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Tiếng ViệtStudent Profile
Student Name: Ray
High School: The Webb School, Tennessee
Admitted to: Northeastern University
About Ray
Ray didn’t see himself as a standout student in the traditional sense. Originally from Dongguan, China, he transferred from Tsinglan School to The Webb School in Tennessee in 10th grade. While his academic path wasn’t conventional, Ray had a wide range of interests and strengths. Over three years of steady growth and strong support, he earned an Early Decision offer from his dream school, Northeastern University.
Working with Ivy Talent
Ray began working with Ivy Talent while transitioning from a school in China to a U.S. boarding school. His first experience with the team came during the high school application process. After enrolling at The Webb School, Ivy Talent continued to support him throughout his academic journey, helping him make decisions about classes, build his extracurricular profile, and shape a strong college application strategy.
Ray’s path wasn’t always easy. His GPA took a hit early on due to the challenges of online learning and adjusting to a new environment. Language barriers, especially in standardized testing, also posed difficulties. But instead of focusing only on his struggles, Ivy Talent helped Ray recognize how his growth, interests, and perseverance could become powerful strengths in his application.
How Ivy Talent Helped
Finding the Right School
During the school selection process, Ray’s Ivy Talent consultant recommended The Webb School because of its strong support for boarding students and its well-rounded, student-centered environment. While the school is not typically viewed as one of the most academically competitive schools, it turned out to be a great fit for Ray. The school had strong programs in both the arts and athletics, and its supportive, close-knit community gave him the space to grow at his own pace.
The Ivy Talent team also encouraged Ray to make full use of the resources around him. For example, when his math course did not include statistics, they suggested he speak with the school to explore other options. Ray reached out to school leadership, took a placement test, and was able to move into Precalculus. This showed both initiative and a readiness to take on academic challenges.
Academic Growth
Standardized testing was one of Ray’s biggest challenges. Despite taking the TOEFL multiple times, he wasn’t able to reach his target score. His Ivy Talent consultant suggested switching to the Duolingo English Test, which turned out to be a better fit. He ended up submitting a score of 130, with a particularly strong speaking section that reflected his growing confidence from regular conversations with native English speakers.
Ray also found the SAT difficult. Even after spending the summer studying, his practice scores stayed in the low 1300s. Because Northeastern’s average SAT score is about 1450, Ivy Talent recommended that he apply without submitting scores. On the other hand, Ray’s GPA improved a lot. With his consultant’s help, he raised his GPA from below 3.0 in early high school to 3.6 in 10th grade, then to 3.8 in 11th grade, and eventually finished with straight A’s.
Extracurricular Activities
Ray knew he wasn’t going to stand out through academics alone. His consultant encouraged him to highlight his diverse talents, leadership, and creativity.
One of the most impactful moves was creating a Wushu (Chinese martial arts) club. With his consultant’s encouragement, Ray organized a presentation, recruited members, secured school funding, and even performed at the school’s Lunar New Year celebration. He handled logistics, led practices, and turned the club into a meaningful part of his campus identity.
Beyond Wushu, Ray joined the cross-country and track teams, participated in the theater program, served as a dorm leader and student ambassador, and became a member of the Diversity Council. His public speaking teacher recognized his performance ability and encouraged him to audition for school plays. What began as a small role eventually led Ray to become the lead in productions—an achievement that became the centerpiece of his college essay.
Application Planning
Ray initially planned to apply as a business major. With his consultant’s guidance, he explored his interests more through internships and mentorship opportunities. One internship introduced him to a mentor in data science who opened his eyes to the field’s versatility and impact. Ray became increasingly interested in how data science could be applied across different disciplines, which led him to rethink his academic goals.
At the time, his academic profile wasn’t yet strong enough for direct admission into a competitive data science program. Ray’s consultant recommended applying to Northeastern as a business major with the intention of transferring into a more technical track later. This strategy paid off. After receiving his acceptance, Ray successfully transitioned to the AI Science track.
The Ivy Talent team also helped Ray build meaningful connections with admissions officers. When Northeastern’s regional representative visited The Webb School, Ray came prepared. He dressed professionally, asked thoughtful questions about the Co-op Program, and followed up with a personalized thank-you email. During Thanksgiving break, he visited the Boston campus and confirmed it was his top choice.
Northeastern places a strong emphasis on demonstrated interest and Early Decision applicants, with around 70% of admitted students applying through ED. Ray’s intentional approach helped him stand out in the process.
Looking Back
Looking back, Ray is proud of his growth. He started with a low GPA and faced challenges with language, but over time, he became a student leader and took the spotlight in the school play. His progress was not just academic but personal as well. Ray credits Ivy Talent for helping him stay focused, take advantage of every opportunity, and build lasting confidence in himself.
One part of the process that stood out to Ray was the essay support. Instead of just proofreading, the Ivy Talent team guided him through thoughtful brainstorming sessions that helped him discover a story that truly reflected who he was. His final personal statement, centered on his theater journey, captured both his passion and personal growth.
Ray believes that without Ivy Talent’s support, he would have struggled to create an application that truly showed who he is. The personalized guidance and strategic insight he received played a key role in helping him succeed.
Words from Ivy Talent
Ray joined Ivy Talent’s U.S. college planning program during the second half of 10th grade. From the start, it was clear that he and his family shared a strong bond built on open communication and mutual respect, which made the entire collaboration process smooth and effective.
In the beginning, the focus was on helping Ray adjust to a new culture, language, and school environment. The Ivy Talent team supported him in building a solid academic foundation through GPA improvement and active involvement at school. As Ray gained confidence, they encouraged him to pursue leadership roles, challenge himself academically, and tell his personal story with clarity and purpose. With curiosity, dedication, and the right guidance, Ray turned a difficult transition into a powerful success story.
