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Student Profile
Student Name: Emma
Admitted to: Fay School (Grade 8), Groton School (Grade 8), Hopkins School (Grade 7), among others
Emma’s family believes in a value-driven, long-term approach to education. When it came time to consider U.S. private schools, they worked closely with Ivy Talent’s team to explore their options, including boarding middle school (grades K-9), day schools (K-12), and boarding high schools (grades 8-12). In the end, Emma received offers from top-tier institutions of all three types, including Groton School, Hopkins School, and Fay School.
We spoke with Emma’s father about their decision-making process, the challenges they encountered, and what ultimately helped Emma stand out.
Emma’s Story
Initially, we planned to apply to U.S. high schools when Emma was in 8th grade. But during her 6th-grade summer, she had a transformative experience at Andover’s summer program. She loved the structure, independence, and environment. Afterward, she told us she wanted to start her U.S. education journey earlier than planned.
Working With Ivy Talent
That’s when we began exploring consulting options and connected with Ivy Talent. We had already heard great things from other families, and after speaking with Lily and the consultant team, we were encouraged by their practical guidance. They believed that despite our late start, Emma would succeed by leveraging her strong language skills, clear sense of self, and independence.
How Ivy Talent Helped
Since we were applying for 8th grade admission, we knew that spots were limited at some schools, as 8th grade is not an official entry point for certain institutions. The Ivy Talent team suggested that we apply across a range of school types: boarding middle schools like Fay, top high schools like Groton, and competitive day schools like Hopkins. We even considered strong regional schools in Rhode Island and Boston.
All the schools we considered had strong squash programs (Emma’s primary sport), supportive communities, and performing arts opportunities—especially in theater, which Emma loves.
We cast a wide but strategic net. Although schools like Groton and Hopkins are highly competitive, Emma was accepted to all three of her top choices. After weighing her options and reflecting on what environment would suit her best, we chose Groton. It was Emma’s favorite school from the start, and we wanted her to grow in a place that encourages curiosity, independence, and self-exploration.
The Application Process
One of the best pieces of advice we received early on was that Emma didn’t need to be the “perfect” applicant. She had quit the violin after three years and had taken a break from musical theater due to her demanding academic schedule. When we asked whether she needed to add new activities to strengthen her profile, Lily and the team reassured us that Emma was already doing enough. What mattered most was presenting her candidacy with depth and authenticity.
Emma has always been athletic; she was her school’s basketball team captain and earned recognition in squash competitions. She was also the only girl to hold a student leadership position in sports at her elementary school. She cares deeply about social issues and isn’t afraid to speak up. These genuine traits shaped her application.
In her essays, Emma’s Ivy Talent consultants guided her to reflect thoughtfully and express her authentic voice. When it came to interviews, she was encouraged to treat them as conversations rather than memorize answers. This approach made her more comfortable—and the results showed. Several admissions officers mentioned how much they enjoyed speaking with her and how memorable her ideas were, particularly her thoughts on gender equality and literature.
What Stood Out
When friends ask me what made Ivy Talent different, I say one word: reliable. The process was smooth from start to finish. We always felt supported and were never rushed or overwhelmed.
This grounded approach helped us, as well as Emma, stay focused and confident throughout the application cycle. We’re incredibly grateful for the expert, thoughtful support the team provided at every stage of the process.
