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CANDIDATE: AM, India (US Citizen), Hyderabad

CURRICULUM: IBDP

SCHOOL: Chirec Public School, Hyderabad

SUBJECTS: Math AA, Economics, Business Management HL, English Literature & Language, Physics, Spanish Ab Initio SL

AP SUBJECTS: None

PREDICTED GRADES: 38/45

SAT/ACT SCORE: 1490 (SAT)

INTERESTED MAJOR: Economics, Policy and Sustainability

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Approach

To connect her climate and sustainability-focused extracurricular initiatives, we advised AM to develop a policy and economics research paper outside of school and use her Extended Essay to explore related themes. In grade 12, we helped her balance extracurricular commitments, application essays, and IB coursework with targeted guidance. Together with our team’s support, she identified universities where she could thrive academically and personally and shaped her application to reflect her commitment to economics, policy, and business.

JOURNEY

GRADE 9

  • Played district and national-level basketball.
  • Participated in MUNs.
  • Raised INR 97,000 for cataract surgeries at Fuel A Dream.


GRADE 10

  • Played district and national-level basketball; led team to win 2nd & 3rd place at national tournaments.
  • Participated in MUNs, won Best Delegate.
  • Volunteered for lake cleanups.
  • Participated in Buddies without Borders (BWB), an international forum for addressing economic and climate-related issues. Her team won the Women & Economy award


GRADE 11 & 12

  • Played district and national-level basketball; led team to win 1st place in multiple tournaments in Hyderabad and 2nd & 3rd place at national tournaments.
  • Participated in MUNs, which led to speaking at UN ECOSOC Forums on sustainability and gender equity.
  • Led team of volunteers for lake cleanups; fundraised & spread awareness via social media.
  • Researched neighbourhood lake issues, engaged local leaders for support, and drove significant restoration efforts.
  • Founded and led BWB Club at Chirec School (50 members), organised lake clean-ups, Eco-Diwali, and Earth Day events, and won awards.
  • Participated in Lumiere’s research programme; Evaluated India’s economic policy for waste management crisis; Selected in the top 5% of her cohort.
  • Conducted Economics EE research, to study the impact of sustainable urban planning on economic development

OUTCOME

Offers from

University of Washington
Northeastern University
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.