「哈羅專場(chǎng)分享會(huì)」解密美本招生邏輯和選拔標(biāo)準(zhǔn)

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(資料圖片)

哈羅深圳國(guó)際學(xué)校是純英式的國(guó)際學(xué)校，學(xué)習(xí)IGCSE和A Level課程，但是，我們有不少在校生有意向申請(qǐng)美國(guó)的高等院校。升學(xué)是學(xué)生和家長(zhǎng)們都非常關(guān)注的事，相關(guān)的準(zhǔn)備也絕非一日之功。盡早了解申請(qǐng)動(dòng)向，有重點(diǎn)有技巧地為理想大學(xué)做升學(xué)準(zhǔn)備，必將事半功倍。

為了更好的幫助學(xué)生和家長(zhǎng)了解相關(guān)升學(xué)信息，哈羅深圳專程邀請(qǐng)到美國(guó)圣路易斯華盛頓大學(xué)（US News 2023 全美排名第15位，全球第32位,亦屬于“新常春藤” ）中國(guó)辦公室主任徐進(jìn)先生在線為我們十一年級(jí)的學(xué)生及家長(zhǎng)進(jìn)行了專場(chǎng)分享會(huì)，深度交流、分享美國(guó)高校招生的邏輯和選拔標(biāo)準(zhǔn)、以及個(gè)人的觀察和建議。

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HIS Shenzhen is a British international school where senior students study IGCSE and A Level. Nonetheless, there is a number of our students intending to apply for tertiary education in America. University applications worth the attention of both students and parent. It is very important to start the preparations early, be well informed, and to apply strategically.

To better cater requests of current students and parents, Harrow Shenzhen invited Mr Xu Jin, Head of China Office of Washington University in St. Louis (ranked 15th in the US in 2023 and 32nd in the world, also a member of the New Ivy League) to deliver an exclusive information session to our Year 11 students and parents, sharing the logic and selection criteria of college admissions in the United States, based on his own experience and observations.

以下，是專場(chǎng)分享會(huì)現(xiàn)場(chǎng)

學(xué)生、家長(zhǎng)提問和徐先生回答節(jié)選

The following are excerpts of the Q&A session between Mr Xu and our students and parents.

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問：“申請(qǐng)美國(guó)的優(yōu)秀高校，有哪些值得關(guān)注的事項(xiàng)？”

答：對(duì)于美國(guó)前20的大學(xué)而言，學(xué)術(shù)成績(jī)只是門檻，除此之外，招生官也會(huì)特別關(guān)注以下幾點(diǎn)：

1. 學(xué)生是否有與大學(xué)本身、申請(qǐng)專業(yè)相契合，或在某領(lǐng)域特別的潛力？

2. 學(xué)生的興趣、愛好，對(duì)未來發(fā)展的規(guī)劃，以及圍繞自己的興趣都做過些什么？

3. 申請(qǐng)人之間的差異化

4. 未來的同學(xué)將能從申請(qǐng)人身上學(xué)到些什么，有哪些收獲？

另外，美國(guó)好的大學(xué)都是全球競(jìng)爭(zhēng)，即使申請(qǐng)人本已非常優(yōu)秀，也要管理好自己的期望值，保持良好的心態(tài)。

問：“申請(qǐng)人之間的差異化是什么意思？可以具體說說嗎？”

答：中國(guó)優(yōu)秀的申請(qǐng)者普遍有這樣一些特點(diǎn)：成績(jī)好、會(huì)樂器、擅長(zhǎng)運(yùn)動(dòng)、參加過各類比賽等，招生官接觸多了，也會(huì)覺得有些千篇一律。但是，很多真正被頂級(jí)美國(guó)高校錄取的同學(xué)，往往是不甘于平庸，愿意折騰，努力嘗試許多別人沒有勇氣去嘗試的事情的人。所以說，申請(qǐng)人還是要培養(yǎng)各自的興趣和特色，在提交申請(qǐng)材料或面試時(shí)讓考官眼前一亮！

哈羅重視全人教育，鼓勵(lì)學(xué)生在校園內(nèi)外都能全面發(fā)展，成為自信、活潑、且專注的學(xué)習(xí)者。這些特質(zhì)也是招生官所青睞的重點(diǎn)。

問：“還有什么可以加深招生官對(duì)考生的印象的意見嗎？”

答：我非常建議同學(xué)們有時(shí)間的話，盡量多和美國(guó)的目標(biāo)學(xué)校建立聯(lián)系，在申請(qǐng)學(xué)校前，先預(yù)約訪校，比如在意向大學(xué)的官網(wǎng)預(yù)約面見招生官，或者報(bào)名參加目標(biāo)學(xué)校的夏校。這樣，不僅學(xué)生可以更好地了解學(xué)校，也能讓學(xué)校更好地了解學(xué)生，也能說明學(xué)生對(duì)學(xué)校的強(qiáng)烈興趣和投入。很多美國(guó)高校也有非常強(qiáng)大的校友會(huì)，同學(xué)們也可以通過這個(gè)渠道與學(xué)長(zhǎng)學(xué)姐聯(lián)系，了解與學(xué)校、專業(yè)等相關(guān)的情況。

值得注意的是，夏校的申請(qǐng)截止時(shí)間比較早，大家一定要盡早了解、申請(qǐng)。我還想提醒一點(diǎn)的是，面試能力強(qiáng)的同學(xué)，務(wù)必要盡力爭(zhēng)取到面試機(jī)會(huì)。為此，一定要提早提交申請(qǐng)，給招生官預(yù)留足夠的篩選時(shí)間。

Q：“申請(qǐng)大學(xué)，準(zhǔn)備相關(guān)材料、文書、面試技巧等，有必要請(qǐng)中介幫忙嗎？”

答：說實(shí)話，市面上的很多中介寫的文章和給予的指導(dǎo)多是套路，好的大學(xué)有經(jīng)驗(yàn)的招生官是能分辨出來誰的申請(qǐng)是通過中介，誰的申請(qǐng)是自己用心準(zhǔn)備的。中介幫忙做的申請(qǐng)，很可能會(huì)導(dǎo)致學(xué)生把自己往里面套，而扭曲了自己的本性。其實(shí)，申請(qǐng)人還是應(yīng)該充分發(fā)掘自己真正的亮點(diǎn)，自己申請(qǐng)，更真實(shí)地展現(xiàn)自己，不要把別人的優(yōu)勢(shì)往自己身上套。

我聽說，哈羅深圳國(guó)際學(xué)校的同學(xué)們，不僅追求學(xué)術(shù)上的卓越，也非常有主見，注重培養(yǎng)各自的興趣和特長(zhǎng)，我相信，兩年后，我們學(xué)校首屆的畢業(yè)生一定能收獲自己心儀大學(xué)專業(yè)的offer！加油！

分享會(huì)現(xiàn)場(chǎng)，除了認(rèn)真聆聽的學(xué)生，還有積極參與討論、像學(xué)生們一樣詳細(xì)記錄的家長(zhǎng)，各種知識(shí)點(diǎn)筆記滿滿當(dāng)當(dāng)

在線參與分享會(huì)的家長(zhǎng)們同樣反響熱烈，對(duì)徐進(jìn)先生的分享內(nèi)容贊不絕口。

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Q: "What worth our attention when applying for top universities in the United States?"

A: For the top 20 universities in the United States, academic performance is only the threshold. In addition, admissions officers will also pay special attention to the following aspects:

1. Whether the applicant and the university and applying major it; or whether the applicant has special potential in certain fields of study?

2. Applicants’ interests, future plans and what they have done for their interests?

3. Diversity in incoming cohort and uniqueness of student profile

4. How can students be of influence amongst themselves?

One thing worth mentioning is that good universities in the United States receive applications global-wise. Even top applicants must manage your expectations and not to be discouraged if not accepted.

Q: "What exactly do you mean by diversity among applicants?"

A: The strongest applicants from China tend to show characteristics of having good grades, playing certain musical instruments, being good at sports, and having participated in various competitions. However, candidates who are admitted to top American universities are often applicants who demonstrate their authentic self and show courage in trying things that others do not tend to. Therefore, it is necessary to develop one’s own interests and characteristics, so that the admission officers will be impressed by your uniqueness!

Harrow values holistic education for all young people, and encourage all to develop well-rounded, confident, active and engaged learners, both within the classroom and beyond. These traits are favored by admissions officers.

Q: "Are there any other ways to impress the admissions officer?"

A: If time allows, I would highly recommend students to build up connections with your targeted universities. For instance, you can apply for a campus tour via the university website’s admissions page or register for their summer programme. To do so, not only can applicants get a more comprehensive picture of their targeted university, but also can they demonstrate genuine interest and loyalty. Many American colleges and universities also have very strong alumni networks. Students can also use this channel to get connected and to learn about the university and majors/faculties.

It should be noted that the application deadline for summer programme is relatively early, so please apply as early as possible.Please also be noted that students who have strong interview skills must do your best to get the interview opportunities. Hence, make sure that you know well about the timeline for applications and submit your applications early.

Q: "Would it be helpful to apply with the help of an education agency or consultant?

A: To be honest, letters and application documents prepared by agencies are normally based on templates. Experienced admissions officers at good universities can tell who applied through an agency and whose application was carefully prepared by themselves. Applications made by agencies are likely to standardise applicants and ignoring their characteristics. In fact, the admissions team would really prefer applicants to fully explore their strengths and potentials by applying by themselves, so as to better show themselves more authentically.

At the sharing session, both the participating students and parents listened attentively and joined the discussions. Some parents even took detailed notes

Parents who participated online also showed high appreciation for Bill’s sharing.