According to a recent Huffington Post article discussing college admissions[1], nearly 200,000 high school seniors in the United States graduate with a perfect 4.0 GPA, 3,000 students score a near-perfect 2200 on the SAT and Harvard rejects a mind boggling 200 applicants who score a perfect 2400 on the test — each year. Further, admission rates at Ivy League institutions, and at the boarding schools that serve as pipelines into these universities, have dropped precipitously over the last decade as the number of domestic and international applicants surges[2].

Do these facts, indicative of extremely daunting odds of admission, mean that getting accepted into a competitive university essentially comes down to luck? Do these facts mean that students should join as many clubs, activities and academic opportunities as possible? Certainly not. Instead, these statistics indicate that being accepted to the world’s premier institutions of learning, whether for high school or university, require being unique in some way. 

When outlining how students should approach admissions given the astounding number of applicants that are truly exceptional, the same article goes on to state that, “Teens should identify and hone their strengths and interests.” It is important to note that the author does not discuss developing a cornucopia of strengths and interests. The author does not emphasise participating in a laundry list of activities. Rather, the author highlights the importance of honing, a reference to the more focused interests and experiences that ideal candidates present. This is because nearly every applicant to every top university is now “well-rounded,” having a wide range of experiences, top-of-the-class grades and standardised test scores in the high 90th percentiles. As another admissions expert states[3], “The [Ivy League schools] are now looking to admit specialists who focus on a few core interests for all four years of their high school careers.”

How, then, should students approach the process in a way that results in admissions success is a critical question. One recommendation emphasises the need to hone one’s academic and personal identity, “Students need to determine what they do well, what they love to do, and what their identity is. Then, they need to own it.” This means embracing opportunities that illustrate strategic coordination. In practice, students should begin refining their personal and academic profile as early as three to four years prior to completing their application. This allows ample time for academic planning, focused engagement and personal development.

For those applying to high schools, this means a concerted effort beginning as early as 6th grade. And for those applying to universities, it means starting the process by 9th grade. With three to four years of focused preparation, students can develop a specialised background that makes them stand out within a sea of outstanding applicants. 

As an example, a sixth grader who wishes to emphasise a focus in the performing arts may take LitDram courses throughout middle school, work towards Trinity Examination mastery, join the Shanghai International Youth Orchestra and participate in Studio’s Edinburgh Society. This collection of experiences paints a clear picture for any admissions committee of who the applicant is and how their experiences are connected. A ninth grader interested in the sciences may enrol in small-group SALA Online courses throughout high school, participate in any number of Studio Global Learning’s science-based study tours including Fire & Ice and Ecological Explorations, engage the assistance of a private science tutor to prepare for the AP Environmental Science test, develop an Independent Project alongside researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and take on a Summer Internship with Studio’s STEAM department. Here again, any admissions committees would have a clear understanding of who the applicant is and how their experiences apply to their future.

In both cases, the value of the cumulative profile is exponentially greater than the individual experiences. Of course, the applicant cannot eschew the need for good grades and excellent test scores. Rather, the applicant must be selective and strategic about supplemental activities. Again, developing a clear personal brand through academic activities by building connections and demonstrating clear progression is the key.

Through personalised academic planning provided by Studio Education | Private Client Services, it is possible to cultivate the sort of profile discussed above. Admissions Counsellors, working with students and families, are able to develop individual and comprehensive plans covering academic and personal development, connect students with experts or private tutors and provide a vast array of in-house educational opportunities. With this level of preparation, Studio students are able to apply to high schools and universities with focused profiles that set them apart from their peers.

^[1] https://www.huffingtonpost.com/stacey-cohen/personal-branding-a-must-for-the-college-bound-ceo-and-everyone-in-between_b_8039674.html

^[2] http://www.businessinsider.com/the-acceptance-rate-into-the-ivy-league-is-plummeting-2016-11

^[3] http://college.usatoday.com/2017/04/26/heres-what-it-really-takes-to-get-into-the-ivy-league-these-days/

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