How I got into FOUR Ivy Leagues (Harvard, Princeton etc..)

Summary

In this video, the creator shares personal insights on how they gained admission to top universities like Harvard and Princeton, emphasizing the importance of showcasing genuine passion and growth over mere academic achievements. They highlight their unique experiences in extracurriculars like table tennis, debate, and research, detailing how these shaped their college essays. The creator stresses that colleges are looking for students with potential who will contribute meaningfully to the university community. The video offers practical advice for prospective applicants on how to present themselves authentically in their applications.

Takeaways

• 😀 Your high school experiences, even if not extraordinary, can still contribute to a strong college application when presented thoughtfully.
• 😀 Highlight your personal growth and learning in your extracurriculars and essays to showcase your potential.
• 😀 Speaking other languages, like Korean, can enhance personal and professional connections, and even provide unique experiences to share in your college application.
• 😀 You don't need to be the highest achiever in high school to be accepted to great colleges; demonstrating the potential to excel in the future is key.
• 😀 Colleges value authenticity and the genuine interests you pursue, rather than just accolades or perfection in every aspect of high school life.
• 😀 When writing your college essays, focus on how you’ve grown and what you’ve learned from experiences, not just the outcomes.
• 😀 It's important to convey how you'll use your experiences in college and beyond to further your goals and contribute to the community.
• 😀 A college application is an opportunity to tell a story about who you are, what you've learned, and how you plan to grow in the future.
• 😀 It’s helpful to engage in extracurricular activities that align with your passions and show a consistent commitment to personal interests.
• 😀 Having a personal website or portfolio can be an innovative way to showcase your skills and projects, though it’s okay to take time learning new skills like coding.

Q & A

What motivated the speaker to work at their job for nine months instead of the initially planned one month?

The speaker's motivation to stay for nine months was driven by their interactions with elderly Korean customers. They enjoyed the opportunity to practice speaking Korean, a language they rarely had the chance to use.

How did the speaker incorporate their job experience into their college application?

The speaker highlighted their job experience in their college application essay, emphasizing how it allowed them to engage with different communities and practice a language, showcasing personal growth and initiative.

What key advice does the speaker give for crafting a successful college application?

The speaker advises applicants to reflect on their life experiences and demonstrate their potential in the college application. They suggest focusing on personal growth, showing genuine interests, and proving the ability to pursue those interests in the future.

Does the speaker believe you need to be a 'superstar' in high school to get into a good college?

No, the speaker believes that it’s not necessary to be a high school superstar to get into a top college. Instead, colleges are interested in seeing the applicant’s potential to grow and succeed in the future.

What role do extracurricular activities play in the college application process according to the speaker?

Extracurricular activities are important in the application process as they demonstrate an applicant's interests, skills, and commitment. The speaker suggests that these activities should reflect genuine passions and contribute to showcasing an applicant’s potential.

How did the speaker describe their experience creating a personal website with their father?

The speaker described the process of creating a website with their father as challenging, especially because they were not skilled at coding. Despite the difficulties, they were able to finalize the website, which they later included in their application to share their work and provide further resources.

What is the purpose of the Google form linked on the speaker's website?

The Google form on the speaker’s website is meant for viewers to submit questions about the college application process, essay writing, or specific topics the speaker could provide further advice or insight on.

How does the speaker suggest handling the process of writing a college application essay?

The speaker suggests that applicants focus on their personal stories, reflecting on their experiences and what they have learned. The key is to articulate how these experiences shaped their interests and how they plan to pursue them in the future.

What message does the speaker emphasize about pursuing passions and interests in college applications?

The speaker emphasizes that colleges are interested in understanding an applicant's genuine interests and how they will continue to pursue them after admission. Applicants should show that they are committed to growing and engaging with their passions, even if they haven’t achieved everything yet.

Why does the speaker mention the difficulty of coding while creating their website?

The speaker mentions the difficulty of coding to illustrate the challenges they faced while attempting to create a professional website. This adds a personal touch, showing that even with struggles, they persevered and accomplished their goal with their father’s help.