Daunted by the process of US college admissions?

Grayson was joined by Joshua Russo, director of Top Scholars and current college counsellor at Shrewsbury International School. They spoke to over a hundred Thai and international students about why American universities conduct undergraduate admissions so differently from the rest of the world and how students’ can best prepare themselves for a successful admissions process.

Grayson, the Tufts’ admissions officer responsible for Thailand, admits that undergraduate admission to the US can be a confusing process. Preparing for the SAT, choosing the right college, writing the college admission essays and submitting applications can also be overwhelming to Thai and international students who plan to enter a US university.

In his talk “Successful College Admissions 101”, Grayson provided insight on what US colleges look for in students, and what students can do to ensure their applications receive a check mark. He discussed the importance of college admission essays, and common mistakes students make.

“We believe that you learn more and better if you pursue your own interest, if you can create your own education and follow your heart and your mind into what you love. So we have created a system that is inefficient deliberately and the US admission process reflects that,” said Grayson.

This unique process includes requiring college admission essays, recommendation letters from teachers and counsellors, and a resume of extra-curricular activities.

While reading the essays, Grayson and other undergraduate admission officers in the US look for students who can articulate what makes them different and sets them apart from other applicants.  

In addition to scrutinising the essays, schools undertake an academic review of each application.  This takes into account rigour (how tough the classes are that students have chosen to take), grades (in the context of the entire school) and lastly, standardised test scores (SAT, AP, IB, TOEFL, etc). 

As many students tend to appear similar in these academic categories, Grayson advises students to take their college admission essays and personal statements seriously. It should be a piece of writing that allows students to articulate areas of their life that do not come across elsewhere in the application.  

“It is your place to shine”, said Grayson.  

To do this effectively, students need to convey their passion, enthusiasm and, most importantly, their own story. Students maintain control, and they should use this space, deliberately, powerfully and purposefully, Grayson added.

Grayson admits that this can be a tricky task for a teenager. Effectively communicating an aspect of one’s personality and how you can contribute to the college is difficult. If a student conveys this effectively and in a captivating way, he or she has already garnered the interest of the admissions officer.

Russo, director of Top Scholars, echoed Daniel’s sentiments in helping students understand how to begin properly evaluating themselves to prepare for this type of application. Oftentimes, students look only at college rankings, such as US News & World Report.  This can lead students to failure in college. 

Russo pointed out that rankings neither reveal the reality of life on campus nor the success of the alumni once they graduate. Nothing is mentioned about what the value of that college’s education will be like 10 or 20 years after students graduate.

“The ranking may not be the best way for students to match themselves to a college’s community, nor will it empower them to achieve success in life,” said Russo. 

To find success, Joshua recommended adequate preparation, and encouraged students to examine themselves in three areas: personal, academic and career.  It is important for students to reflect both on the way they operate alone, and externally with their environment and peers. Students should look for an academic environment that encourages them to develop their strengths and to think critically and develop creative solutions. A career is broader than the choice of one’s job. Your career should involve the lifestyle you want to lead, the kind of friends you want to have and the goals you want to accomplish when you are 30, 40, 50, and beyond.

Going through the counselling process can help students to evolve in their thinking, helping them to find their personal voice and choose the perfect college community. This results in more successful applications and prepares for success in a competitive and globalised world.

Russo emphasised that “our most successful students, the ones that thrive on campus and in life, are those who stay true to their interests and passions in their applications, and who choose their schools based on these interests”.  This, he added, has proved to be the most successful approach towards selective admissions.  “And that’s what keeps our alumni coming back.”