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CANDIDATE: SKL, China, Hong Kong

CURRICULUM: IGCSE & A Levels

SCHOOL: YMCA Christian College, Hong Kong

SUBJECTS: Economics, Math, Business

PREDICTED GRADES:A*A*A

SAT/ACT SCORE: 1400 (SAT)

INTERESTED MAJOR: Business and Economics

Approach

Recognising his strong leadership skills and keen interest in finance, we guided him in shaping a profile that highlighted his business acumen, mentorship abilities, and practical exposure to economics and financial research. To bring these strengths to the forefront, we helped him select extracurricular activities that reflected leadership, teamwork, and excellence in both competitive and academic settings. Given the moderate SAT score, we crafted a college application strategy that optimised his chances by identifying right-fit universities valuing holistic profiles. We also supported the family in finalising a well-suited Early Decision (ED) choice and ensured the Letters of Recommendation (LORs) were personalised and impactful, effectively showcasing his unique strengths.

JOURNEY

GRADE 9

  • Member, Prefect Committee.
  • Student Coordinator, Mentorship Program. 
  • Student Ambassador Committee.
  • Midfielder, Soccer Team Interhouse.


GRADE 10

  • Head Prefect.
  • Hong Kong University’s Academy for Talented.
  • Student Coordinator, Mentorship Program. 
  • Student Ambassador Committee.
  • Harmony Scholarship awarded by the Hong Kong government.
  • Midfielder, Soccer Team Interhouse.


GRADE 11 & 12

  • Head Prefect.
  • Vice President, Student Council Cabinet.
  • Student Leader/Member, Christian Faith mentorship, Ascend Club.
  • Student Coordinator, Mentorship Program.
  • Student Ambassador Committee.
  • Personal Blog.
  • Foreign Exchange Trading Internships.
  • Financial Research.
  • Finance Team Member, Junior Achievement by HSBC Bank.
  • Oxford Summer Course in Economics.
  • Growing in Excellence Program.
  • Midfielder, Soccer Team Interhouse.
  • Online Course Financial Markets and Economics.
  • Social Enterprise Workshop, Chinese University of Hong Kong.

OUTCOME

Offers from

University of British Columbia
cmu
Back to All Case Studies
new york university

CANDIDATE:  
AN

GRE/GMAT:
Did not take

GPA:
3.43/4.0 (as per her WES evaluation)

Qualification:
BA Economics

Work Experience:
Less than six months

Admitted to:
NYU

Background

AN aimed for an MS in Marketing in the US and the UK. The applicant was prompt in balancing the WES evaluation and other application components. However, while brainstorming the SOP we encountered a challenge. The applicant lacked sufficient work experience, which is gained through internships. They only had a two-month marketing internship in a finance company. However, as an undergraduate, the applicant was editor-in-chief of the college magazine, co-authored academic papers and hosted an Instagram series on mental health, diversity, and the LGBTQ+ community.

Approach

While storyboarding, we strategically guided the applicant to match their academic endeavours with their desire to become an inclusive impact marketer. As an editor, writer and social media content creator for diversity and inclusivity, AN developed excellent communication skills, an understanding of different people, and concise and compelling storytelling abilities. We advised the applicant to position themself as a collaborative marketing person who understood diverse needs, has problem-solving skills and was familiar with contemporary communication platforms.

Key Takeaway

AN exemplifies how storyboarding with expert counsellors can help applicants identify experiences that align with their goals. Our strategic advice proved valuable, and the applicant received offers from programmes of their choice. It reinforced the fact that transferable skills, like problem-solving, communication, collaboration and technical proficiency, are greatly valued and can compensate for work experience.