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Student Profile
Student Name: Emmanuel
Admitted to: Phillips Exeter Academy, Cranbrook Schools
Emmanuel was born and raised in Hong Kong and has attended the ISF Academy since pre-K. He loves to read and has been a bookworm since childhood. He dives deeply into new hobbies, is independent, manages his time well, and has a genuine interest in both Eastern and Western cultures. He’s also kind and compassionate. Before working with the Ivy Talent team on his high school applications, Emmanuel applied to 8th grade at an American middle school on his own and was waitlisted. A year later, when he began his application with Ivy Talent.
How did he grow into the kind of student who earns admittance to one of the most competitive boarding schools in the U.S.? We spoke with his mom to find out.
Emmanuel’s Background
Emmanuel has a wide range of hobbies, all of which he pursued on his own.
Emmanuel was selected to join both his school’s martial arts and tai chi teams and was later chosen for Hong Kong’s national teams. He picked up squash at the age of 13 and quickly developed a strong passion for the sport. He also enjoys long-distance running and will sometimes run from home to school to clear his mind.
In addition to sports, he plays both the piano and cello, both of which he pursued on his own initiative. He’s now a member of the Hong Kong Children’s Symphony Orchestra and attends weekly rehearsals.
Outside of sports and music, he taught himself card tricks and magic, played chess in his free time, and explored coding through online courses.
He’s been independent since he was very young. We’ve never had to check his homework or hire tutors. That said, he’s also very strong-willed. Once he sets his mind on something, he follows through on his own terms. His self-determination is great, but it’s also why we felt a more challenging and dynamic environment would help him grow even more.
Working With Ivy Talent
Emmanuel was the one who brought up the idea of studying abroad. He didn’t feel like the IB program was the right fit for him. Since he has always been independent and managed his time well, we felt confident he could handle this journey.
What sealed the deal was Exeter’s summer school. Emmanuel spent five weeks there and loved every minute. He felt comfortable and didn’t experience any homesickness. After that summer, he was determined to apply to U.S. boarding schools.
Back in 7th grade, a family friend told us that Emmanuel seemed like a great fit for U.S. prep schools. We tried applying on our own that year but weren’t fully prepared, and unfortunately, he didn’t get in. That experience made us realize we needed guidance.
We heard about Ivy Talent from a close friend whose daughter had worked with them to gain admission to the Lawrenceville School in New Jersey. After speaking with one of the Ivy Talent consultants, we felt confident in their approach and began working together.
How Ivy Talent Helped
Given Emmanuel’s broad range of interests, his profile didn’t have the typical “hook” like competitive math or music. Instead, the consultants at Ivy Talent emphasized what truly set him apart—his multicultural background and his passion for learning across different cultures.
Emmanuel’s school, ISF, offers a strong Chinese curriculum, where students read classical texts like the Three Character Classic and The Analects from an early age. Because I studied in France, we also introduced him to French when he was 2. He now holds a B2-level DELF certificate, the highest for someone under 18. Additionally, he studied Latin and earned a gold medal on the U.S. National Latin Exam.
In January, Emmanuel joined a school trip to Greece, which was exclusively available for students studying Latin, Greek, and Western literature. He wrote eloquently about the experience in his application essays, particularly his reflections while walking alone through ancient ruins at night. He often takes solo walks in Hong Kong to clear his mind, so that experience was especially meaningful to him.
Emmanuel’s profile diverged from the typical stereotype of Asian male applicants. While he excels at math, he’s also multilingual, culturally curious, artistic, athletic, and genuinely kind. He made many friends during Exeter’s summer program, and his outgoing personality stood out.
He also regularly attends Sunday school and volunteers his time. He has performed tai chi at senior centers and played cello at charity events. He sees these not as obligations, but as meaningful ways to give back.
Choosing Exeter
Initially, we were considering smaller schools such as Choate Rosemary Hall. After visiting, however, Emmanuel felt that the more intimate educational environment didn’t provide the freedom and variety he was looking for. Larger schools, on the other hand, seemed to offer more opportunities to explore and a broader peer community. Emmanuel thrives when he can try new things and isn’t afraid of competition, which is why we changed our focus.
Among the larger schools, Exeter was always his dream. After his incredible summer experience there, it felt like home. Though another school offered him admission first, when the Exeter acceptance came through, it felt like it was meant to be. His consultant had also believed Exeter was the right fit for him from the start.
Sometimes, the best outcomes are the result of thoughtful planning and a bit of serendipity. In the end, Exeter is the ideal place for Emmanuel, where he can continue to grow, explore, and thrive.
