From High School to University Jiayang Jiang A.Y. Jackson Secondary School Columbia University

Topics A Little Introduction About Myself General Timeline SATs Extracurriculars and Volunteer Competitions and Awards Summer Opportunities Recommendations Essay Interview

Introduction About Myself Beijing (8 years) Singapore (5 years) Toronto (5 years) United States (? years) Mathematics Computer Science

General Timeline Grade 9-10 –Participate in a lot of activities –Have fun! Grade 11 –Take SATs –Research universities Grade 12 –Early application –Essay, application forms, interview etc.

SAT SAT Reasoning –Critical Reading –Math –Writing SAT Subject (2-3) –Math I/II –Physics/Chemistry/Biology –French/History –etc.

SAT Top universities expect: – for each section –>2100 total Prepare early! –Borrow books from library –Attend classes –Take Reasoning in Grade 11 –Take Subject in Grade 12 –Practice, practice, practice!

Extracurriculars and Volunteer Develop interests, leadership, friendships Help others and the community Show commitment and achievement Try a variety of activities –Sports –Academic –Cultural –Environmental –Newspaper –etc. Do what you enjoy with passion

Competitions Involve yourself in as many contests as possible Math Contests –AMC, AIME, USAMO –COMC, CMO –Euclid, Fermat, Cayley –HMMT

Competitions Computer –CCC –ECOO –DWITE –IBM CASCON ibm.com/jct09002c/university/students/highschool/ind ex.html Chess Other

Summer Opportunities Do not sit around and do nothing Universities will ask how you spent the past few summers Examples of things to do: –Camps (Shad Valley etc.) –Volunteer Work –Job –Travel

Shad Valley Science, technology and entrepreneurship camp at various Universities Gain knowledge Develop leadership Develop friendships Very fun! –Camping, hiking, rope climbing, movies, late nights, whale watching, nuclear power plant, Western Night etc.

Recommendations Build good relationships with teachers, principal Let your guidance counselor know you Other recommendations

Essay Show your writing ability Show your unique character Let the reader remember you Good topics: –Extracurricular activities –Personal triumphs –Interests –Influences –etc.

Interview Universities choose you & you choose universities Show your personality Prepare answer for common questions Prepare a list of questions to ask

Resources

Wish everybody enjoy your high school life and succeed in your university application! Thank you!