With the announcement of the Ivy League admission list every year, Chinese parents are discussing successful experiences and strategies on major social media platforms in an attempt to find a shortcut for their children to enter top universities. However, the path to success is not set in stone and is increasingly difficult to replicate.
From Harvard girl Liu Yiting to today's reality
In the past, it was possible for even ordinary families to produce Ivy League students. Liu Yiting, who is known as a "Harvard girl" by many parents, proves this with her experience. As a student from a general foreign Chinese school, she did not have outstanding grades or awards, and managed to get a full scholarship offer from Harvard University with only a single exchange interview and a few letters of recommendation from WBSE President Larry.
This success story has inspired the hopes and pursuits of countless parents, and Liu Yiting's autobiography "Harvard Girl Liu Yiting" has become one of the best-selling books in China. However, a deeper understanding of her educational background revealed that her parents' educational methods were not unfathomable, but very simple, such as "holding ice for 15 minutes to cultivate children's willpower" and "strictly prohibiting fancy clothes".
*The picture comes from the Internet
However, over time, the criteria for admission to Ivy League schools and family backgrounds have changed dramatically. Taking Guo Wenjing, who successfully entered Harvard in 16 years, as an example, her resume fully demonstrates the standards of today's Ivy League students: she has participated in and won the National Informatics Olympiad for two consecutive years, has a perfect score in 5 AP courses, has rich internship experience, and also has a superior family background and resources.
Guo Wenjing's family background is also a typical representative of the current climbing family, her father is the actual controller of a software company, her mother is a top student of MIT and a big cow in the computer field, and there are many celebrities and successful people in her circle of friends. Not only do these families provide the wealth and resources their children need, but more importantly, they know how to reach their children's potential to the limit.
This means that grades and standardized tests are no longer enough to succeed in an Ivy League school, but the family's background, resources, passion for education, and scientific planning are all key factors. It also means that middle-class families who may have relied on simple hard work and chance to get into the Ivy League school in the past now face even greater challenges.
Overall, the cost and difficulty of climbing vines have increased over time, and middle-class families need to put in more effort and resources to successfully produce Ivy League students. Therefore, only by truly understanding and adapting to this change can it be possible to realize the Ivy League dream of parents.
Admission to Ivy League Schools: Family Background and Student Personality
Recently, a study published by a professor at Harvard University has attracted global attention and heated discussions. The study found that one-sixth of Ivy League students come from the richest 1% of families, and used a number of data to demonstrate the advantage of affluent students in Ivy League admissions.
Research data shows that students from wealthy families are indeed in a strong position for admission to top U.S. universities. Students in the top 0.1% of household incomes are 1.5 times more likely to score high in non-academic areas during the application process than middle-class students. At Dartmouth, the gap is as high as five times.
*The picture comes from the Internet
In addition, many of the affluent applicants are the children of alumni, and the children of alumni usually receive extra preferential treatment when applying, and their acceptance rate is much higher than that of ordinary applicants.
*The picture comes from the Internet
However, not all elite American universities "give the green light" to students from wealthy families. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, for example, does not favor students from wealthy families in its admissions, and has long failed to prioritize the children of its alumni. MIT admissions officer Stuart Schmeer said the school is unique because it has always insisted that talent is equally distributed, but opportunities are not. Therefore, the school takes into account the student's family background in the admissions process to ensure equal opportunities.
Princeton University President Christopher M. L. Eschruber said the university believes that talent exists in all income distributions in the United States, which is why the university is more focused on diversity in admissions. It is understood that one in five students at Princeton University are from low-income families, while one in four students receive a full grant.
*The picture comes from the Internet
These data have sparked thinking and discussion about the admission criteria of Ivy League schools. In the past, Ivy League schools may have been more inclined to produce family heirs, but today, these top universities are more diverse, with a greater emphasis on student individuality and differentiation.
Ivy League admissions officers are always on the lookout for students who are out of the ordinary. They want to see applicants show their unique side, not just a perfect SAT score card. Therefore, for students who are good at brushing grades, the road to climbing vines may not be easy. Jon Wang, an Asian-American student with a near-perfect SAT score, was rejected by many Ivy League schools because he excelled academically but otherwise meadow.
First, you need to understand your strengths and characteristics, and then you need to understand what the school is expecting from students to see if you are a good match. Finally, make the most of your unique experiences and personality.
For example, Sean, a student who is entering the history department at Yale, is a good example. He showed his personality through his love of music and the connection between music and history. Sean has not only achieved great academics, but also excelled in the field of music. His story showcased a distinctive student profile that caught Yale's attention.
It is very important for applicants to showcase their unique experiences and personalities. Experts recommend telling a true, moving story in your essay and thinking carefully about what you can bring to the school from the perspective of the school's values. Only by impressing the admissions officers and showing a different side can you stand out from the fierce competition and realize your dream of becoming an Ivy League school.
Explore the path of education: Choose the path that is right for your child
With the release of the latest research report from Harvard University, the current state of university education in the United States has once again attracted widespread attention. The report reveals a worrying fact: Only 60 percent of all four-year U.S. students graduate within six years, and public universities have an even lower graduation rate of 57 percent. In contrast, the graduation rate of private non-profit universities is slightly higher, at 66 percent, but the graduation rate of private for-profit universities is only 32 percent, the lowest among developed countries.
These data show the tremendous pressure that a prestigious school education puts on students. Many students who have been offered admission to prestigious universities do not successfully complete their studies and face various challenges: some choose to drop out, some fall into depression, and some suffer from anorexia due to stress.
*The picture comes from the Internet
Not long ago, an Ivy League student named Quon posted a video on the Internet, expressing his dissatisfaction and doubts about the education of the prestigious school. He warned other parents not to blindly pursue rankings, but to consider more about the actual needs and growth of students.
Among these dropout stories, there is a particularly striking case, and that is the story of a rich second generation. The student comes from a wealthy family to successful parents, but his academic abilities are not outstanding. In order to ensure that he could get into a prestigious school, his parents did not hesitate to invest a lot of resources, and he eventually entered the University of Southern California. Surprisingly, however, he disappeared on the first day of school, and then spent more than a year in the United States in a state of amusement. Eventually, the school sent a withdrawal notice to his parents, revealing his secret. This story reflects the negative impact that a prestigious school education can have on some students.
In the process of pursuing admission to prestigious schools, there are many students who have experienced great pressure and challenges. Not only do they have to deal with academic pressure, but they also have to deal with social and family expectations, which often leads to physical and mental health issues for students. In this case, we can't help but ask, is a prestigious school education really the best choice for every student?
Recently, a friend shared her experience of studying and may give us some inspiration. She has been a self-consciously hardworking student since she was a child, but she has also faced failures and setbacks. However, her parents have always supported her and given her more choices and opportunities. After going through a series of challenges and difficulties, she finally realized her dream and embarked on the path to success. This story teaches us that the path of life is not set in stone.
*The picture comes from the Internet
When choosing an educational path, we should give more consideration to the personality and interests of students, rather than blindly pursuing the label of a prestigious school. Everyone has their own talents and potential, and true success can only be achieved if you find the path that suits you.
Therefore, when faced with the choice of education, we should be open-minded, think more flexibly, and find the most suitable path for students. Whether it is public or private, whether it is a prestigious school or an ordinary school, as long as it can meet the needs of students and help them achieve their dreams, it is the best choice.