University of Michigan Success Story: Wendy’s Unique Academic Journey

Wendy is a senior at Cranbrook Schools, a boarding school in Michigan. Originally from Hong Kong, she moved to the United States in ninth grade to better prepare for college. After spending her early high school years adjusting on her own, she began working with Ivy Talent for support during the college application process. Here’s what she had to say about her experience.

1. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
My name is Wendy, and I’m currently a senior at Cranbrook Schools, a boarding school in Michigan. Before coming to the U.S., I attended elementary and middle school in Hong Kong. My family and I believed that moving to the United States for high school would help me better adapt to the academic and cultural environment here, making the transition to college life smoother.

2. What is academic and extracurricular life like at your school?
Cranbrook offers a rigorous academic experience, particularly for students who take several AP classes. However, the overall workload can vary depending on your course selections. The school also has a strong arts program with a wide range of options. Students can explore visual arts, design, and textiles. I personally took public speaking and design, which were both enjoyable.

3. How does your school support the college application process?
At Cranbrook, students begin working with the college counseling team in 11th grade. They help us plan our course schedules, understand our interests and backgrounds, and start building a balanced college list. In senior year, they guide us through the essay-writing process and help us apply to a thoughtful mix of safety, target, and reach schools.

4. Why did you choose to work with Ivy Talent for college?
When I applied to high schools in the U.S., my family managed everything on our own. College applications, however, felt a lot more complicated. That’s why we decided to work with a consulting company. Some of my brother’s friends had previously worked with Ivy Talent and were admitted to schools like Cornell and Northwestern. After speaking with the team and learning more about their approach, we decided to move forward with Ivy Talent.

5. How would you describe your personality and academic interests?
I’m very introverted and organized. As an INTJ personality type, I’m naturally drawn to subjects in the humanities, especially psychology and linguistics. I also have a strong interest in languages and studied French through the AP level. Ivy Talent helped me recognize that my academic interests were less common among Asian applicants, which could help my application stand out.

6. Did you attend any summer programs?
I didn’t attend a traditional summer program, but with support from my Ivy Talent consultant, I enrolled in an online psychology observation course. We watched real therapy sessions together and discussed them with a licensed professional. The experience helped me gain more insight into the field and confirmed my interest in exploring human behavior.

The Ivy Talent team also helped me start a psychology research project. As I continued learning, I realized I was more interested in linguistics. The transition wasn’t easy, but my consultant helped me bridge the connection between my background in psychology and sociolinguistics. Over time, I deepened my interest by taking on leadership as president of the French Club and completing a linguistics research project. These experiences allowed me to shift my focus while still building on the foundation I had already developed.

6. How did you build your college list?
My consultant was incredibly supportive throughout the entire process. She recommended schools based on my academic interests, personality, and background. Some of the schools I applied to weren’t originally on my list, but after learning more about them, I realized they were a great match for me. I was already familiar with the University of Michigan since my brother is a student there. Cranbrook also has a strong connection with the university, which made it even more appealing. That said, the admissions process is very competitive. Only two international students from my school were accepted this year, so the University of Michigan was one of my top choices.

8. What was the biggest challenge in the application process?
The essays were the most challenging part of the application process. I applied to many schools, and each one had its own set of prompts. It was mentally draining, especially when I had to revise essays I had already spent a lot of time on. What helped was taking short breaks, switching between different essays, and getting feedback from Ivy Talent. My consultant shared examples from previous students and helped me organize my thoughts. She also made sure my writing stayed focused and truly reflected my personality and experiences. As I continued working through the process, I became more confident in my writing and learned to trust my own voice.

9. Did you ever feel overwhelmed? How did you balance school and applications?
I started planning early with Ivy Talent, which helped me stay calm during the application process. But the beginning of 11th grade was still challenging. I didn’t do well on a few of my first tests, and it made me feel really anxious. My consultant explained that AP classes are difficult and it’s normal to need some time to adjust. Her support helped me stay positive to continue to improve on my work.

10. Do you have any advice for other students?
If you’re having trouble in a class, don’t be afraid to reach out to your teachers. In American high schools, teachers appreciate when students take initiative and show that they care about their progress. Asking questions and seeking help is considered a sign of responsibility and maturity. That same approach helped me prepare for the SAT. I made the most progress by practicing consistently and focusing on the areas I struggled with, especially reading and grammar. I started with a score of 1350, and with lots of effort, I eventually reached a result I was truly proud of.

11. How did Ivy Talent support you through this process?
Ivy Talent helped me get an early start and stay on track throughout high school. Starting in 10th grade, they advised me on choosing the right extracurriculars and guided me through writing projects. With detailed feedback from editors, I was able to improve both my writing and college essays. My consultant also introduced me to opportunities that matched my interests and helped me build a strong academic story. Her support made the whole process feel less stressful. I was able to stay focused and confident from start to finish.

Wendy’s experience shows how early planning and steady support can lead to a successful college application. Her transition from psychology to linguistics highlights the importance of staying curious and open to new academic interests. By exploring different opportunities and remaining engaged throughout high school, she was able to discover a field she truly cares about. Her story reminds us that college admissions is not just about meeting requirements. It is about personal growth, reflection, and finding a direction that feels right.