Applying to US Universities

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Applying to US Universities

• Hanna Tian

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Student Profile

• High School Branksome Hall
• International Baccalaureate Full Diploma
• Education
• Beijing, China
• Tokyo, Japan
• Toronto, Canada
• Prospective Major at Princeton
• Industrial Research Financial Engineering

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Topics

• How to Choose Colleges
• Standardized Test
• Extracurricular Activities Awards
• Writing
• Reference
• Supplement Applications
• Tips

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How to Choose the Right College?

• Start with Ranking
• General Interest Liberal Arts, Ivy Leagues, Tech
  Schools
• Special programs Architect etc.
• Resources Student to Faculty Ratio Student
  body School Culture.
• Admission Rate
• Cost
• Location

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Ivy League Harvard, PrincetonYale,
Columbia Upenn, Dartmouth Brown, Cornell
Liberal Arts Williams Amherst Wellesley Smith
College
Other Tier 1 Stanford MIT Cal Tech
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Standardized Test

• SAT vs. ACT
• SAT II (Subject Tests)
• Advanced Placement (AP)
• International Baccalaureate (IB)

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More about Standardized Test

• Most schools require two SAT IIs but some schools
  require three.
• The median for SAT Reasoning is about 2200 for
  HPY, Stanford, MIT, Cal tech 2100 for other
  Ivies.
• Practise, Practise, Practise

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How to Apply

• Common Application www.commonapp.org
• University College Application
  www.universalcollegeapp.com/
• Paper Application (not recommended)
• Individual Application(i.e. MIT, Columbia, etc)

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Common Application
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Job Experience

• On common application there are three spots
  available for work experience.
• It is always good to have at least one job
  experience.

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Extracurricular Activities

• On the common application There are 7 spots
  available for ECs.
• Consistent Committed Leadership Position/Honors

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Examples

• Volunteering Hospital, UNICEF, Camp,
  Local/global Community
• Sports Teams
• Music Piano, Band, etc
• Clubs Yearbook, Newspaper, Debating, etc
• Others Model UN, DECA, Enrichment Programs at
  University, Robotics

Most activities can extent beyond the school.
Try to participate at regional, provincial or
national levels.
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Examples (summer activities)

• Use your summer well.
• Camps Shad Valley, ISSYP, DEEP, Sports camp,
  etc.
• Get a job/Internships.
• Visit universities. (by yourself or through
  agencies)
• Local/Global Community service programs.
• Summer courses summer school, SAT courses.

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Awards

• There are five spots available for Awards
• It helps if you have regional, national or
  international awards.
• Most awards require additional studying.

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Examples Math Sciences

• American AMC, AIME, USAMO, HMMT
• Canadian COMC, Waterloo Competitions.
• There are also many Canadian Chemistry, Physics,
  Biology competitions in various difficulty
  levels.
• International IMO, IPhO, IChO, IBO
• Others Intel Science Talent Search, Siemens
  Westinghouse Science Competition
• Some schools specifically recruit winners of
  prestigious contests. i.e. MIT

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Writing

• There are two writing sections required on
  CommonApp
• 1st a short essay on one of your activities.
  150words or fewer.

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Writing

• 2nd Essay is a considered the most important of
  all.
• Very often, universities use this essay to get to
  know who you are (personality, goals, etc.)

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Writing

• Try to write something that is personally
  meaningful.
• Think strategically Be reflective Start early
  Avoid Clichés.
• Stay simple and be who you are.
• Introduction and conclusion are very important.
• Dont make it too long. 500800words.
• Proofread, Proofread, Proofread

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Reference Letters

• In total, 3 letters of recommendations are
  required one from your guidance counsellor, two
  from your teachers
• Make you know your counsellor and at least two
  teachers who can write your reference
• Book an appointment with your teacher first give
  her sufficient information about yourself.
  (resume, projects, etc.) Remind him/her all the
  things you have accomplished in class
• Tips if you know the teacher well enough, just
  tell her directly what you might want her to
  emphasize in the letter.

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Supplements

• Almost all of the top schools require
  supplements.
• They are usually additional essays or short
  answers.
• Essays
• Why this school?
• Why this program? (i.e. engineering)
• What distinguish you from others? (very
  open-ended topics)
• Supplements can be very time consuming.
• Tips if possible, you can recycle essays used
  for each school.
• Do the research before you write about a specific
  school.

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Tips Shine, Glow, Sparkle

• Shine you need to be a strong applicant. (SAT,
  GPA, ECs)
• Glow have an interest or a focus in your
  application. Dont make the admission office
  think you are just like the other 21000
  applicants.
• Sparkle Something special. (life experience, big
  awards, unique interest/world view/ opinion)
• Make sure to show them who you are as a person in
  your application.
• You can do that from Essays, ECs, Teachers
  recommendations and Additional Info section

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Tips

• Try to find some innovative activities to show
  your talent and interest
• Present your activities with passion. (i.e. How
  can you make your experience as a yearbook editor
  special?)
• Start your application early. Plan things out.
• While ECs are important, your marks are just as
  important!
• BE YOURSELF!

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END

• Thank You Good Luck