My Profile
This document overviews my application profile (test scores & extracurriculars) and the full list of schools I applied to.
Some key advice:
Every person is on a unique journey. Here was my journey from elementary to high school.
It's ok to not know what you want to do. Most people don't even know after college. Just keep exploring, and pursing topics you find easy & fun.
Being decently smart pays you! You can get paid to go to college... which is crazy! Hence learning is worth your time.
Learning is inherently difficult. Being OK with this difficulty is key.
Plan ahead and do things early!
College applications are a step-by-step process; when you map out your steps in advance, the process becomes much easier. Planning ahead has made my life so much easier.
First, I will overview requirements for US, UK, and Japanese universities.
Requirements:
US Universities
Academics: SAT, AP, GPA
Extracurriculars & Honors
Essays (Common App & Supplemental)
UK Universities:
Academics: SAT, AP
Essays (Personal Statement)
Admissions Test*
Japanese Universities (English program):
Academics: SAT, AP
Essays (Personal Statement)
Admissions Test*
Academics are super important! Your essays are too! Extracurriculars help alot for US univerisites; more importantly, these are grounds to explore your interests!
*Not always needed
Academics are very simple. As long as you meet a certain threshold, you will find success in college applications.
☑️ SAT
☑️ AP's (OCSI + Self study)
☑️ TOEFL
As a rule of thumb, if you have an SAT of 1500+ and five AP's with a score of 5, you will have a good shot at getting into any university in the world. There are lots of study methods available, but the surest way of getting these scores are:
Prepare early. Start in the 9th grade.
Learn content through textbooks. For SAT, the SAT Blackbook 2nd Edition is a MUST. For AP exams, Princeton review textbooks are great.
Take practice tests. Lots of practice tests. There are lots of free ones online!
Why pursue extracurriculars (ECs)?
Meaningful ECs are important requirement for US universities.
However, it is critical you use this "requirement" to explore your interests and find themes that align with your curiosities. These can be academic, but also be sports, personal projects, business, and social pursuits.
I personally found the most growth when pursuing my intellectual curiosities. It is an opportunity to unstand my motivations & drivers. It is also an important way to experience the satisfaction of achieving a goal that you feel passionate about.
What are good ECs?
There are no such thing as good or bad ECs.
As long as they are true to you, and you can pursue them at a high level, I think that is satisfactory.
You can see some of the ECs that I did here.
What is the point of essays?
US: The Common App and Supplemental essays offer the opportunity to showcase theme in your application. This is important to tie together your own personality, extracurriculars, and academic interests into one common underlying theme.
UK: The Personal Statement essay offers the opportunity to showcase you academic interests. For UK schools, you will have to choose a major when applying, so the essay will support why you want to study your specific course.
How important are essays?
US: The essay are the most important part of your application, followed by your academics and extracurriculars.
UK: The Personal Statement essay is important, but your academics and entrance exams score will likely have more weight.
What makes a good essay?
US: The number one rule that you need to follow is that you need to write a personal story that is unique to you. Specifity and detail is king. Watch this video by Kevin Zhen on how to start your Common App essay.
UK: The essay has to be academic. Show depth of academic knowledge, for example, through citing and challenging books you have read that are related with your course of interest.
Here are some Japanese scholarships:
Here are some US scholarships:
Here are some key resources for college applications:
If you wish to speak with me directly regarding university applications, please see here: https://cal.com/sawyersuzuki/60min
If you are interested in an Earth Science application Mastercourse, please see here: