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Tiếng ViệtStudent Profile
Student Name: William
Admitted to: The Hotchkiss School, The Webb School, The Hill School, Hopkins School
Final Decision: The Hotchkiss School
About William
William didn’t fit the traditional image of an applicant with a long list of national awards or standout competition results. What made him shine as an applicant was his character, curiosity, kindness, and confidence. He explored writing, debate, gardening, and cooking not to impress others, but because he truly enjoyed them. That authenticity came through clearly in his application. His journey is a reminder that students don’t need to be perfect or excel in every area to succeed in competitive U.S. boarding school admissions. What matters most is having a clear sense of self, and being able to express that.
Working with Ivy Talent
William and his family began working with Ivy Talent in 7th grade. At the time, they were still exploring whether a day school or boarding school in the U.S. would be the right fit and hadn’t yet decided on specific schools. Rather than rushing into decisions, we encouraged them to take time to explore. Over the summer, we helped plan a series of campus visits, including a summer program at The Hotchkiss School. These experiences gave William a better understanding of the kind of school environment where he could thrive. From the start, our focus was on getting to know William beyond his achievements. We took the time to understand his learning style, personality, and what his family was looking for.
How Ivy Talent Helped
Building a School List
William was looking for a school with smaller classes and more individual support. His family wanted to find a place that would support his interests in writing, history, and the arts, while offering the right level of academic challenge. With that in mind, we recommended a range of boarding schools that matched both his goals and personality. We discussed each option with William and his parents, and helped organize campus visits and interviews so they could get a real sense of each school’s environment and community.
Highlighting William’s Strengths
William had a broad range of interests, including writing, gardening, cooking, running, drawing, piano, theater, and community service. While none of these were considered standout specialties on their own, the key was presenting them in a thoughtful and cohesive way. We focused on building a narrative that reflected who he was as a student and individual.
Essay Competition and Writing Portfolio
With support from our team, William submitted an entry to the John Locke Essay Competition and received recognition in the history category. We also helped him compile a writing portfolio that showcased his long-standing passion for storytelling and critical thinking.
Character Through Hobbies
Gardening and cooking were two of William’s favorite hobbies, activities that might seem simple, but revealed important aspects of his character. In his essays and interviews, he described how growing tomatoes in his backyard taught him about patience and the rhythms of nature. These stories stood out as honest and memorable reflections of his personality.
Leadership Through Service
William’s volunteer work at a local autism center, along with his efforts to support an inclusive school community, highlighted his empathy and leadership. We encouraged him to reflect deeply on these experiences in his application materials, showing how they shaped his values and growth over time.
Growth Through Challenges
Although new to team sports, William stepped outside his comfort zone by joining the volleyball team. This experience helped him build communication skills and confidence. He also shared a meaningful moment from a group project in drama class, where he initially struggled with leadership dynamics but eventually learned to balance team needs and personal expectations. These experiences helped illustrate his willingness to grow through real-life challenges.
Coaching Sessions
- Interview preparation
We worked with William to help him speak with clarity and confidence, while staying true to himself. Through practice interviews, he got comfortable thinking on his feet and expressing himself in a way that felt honest and thoughtful. Admissions officers later described their conversations with him as genuine and said it felt like talking to a thoughtful friend.
- Essay support
When William brought up the idea of writing about gardening for his personal statement, we didn’t dismiss it. We helped him explore how the topic could reflect his personal growth. He made connections between tending a garden and his own development, and we guided him as he shaped that idea into a focused, compelling narrative. The final piece was clear, personal, and genuine.
Reflection
When William was accepted to The Hotchkiss School, his family was excited. But what stood out most to them was how much he grew during the process. His mom shared a few reflections that helped shape their experience:
- They found that speaking with current families and visiting campuses gave them a much better sense of each school than rankings ever could.
- Prioritize fit over reputation. William chose Hotchkiss not because it was the most well-known, but because it felt like the right place for him.
- William’s parents didn’t overload his schedule or push him to join every competition. That freedom gave him room to stay curious, confident, and open-minded, which made a real difference.
William’s experience shows that students don’t need to be perfect to find the right school. They need to be understood. From the beginning, we focused on who he was and what he cared about. That approach helped him stay grounded and confident throughout the process. He received multiple offers from top schools and ultimately chose the one that felt like home. We’re grateful to have supported William and his family through this process.
If you’re beginning your own school search or exploring how to present your child’s unique strengths, we’re here to help. Contact us to learn how we can support your family’s journey.
