中文
Tiếng ViệtStudent Name: Rebecca
High School: The Frederick Gunn School
Admitted to: New York University (NYU)
Rebecca’s Background
As a student, Rebecca was deeply passionate about the arts, with strengths in dance, the flute, and visual arts, as well as a longstanding interest in education and social responsibility. Despite her talents, she faced periods of uncertainty and self-doubt. When she began working with Ivy Talent in 11th grade, she was managing a demanding academic schedule alongside numerous extracurricular commitments. The pressure of maintaining a strong GPA, preparing for AP exams, and studying for standardized tests was overwhelming, and a disappointing math grade in 10th grade further affected her confidence.
Even so, Rebecca remained committed to the power of storytelling and self-expression. With the proper support and guidance, she came to understand that her application didn’t need to focus solely on academics; it could also highlight the depth of her creative work and the values that shaped her.
Working with Ivy Talent
Rebecca joined Ivy Talent in her junior year along with her twin sister Elizabeth, who was later accepted to Cornell. Despite starting later than many students, Rebecca quickly built a strong relationship with her consultants. They took the time to understand her interests and helped her make sense of her diverse experiences, from performing in public benefit concerts to volunteering in art therapy programs for children with autism.
Rather than forcing her into a predefined track, the Ivy Talent team helped Rebecca identify her authentic narrative. Through in-depth conversations, they uncovered connections between her passion for the arts and her commitment to community engagement, helping her shape a compelling application story. Together, they decided to focus on education as a key area of academic interest, particularly for NYU’s Steinhardt School.
How Ivy Talent Helped
Activities and Essays
Rebecca’s Ivy Talent consultants worked closely with her to reflect her character through her activities and writing. Her background included organizing benefit concerts, volunteering in a museum, and leading an art therapy project.
Instead of treating her essays as mere application requirements, Ivy Talent guided her to use them as a canvas to explore her identity. One of her main essays revolved around dance. The writing also allowed her to explore her evolving relationship with her mother and the way dance became a bridge to healing and understanding.
Strategic Guidance
The Ivy Talent team helped Rebecca navigate the challenges in her academic record. Rather than ignoring a dip in her 10th-grade math grade, they addressed it directly in the Additional Information section of her application, while emphasizing her academic improvement and consistent upward trend in later years.
They created a well-organized activity list that highlighted her strengths in the arts, leadership, and social impact. During the school selection process, they introduced her to NYU’s Steinhardt School, guiding her to consider programs that aligned with both her interests and future career goals. Even after applications were submitted, Ivy Talent remained highly involved, ensuring that all materials were correctly submitted and deadlines were met. Additionally, they resolved a last-minute system error with one school by contacting admissions directly.
Reflection
When Rebecca received her acceptance to NYU, it felt like everything had come full circle. She had turned a period of uncertainty into an empowering experience of self-discovery. More than anything, she learned how to trust her voice and lead with her passions.
From the beginning, Rebecca stood out as someone with strong communication skills and a clear vision for what she wanted. She had a deep connection to NYU and its culture, and her creative and social impact work made her a strong fit.
While there were occasional disagreements between her and her mother, particularly over the best way to balance academics and extracurricular activities, the two ultimately worked together to support Rebecca’s growth and goals. Her essay, which explored their relationship through the lens of dance, showed emotional depth and maturity.
We were inspired by Rebecca’s ability to reflect honestly and articulate her transformation. She not only overcame academic challenges but also turned personal conflict into connection and growth. We are confident that she will continue to thrive at NYU and beyond, bringing her creativity, empathy, and leadership to everything she pursues.
