Writing Tips: How to Master the Challenge Essay?

Among the many college admission essays, the Challenge Essay stands out as one that best showcases a student's resilience and personal growth. U.S. colleges, in particular, seek to understand how applicants handle crises, make decisions, and demonstrate courage in the face of adversity. This type of essay is especially common in the Common Application’s second prompt, which asks: “The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?” Both the University of California system and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) also include this type of essay in their application processes.   Writing a successful Challenge Essay requires more than simply recounting an event; it focuses on the process of overcoming difficulties. The key is to choose an experience that demonstrates personal growth, allowing students to reflect on its impact, how they coped with the pressures, and the positive traits they developed along the way. Below are several essential writing tips to help craft a compelling Challenge Essay:   Key Principles for a Challenge Essay Choose an Experience that Highlights Personal Growth The story you choose should reflect your best personal traits. It is essential to select a challenge that not only illustrates an obstacle but also reveals the qualities you wish to emphasize. Before writing, ask yourself what personal characteristics you want to highlight, particularly those that may not be apparent from your academic records or other application materials. For example, if you aim to demonstrate empathy, consider selecting a challenge that helped you develop this quality. The essay should focus not just on overcoming the challenge but on how that experience shaped your character. This is your opportunity to reveal your core values, skills, and how you’ve grown as an individual.   Amplify Emotional Struggles Amplifying your internal emotional journey is crucial, but it doesn’t mean simply focusing on negativity. Instead, it involves portraying the emotional struggle you faced and the personal turmoil you experienced. Many students make the mistake of describing the event without adequately addressing their internal feelings, but it’s these emotions that resonate most with readers. Whether it's fear, frustration, or uncertainty, sharing these moments will add depth and relatability to your essay. For example, if you were terrified of public speaking, don’t just state that you overcame the fear—describe the emotional turmoil leading up to speaking in front of a crowd. This way, readers can relate to your vulnerability and be drawn into your personal journey.   Provide Concrete Examples of Growth When describing how you overcame a challenge, use specific examples to illustrate the journey. For instance, if you joined the debate club to improve your public speaking skills, explain why you chose to take this step (perhaps you were terrified of speaking in front of others), how the challenge affected you (you avoided opportunities to speak in public), what actions you took (joining the club, participating in debates), and what you learned from the experience (skills like teamwork and positive thinking). Instead of writing something generic like “I became more confident in public speaking,” try something more impactful, such as “Now, I can deliver extemporaneous speeches with ease, even in front of a large crowd.” This clearly demonstrates the growth you’ve achieved.   Common Mistakes  Focusing on Academic Performance As mentioned in previous writing guides, avoid discussing academic failures or struggles in your Challenge Essay. Admissions officers already have access to your academic records, so highlighting any academic difficulties could create a negative impression. The essay should focus on personal growth and the lessons learned from overcoming obstacles rather than academic shortcomings.   Providing an Incomplete Conclusion A common misconception is that your Challenge Essay must showcase a perfect resolution. However, colleges are more interested in how you face a challenge, respond to it, and grow from the experience—not necessarily whether you achieved success. For example, if you ran for student body president and lost, it would be more valuable to explain how you handled the defeat, what you learned from it, and how you improved as a result. Avoid leaving your readers with an unresolved conclusion, as admissions officers want to see personal growth, not just a summary of your achievements.   Blaming External Circumstances You might be tempted to blame external factors for the challenges you’ve faced, such as the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. While it’s true that the pandemic impacted many students’ academic journeys, your essay should avoid focusing solely on the pandemic or other external circumstances. Instead, highlight how you overcame these obstacles. Did you adapt to online learning, maintain your motivation despite uncertainty, or develop new ways to connect with others? Focusing on how you navigated and grew during tough times will allow you to showcase your resilience.   The Importance of Writing Practices Writing is a skill that improves with practice. Developing the habit of regular reading and writing will not only help you excel in crafting your Challenge Essay but also equip you to face future challenges in college and beyond. The more you practice writing, the better you will become at expressing your thoughts clearly and persuasively.   Always keep in mind that the Challenge Essay is not about showcasing your achievements but about demonstrating your ability to confront and learn from obstacles. By choosing a meaningful challenge, reflecting on your emotional growth, providing specific examples of how you overcame the challenge, and avoiding common mistakes, you can write an essay that resonates with admissions officers. Remember that consistent writing practice will not only strengthen your application but also prepare you for future success in both academic and professional endeavors.   閱讀中文版文章：寫作技巧：如何掌握Challenge Essay？   高中在校輔導＆申請大學輔導專案，歡迎洽詢 A. League 教育顧問  ​ Read More

Writing Tips: Five Common Pitfalls in Essay Topics

One of the most common challenges when you're drafting your college application essays is picking the right topic. You might think that to impress admissions officers, you need to write the most unique story ever. But actually, “uniqueness” can sometimes push you toward overused themes that don’t stand out as much as you’d hope. The truth is, a good essay isn’t about the topic itself but about how well you can tell your story and help the reader understand who you are. No matter what angle you take, if the reader feels connected to you after reading, you’ve written a great essay. That said, there are a few topics you’ll want to be careful with. Here are some common ones and advice on how to approach them:   Resume-style Writing A resume is meant to summarize your education and experiences in bullet points, but if your essay reads like a resume, it can feel dry and unengaging. If you try to cram all your academic achievements into one essay, you’ll likely lose the reader’s interest. Instead, focus on one meaningful experience that really represents who you are. From there, you can reflect on how that experience helped you grow and how it ties into your future goals. For example, maybe a math teacher helped you overcome your dislike for math, inspiring you to become a teacher yourself.   Challenges from Advanced Courses When writing about challenges, a lot of students focus on tough AP classes they took in junior and senior year, and how these classes hurt their grades. The issue with this approach is that many top students have faced similar struggles, but they usually managed to maintain strong grades in the end. Admissions officers, especially at competitive schools, don’t want to see that challenging courses hurt your performance. Instead, take a different approach. For example, if AP History was tough for you, maybe talk about what you did outside the classroom to improve, like volunteering at a local library to explore more history books on your own.   Tragic Themes Writing about tragic events can quickly turn into negative venting because, by nature, these events are hard to process. Topics like a parent's divorce or the loss of a loved one are common choices, but the focus needs to be on how you grew from the experience. If you do choose a tragic theme, make sure the spotlight is on your personal growth and resilience. For example, if you lost a family member to drug addiction, you might write about how that experience inspired you to take drug prevention courses and pursue a career that helps prevent similar tragedies.   Immigrant Background If there were a contest for the most written-about topic in U.S. college essays, the immigrant background would definitely be up there! Since the U.S. has a long history of immigration, it’s a familiar story, especially for students who’ve faced culture shock. The key is to focus on what makes your experience truly unique. For example, instead of focusing on the challenges you faced as an immigrant, talk about how you turned that challenge into an opportunity, like volunteering to make your community more welcoming to others. That angle can make your essay more persuasive and personal.   Family Expectations Many students feel the weight of family expectations, whether they're from the U.S. or abroad. It’s generally a good idea to avoid this topic because admissions officers want to see that you’re independent and can make decisions for yourself. However, if you’ve managed to pursue your own path despite your family’s expectations, that could make for a strong essay—just be careful with this approach. Writing about family expectations can be tricky, especially if your story doesn’t have a clear resolution.   Again, as we’ve mentioned in previous posts–keep practicing! Writing skills take time to develop, and regular practice will pay off, not only for your college applications but also for challenges you’ll face once you're in college. So keep reading, keep writing, and you’ll be more than ready!   閱讀中文版文章：寫作技巧：作文主題常見的5種地雷   高中在校輔導＆申請大學輔導專案，歡迎洽詢 A. League 教育顧問  ​ Read More

Writing Tips: How to Master the Diversity Essay?

One type of college application essay you might encounter is the Diversity Essay, or some may call it the Community Essay, where you're asked to write about your identity, culture, background, beliefs, or community in 250 to 300 words. This essay gives you a chance to help the admissions committee understand who you are on a deeper level. Schools like the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, the University of North Carolina, and the University of Washington often require this essay.   Before you start writing, think about which angle you want to take. Even though the main theme revolves around identity, which can seem a bit abstract, there’s a lot of room for you to explore. Your identity doesn’t have to come from just your own perspective. It can be influenced by your family, religious beliefs, extracurricular activities, clubs, immigrant background, or socioeconomic status. All of these aspects can shape who you are and can be used as material for your essay.   Wondering how to approach this topic? You can write the Diversity Essay from three main perspectives: community, identity, or viewpoint. Some of you might feel that the community you belong to is a big part of who you are, while others may come from unique upbringings. Or you might choose to focus on how your worldview has shaped your identity. As long as your essay reflects personal growth, any of these angles can work well. Here are some tips to help you write a compelling Diversity Essay:   Key Principles for a Diversity Essay ✔Focus on Yourself Whether you write about your community or your personal viewpoint, make sure you're the main character of your story. A common mistake is to focus too much on other people, like your family or friends, and lose sight of your own role in the story. While it's important to talk about how others have influenced you, always bring the essay back to you. Think about how you can highlight your own role and contributions in a community or situation to keep the essay on track.   ✔Personal Growth Sharing your experiences is important, but it’s even more important to show how those experiences have helped you grow. What lessons did you learn? For example, you might talk about how joining a chess club helped you realize that simple activities can bring joy to others, leading you to volunteer and teach kids about teamwork. This personal growth, demonstrated through your actions, makes for a relatable story. A strong Diversity Essay includes concrete examples of how you’ve changed and how those changes have shaped who you are.   ✔Connection to School If you can, try to tie your story back to your intended major or the school itself, but don’t feel like you have to mention specific courses. For example, if you want to major in data analysis, think about how your background and experiences have developed your skills in logical thinking. More importantly, focus on how your unique background will contribute to the diversity of the campus and leave a lasting impression on the admissions committee.   Common Mistakes ✘Cliché Content Avoid starting your essay with overused phrases or topics that show how you feel grateful for what you have only because of others’ tragic situations. For example, “As I walk past homeless people on the street, I realize how lucky I am to have a roof over my head” might seem like a thoughtful reflection, but it’s been used too many times to make your essay stand out.   Another common trap is focusing solely on your immigrant background, especially for students from large communities like Chinese or dual-identity students. While these stories aren’t bad, they can sometimes blend in with others unless you offer a unique, personal take. Also, avoid generalizing with phrases like “Unlike other people” or “Like most Asians.” Keep the focus on your personal experiences without making sweeping statements.   ✘Focusing Too Much on Negative Experiences If your essay is centered around a negative experience, make sure to show how you grew from it. A common mistake is to focus on the negative without demonstrating any personal development. If you find it hard to explain what you learned from a tough situation, it might be better to choose a different topic.   ✘Simply Listing Facts This mistake often happens when students write about community involvement. It’s easy to list what your community does, but don’t forget to add personal insight. Instead of just describing the group’s activities, talk about what you personally gained from being involved. Always keep the focus on your own growth and development.   Final tip: Writing skills come with practice. Keep reading and writing regularly, and not only will you be ready for your college applications, but you'll also be prepared for the challenges that come after you get in!   閱讀中文版文章： 寫作技巧：如何掌握Diversity Essay？   高中在校輔導＆申請大學輔導專案，歡迎洽詢 A. League 教育顧問  ​ Read More

Writing Tips: What You Need to Know About the UC Community Essay

Volunteer experience has always been regarded as a key factor in assessing university applicants. For instance, one of the University of California (UC) application essay prompts specifically asks students to write about their contributions to their community in approximately 250–350 words. This type of essay, commonly referred to as a Community Essay, focuses on the student’s participation in activities, their responsibilities, and their contributions to a community.    To master the art of crafting a compelling Community Essay, the central theme should emphasize finding joy in helping others. Identifying experiences where you’ve genuinely made a difference in someone’s life is key to creating a meaningful narrative. Below are some writing tips tailored for the seventh UC essay prompt: "What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?"   Principles of a UC Community Essay  ✔ Focus on the Process Although the ultimate goal of such essays is to highlight the results of your contributions, the process itself is the most essential element. Avoid glossing over meaningful experiences. For example, when volunteering, think about what you did and how you made a tangible impact on others. For school-related activities, emphasize teamwork and problem-solving skills. Admissions officers also look for resilience and your ability to seek solutions when faced with challenges.     ✔ Show Personal Growth Admissions officers want to understand what you’ve learned during your contribution. Reflect on how you’ve grown compared to your past self. For example, while teaching English to children in rural areas, you might have realized they value companionship over material assistance. Or, exchanging letters with inmates may have deepened your empathy, inspiring you to help them reintegrate into society. Whatever your motivation, be sure to conclude the essay by sharing how these experiences will inspire future contributions.     ✔ Use a Simple, Straightforward Tone Honesty is the best policy. Avoid exaggerating details to appear altruistic. Many students over-embellish their essays to highlight their generosity, creating unnecessary dramatization. Steer clear of flowery language—clear and concise writing will make it easier for admissions officers to understand your narrative.    Common Mistakes ✘ Lack of Specific Examples As discussed in the "Why College" and "Why Major" essays, descriptions of activities should always include specific examples. For instance, instead of writing:  “I have joined the Red Cross Club to make contributions through many community services,”   which vaguely mentions contributions, you could write:   “In one of our Red Cross events, we visited a community nursing home to spend time with the elderly.”   Specific experiences speak louder than generic statements.     ✘ Overemphasizing the Impact on the Community Rather than extensively detailing the positive changes you brought to the community, focus on why you participated in the volunteer activity. Admissions officers are more interested in your motivation than your accomplishments.    ✘ Listing Too Many Experiences Packing every single activity you’ve ever done into your essay will make it read like a list. Instead, select one meaningful experience that demonstrates how you’ve created value for a group or community.   Additional Tips  When writing a Community Essay, draw from various aspects of your life. If unsure where to begin, consider these elements: ❐ Location Start from your immediate surroundings, like your neighborhood, school, or city. Describe your interactions and connections with those around you.    ❐ Actions Share stories of your volunteer or internship experiences. Highlight the projects you’ve worked on and the activities you’ve executed, emphasizing your contributions and growth.     ❐ Interests If you have a particular passion or expertise, think about how your activities relate to it. For instance, if you’ve played sports from a young age, you could write about mentoring younger teammates. If you love reading, describe organizing a library event to encourage children to explore books.   Practicing writing regularly is key to honing your skills. Building strong writing habits will not only benefit your college applications but also prepare you for the challenges you’ll face after admission!     閱讀中文版文章：寫作技巧：UC Community Essay 不可不知的二三事   High School Counseling & College Application Guidance Program  ​ Read More

Writing Tips: Must-Know for Common Application Essays

Applying to overseas universities requires more than just stellar academics and strong language skills. Admissions officers are often equally interested in life experiences that shape a student’s character and outlook. Unique personal stories can leave a lasting impression, but the real challenge is condensing those experiences into a compelling narrative—this is where effective storytelling becomes essential. Strong storytelling not only helps you stand out but also offers a way to express your personality, values, and growth.   These storytelling skills are especially important when writing a Personal Statement. Unlike more rigid essay formats, Personal Statements provide the freedom to dive deep into life experiences and share stories that best represent who you are. In the U.S., one of the most widely recognized platforms for university applications is the Common Application (Common App). In addition to supplemental essays, most schools require applicants to submit a Common Application Essay, allowing admissions officers to gain a more holistic understanding of the student's background.   Writing the Common App Essay often requires more time and thought compared to supplemental essays. With a longer word count and a focus on introspection, it challenges students to flex their creative writing abilities. Below are some key writing tips for crafting a standout Common Application Essay:   Key Principles for the Common Application Essay ✔ Be Yourself – A common misconception is that students should write what they think colleges want to hear rather than sharing their unique stories. However, admissions officers value authenticity more than impressive achievements. There is no need to craft an essay simply to impress them. Instead, stay true to yourself and find a story that genuinely highlights what makes you stand out.   ✔ Choose the Right Prompt – Many students realize after writing their essay that their content doesn’t fully align with the chosen prompt, forcing them to either change the topic or revise significant parts of their essay. To avoid this, students should regularly check whether their writing stays on track. Additionally, a “good topic” is one that is brought to life through storytelling, so students don’t need to avoid popular prompts—what matters most is how they craft their narrative to make their personalities shine through.   ✔ Show, Don’t Tell – Instead of directly stating personal growth, students should illustrate their experiences through storytelling—describing events, emotions, and reflections. Let the reader infer your qualities from the narrative rather than plainly stating them. For example, rather than saying, “After this experience, I became a more mature person,” demonstrate this growth by recounting the event and its impact on your thoughts and actions. Honest reflection is key to a compelling essay.   ✔ Use Appropriate Language – While students may feel tempted to use overly sophisticated words to make their writing sound more impressive, the key is to maintain a natural and appropriate tone. College essays should reflect a high school student’s writing style rather than forced academic jargon. As a Yale admissions officer once said, “If you wouldn’t use a word in conversation, don’t use it in your essay.”   Common Mistakes  ✘ Overly Negative Tone – Expressing too much negativity is a major red flag, especially in Challenge Essays. For example, the second Common App prompt (“The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success…”) is a classic example. No matter what challenge a student chooses to discuss, they must demonstrate growth and resilience rather than dwelling on failure.   ✘ Writing About Someone Else – If an essay focuses on how someone else influenced the student’s life rather than showcasing the student’s own journey, it misses the point of the Common Application Essay. While it’s fine to mention a mentor, family member, or friend, the focus should remain on the student’s experiences, thoughts, and growth rather than detailing someone else’s story. Admissions officers want to get to know the students, not their relatives or friends.   ✘ Exceeding or Falling Short of the Word Limit – The Common Application allows 250 to 650 words, but students are advised to aim for around 550 words. This length provides enough space to develop a strong narrative while ensuring concise and impactful storytelling.   ✘ Writing About Childhood Memories – The essay should focus on experiences from high school (grades 9-12) rather than early childhood memories. Admissions officers want to learn about the student’s recent personal growth, not what they achieved at five years old. However, if a childhood event significantly shaped the student’s academic interests or personal development, it can serve as an engaging introduction before transitioning into more recent experiences.   Strong writing skills come from consistent reading and practice. Developing reading and writing habits now will not only help you with college applications but also prepare you for the challenges of university life!   閱讀中文版文章：寫作技巧：Common Application Essay 不可不知的二三事​   高中在校輔導＆申請大學輔導專案，歡迎洽詢 A. League 教育顧問  ​ Read More

Writing Tips: Must-Know for Why School and Why Major Essays

The most crucial part of applying to overseas universities lies in essays. When applying to U.S. universities, students are required to submit a Personal Statement, and many schools also require Supplemental Essays to better understand an applicant’s motivations for choosing a particular school or major. Among these, the "Why School" and "Why Major" essays are key evaluation components. These essays should include personal experiences, academic interests, and motivations for applying to a specific school or program. While the two prompts may seem similar, they have distinct focuses: “Why School” essays emphasize how a student’s overall academic background influences their choice of university. “Why Major” essays highlight the student’s passion for a particular academic field. To write an effective admissions essay, concise and clear language is essential. Below are some key writing strategies for the Why School and Why Major essays:   Principles for the Why School Essay   ✔ Provide a Holistic Explanation – The "Why School" essay should focus on the reasons behind applying to a specific university. Students should describe their high school coursework, projects, extracurricular activities, internships, and passion for a particular academic field to demonstrate how these experiences have connected them with the school, leading them to apply.   ✔ Do Your Research – Next, you should elaborate on why you want to apply to that particular university. A strong essay requires thorough research on the university. Before writing, students should explore the school's website to identify specific courses, clubs, research opportunities, internships, and extracurricular activities that interest them. When writing, they must clearly explain why these resources attract them and how they align with their academic and career goals.   ✔ Connect to Future Aspirations – The conclusion should tie personal experiences, academic background, and knowledge of the university to the student’s future goals. Whether focusing on career ambitions or further academic pursuits, the essay should maintain a cohesive narrative that aligns with the introduction and body.   Common Mistakes   ✘ Overly Generic or Exaggerated Descriptions – Using excessive adjectives can have the opposite effect, while vague experiences may weaken the credibility of the essay.   ✘ List-Style Writing – Many students focus too much on listing achievements rather than describing the process and significance of their experiences. This makes the essay read like a list rather than a compelling narrative.   ✘ Focusing on a Single Event – Here is a simple formula to keep in mind: Why School = Why You + Us. A well-structured Why School essay should integrate personal experiences, academic interests, and knowledge of the school rather than only highlighting one of these aspects. Successful applicants not only promote themselves but also demonstrate a clear understanding of how their background aligns with the school’s mission, resources, and programs. Since no two universities are exactly the same, every Why School essay should be uniquely tailored.   Principles for the Why Major Essay   ✔ Be Specific – Unlike the Why School essay, which covers overall academic performance, the Why Major essay focuses on the student’s passion for a specific field. The best approach is to start with a single defining experience (anecdote) that sparked interest in the subject, then expand on the learning process and how it influenced the decision to pursue this major.   ✔ Keep It Concise – A common mistake is using overly complex or poetic language in an attempt to impress the reader. While creative writing may be more suitable for a Common App essay, the Why Major essay should be straightforward and to the point. Many Why Major prompts have lower word limits, so clarity and brevity are key.   ✔ Mention the School and Future Aspirations – Although the main focus is on academic interests, students should also mention one or two specific courses or opportunities at the university that align with their goals. The conclusion should emphasize future career aspirations and academic pursuits. Unlike the Why School essay, which focuses on how a student can benefit from the school, the Why Major essay should focus on how the student will explore the major further through this program.   Common Mistakes    ✘ Lack of Focus – When writing the essay, don’t forget to review the content from time to time to ensure it aligns with the main topic. Students often try to include too many experiences, from elementary school to high school, making the essay directionless. Not only does this make it difficult for the reader to discern the student’s intent in choosing a major, but it also makes the overall structure resemble a Why School essay instead.    ✘ Overly Long Introductions – While a strong opening is essential, excessive buildup can be frustrating for readers. If the Why Major essay is under 100 words, limit the introduction to one or two sentences. If it is 300-500 words, keep the introduction within three to four sentences before transitioning into the main content.   ✘ Cliché Statements – Overused phrases like "I’ve wanted to be a doctor since I was born" or "I felt deep despair when I saw disabled individuals on the street" weaken the essay’s authenticity. Honesty is the best policy—demonstrate your qualities through actions rather than simply stating them. Show, not tell.   ✘ Lack of Evidence – This is particularly common in essays discussing volunteer work or extracurriculars. Students should go beyond just stating what they did and instead describe the process and personal impact of their experiences. Example of a weak statement: "I joined the Love Net Volunteer Foundation to promote international education, but our progress was slow like a crawling snail. Therefore, I am determined to study international economics." Why It’s Weak: It doesn’t specify the student's role in the foundation. It lacks details about the student's responsibilities, contributions, or personal growth. It jumps too quickly from the experience to the conclusion about majoring in economics.   Strong writing skills come from consistent reading and practice. Developing reading and writing habits now will not only help you with college applications but also prepare you for the challenges of university life!   閱讀中文版文章：寫作技巧：Why College 與 Why Major 不可不知的二三事   高中在校輔導＆申請大學輔導專案，歡迎洽詢 A. League 教育顧問  ​ Read More

What Happens After Submitting an Application? Understanding How Admissions Officers Review Applications

A new application season has begun! Students entering 12th grade after this summer should start preparing for Fall 2023 admissions. But how exactly are their application materials reviewed?   A. League consultants regularly meet with international admissions officers and continually study evidence-based literature to gain a deep understanding of how universities operate. Here, we share insights into the review processes of several universities.     Yale University At Ivy League Yale University, 25 admissions officers first review application files from their respective assigned regions. These files are then exchanged for a second review by admissions officers from other regions. If the primary officer believes additional perspectives and opinions are needed, they consult colleagues for a third or even fourth review. After this process, the application files are submitted to the admissions committee.   The committee consists of five members, including admissions officers, the Dean of Admissions, the Dean of Student Affairs, professors, or lecturers. The responsible admissions officer presents case reports to the other committee members. The committee discusses select cases that have been screened. Even if the committee lacks the time to thoroughly review every application file, all admission decisions are collectively made by the committee. An applicant must secure at least four out of five votes to be admitted.   After all committee votes are finalized, a review team examines new information submitted by applicants. If the total number of admitted students exceeds the school’s enrollment target, the review team re-evaluates the list. They may identify admitted students who are comparatively weaker and waitlisted students who are stronger, redistributing admission or waitlist offers accordingly.     University of Pennsylvania At the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), admissions officers traditionally reviewed all application files from their assigned regions and wrote detailed evaluation reports for the admissions committee, which used these reports to make final admission decisions.   However, this method was time-consuming and labor-intensive. Admissions officers struggled to manage the increasing number of applications each year, and working day and night, including weekends, was unsustainable. To address this, the Associate Dean and Director of Admissions at UPenn introduced a new review process in 2013. Under the new method, two admissions officers work together, simultaneously reviewing different parts of the same application on their respective screens. The officer responsible for the applicant's region evaluates academic performance, such as grades, test scores, course selection, and recommendation letters. The second officer focuses on the applicant’s voice and unique talents through essays and interview reports. Together, they discuss the applicant's achievements in the context of their background, such as high school or family circumstances, assign a score, write comments, and recommend either admission or rejection.   According to UPenn's Dean of Admissions, this approach reduced the average review time from 12–15 minutes to just 4 minutes. Despite the shorter review time, the method is more analytical due to real-time discussions between officers, which minimizes individual biases and increases efficiency while improving outcomes.   Since then, many top universities, such as the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Emory University, and leading liberal arts colleges like Pomona College and Swarthmore College, have adopted UPenn's approach. A 2018 report by the College Board revealed that over 30 universities had implemented this new review process by that year.     University of Rochester  According to a 2018 interview with the Dean of Admissions at the University of Rochester, the first reader spends 20 minutes reviewing all aspects of an applicant's file, including academic records, interests, talents, essays, recommendation letters, and interview reports. While reviewing, the reader writes comments and assigns scores based on 20 evaluation criteria, ultimately marking the application as "admit," "deny," or "waitlist."   Next, a second reader spends 10 minutes reviewing the same applicant's file and provides a recommendation based on the evaluation criteria.   If both readers agree on admitting the applicant, the decision is finalized, and the applicant is admitted. However, if the two readers have differing recommendations, the file is sent to a committee. In the committee, the two readers present their perspectives, and a third party makes the final decision. Statistics show that 60% of application files are reviewed by the committee.     Santa Clara University  At Santa Clara University, admissions officers spend approximately 20 minutes reviewing each applicant's full file, which includes academic performance, course rigor, extracurricular activities, and test scores. They also evaluate the applicant’s character through essays and recommendation letters, forming an impression and recommending whether to admit, waitlist, or deny the applicant.   Next, a committee of five members, led by the Dean, votes on the applicants recommended by the admissions officers. If the number of final recommended admits exceeds the planned enrollment capacity, the committee uses the vote tallies to determine which applicants will receive admission offers.   Applicants are evaluated holistically, meaning no single strength guarantees admission. Admissions officers consider all aspects of an applicant’s profile, so even exceptional grades cannot ensure acceptance. However, the one factor that leads to automatic rejection is failure to meet the minimum required scores on English language proficiency tests. Applicants who do not achieve the required minimum scores on the IELTS, TOEFL, or DET are not admitted, regardless of their performance in other areas.   It’s also worth noting that, as a private university, Santa Clara favors applicants who apply through Early Decision and do not require financial aid.     University of California  The University of California (UC) campuses consistently rank among the top in the nation for the number of applications they receive each year. Since adopting a SAT Test-Blind policy, application numbers have surged dramatically, reaching tens of thousands or even over a hundred thousand. This overwhelming volume is far beyond what even a large team of admissions officers can manage.   To address this, UC Berkeley has, for over a decade, hired dozens of external readers during the admissions season to conduct an initial review of all applications. Each reader spends about 8 minutes evaluating an applicant’s materials and assigning preliminary scores. These high-scoring applications are then forwarded to the university’s internal admissions officers for a second review and final decision-making.   Given the sheer number of applicants, admissions officers often face challenging constraints. For instance, at UC San Diego, when the number of selected applicants exceeds the university’s enrollment capacity, decisions about who receives an official admission offer versus being placed on the waitlist are sometimes made through a random selection process.      While application files are reviewed in just a few minutes amidst intense competition, A. League provides guidance from grades 9 to 12, helping students strategically develop their profiles and accumulate personal achievements over those four years.   During the application season, they carefully craft and polish application materials, ensuring that these documents deeply reflect the student’s efforts, growth, and unique qualities. This approach aims to showcase the student’s potential in a way that captures the attention of admissions officers, maximizing their chances of success in such a competitive environment.   By combining long-term planning with thoughtful presentation, students can effectively highlight their individuality and make a lasting impression within the brief review time.   閱讀中文版文章：送出申請後都發生了什麼事？了解美國大學招生官如何審查入學資料   High School Counseling & College Application Guidance Program Read More

A. LEAGUE 為台灣唯一 NACAC 認證顧問

National Association for College Admission Counseling，簡稱NACAC，中文名為美國大學招生諮詢協會，成立1937年，旨在透過教育和宣導，提升大學入學諮詢專業人士的能力（也就是我們常說的升學顧問），普及高等教育，幫助所有高中生獲得升上大學的機會。 近乎所有美國有認證的大學，包含 Harvard 這種常春藤大學或 MIT、Cal Tech 等理工學院，甚至是全球名校，像英國的 Cambridge 劍橋大學、日本的 Waseda 早稻田大學、加拿大的 Toronto 多倫多大學和 UBC 英屬哥倫比亞大學、澳洲的 Sydney 雪梨大學和 UNSW 新南威爾斯大學，都是 NACAC 的會員。 除了大學之外，美國大考中心如 College Board、ACT Inc. 或英文考試機構 Duolingo，乃至申請大學系統 Common App、Coalition，或國際學校使用的第三方申請支援系統 Cialfo，包含 JHU CTY 也都是會員。 儘管台灣近年不斷強調國際教育，在台灣有NACAC認證的會員機構卻屈指可數，A. League 更是唯一取得認證的教育顧問公司，其餘認證的四間皆為國際學校，包含 TAS 台北美國學校、TES 台北歐洲學校、KAS 高雄美國學校、及 WHS 台中華盛頓高中，完整資訊可在NACAC官網上查詢會員機構。 A. LEAGUE 為台灣五間認證會員機構中唯一的教育顧問   不僅以機構為單位，NACAC 也授予顧問個人會員資格，而 A. League 兩位首席顧問當然包含其中，並且在經過嚴謹的教育訓練後，已有四位夥伴也取得認證為資深顧問，同時還有更多夥伴們正在積極的學習和提升能力中，期許未來能幫助更多學生！ 此外，A. League 的顧問會定期進修，研讀升學與教育相關資料，並且與國外大學招生官進行第一手資訊交流，甚至和美國頂尖寄宿學校的顧問合作，為學生打造台美升學規劃，最終都是希望從家長的角度出發，最大化學生的可能性。     高中在校輔導＆申請大學輔導專案，歡迎洽詢 A. League 教育顧問  ​ Read More

常春藤大學：懂得苦行才是錄取的公式

美國常春藤大學一直以來都是名校的象徵，兵家必爭之地，即便經歷了嚴峻的COVID疫情，今年Class of 2026的申請人數仍一如往常地突破了歷年紀錄，錄取率也是創新低。 當然，我們今年也很榮幸地參與了孩子錄取藤校的心路歷程。 如同我之前寫過一篇有關史丹佛的狀況一樣，如果有人跟你說有保證錄取常春藤的方法，那大概都是騙你的，除非你另外被收取了鉅款。我們最多只能說做了什麼準備可以提高錄取機率，而以我目前錄取常春藤的孩子們的共通點，我簡單稱之為 - 苦行。 常有家長問我：如果我孩子不能去世界知名企業實習怎麼辦？如果我孩子沒有奧林匹亞比賽怎麼辦？我是不是要捐款或讓孩子做慈善募資？我需要請政要官員或者企業老闆寫推薦信嗎？ 我不是常春藤校友怎麼辦？ 如果沒有這些我孩子是不是就上不了常春藤了？ 不是！也許上述那些項目可以幫你些許加分，但絕對不是沒有就無法錄取的要素。一個孩子能錄取常春藤，需要頭腦以外，還要能刻苦耐勞，有著過人的意志力、耐力、決心，以及自己熱愛的學術領域。 (Photo Credit: Cornell University) 何謂苦行？ 第一 你必須從9年級開始一路到12年級不間斷地爭取在學校裡該年級各科能拿的進階課程，連續四年，把每一次考試、每一樣作業和報告都盡全力做到最好，拿到A的成績，這樣才能通過第一關：高中四年GPA與修課內容的得分。 有人會問：我想讀的又不是文科，為何我要選最難的AP history？ 我想讀的是商學，為什麼要選AP science？ 因為這些學校很清楚地說明他們想要的孩子是全能，在高中基礎學科裡都有卓越表現，接納跨領域學習，同時在某個特別有興趣的領域還有突出的成績。 所以你的選課不能偏科，但注意我有說是該校能提供最高階的課程，不用因為別間學校有開AP而你的學校沒有開去擔心。大學會從School Profile內了解到你在你的高中已經盡全力完成最難的課程了。不過，你必須在你的學校同年級中名列前茅。 (Photo Credit: Harvard University) 第二 你的標準考試需要有Top 1%的水準，SAT、ACT、AP Exam、甚至是 TOEFL、IELTS。以SAT為例，大概是1530分以上的等級才有PR 99；以英文成績來說，雖然托福和雅思成績單上沒有排名，甚至有常春藤是不強制要求繳交英文語言考試成績，但曾有招生官說過107分的托福「有點低」。 (Photo Credit: Princeton University) 第三 你必須參與有興趣科目相關的競賽，MEC、IC、AMC、AIME、IMO、VEX，FRC、iGEM、BBO 等等的比賽，Olympiad 沒有不好，但需要投入大量的時間並取得國際等級的獎牌才有到相當的加分，所以除非從很早開始準備，不然建議多花時間在其他比賽上面累積獎項。 (Photo Credit: Brown University) 第四 服務，志工，領導。你必須要在乎學業跟課外學習，還要積極參與校內社團及關懷社群，讓你的周遭變得更好。要知道，就連我們在常春藤的教授，都願意每週貢獻時間從事社區免費教學，所以對他們來說，你為了周遭的人事物做了什麼非常重要，你不能只是一個顧及自己功課的孩子。 (Photo Credit: Columbia University) 第五 課外活動：學術、體育、音樂、棋藝、動物，任何興趣都好。你要有你擅長的項目，同時對你的目標科系要有深度的研究。一個想念機械工程的孩子不一定要在三菱重工實習，在家旁邊的摩托車店學會如何維修一個壞掉的二行程馬達一樣可以獲得大學的青睞。善於研究，創意發明，運用你的知識跟熱情，致力研讀跟發想，你也可以讓人類進步過得更好。這些都是孩子需要去努力達成的目標。 (Photo Credit: Yale University)   或許上述任一聽起來都不難達成，但當一個孩子需要把五項基本功加在一起，堅持四年持續完成，那是很辛苦、很艱難的。 我看著我的學生這樣一步一步準備每一次考試，顧好每一個學期的成績單，投入每一場比賽，熬過每一個睡不飽夜晚，這樣的高中生涯是非常令人心疼的。 所以當他們錄取時，我的內心除了感動，還有著深深的敬佩。我常說，在升學路途上，最辛苦的永遠是孩子跟家長，我深感榮幸可以陪伴他們走過這些時光。 You deserve it! 看完上面的解說，如果你也想以常春藤當目標前進的話，準備好要一起苦行了嗎？   高中在校輔導＆申請大學輔導專案，歡迎洽詢 A. League 教育顧問  ​ Read More

2021-2022 College Acceptance

Total Scholarships USD $1,710,409     2021-2022 Admissions     United States Columbia University (#2) *1 Master of Science in Enterprise Risk Management (#2)   University of Chicago (#6) *1   University of Pennsylvania (#8) *1 ED *1   Johns Hopkins University (#9) *2 Peabody Conservatory, Bachelor of Music Master of Science in Biotechnology (#6)   Northwestern University (#9) *1 Master of Science in Leadership for Creative Enterprises (#9)   University of California - Los Angeles (#20) *4 RD *3，MS *1 Master of Engineering in Data Science (#16)   Emory University (#21) *1 Admitted to Emory College & Oxford College   University of California - Berkeley (#22) *3   University of Michigan - Ann Arbor (#23) *5 EA *4，MS *1 Master of Science in Data Science (#10)   University of Southern California (#27) *5 RD *4，MS *1 Master of Science in Digital Social Media   New York University (#28) *6 ED *1，RD *4，MS *1 Stern School of Business *1 Master of Science in Management and Systems (#6)   University of California - Santa Barbara (#28) *8   University of Florida (#28) *2   University of Rochester (#34) *4 Scholarship US$14,000 *1 Admitted to Eastman School of Music and Arts, Sciences & Engineering dual degree program *1   University of California - San Diego (#34) *8   University of California - Irvine (#36) *10   Boston College (#36) *1   Georgia Institute of Technology (#38) *3 EA *3 Computer Science (US#5) *1   University of Texas - Austin (#38) *7 EA *2，RD *5   University of California - Davis (#38) *12   Boston University (#42) *10 ED *2，RD *6，MS *2 Questrom School of Business *1 Scholarship US$25,000 *1 Master of Science in Mathematical Finance and Financial Technology (#12) Master of Art in International Affairs (#12)   Case Western Reserve University (#42) *13 EA *10，RD *3 Scholarship US$102,000 *1，Scholarship US$76,000 *1，Total Scholarships US$178,000   University of Wisconsin - Madison (#42) *4 EA *1，RD *3   University of Illinois - Urbana - Champaign (#47) *19   Northeastern University (#49) *9 RD *8，MS *1 Master of Science in Corporate and Organizational Communication (#12)   Ohio State University - Columbus (#49) *12 EA *12 Full Scholarship approx. US$152,000 *1   Purdue University - West Lafayette (#49) *16 EA *14，RD *2   Pepperdine University (#49) *1 EA *1   Santa Clara University (#55) *2   University of Washington (#59) *15 Scholarship US$28,800 *1，Scholarship US$16,800 *2，Total Scholarships US$62,400   Syracuse University (#59) *7   University of Pittsburgh (#59) *1   Pennsylvania State University - University Park (#63) *3   University of Connecticut (#63) *6 Scholarship US$60,000 *1，Scholarship US$40,000 *1，Scholarship US$20,000 *2， Total Scholarships US$140,000   George Washington University (#63) *1 Master of Art in Media and Strategic Communication (#5)   Fordham University (#66) *1 EA *1 Scholarship US$80,000   Indiana University - Bloomington (#68) *3   University of California - Riverside (#83) *8 Scholarship US$54,000   Michigan State University (#83) *2 Scholarship US$77,000 *1，Scholarship US$33,000 *1, Total Scholarships US$110,000   University of California - Merced (#93) *1   University at Buffalo (#93) *3 Scholarship US$30,000   University of California - Santa Cruz (#103) *2     Liberal Arts College Wellesley College (Liberal Arts #5) *1 ED *1     Canada University of Toronto (CA #1, World #26) *20 St. George Campus EA *9，RD *10，MS *1 Scholarship CA$100,000 *2，Scholarship CA$92,500 *1，Scholarship CA$50,000 *8， Total Scholarships CA$692,500 Master of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering (#1)   McGill University (CA #2, World #26) *1   University of British Columbia (CA #3, World #45) *3 Vancouver Campus *3   McMaster University (CA #4) *1 Master of Financial Mathematics (#12)   University of Waterloo (CA #7) *1 Scholarship CA$1,000   United Kingdom Imperial College London (UK #3, World #7) *1   University College London (UK #4, World #16) *3   King's College London (UK #7, World #35) *1   University of Manchester (UK #8, World #27) *3   University of Warwick (UK #9) *2   Queen Mary University of London (UK #12) *1   University of Birmingham (UK #13) *1   University of Bristol (UK #20, World #62) *3   Royal Veterinary College University of London (Vet UK #1, World #1) *1     Art School Parsons School of Design, The New School (Art US #1, World #3) *1 EA *1   Rhode Island School of Design (Art US #2, World #4) *2 ED *1，RD *1   School of the Art Institute of Chicago (Art US #4, World #9) *2 EA *1，RD *1 Scholarship US$37,800 *1，Scholarship US$33,600 *1, Total Scholarships US$71,400   Pratt Institute (Art US #5, World #10) *2 EA *1，RD *1 Scholarship US$140,000 *1，Scholarship US$100,000 *1, Total Scholarships US$240,000   California College of the Arts (Art US #10, World #25) *1 EA *1 Scholarship US$72,000   School of Visual Arts (Art US #11, World #32) *2   Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising *1     Music Conservatory The Juilliard School *1 Barnard-Columbia-Julliard Program     Asia University of Hong Kong (HK #1, World #22) *1     Australia University of Sydney (AU #2, World #28) *2   Monash University (AU #6, World #58) *1       Last updated：2022.6.27   A. LEAGUE High School Counseling & College Application Guidance Read More