Category: College Admissions
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What to Do If You’ve Been Deferred: Turning Setbacks into Opportunities
Receiving a deferral from your top-choice university can feel disheartening, but remember—it’s not a rejection! While waiting for the final decision can be frustrating, there are proactive steps you can take to boost your chances and show that you’re still the right fit for the school. The Competitive Landscape of Early Applications The competition for…
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How Cultural Identity Shapes College Applications: A Guide for International Students
When applying to U.S. colleges, students often focus on grades, test scores, and extracurricular activities. While these are undeniably important, there’s one aspect of your application that you can’t afford to overlook: your cultural identity. This is a unique element that reflects who you are, where you come from, and what values you hold dear.…
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How to Prioritize Extracurricular Activities
The admissions process at elite U.S. colleges is becoming increasingly competitive each year. For international students aiming for acceptance, this means excelling not only in academics but also in extracurricular activities that showcase their achievements, talents, and passions. Students and parents often ask me: “Which extracurriculars should I pursue?” “Can I have too many or…
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Why Is College in the United States So Expensive?
If you’ve ever wondered why college in the U.S. costs so much, you’re not alone. The price of higher education in America is staggering compared to other developed countries. From tuition hikes to administrative bloat, multiple factors contribute to this financial burden on students and families. Let’s break down why college is so expensive—and whether…
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Crafting the American College Dream: Avoiding Pitfalls and Embracing Authenticity
The Weight of the Personal Statement For international students navigating the US college admissions process, the personal statement often looms as the most daunting hurdle. Beyond test scores, grades, and resumes, this essay offers a rare glimpse into an applicant’s personality, background, and aspirations—elements critical for standing out at top schools. Yet the process is…
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On Well-roundedness
Some Misconceptions Many international parents still believe that top colleges are looking for well-rounded students who excel in every area. As a result, they send their children to a seemingly endless array of extracurricular activities: piano lessons, tennis classes, volunteering camps in Sri Lanka, math camps, and more. The result? When these students apply to…
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Navigating the Gateway: Foundation Programs for International Students
Embarking on the journey to higher education in a Western country as an international student is a thrilling yet intricate process. To guide aspiring scholars, we explain the role of foundation and pathway programs. International students aiming for a Western university encounter various entry paths, each with its unique merits. The normal route is through…
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Liberal Arts College vs. Research University: So what’s the difference?
Do you know the difference between a liberal arts college and a research university? Here we’ll compare and contrast two categories of American colleges: the liberal arts college and research university. Below, we’ll examine the key differences between them, trace the history of liberal arts education in the US, and finally discuss how to decide…
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AP vs. IB: How do I decide which one is right for my child? Do Colleges prefer one over the other?
Recently, a 9th grade parent asked me for advice about choosing the right international curriculum for high school. Her child’s school offered both the IB and the AP, and she was unsure which one would better fit the needs of her child. To better answer this question, let’s first take a closer look at how…
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UK vs. US universities? Three Things You Should Know Before Applying
British-trained professionals often lampoon the US universities as being too generalist and liberal arts driven, while American scholars remain skeptical about the academic rigor of a UK degree. Despite being American-trained myself, I’ll try my best to be objective and make a rough comparison on the educational approach of the two countries’ universities. Generalist v.…
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