at a manufacturing company, where I observed production lines and contributed ideas to real projects. These experiences helped me develop communication and teamwork skills and demonstrated my real-world engagement to admissions officers.
With guidance from Ivy Talent’s consultants, I brainstormed and drafted my essays well in advance of the application deadlines. I spent countless hours researching schools for “Why this school” essays and revised my personal statement more than 10 times.
In total, I completed nearly 20 drafts across all my applications. Each essay highlighted my intellectual depth, personal growth, and unique qualities.
How I Chose Northwestern for Early Decision (ED)
I visited Northwestern in 9th grade and immediately fell in love with the campus and academic environment. When it was time to choose an ED school, I considered both Northwestern and the University of Pennsylvania. However, Northwestern’s industrial engineering program aligned perfectly with my interests and career goals. Though UPenn is an Ivy League school, Northwestern’s engineering resources and career placement opportunities were a better fit for me. After careful consideration, I confidently chose Northwestern for my ED application.
Oliver’s Reflection and Advice
I am incredibly grateful to the Ivy Talent team. Throughout the entire five-year journey, they offered professional expertise as well as constant support and encouragement.
Their guidance helped me explore opportunities I might not have discovered on my own, such as writing competitions that strengthened my profile even as a STEM-focused student. They also knew me well enough to help me craft essays that truly reflected my identity.
Having such a professional, patient, and understanding team by my side made a huge difference. I faced every challenge with confidence, knowing that I had consultants who believed in me and helped me bring out my very best.
Date: June 11, 2025