Overcoming Setbacks: Eugene’s Journey to Cranbrook School

About Eugene

Eugene is currently a ninth-grade student at Shanghai Bilingual School. His family began considering international education early on and initially hoped he would attend middle school in the United States. They started preparing for the language requirements in seventh grade, but the pandemic disrupted their plans. As a result, they shifted their focus to applying to U.S. high schools instead.

Eugene is a well-rounded student with a strong interest in science. He has explored a wide range of activities both inside and outside the classroom. He has played ice hockey for more than five years and is also a member of his school’s basketball team, serving as captain in both seventh and eighth grade. Outside of sports, Eugene sings in the school choir, plays the piano, and started a band with his classmates. He also speaks conversational Spanish and has developed a growing interest in robotics. His parents have always encouraged him to pursue his interests at his own pace, allowing him to explore different passions and discover what he truly enjoys.

During eighth grade, Eugene’s family worked with a consultant who specialized in U.S. college admissions but had little experience with U.S. high school applications. The difference between the two quickly became clear.

Because the consultant lacked knowledge of American boarding schools and did not fully understand the selective high school admissions process, they were unable to offer much guidance, especially during the pandemic when many schools had suspended online interviews. When admissions decisions were released on March 10, 2023, Eugene was rejected by nearly all of his top-choice schools and received only one or two lower-priority offers. 

While researching options for a second chance at college admission, they learned about Ivy Talent’s late application service, which is designed to assist students who had been waitlisted or not admitted during the regular admissions process. That was when things began to turn around.

Working With Ivy Talent

From the beginning, the Ivy Talent consultants were professional and transparent. They helped the family assess whether any spots were still available through the supplemental process and encouraged them to stay open to schools they hadn’t previously considered.

While there was still a chance of gaining admission to a top-tier school, the family understood how competitive the process had become, especially for students from Shanghai. Ivy Talent’s founder, Lily, recommended applying again the following year with a stronger strategy and a focus on ninth-grade entry. Eugene was still young, and this approach would give him more flexibility.

How Ivy Talent Helped

From the beginning, Eugene’s Ivy Talent consultant worked closely with him to understand his personality and how to best present his strengths. Together, they created a mind map outlining his interests, values, and personal story. This process gave Eugene greater clarity and helped the consultant craft an application that genuinely reflected who he was.

Ivy Talent focused on showing how Eugene had grown over the past year. They helped him put together a video of himself singing and playing an instrument and highlighted a photography project he completed on disadvantaged children in Tibet. These meaningful projects became the core of his application narrative.

Ivy Talent encouraged Eugene to focus on his unique strengths and personal interests. Rather than emphasizing generic achievements, they guided him to present his authentic self and highlight the experiences that truly reflected his skills and passions. This approach allowed him to showcase his individuality and create an application that felt genuine and meaningful.

Throughout the application process, Ivy Talent managed communication with the schools, provided timely updates, and helped the family stay organized with documents and strategy. When the family shared that Cranbrook Schools was their top choice, Ivy Talent promptly communicated that information to the admissions office.

Beyond logistics, Ivy Talent also offered emotional support during this stressful period. The consultants reassured the family when unexpected issues arose, such as difficulties with Eugene’s ninth-grade transcript and the school’s refusal to provide recommendation letters. They helped explain these challenges clearly to U.S. admissions officers, many of whom responded with empathy.

Ivy Talent also took a thoughtful approach to standardized testing. Unlike the previous year, when the former consultant pushed for near-perfect TOEFL and SSAT scores, the team emphasized that while strong scores could help, they were not the most important factor. Instead of overwhelming Eugene with test prep, they encouraged him to focus on improving his writing and speaking skills.

Reflection

Eugene’s second application journey was not only more successful but also deeply transformative. He became a more mature, self-aware, and independent student. The structured planning process helped him build stronger time management skills and taught him how to reflect more deeply, especially when writing his essays. This mindset stayed with him well beyond the application season.

His parents also went through a meaningful shift. At first, they were anxious and heavily focused on high school rankings. Over time, they began to take a more objective and thoughtful view of Eugene’s strengths and needs. Rather than pushing for perfection, they started to prioritize growth and balance. The experience helped them build greater trust in their son and strengthened their relationship as a family.

Advice for Other Families

Eugene’s family has some clear advice for others considering the U.S. high school application process:

1. Find the right consulting team. Professional experience, strong relationships with schools, and personalized support make a real difference. Choose a team that understands the process and shares your values.
2. If possible, visit schools in person. Online research has its limits, and campus visits can provide more clarity. Talking directly with teachers and students often reveals insights that no website or brochure can offer.
3. Focus on finding the right-fit school. Try not to fixate on rankings or test scores. Instead, consider your child’s growth and development. Authenticity, self-reflection, and honest storytelling are often more meaningful than a polished but impersonal profile.