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Student Profile
Student Name: Richard
Admitted College: Northwestern University
Richard’s path reflects a strong blend of curiosity, passion, and thoughtful planning. From a young age, he developed a deep interest in both music and engineering. As he explored each field, his commitment to both grew, eventually leading him to Northwestern University for a dual degree in Music and Engineering. Here’s a look at his story from his mother’s perspective.
About Richard
Richard has always been a self-motivated and responsible student. I never had to worry about his academics. He approaches his schoolwork with focus and determination. Whether he is working on daily assignments or facing new challenges, he follows his own pace and method. Once he sets a goal, he stays committed to it. His strong work ethic kept him consistently at the top of his class, and his dedication always gave me peace of mind as a parent.
My husband, who works in finance in New York, and I took a structured approach to education. We always respected Richard’s interests and gave him the freedom to explore his own path without pushing our expectations onto him.
When it came to preparing for the SAT and TOELF, Richard focused on understanding the test formats and managing his time effectively. He scored a 1580 on the SAT and a 118 on the TOELF.
Richard’s personality is more reserved and analytical. He enjoys conversations about topics like math, science, and games, especially in online settings. In person, he tends to be quieter and more introspective.
Richard’s Journey
Richard began learning piano as a child while living in New York, but after our family moved back to China, he stopped taking lessons. When he returned to New York for middle school, he wanted to join more school activities. He chose to learn the flute to join the school band.
Richard started learning the flute in sixth grade. To our surprise, he picked it up very quickly. After just six months, he passed the ABRSM Grade 5 exam. This boosted his confidence. In seventh grade, he won a Red Ribbon Award in a New York City flute competition and earned a perfect score on his school’s music evaluation. Over time, music became an important part of his life.
Later, Richard joined the preparatory program at the Manhattan School of Music. At first, he felt confident in his skills. But when he saw how talented and well-trained his classmates were, he realized he still had a lot to learn. Many of them had been studying music from a young age. Richard started doubting himself and struggled to keep up. One teacher even told him he might not be able to improve enough to pursue music professionally. This was a tough moment for him.
Things began to change when Richard attended summer music camp. Unlike other programs, this camp was less competitive, there were no rankings or competition. He met other students who loved music as much as he did. Being in that supportive environment helped him see music in a different light. He realized that music is also about expression, connection, and joy.
This summer experience helped Richard rediscover the fun of playing music, allowing him to approach his art with a calmer, more balanced mindset. He learned to embrace the love of music over the pursuit of perfection, and this shift in perspective would later help him find the same joy when exploring engineering.
How Ivy Talent Helped
It wasn’t until we joined Ivy Talent that Richard discovered his love for engineering.
After his sophomore year, Richard took part in a materials science internship at New York University, arranged through the Ivy Talent team. At first, topics like composite materials, mechanical testing, and data analysis were completely new to him. But he quickly adjusted and showed a strong ability to learn and apply new concepts.
Richard began by mastering basic lab operations like preparing samples and using instruments to measure material properties. As his understanding deepened, he assisted Ph.D. students with experiments. The lab professors took notice of his enthusiasm and invited him back for more in-depth research the following summer.
This internship changed Richard’s view of engineering. What had once been an academic interest in math and physics transformed into a passion for applying these concepts to real-world problems.
Ivy Talent offered valuable support throughout the process, from helping Richard find the internship to providing guidance as he worked on his application. Their advice helped him present his experiences clearly and thoughtfully. We were especially grateful when the professors wrote a kind letter of recommendation, which became an important part of his application. Looking back, I truly appreciate how this opportunity helped Richard grow.
Richard didn’t decide on a dual degree path until the end of his junior year. At that point, he was still unsure whether to focus on music or engineering. At first, we thought music would be a unique part of his application. As time went on, it became clear that he was passionate about both.
We explored several universities known for strong programs in both areas, like Northwestern, Vanderbilt, and Carnegie Mellon. Northwestern stood out because of its dual degree program. The program offered both structure and flexibility.
In the end, Richard felt that Northwestern had the right environment for him.
Gratitude for Ivy Talent
Looking back, I’m truly grateful for their consistent support throughout Richard’s journey. They were there when he was developing his interest in music, exploring engineering, and when he got accepted into Northwestern. Their expertise and dedication helped Richard stay focused and find a path that was right for him. We believe that with the right support, students can follow more than one path, overcome challenges, and achieve their goals.
