American universities favor versatile children? Sorry, that's not true. What they like is the all-round class. Universities put their enrollment classes together like a mosaic: each academic department is equipped with several excellent learning cadres, several athletes, some musicians, dancers and performing stars, a little diversity of ethnic and economic backgrounds, and future community leaders. The students that universities want are those who are dedicated and proficient in a certain subject. Their most commonly used word is passion.
Studying abroad is now a seller's market.
Believe it or not, your situation is better than you think. This does not mean that you can choose between Yale and Princeton at will, unless you are an excellent applicant; Or choose between USC and UCLA, unless you are a very good student. However, there are only 65 universities in China, and more applications are rejected than accepted. Among the remaining schools, many are still excellent and well received. Therefore, you need to consider this factor when deciding the "possible" choice.
3. The study abroad certificate is not important
The document is actually a very good opportunity for you to tell something positive and impressive about yourself. Your credits are almost confirmed. SAT or ACT scores have also reached a certain level. Most children still waste opportunities for paperwork.
4. The interview is dispensable
Most large colleges and universities-and all Ivy League schools-have cancelled on-campus interviews (but many schools still conduct alumni interviews). If a university offers you an interview, it's not "you can go or not", but you have to go.
If you can't seize this opportunity, the interview agency will get information that you are not really interested in this school. Since many children have the same certificates as you, these schools will definitely like those children who have been interviewed. Similarly, if some students spend time thinking about why a school interests them and why it is suitable for this school, then they must be loved by this school. This means: do some homework and practice for the interview. You can't talk mechanically, but you can't make others sound as if you haven't seriously thought about why you want to join this school.
5. Applying for a grant will reduce the admission rate.
In some universities, applying for financial aid has no influence on the admission decision. These are the so-called schools that ignore demand. But in other schools, the demand for financial aid may have an impact on the admission decision-some are positive and some are negative.
The schools that apply will tell you what procedures they have adopted. You should also know that schools provide more aid-grants and student loans-than you think, even for middle-class families. But you must apply.
6. It doesn't matter to me to apply for someone with particularly good conditions early.
Deciding in advance means that you apply for a school in advance and must join the school according to the regulations after your application is approved, which can double or even triple your chances of being admitted. This is also a strategy adopted by many top preparatory schools and private university consultants.
Children who apply in advance are usually not sure whether they are suitable for a school. However, they know that their chances of being admitted are relatively high, and others also suggest them to apply and decide which school to apply for. If you find that the university you apply for is not suitable for you after entering the school, you can generally apply for transfer.
An important warning: Although children who apply early are much more likely to be admitted, it is not a suitable strategic choice for schools with relatively difficult applications.
7. Impressive extracurricular activities are necessary.
Children (usually encouraged by their parents) think that in order to be admitted to the best universities, they need a long list of extracurricular activities, sports and summer volunteer services. This is absolutely not true. What universities want to see is enthusiasm and perseverance when they piece together an all-round class. One or two long-term participation and leadership activities are far more impressive than a large number of activities.
8. The admissions officer will not search my Facebook.
Don't take chances! Admissions officers in some schools will specifically check the applicant's Facebook page. Faced with a large number of applicants with excellent academic qualifications, colleges and universities generally find reasons to refuse applications. Facebook pages with "inappropriate" photos are a simple reason to refuse. A simple rule is: If your grandmother is embarrassed by the content of your Facebook page, please clean it up.
9. Get VIP recommendation in advance
In the field of university admission, there is a widely accepted saying that the thicker the document, the greater the chance of being admitted. Don't let VIPs (such as members of Congress, CEO of enterprises, members of university trust committees) write letters of recommendation to you! ! ! Unless you really work for them. The admission institution hopes to get the teacher's recommendation (such as a teacher who can give advice on the student's interest, specialty and growth).
10. "Top universities" are expensive.
The tuition fees of Harvard, Yale, Stanford and Princeton all exceed $60,000 a year. They also have sound financial assistance and keep their promises to help students pay for college. Students who join these schools and many other top schools find that they can get more financial aid and graduate with little or no student debt. In fact, the cost of attending so-called "expensive" universities is often cheaper than that of "second-class" or even state universities.