中文
Tiếng ViệtStudent Name: Madison
High School: Public high school in New Hampshire
Admitted to: Cornell University – College of Engineering (Computer Science major)
Madison’s Background
Madison is a student from a public high school in New Hampshire, introduced to Ivy Talent through a referral from a family friend. After meeting in person at Ivy Talent’s Boston office, Madison and her parents chose to move forward. That decision ultimately led to Madison’s Early Decision acceptance to Cornell University’s College of Engineering, a school she and her family had long admired.
Madison’s story is a powerful example of how diverse interests, from traditional dance to STEM, can come together to form a cohesive and compelling application. As a thoughtful and quietly driven student, Madison grew into a confident applicant through consistent effort and support.
Working with Ivy Talent
When Madison first began high school, she described herself as shy. During her first year, she considered joining the student council but was intimidated by the idea of speaking in front of others. However, in the aftermath of the pandemic, her school’s extracurricular participation had declined, and the student council was actively seeking new members. Madison decided to join and began contributing more actively, eventually helping organize and lead a school-wide fundraising event.
Through that experience, she came to understand that leadership is not limited to extroverted personalities. It can emerge gradually in anyone, through action, thoughtfulness, and perseverance.
How Ivy Talent Helped
Reviving a STEM Club
Madison had always been passionate about math and science. She was involved in her school’s math team, robotics group, and Science Olympiad. However, when she saw that the school’s STEM club was nearly inactive, she decided to take initiative. Encouraged by her Ivy Talent consultant, she dedicated herself to revitalizing the club.
Over the course of a year, she successfully rebuilt the club, increasing membership from almost zero to over 30 students. She organized competitions, managed student participation, and oversaw logistical details, including signup forms, scheduling documents, and planning spreadsheets. Under her leadership, the club achieved recognition in state-level competitions. Ivy Talent helped her document these accomplishments clearly and present them effectively in her application.
Expanding Cultural Impact Through Dance
While Madison had trained in traditional dance for years, she had not considered it a meaningful part of her application. In conversations with her Ivy Talent consultant, she realized that her dance experience could serve as a bridge for cultural exchange and community engagement. With encouragement, she founded a dance club at school focused on traditional and contemporary forms.
Launching the club came with challenges, including securing administrative support and managing recruitment and rehearsals. Throughout the process, Ivy Talent provided guidance on communication strategies, member engagement, and logistical planning. Over time, the club began to thrive, especially after Madison incorporated K-pop and other styles to appeal to a broader student base. The club became an outlet for cultural expression and student connection, serving as an essential part of her application narrative.
Strengthening Her Computer Science Profile
Although Madison had some early experience in computer science, she lacked a strong record of involvement with the subject. The Ivy Talent team helped her develop a structured plan to enhance her skills and build her profile. We encouraged her to participate in the American Computer Science League (ACSL), where her team placed 12th globally.
Ivy Talent also supported her application to Carnegie Mellon University’s summer program in game design. This six-week intensive course became one of the most transformative experiences of her high school years. Madison shifted from being a game enthusiast to a creator, spending countless hours refining code, developing characters, and solving technical problems. She later reflected that this experience shaped not only her technical abilities but also her personal growth. Her summer work became the central focus of her Cornell personal statement, allowing her to demonstrate passion, creativity, and persistence.
Strategic Course Planning
As a student at a public high school with limited course offerings, Madison faced constraints in her academic planning. The Ivy Talent team helped her design a course schedule that met the expectations of highly selective colleges while staying within the available resources. We advised her on balancing rigor across core subjects, optimizing GPA, and selecting electives that supported her interests in computer science and engineering.
Reflection
Madison approached her personal statement with one clear goal: to express her true self. Rather than trying to impress with elevated language or exaggerated claims, she chose to tell an honest and reflective story about an experience that challenged her and helped her grow. She used a simple metaphor to tie her story together and focused on conveying depth and sincerity.
For Madison, the college application process became an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of her identity. Each essay draft brought her closer to articulating what mattered most to her. From her quiet beginnings in student council to late nights coding during summer camp, each moment contributed to a narrative rooted in resilience and self-discovery.
She described her growth in high school not as a series of sudden transformations, but as a continuous journey.
Madison offered three pieces of advice for other students:
- Don’t be afraid to try new things, even if they feel unfamiliar.
- Commit to your interests; what begins as a hobby may become a defining strength.
- Use simple tools to stay organized. Her favorite was the Notes widget on her phone, where she kept track of assignments and deadlines.
In the end, Madison’s story was not about checking boxes or crafting a perfect resume. It was about being intentional, authentic, and resilient—and that is the version of herself that Cornell chose to admit.
Madison stood out not because of a polished image, but because she fully embraced her unique interests and voice. Her combination of technical skill, cultural engagement, and initiative made her a well-rounded and memorable applicant.
Ivy Talent was proud to support her in amplifying her strengths, whether by helping her build a meaningful STEM presence, launch a dance club, or pursue advanced opportunities in computer science. Madison’s application told a cohesive and honest story rooted in her personal values. We are honored to have been part of her journey.
This case study has been published with the student’s and her family’s permission. To protect her privacy, we use “Madison” in place of her real name throughout.
