New York State Assemblyman Ron Kim, along with the educational institutions “Knowledge Action Education Center” and “Path to the Future,” organized a “Elite School Student Experience Sharing Forum” for students and parents on June 9th. Several elite high school students and students from prestigious universities shared their experiences in high school and college, as well as how they prepared for entering top high schools and universities.
Huang Xiaoyan from Syosset High School on Long Island mentioned that in addition to excelling in academics, high school students should also participate in extracurricular courses and programs, making their daily schedules very busy. She emphasized the importance of extracurricular activities in honing public speaking skills, leadership, and organizational abilities.
Deputy principal Lin Hao from the center stated in an interview that the forum invited eight high school students and five students from prestigious universities to share their firsthand experiences and advise middle and high school students on how to prepare for further education. He aimed to correct the misconception among Chinese parents of overemphasis on grades alone. Lin pointed out that while grades are essential, they only account for 40% of university applications, with the remaining 60% attributed to personal achievements and extracurricular activities.
Lin emphasized that students in grades 9-12 have specific tasks to focus on, which cannot be neglected. The university application and resume preparation in 12th grade require years of accumulation, highlighting the importance of building a foundation in 9th grade, setting a direction in 10th grade, and showcasing achievements in 11th grade to be ready for the application process in 12th grade. Lin stressed the significance of consistently engaging in activities rather than presenting a last-minute effort to admission officers.
He also emphasized the importance of extracurricular activities, stating that there is no significant difference between a score of 1500 and 1600 on standardized tests at the same level – extracurricular performance becomes the determining factor.
Furthermore, Lin believes in the significance of a detail often overlooked, which is visiting colleges before registering. He stressed the importance of officially visiting schools with records retained, demonstrating genuine interest to admission officers. Lin highlighted that since 80% of private university funding comes from alumni donations, schools seek students who exhibit genuine interest and potential for future contributions. He compared the university application process to job hunting, where candidates must show enthusiasm for the position they are applying for.
Lin emphasized that expressing genuine interest and commitment to a university is crucial when applying, as it influences the decision-making process for admissions officers and significantly impacts the likelihood of acceptance.