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Tiếng Việt
Student Profile
Name: Gloria
High School: Asheville School
Admitted College: Cornell University, College of Engineering
Other Offers: NYU, Georgia Tech, UC Santa Barbara, UC San Diego, UC Irvine, UC Davis, Boston University, University of Wisconsin–Madison
Background
Gloria is a quiet but focused student who enjoys exploring new activities. Though reserved, she is always open to trying new things and has a strong ability to stay engaged in tasks she cares about—whether practicing the erhu, a traditional Chinese instrument, or painting for hours in the studio. Her parents supported this independent and curious nature, even allowing her to explore gaming in middle school until she naturally outgrew it.
She gradually discovered her academic path through exploration and self-reflection. Gloria initially had interests in both the humanities and STEM fields. However, as she gained more exposure to science and engineering, she began to narrow her focus. A pivotal moment came in 9th grade, when she participated in a Columbia University STEM research program and later earned a research internship at a Columbia lab in 11th grade. These experiences confirmed her interest in engineering and guided her decision to apply to top STEM programs.
Gloria stood out in the highly competitive Class of 2023 admissions cycle, receiving offers from nine prestigious universities, including Cornell, where she enrolled in the College of Engineering.
Working with Ivy Talent
Gloria began working with Ivy Talent five years ago in 2018 after being introduced by a family friend, an Asheville School student who had also worked with Ivy Talent and later gained admission to Columbia University. Her family trusted Ivy Talent’s approach and appreciated how closely it aligned with their values.
The relationship began with guidance through the U.S. boarding school application process and naturally extended into college planning. Throughout the years, Gloria and her family built a close, trusting partnership with the Ivy Talent team.
What stood out most to Gloria was how Ivy Talent helped her develop a deeper understanding of herself. Rather than pushing her toward a rigid plan, we helped her explore her strengths, connect with valuable opportunities, and grow into a leader through thoughtful mentorship and personalized guidance.
How Ivy Talent Helped
From the beginning, Ivy Talent guided Gloria through every stage of her academic and personal development. In high school, we supported her in identifying and applying to enrichment programs that aligned with her learning style, such as the Columbia University STEM research program, which allowed her to explore science in a hands-on setting. This experience later led to an internship at a Columbia research lab, an important piece of her college application narrative.
Recognizing her strengths in math and science, we helped Gloria and her family understand how pursuing engineering could be both a practical and strategic choice, especially as a female student in STEM. Once she embraced that path, we provided structured support in refining her academic profile and extracurricular involvement.
We also encouraged her to take on leadership and initiative, especially during her transition from a public school background to an American boarding school, where she faced social and language adjustments. Over time, Gloria built a well-rounded activity list, including:
- Interning at a tech startup
- Serving as the international student representative at her school
- Captaining the rock-climbing team
- Volunteering locally
- Leading school diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives
When it came time for college applications, Ivy Talent helped Gloria prioritize her commitments, brainstorm essay ideas, and create a cohesive application narrative that reflected her growth and focus. We also supported her in recognizing that not every activity needs to be perfect; what mattered was the self-discovery that came from trying new things.
Her final college list was designed to reflect both her academic goals and personal fit, and included top-tier engineering and research institutions like Cornell, Georgia Tech, and UC schools.
Gloria’s Reflection and Advice
Looking back, Gloria feels that one of the most rewarding moments of her application journey was finishing her activity list. It gave her a real sense of how far she’d come and how much she’d grown. Many of those experiences were supported by the Ivy Talent team, who pushed her to step outside her comfort zone again and again.
Although she didn’t face any major negative experiences, there were stressful moments and setbacks. Ivy Talent’s steady presence helped her talk through challenges and stay grounded throughout the process. She appreciated the clarity and perspective that those conversations provided.
She also reflects on how her understanding of college admissions evolved. As a younger student, she admired the student leaders around her and aimed to follow in their footsteps. Over time, she realized that success in college applications isn’t just about holding titles. Different schools value different qualities, and there’s always an element of luck. What matters most, she believes, is doing your best and being true to yourself.
Gloria advises future applicants to:
- Visit schools in person, if possible, to better understand what environments suit them
- Embrace independence, recognizing when to take ownership of their goals
- Be patient and pay attention to detail, especially when revising essays and application materials
Gloria’s journey was about growth, self-awareness, and making intentional choices. At Ivy Talent, we’re proud to have supported her along the way. She now begins her next chapter at Cornell University, where she will continue to explore and thrive in one of the top engineering programs in the country.
