1 / 23

Applying to US Universities

Applying to US Universities . Hanna Tian. 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. Topics.

tab
Download Presentation

Applying to US Universities

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Applying to US Universities Hanna Tian

  2. 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

  3. Topics • How to Choose Colleges • Standardized Test • Extracurricular Activities & Awards • Writing • Reference • Supplement Applications • Tips

  4. 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

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

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

  7. 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…

  8. 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)

  9. Common Application

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

  11. Extracurricular Activities • On the common application: There are 7 spots available for ECs. • Consistent; Committed; Leadership Position/Honors

  12. 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.

  13. 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.

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

  15. 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

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

  17. 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.)

  18. 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. • Don’t make it too long. 500~800words. • Proofread, Proofread, Proofread…

  19. 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.

  20. 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.

  21. 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. Don’t 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, Teacher’s recommendations and Additional Info section

  22. 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!

  23. END Thank You & Good Luck

More Related