中文
Tiếng Việt
Student Profile
Student Name: Eugene
Current School: Shanghai Bilingual School
Admitted to: Cranbrook Schools
About Eugene
Eugene is currently a ninth-grade student at Shanghai Bilingual School. His family began considering international education early on and initially hoped he would attend middle school in the United States. They started preparing for the language requirements in seventh grade, but the pandemic disrupted their plans. As a result, they decided to apply to U.S. high schools instead.
Eugene is a well-rounded student with a strong interest in science. He has played ice hockey for more than five years and is also a member of his school’s basketball team, where he served as captain in both seventh and eighth grade. Beyond sports, he sings in the school choir, plays the piano, started a school band, and speaks conversational Spanish. He is also passionate about robotics. While Eugene is involved in many areas, he does not limit himself to just one. His parents have always encouraged him to grow at his own pace and pursue what he enjoys, without pressure.
During eighth grade, Eugene’s family first worked with a consultant focused primarily on U.S. college admissions. While well-versed in that area, the consultant had limited experience with the unique requirements of U.S. high school applications. This made the process challenging, particularly during the pandemic when many boarding schools had suspended online interviews. When admissions decisions were released on March 10, 2023, Eugene received only a few offers from schools that were not among his top choices.
Looking for another path forward, his family discovered Ivy Talent through its late application service, created for students who were waitlisted or did not receive offers during the regular admissions cycle. From there, Eugene’s journey began to take a positive turn.
Working With Ivy Talent
After connecting with Ivy Talent, Eugene’s family immediately noticed a difference. From the beginning, the consultants were professional, decisive, and transparent. They helped the family assess whether any spots were still available through the supplemental process and encouraged them to stay open to schools they hadn’t previously considered.
While there was still a chance of gaining admission to a top-tier school, the family understood how competitive the process had become, especially for students from Shanghai. Ivy Talent’s founder, Lily, recommended applying again the following year with a stronger strategy and a focus on ninth-grade entry. Eugene was still young, and this approach would give him more flexibility.
How Ivy Talent Helped
From the beginning, Eugene’s Ivy Talent consultant worked closely with him to understand his personality and how to best present his strengths. Together, they created a mind map outlining his interests, values, and personal story. This process gave Eugene greater clarity and helped the consultant craft an application that genuinely reflected who he was.
Rather than reorganizing past activities, Ivy Talent focused on showing how Eugene had grown over the past year. They helped him put together a video of himself singing and playing an instrument and highlighted a photography project he completed on disadvantaged children in Tibet. These meaningful projects became the core of his application narrative.
Unlike his previous consultant’s strategy, which had pushed the family to prioritize high test scores and generic achievements, Ivy Talent emphasized Eugene’s individuality. They advised against padding the application with unrelated awards and encouraged him to present himself authentically.
Throughout the application season, Ivy Talent managed communication with the schools, provided timely updates, and helped the family stay organized with documents and strategy. Their understanding of each school’s admissions trends and preferences was a key advantage. When the family shared that Cranbrook Schools was their top choice, Ivy Talent promptly communicated that information to the admissions office.
Beyond logistics, Ivy Talent also offered emotional support during this stressful period. The consultants reassured the family when unexpected issues arose, such as difficulties with Eugene’s ninth-grade transcript and the school’s refusal to provide recommendation letters. They helped explain these challenges to U.S. admissions officers, many of whom responded with empathy.
Ivy Talent took a different approach to standardized testing. While strong TOEFL and SSAT scores were helpful, the team emphasized that they were not the only factor in the admissions process. Instead of concentrating solely on test prep, they encouraged Eugene to develop his writing and speaking skills, helping him present a stronger and more well-rounded application.
Reflection
Eugene’s second application journey was transformative. He became a more mature, self-aware, and independent student. The structured planning process helped him build stronger time management skills and taught him how to reflect more deeply, especially when writing his essays. This mindset stayed with him well beyond the application season.
His parents also went through a meaningful shift. At first, they were anxious and heavily focused on high school rankings. Over time, they began to take a more objective and thoughtful view of Eugene’s strengths and needs. Rather than pushing for perfection, they started to prioritize growth and balance. The experience helped them build greater trust in their son and strengthened their relationship as a family.
Advice for Other Families
Eugene’s family has some clear advice for others considering the U.S. high school application process:
- Find the right consulting team. Professional experience, strong relationships with schools, and personalized support make a real difference. Choose a team that understands the process and shares your values.
- If possible, visit schools in person. Online research has its limits, and campus visits can provide more clarity. Talking directly with teachers and students often reveals insights that no website or brochure can offer.
- Focus on finding the right-fit school. Try not to fixate on rankings or test scores. Instead, consider your child’s growth and development. Authenticity, self-reflection, and honest storytelling are often more meaningful than a polished but impersonal profile.
