21 Questions With Siyu on Getting Into Duke’s Pratt School of Engineering

Siyu began working with Ivy Talent in 10th grade and was admitted to Duke University’s Pratt School of Engineering in Fall 2022. Now that she’s officially a Blue Devil, she’s reflecting on her journey, and sharing insights for families preparing for the college application process.

Q: Siyu, can you tell us a little about why you chose to attend an American high school and what your current school is like?

Siyu:
I’m currently a student at Cannon School, a private school in North Carolina, with about 108 students in my grade. The overall student body is quite large.

I first learned about the U.S. education system through short-term study abroad programs, and I became really interested. My parents felt more comfortable choosing Cannon because we had family friends teaching there, they knew I’d be in good hands.

Q: Why did you decide to work with a consulting team, and why did you choose Ivy Talent?

Siyu:
I started working with Ivy Talent in 10th grade. I learned early on that applying to college in the U.S. is a long process that requires a lot of preparation. A friend recommended Ivy Talent to me. I appreciate the fact that Ivy Talent works with a smaller number of students, meaning the counselors can give each student more personalized attention. Their advisors are also very professional and experienced.

Q: What were some of the biggest challenges you faced during high school?

Siyu:
One major challenge was during the pandemic. I had to take online classes from China, which meant staying up through the night for classes and exams. It was exhausting, but I gradually adjusted my schedule and kept close communication with my teachers, making sure I stayed on track.

Socially and culturally, I had a smooth experience. My host family was Chinese, so I didn’t have any major cultural or food-related adjustments. In terms of friendships, while Cannon didn’t have many international students, my classmates were very welcoming and curious about my background.

Q: Did you feel supported by the school even though there weren’t many international students?

Siyu:
Yes I did. My advisor, teachers, and college counselors all gave me a lot of support. I also got my driver’s license, which made it easier to take advantage of opportunities off-campus.

Q: What did you do to maintain a strong GPA? How did Ivy Talent help?

Siyu:
At Cannon, I found that the coursework wasn’t too difficult compared to what I had studied in China, especially in STEM subjects. Each year, I worked with my Ivy Talent counselor to plan my course selection, making sure I took as many AP classes as possible to strengthen my academic profile.

While Cannon offered only about a dozen AP classes, I focused on AP English, AP Calculus AB/BC, AP Statistics, AP US History, AP Psychology, and AP Physics.

Q: How did you explore and find your academic interests?

Siyu:
I explored my interests mainly through summer programs and extracurricular activities. After taking an introductory economics course during a summer program in 10th grade, I attended a Management and Technology summer program in 11th grade, which combined engineering and business, the intersection I wanted to pursue.

Outside of school, I also participated in math competitions, business challenges like the Diamond Challenge, and STEM-related activities.

Q: How did Ivy Talent support your exploration?

Siyu:
My Ivy Talent counselor recommended many programs, competitions, and resources that matched my interests. They even helped me find teammates for business competitions, which made a huge difference.

Q: Looking back, what are some things you think you did right during high school?

Siyu:
I was proactive about researching summer programs and extracurricular opportunities, and I also took the time to learn about different colleges. That preparation paid off.

Q: Can you talk about your experience with writing?

Siyu:
Being in an American high school really helped me improve my writing, whether it was academic essays or creative writing. I enjoy writing short stories and poems. I also took a creative writing course through Ivy Talent, which inspired me to participate more actively in writing activities at school.

Q: How did you and your Ivy Talent counselor approach building your college list?

Siyu:
My counselor guided me to start researching colleges early on. Although my initial list changed a lot over time, the overall process helped me understand what I really wanted. Because I was interested in both engineering and business, I focused on schools with strong interdisciplinary programs.

Q: How did you research specific departments when making your school list?

Siyu:
I looked at rankings, especially for engineering programs. Since not many colleges have undergraduate business schools, I paid extra attention to schools where business was offered at the undergraduate level. But overall, I prioritized schools with strong engineering programs and opportunities for interdisciplinary study.

Q: How did you know Duke was a good fit for you?

Siyu:
At first, I didn’t consider Duke seriously because it was close to my high school, I thought I wanted a change of environment. But after visiting, I fell in love with the campus and surrounding nature. Duke also offers a lot of flexibility to explore different majors, which suits me because my interests are broad and always evolving.

Q: What kinds of activities did you participate in, and what did you gain from them?

Siyu:
I mentioned summer programs and competitions earlier. In school, I tutored students in STEM subjects, participated in creative projects, and stayed involved in activities that combined my academic interests with leadership and teamwork experiences. Each opportunity helped me build confidence and discover more about what I enjoy.

Q: When did you start preparing for standardized tests? Any advice for younger students?

Siyu:
I started preparing for the SAT in 10th grade and took my first test at the end of that year. I highly recommend starting early! It gave me more time to retake the test if needed, without feeling rushed. Studying for standardized tests is different from regular schoolwork, so giving yourself enough time to adjust is important.

Q: How did Ivy Talent help you prepare for standardized tests?

Siyu:
Ivy Talent helped me create a study plan that fit into my school schedule. They also recommended high-quality practice resources and tutors when needed. Having a clear plan helped reduce my stress.

Q: When did you start working on your college application essays? How did Ivy Talent support you?

Siyu:
I started brainstorming and drafting my main Common App essay during the summer before senior year. With Ivy Talent’s help, I went through several rounds of brainstorming and revision. They encouraged me to find a unique and personal angle, and they provided very detailed feedback on every draft.

Q: How did you choose your Common App essay topic?

Siyu:
My essay focused on a personal story that connected my love for math and problem-solving with my experiences outside the classroom. My counselors helped me realize that a personal story would leave a stronger impression than just listing achievements.

Q: How did you prepare for college interviews?

Siyu:
Ivy Talent helped me practice through mock interviews. We worked on common questions, storytelling techniques, and how to present my activities and interests naturally. By the time I had my real interviews, I felt confident and relaxed.

Q: What advice would you give to students just starting high school?

Siyu:
Stay curious and open-minded. Don’t feel pressured to have everything figured out right away. Explore your interests both inside and outside of the classroom, and don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. Start building good time management habits early, it will make a huge difference later on.

Q: Any final thoughts you’d like to share with families preparing for the U.S. college application journey?

Siyu:
The application process is long and stressful, but having the right support system makes it so much better. Be patient, stay organized, and don’t forget to enjoy high school too! It’s not just about getting into college, it’s about growing and discovering yourself along the way.

Siyu’s journey reflects the power of early planning, self-exploration, and strong support from her school, family, and Ivy Talent team. We’re proud to have walked alongside her throughout her high school years and can’t wait to see all she will accomplish at Duke University and beyond.