High school students considering applying to western undergraduate programs should consider a few cultural things on the path to a successful application. In many countries, high school students can be so focused on GPAs, SAT scores, and TOEFL scores that it’s easy for them to overlook some of the nuances of western admissions decisions. This post will cover three things that every prospective undergraduate should know about applying to undergrad programs in the west.
1. High Test Scores Don’t Stand Out as Much on Paper
What does this mean? Imagine, for a second, that you are an admissions officer at an elite university. You are tasked with reading thousands and thousands of applications from students who are amazing, highly-qualified, and possess impressive GPAs and test scores. You wake up every morning knowing that you have to review applications again today, for hours and hours at a time. Regardless of how much coffee you drink, or music you play while you review, you are going to get tired of the repetition.
When you do this day in and day out, over and over, all of the 4.0 GPAs and 1450+ SATs can start to feel quite ordinary. In situations like this, the bits of an application which stand out are the personal aspects – the elements that communicate the story, background, and struggles of the human being behind the paper: you.
This is why it is wise to place a premium on storytelling in your written documents. For many millennia, humans have learned and remembered things about people with the help of storytelling. Good stories allow readers to empathize with the writer, creating an invaluable personal connection even though they have never met. In short: great grades and test scores are always an important part of the process, but writing memorable stories has the unique potential to differentiate your profile from so many other elite applicants.
2. Your Values Matter as Much As Your Grades
What makes your profile “stick” in someone’s mind? Any details which communicate the quality of person you are and how you make your decisions give shape to who you are as a person. Admissions officers reading through hundreds or thousands of applications in a season love it when they get a genuine sense of the person they’re reading about by getting a glimpse of your personal motivations and passions.
If you can write your application in such a way that you can convey what truly motivates you as a person, the admissions officer will be more likely to remember you. Has a family member or mentor had an outsized impact on you? How has that influenced your actions and personal philosophy? Do you care about social justice and giving back to the community? Do you care about making the world a better place, and how?
Remember, when writing about your values, it is essential that you be honest and genuine, using examples of actions you have taken to verify your commitments.
3. It’s OK to be Proud of Achievements
While humility and modesty are noble characteristics, it is important to balance these traits with a degree of confidence. While you don’t want to come off as bragging about accomplishments in your application, it is important to emphasize your successes and not be shy about pointing out your notable achievements.
If you are too modest and understated in your application, admissions officers may not get a strong sense of what matters to you and what you have achieved in your area of expertise. Write about your achievements in terms of the values behind them and how you have helped others or contributed to your personal growth, and you’ll have a great way to discuss your achievements without sounding like you’re bragging.
Conclusion
Many high school students are heavily focused on their grades, and rightly so. But you need to think about and write persuasively about more than your academic performance in order to be admitted to an elite western undergraduate program. Your values, your extracurricular achievements, and how you communicate your personal story will all be significant factors which help your application stick in the mind of the admissions officer reviewing your case.If you would like help crafting your unique story into compelling essays, or thinking about the best way to communicate your personal values through your application, visit our website and schedule a free 20-minute consultation today.