Hangzhou Zhejiang Education Guide 2019-2020

SCHOOL FEATURE
process becomes one that helps
the student to narrow down his
or her choices from a general
list of dozens to a list of eight to
ten excellent choices.
In addition to research based
on reading college websites
and brochures, students
should do additional online
research to read comments by
current students. They would
also benefit from talking to
current and recent graduates
about life on campus, studentteacher
relations and other
topics of interest. Under optimal
circumstance, students will
visit the colleges they are
most seriously considering
while classes are in session
(October holiday and Chinese
New Year are optimal times
to visit campuses while they
are bustling with real college
life as it will give prospective
students a better idea of what
it might actually be like to live
on campus). There is simply
no substitute for walking on
campus, attending admission
sessions, sitting through a class
or two and hanging out for a day
to feel things out and to see if
he/she could picture themselves
on a particular campus for four
years. College visits can also be
critical opportunities to interview
with admissions personnel, ask
questions (not found on the
website) and transform oneself
from just another applicant into
a known individual.
Central to improving one's
chances in the admission pool
is convincing the admissions
team that the student is an
ideal candidate. This information
comes through in the student’s
application, personal statement
and answers to the all-important
supplement questions. The
more intimate the knowledge a
candidate has about the college,
the more convincing he/she will
be able to be in answering why
they want to attend. I cannot
overemphasise the importance
of this point, especially at the
more highly selective liberal arts
colleges.
Obviously determining fit takes
significant time and work, so
starting earlier than senior year
is optimal. Learning about and
thinking about this process as
early as freshman or sophomore
year (US - Grades 9/10, UK -
Year 10/11) gives students the
non-pressured time needed to
consider the questions central
to who they are, what they want
to do and which colleges they
might be best suited for. It also
gives them the time they need
to get themselves in better
shape for admissions to a highly
selective college—if that is what
they choose to pursue. And as
any good shoe shopper knows,
the more time spent trying on
the shoe, the better the fit will
be!
References:
[1]. College Board.
www.collegeboard.com
[2]. Harvard College self
reported data. www.harvard.edu
44 Zhejiang Education Guide 2019-2020