US College Applications

Richard Du, Vanessa Du, Christina Chen

Richard DuPrinceton Class of 2019

Mathematics or Computer Science (Not sure yet)

I enjoy watching movies, basketball…and math.

Vanessa Du

Columbia Class of 2019

Financial Engineering

Christina Chen

MIT Class of 2019

Undecided

Admitted to Caltech, Likely letter from Brown, Early acceptance to

Williams College

The Common Application

• Online application website for most universities

• 5 questions given, you choose 1

• Optional for the first time ever

• This year's questions are out!

go to: http://blog.commonapp.org/2015/03/31/2015-2016-essay-prompts/

My Path to PrincetonRichard Du

Why America?• Math contests made me realize that I wanted to study in

America

• In grade 9, I thought I was pretty good at math

• Then I qualified for the USAJMO

• Americans were better.

Big fish in a little pond

Why America?

• Resources

• Math camps

• University courses

• Competitive

• Passionate

• Things move faster

Why America?• Not JUST for the prestige (though

it was certainly a factor)

• Broaden my horizons

• Push me to accomplish more

• Meet interesting and passionate people in many different fields

Middle School

• Qualified for Canadian Math Olympiad in grade 8

• Accepted into the TOPS program

• Most important event of Middle school

High School – the Importance of TOPS

• TOPS broadened my horizons

• Every year, several students attend Ivy League universities

• The American Dream was real

• Expectations for myself were raised

• Older students became role models

Extracurriculars/Math: Contests

• 5th CMO (2013), 1st among students living in Canada

• USAMO qualifier (2014, 2015), top 35

• Euclid winner (2015)

• IMO Team Canada (Alternate, 2014)

Extracurriculars/Math: Leadership• Marc Garneau Math Tournament

• Run by students, for students

• Teacher at Olympiads

• Math club president, Physics club VP

• Member of cross country team, a small community orchestra (unsure if this played any significant factor in admission)

Academics

• Stats:

• SAT I:

• M/CR/W = 790/800/760 (2350)

• SAT II (Subject tests):

• Math II: 800

• Physics: 800

• APS:

• 5 5s (Calc BC, 2xPhysics C, Microeconomics, Comp Sci)

• 4 (Macroeconomics) woops

• Schedule: (WHAT NOT TO DO)

• Gr.9: Chilled

• Grade 10: AP Calculus

• Grade 11:

• May 6: 2 SAT Subject tests

• May 10-14: 5 APS

• June: SAT I

Tips for Standardized Testing

• Schedule your tests wisely

• SATS >>>>>> APS

• Take APs because you’re interested – it’s unclear how useful they are in terms of admissions

What Matters?/Summary

• Academics are a must.

• Extracurriculars: Well rounded or pointy is fine (Vanessa’s ECs are completely different from mine)

• It’s not about what you do, but about who you are (whoa)

• Universities know that interests will change a lot

• Looking for an interesting, passionate, intelligent individual

My Journey to ColumbiaVanessa Du

Why America?

• Liberal Arts Education

• Challenge myself

• Better Opportunities

• Especially in business

Schools

• Cummer Valley Middle School

• Math contests and sports teams

• No specialized program

• Marc Garneau Collegiate

• Tops program

Extracurriculars

• Vice President of student council

• President of DECA

• President of World Vision

• World vision national youth ambassador

• Competitive Dancer

• Taught classes at my dance school

Summer

• DEEP Academy for engineering

• Shad Valley at the University of British Columbia

• Fully sponsored trip to Kenya

• Don’t focus on academics, focus on interesting stories to tell

• Find opportunities for yourself

Academics

• 7 AP tests

• 2 SAT Subject tests

• 2210 sat score

• 94 cumulative average

• Grade 9: no standardized testing

• Grade 10: 3 Ap tests

• Grade 11:

• oct sat 1

• dec sat Math 2

• March sat 1

• May 4 aP tests

• June sat physics

What Matters?

• Passionate and introspective

• Consistency and breadth

• Leadership is important

• Well rounded class, well rounded student with something unique to offer

Academics

• Start early

• Take harder courses with each advancing year

• Teacher references are important, Interviews are not

• SATs are more important than APs

30 academics /30 standardized testing /40 extracurricular

Essays

• This is the place to really distinguish yourself from other applicants

• Be yourself

• Flaunt yourself without sounding conceited

• Show passion and be introspective

• How you will contribute to the university

• Overcoming weaknesses

If you’re thinking about applying

• Demonstrate your interest

• Early Action

• 6.1% overall, 4.9% regular, 18.5% Early

• School visits

• Talk to older students

• Start working on the application early

My Path to MITChristina Chen

Why America?

• Research projects and opportunities

• Faculty and peers

Middle School

• Gifted program

• Zion heights J.H.S.

High School

• International baccalaureate (I.B.)

• Victoria Park Collegiate Institute

• TOPS program

• Marc Garneau Collegiate Institute

Extracurriculars• Research at Toronto General Hospital

• Paper published for TGH use

• Physics contests, mentoring

• Skiing, swimming, badminton

• Yearbook

• Various contests

Summers• Fill your summers

• DEEP Summer Academy at U of T

• Shad Valley

• Internship

• Physics camp• Research

Academics

• Take the hardest courses

• Try to show going above and beyond school curriculum

• APs

• Contests

What Matters?

• Become a 3 dimensional person

• Show a personality:

• How you think and what you think

• What motivates you to learn

• Who you want to become

Thank you – Questions?Presentation available at david-lu.com