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Student Profile
Student Name: Katie
Elementary School: The Field Elementary School
Admitted to: The Park School, Fay School, The Pike School
Katie’s parents thoughtfully planned her education to give her a well-rounded experience of both the Chinese and American education systems. They wanted her to build a strong language foundation and cultural understanding in China before transitioning to American public schools and, eventually, private institutions. This carefully developed strategy helped Katie earn spots at top American middle schools, like The Park School, Fay School, and The Pike School, during the 2024 application cycle. Today, Katie’s father shares the insights and decisions that shaped their journey.
Katie’s Background
As a first-generation immigrant family with unique circumstances, we took a distinct approach to our children’s education. Having lived in China for my university and graduate studies, I moved to the U.S. for further education and work before transitioning into law and investment. Unlike many immigrants, we did not immediately place our children in American schools. Instead, we chose for Katie to start her education in China, where she could build a strong foundation in language and culture. We wanted her to grasp global diversity and complexity before returning to the U.S. for her secondary education.
Katie attended a reputable international school in China, where she excelled in English and Chinese. Her teachers often praised her abilities, and she even wrote articles for school publications. After a few years, we returned to the U.S., where we initially planned for all our children to attend private schools. However, after settling in Boston, we enrolled Katie in public school so that she could experience its social environment, later transitioning her to private schools.
The Transition from Public to Private School
Katie quickly adjusted to American public school and thrived in a top public school district in Boston. However, we still decided to apply to private schools. Our reasoning was simple. Public and private schools serve different purposes. Public schools focus on providing a basic education for all students, while private schools are geared toward developing top talent, offering personalized support, and preparing students for advanced academic challenges.
We believed that a private school environment would better align with Katie’s educational and career aspirations. We wanted her to attend a school where she would be surrounded by like-minded peers who share similar academic and personal ambitions.
Working With Ivy Talent
We carefully considered educational consulting agencies, as their services would have a significant impact on Katie’s future. After extensive research and personal recommendations, we chose Ivy Talent, having learned about their exceptional track record from a friend whose child had worked with them and been admitted to an Ivy League school.
Ivy Talent sets itself apart through an open, thoughtful, and collaborative approach. Its consultants took the time to understand our family’s values and goals, offering tailored recommendations that matched Katie’s strengths and ambitions. We appreciated their emphasis on communication and transparency, which was critical to us given the importance of this decision.
Why Park School?
Although Katie was admitted to several excellent institutions, we chose The Park School based on the alignment between their values and what we wanted for Katie’s development. The admissions team at Park was welcoming, and we connected with a family who had children at the school. Their positive experiences reinforced our belief that Park would be the right environment for Katie.
When we took Katie for a tour, she immediately felt at home. The warm atmosphere, friendly interactions with students and staff, and strong sense of community left a lasting impression. The school’s culture resonated with Katie, and she expressed that it felt like the right fit.
Katie’s Growth
Throughout this journey, Katie grew in significant ways. She learned that academic performance is key to gaining admission to competitive schools, but it is also crucial to become more self-aware. She realized that excelling in standardized tests is just one part of the process. As she prepares for high school, Katie has become more proactive about her education, understanding the importance of early preparation for future challenges.
Katie’s journey demonstrates the importance of a well-planned educational strategy. By thoughtfully combining experiences from both the Chinese and American education systems and making informed choices about schools and consultants, her parents set her up for success. With the support of Ivy Talent’s expert guidance, Katie is poised to continue thriving both academically and personally.
