From Sports Enthusiast to Future Physical Therapist: Lucas’s College Journey

About Lucas 

Lucas has always loved sports. He was a dedicated member of his school’s basketball team and trained rigorously every day. Even when he developed osteophyte inflammation that made running painful, he never gave up. After starting at Asheville School in North Carolina, he tried other sports as well, including bodybuilding, rugby, sprinting, cross-country running, and wrestling.

Through these experiences, Lucas realized that although he loved sports, he didn’t have the natural talent to become a professional athlete. He started exploring sports-related careers, including sports management, athletic training, and rehabilitation therapy. In the end, he chose physical therapy, aiming to treat injuries and help athletes perform at their best.

Pursuing this path required a strong academic foundation, including biology, chemistry, and specialized subjects like anatomy—courses that are rarely available in Chinese high schools. Asheville School gave Lucas this opportunity, offering a wide range of classes that let him explore his interests and develop his skills.

Working with Ivy Talent

From the start of his American high school journey, Lucas worked closely with Ivy Talent. His parents wanted him to experience a broader environment during his formative years. They believed that studying abroad would give him the best opportunities for personal growth.

When Lucas’s classmate was admitted to Asheville School and later Columbia University, his family saw the benefits of sending Lucas there as well. 

Ivy Talent maintained close communication with Lucas, his family, and Asheville School. Over the next three years, the team provided timely support with both academic and personal challenges, helping him adjust to life in a new country and thrive in a new environment.

How Ivy Talent Helped

Ivy Talent guided Lucas throughout his educational journey, from high school to college applications.

• Academic and Personal Guidance: Lucas received advice on course selection and extracurricular activities that aligned with his interests in sports and physical therapy. Ivy Talent helped him explore different majors and career paths, encouraging him to think about the practical and long-term implications of his choices.
• Application Support: For his college applications, Ivy Talent guided Lucas through his essays, activity list, and interview preparation. He focused on highlighting his athletic achievements and explaining how sports shaped his personal growth. His essays reflected his genuine passion for athletics and the lessons he gained, rather than trying to predict what admissions officers wanted to hear. He shared how he grew into a more determined and purposeful student, with football playing a central role in that development. This honest approach offered a clear and complete picture of who he is and what he values.
• Communication: Ivy Talent maintained regular communication with Lucas’s parents, keeping them updated on his progress and offering professional advice when challenges arose. This ensured that both Lucas and his parents felt informed, confident, and supported throughout the process.
• Strategic Planning: The Ivy Talent team helped Lucas identify Boston University’s six-year Doctor of Physical Therapy program as the best fit. This program offered a direct pathway from undergraduate to doctoral studies, high-quality faculty, and extensive internship opportunities with major sports teams in Boston, aligning perfectly with his academic goals and passion for sports. 

Reflection

Lucas decided to study physical therapy because it combined his love of sports with strong career prospects. To learn more about the field, he visited the Shanghai Institute of Physical Education and the Shanghai Rehabilitation Hospital in China. There, he discovered that physical therapy is in high demand and offers excellent employment opportunities in both the United States and China.

Lucas recognized the importance of self-awareness, understanding his interests, achievements, and personal growth. With Ivy Talent’s guidance, he was able to tell his story authentically without relying on templates or trying to anticipate what admissions officers wanted.

Lucas’s parents are proud of how independent, resilient, and focused he has become. They believe that even though growing up can be challenging, children can discover their passions and achieve their goals when they are given consistent support and encouragement.

They advise other parents to let their children explore their interests freely while offering guidance without pressure. It is important to trust children to make their own decisions, provide resources when needed, and encourage them to express their true selves in applications rather than trying to meet perceived expectations. They also emphasize that challenges and setbacks are a normal part of growth and can help build resilience.

Lucas’s journey demonstrates that with the right support, guidance, and opportunities, students can develop independence, pursue their passions, and achieve both their educational and career goals.