01 Student L, U.S. boarding school
MIT · Caltech · Cornell University College of Engineering
- Background
- GPA at the top of the class, SAT 1550+, top scores in multiple AP exams
- Applicant profile
- Energy-equity practitioner
From top competition results and scattered activities we distilled a core thread of “energy equity”, turned a field study in rural Gansu into a signature personal project on energy poverty, and connected it to subsequent in-depth research. The main essay traced the growth from problem-solving prodigy to someone concerned with real-world energy justice, creating a profile that combined engineering strength with a humanistic mission and stood out in the most competitive STEM pool.
02 Student C, public-school international division
University of Chicago · Vanderbilt University · Georgetown School of Foreign Service
- Background
- Strong GPA, TOEFL 115+; early activities were conventional humanities work that lacked distinctiveness
- Applicant profile
- Local policy researcher
To break the homogeneity of humanities activities we planned a year-long independent study of cultural-heritage policy in Beijing’s urban renewal, producing an academic report reviewed by experts. The main essay placed a local case in a global comparative frame and integrated Model UN and summer-school experiences, forming a “young policy scholar” profile that combined academic rigour, local commitment and a global outlook, well beyond the usual humanities-star label.
03 Student L, Beijing international division
Johns Hopkins University · Rice University · UC Berkeley Energy Science and Engineering
- Background
- GPA top 10%, TOEFL 115, SAT 1550, five AP exams scored 5
- Applicant profile
- Research-driven energy pioneer
Went deep into energy science through the national “Elite Talent” program and the Yau Science Award, publishing an SCI paper; an AIME score of 10 showed strong mathematical foundations; founded a sustainability club and led several environmental initiatives; attended the Pioneer and Garcia research programs, completing a “research → practice → policy” path of energy exploration.
A selection of admission letters; personal details are redacted.
