Tips For A Fast-Evolving US University Application Landscape

By Xin Er, Director, Crimson Education's operation in Hong Kong and southern China. After graduating from Yale University and working in management consulting in the US, she joined the education industry and is a senior advisor who has guided hundreds of students from Asia in their development to reach the best higher education and career opportunities. 

Hong Kongers have always stood out for moving far and wide in search of the best education for their children. Unbeaten by the upheavals caused by the ongoing pandemic, many still dream of attending the Ivy League and other elite universities in the US. For the anxious parents out there, I am sharing two key tips not just for maintaining sanity but also for focusing on what really matters through the changing climate. 

The Right Way Is Actually Methodical, Logical, and … Simple 

From my experience, those who approach the journey of university preparation with the right attitude and healthy mindset not only learn the most from it but also consistently achieve more successful outcomes. Herein lies the first tip – focus on yourself and your interests. For instance, what excites you? What launches you into action? What can you contribute to your immediate surroundings? 

Successful admissions truly understand that universities are looking for students who are fully engaged with their interests and being able to showcase that. In a sharing session, a Hong Kong student who was admitted to his dream school at Stanford University this year summarised that future applicants should explore and pursue their genuine and personal passion. As cliche as it sounds, students who don’t know their interests are often suppressing them due to the fear of disapproval and failure. Or even worse, they are not stepping out of their comfort zone to do the adventurous work of learning about the world and themselves. 

There is a method to achieve this, but more importantly, students need the right environment and supportive guidance from those around them. Many students fall into the herd mentality of blindly following what other students do, thinking this is the safer route to success. 

I always encourage students to look beyond institutional extracurricular activities in an established organisation, such as being the head girl or school club president. Instead, I try to motivate them to focus on innovative projects that they can initiate and align with their own interests and unique agenda. These would allow them to demonstrate more impressive personal qualities such as leadership, creativity, and impactfulness.