中文
Tiếng ViệtStudent Name: Edmon
High School: The Williston Northampton School
Admitted to: NYU Stern School of Business
Student Background
Edmon began his U.S. boarding high school journey in ninth grade after transitioning from a public school in China. Arriving at Williston Northampton School in Massachusetts, he faced immediate language and cultural challenges. While he had studied English in China, the reality of academic and social life in an English-speaking environment was daunting at first.
Instead of retreating, Edmon chose to engage. He took the initiative to connect with peers from diverse backgrounds and fully engage in both the classroom and campus life. As his language skills improved, so did his confidence. By his sophomore year, he was actively contributing to discussions and participating in activities. Through this journey, Edmon came to understand that real growth—both academic and personal—happens outside the comfort zone.
Williston’s close-knit community provided Edmon with the ideal environment to thrive. He participated in a wide range of extracurriculars, including three years of football, four years of basketball, and four years as captain of the school’s ultimate frisbee team. Edmon also joined the school’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging group, where he organized workshops that explored global cultures, an experience that later shaped his college essays.
Working with Ivy Talent
When Edmon began high school, he had little clarity about how to prepare for college in the U.S. system. His family began searching for college planning support and eventually chose Ivy Talent after hearing about the company through a family friend. Prior to working with Edmon, Ivy Talent had supported three other students from Williston Northampton School, who were successfully admitted to the University of Pennsylvania, Vanderbilt University, and NYU Stern.
What set Ivy Talent apart, according to Edmon, was our attention to detail and highly personalized approach. His consultant took the time to thoroughly understand his interests, strengths, and values before developing a comprehensive long-term application strategy. This included a customized schedule for standardized test preparation, detailed plans for managing academics, and recommendations for meaningful summer activities.
Edmon’s SAT prep was strategically scheduled around school breaks, and he ultimately earned a score of 1540. Ivy Talent also guided him through assembling all components of his Common App, from the activity list to school-specific essays. When his initial personal statement focused heavily on his love of basketball, his consultant encouraged him to narrow the scope of his discussion. Instead of trying to cover every aspect of the sport, she helped him highlight the resilience, leadership, and self-discipline he developed through it, and how those qualities shaped his academic interests.
How Ivy Talent Helped
One of the most pivotal moments in Edmon’s application process came just before senior year, when he decided to change his intended major from bioengineering to business. At the time, he had already participated in two research projects related to biology and statistics. While these programs deepened his understanding of bioengineering, they also revealed something surprising: Edmon had a stronger interest in data analysis and quantitative reasoning.
Recognizing this, Edmon discussed the possibility of switching to business, specifically with a concentration in statistics and data. He was worried the shift would make his previous experiences seem disjointed or irrelevant. But Ivy Talent helped him reframe those experiences as interdisciplinary strengths. His consultant advised him to draw direct connections between his bio-research, his growing data fluency, and his future goals in business analytics.
Instead of starting from scratch, Edmon used what he had already built. Ivy Talent worked with him on his application materials to reflect this shift, guiding him through essay revisions and showing him how to highlight transferable skills across disciplines. By the time early application deadlines approached, he had completed most of his materials and was well-positioned to present a cohesive narrative, even without traditional business competitions or credentials.
Reflection
Edmon was admitted to NYU’s Stern School of Business in the early round, a competitive outcome made possible by both long-term planning and a willingness to adapt when his interests evolved. While he had moments of doubt, particularly when switching majors, the trust and support he received from his family and Ivy Talent helped him move forward with confidence.
Looking back, Edmon credits much of his success to staying open-minded. His advice to other students is simple but valuable:
- Don’t obsess over GPA alone. Leadership, extracurricular activities, and involvement in school culture matter just as much.
- Start test prep early so you have more time for meaningful summer and academic enrichment.
- Keep exploring. College doesn’t require you to lock in a major on day one, so take time to discover what fits.
Edmon’s story shows that with thoughtful planning, the proper guidance, and the courage to pivot, you can achieve remarkable results. Even without the typical resume of a business school applicant, it’s possible to craft a compelling application. At NYU Stern, Edmon is now set to pursue his interest in data, leadership, and global business, with a foundation built on resilience and reflection.
