校友说 | 校友经验之谈 美本绑定早申之路怎么走？Alumni Insights of the ED Pathway
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#ED录取之路
上个月我们公布了本届13年级学生ED（绑定的早申）录取情况（点此阅读），为了更深入地了解这条录取之路，本期校友说我们采访了三位当时选择ED的校友，从“过来人”的视角，谈谈他们当时如何选择了绑定录取的ED大学，考虑了哪些因素？而在就读了自己的“梦校”后有怎样的心得，学校的专业和教学质量、校园/社团生活、校内资源、大学生活是否符合当初择校时的预期？以及他们如何建议同样想要申请ED大学的学生。
Janet Z
我校2022届毕业生
波士顿大学 数学经济双专业
Jonathan W
我校2022届毕业生
埃默里大学
计算机和应用数学双专业
Mandy X
我校2020届毕业生
纽约大学 体育管理专业
Q&A
Q
当时择校时考虑了哪些因素？
Janet: 我在准备文书时对学校进行了深入研究，逐渐挖掘出了它与自己的匹配度。首先，我关注了学校的地理位置，波士顿是个相对安全的城市，作为一个都市化的大城市，具有广泛的包容性，尤其有着众多的华人社群；此外，它有着浓厚的学术氛围，拥有像哈佛、麻省理工、塔夫茨、波士顿学院等知名大学，都能有机会去参观；除了学校本身，我还对标了自己的能力。选择ED是因为录取率相对RD或EA更高一些。因此，我需要根据我的标化成绩和语言水平，衡量它们是否达到ED的最低录取线，或是超过了多少，确定是否有信心申请到这所理想学校；最后，我还认真思考了是否愿意为了这所学校而放弃其他选择。
Jonathan: 在选择学校时，我先看了美国大学的排名和专业排名，以及专业课程的资源。此外，我还查看了校园环境和师生占比。虽然美国大学可以在大二再选专业，但最好在一开始就定下自己的专业方向，这样你在调研大学的时候才能匹配到适合自己的资源配置的学校。在综合考虑了各种因素后，我最终选择了埃默里大学。
Mandy: 我对纽约大学的兴趣缘自一次纽约之旅，当时途经纽约大学的时候参观了一下，回来之后做了一些深入的调研，发现它的各个方面都很符合我理想大学的模样。首先是地理位置，我个人比较喜欢在大城市读书，因为生活和交通都很便利；其次，我查看了他们的课程，看到除了学习还有实习机会，这让我很感兴趣。因为我的专业兴趣是体育管理，该专业课堂学习只是一部分，知识的运用才是更重要的；最后，因为我非常喜欢看NBA球赛，而纽约就有两支NBA球队，加上在这里更能接触到体育的核心资源，比如学校的老师很可能本身也是职业球队的工作人员，所以从他们那里能学习到最新鲜的第一手资料。
在专业的选择方面，我希望以后我从事的职业就是我喜欢的领域，这样我才能真正投入。在德威的学习生活以及上夏校的经历，让我决定了申请体育相关的专业。而我自己回过头来看，大学的学习加上现在在篮球协会的实习，确实这就是我热爱的。
Q
梦校是否符合你的预期？
Janet: 我是数学和经济双专业，学校的教学质量无疑是可靠的，因为我的教授们大多数都是在波士顿各大学之间兼职授课的专业人士。例如，我的一位写作老师是耶鲁大学毕业的，这样的背景让我对教育质量感到放心。波士顿大学在学术上享有良好的声誉，毕竟它也是出了名的GPA难拿高分，在评分等方面都是相较公平的。
关于校园，与纽约大学相似，波士顿大学没有固定的校园，而是分布在城市街道旁边，比较自由。虽然各个校区可能有些许距离，但安全性无需担忧，因为校园警察经常巡逻，任何情况都会通过邮件或电话通知全体学生。学校拥有丰富多样的社团，每年都会有招募活动。你可以通过邮件、校园通知等途径得知并前往指定地点，那里会有许多人宣传各自的CCA。如果错过了招募时间，也可以在学期期间去学生活动中心找到各类社团的活动，比如舞蹈社、CSSA等。学生还可以通过公众号等途径了解社团信息，有兴趣的话可以准备申请，通常面试等流程都会在公众号上发布。此外，在波士顿大学的社交媒体上也能获取丰富的信息。
Jonathan: 来到大学之后，我发现校园环境确实很美很舒适，这给了我学习的动力。在专业学习方面，一开始我想选择的是埃默里的商科，它的专业课程选择和资源都很丰富，我的成绩也不错，但一次实习经历让我更加认识到自己更适合偏理科的研究，加上考虑到我之后想要继续读研，于是我重新规划决定转向计算机和数学双专业，这更偏向统计和应用。
Mandy:在纽大的就读是挺符合我预期的。特别是对于我之前提到的实习需求，学校的实习安排非常贴合专业要求，并设有相应的课程，指导我们如何在专业工作环境中应用所学知识以及如何与他人有效沟通。
在大二的时候，我们就有专门的课程让学生去实习，并提供校内的实习资源。学校还举办各种活动，例如与专业领域的从业者交流，为学生提供更广泛的社交机会。最后，体育相关的实践一般大家首先想到的是在NBA或是其他职业球队，但在篮球协会的实习经历中，让我有了可以尝试不同岗位的经历，例如我一开始从事的是与市场营销相关的，然后逐渐涉足社交媒体领域，触体验到了不同的工作，让我对于整个行业有了更广泛的了解。
Q
对于计划ED美本的学弟学妹，有哪些建议？
Janet: 如果你对自己的学术能力很有信心，可以去选择竞争更激烈的学校。当然对于学术能力不是特别强的，可以在ED的时候选冲自己的梦校，同时也可以考虑一些相对保守、录取概率较大的学校。犹记得我的ED申请过程还挺紧张的，考虑到我的语言成绩并不是很高，我选择了一个相对适中的学校。
如果未能在ED中被录取，也不用灰心。而如果你成功被录取，但不是你自己的梦校，或者说你并没有强烈的愿望去，千万不要考虑撕毁ED协议，因为这会对高中的声誉产生很大的影响，毕竟大一大二都是有机会去申请转校的，而且转学相对于普通本科申请更有利，录取的机会更大，所以就完全没有必要担心。
最后就是希望学弟学妹们不要太焦虑，我想说申请美国大学成绩不是一切，所以你不要因为你自己语言成绩或其他方面的原因而犹豫不决。冲刺是必要的，但要确保你的文书写的出色。怎么算好呢？就是你得有创意，发自内心地讲你自己的背景故事，因为我感觉文书是唯一可以让招生官认识你的途径。毕竟，语言成绩和标化都是相对刻板的，因此，要让自己在文书中展现独特性！
Jonathan: 一定要做好规划，不管是学术、语言还是课外的积累，都需要有自己的把控。专业选择也尤为重要，如果选择ED一定要选择一所在你想要研究领域上有足够多资源的学校，并且越早确定专业，你也能上更多的专业课。大学本身都会有很多的社团和活动， 但都会需要你主动申请及具备相应的能力，所以如果你一直在各种选项中游走、不定专业的话，你可能就没有足够的积累去申请这些资源。有些课程中的书本知识可能和当下市场不那么接轨，这就需要你多去参加课外活动，不断深化和拓展。另外，对学校做一个全面了解也是必要的，例如你可以研究它开设哪些课程，有没有你感兴趣的项目、社团、活动，校园环境如何等等。
图片来自网络
Mandy: 我觉得早规划早准备是大学申请至关重要的。提前开始规划能够确保在申请过程中有足够的时间做各种准备工作。这包括你要有一个清晰明确的申请线，你想走哪个方向，大概想去哪个学校，有了这些概念之后，好好利用高中四年多参与活动以及做你感兴趣的事情。申请美国学校除了学术成绩，还有综合活动方面和经历，所以要给自己制定一个长期计划，例如我喜欢篮球，那高中四年我都在篮球队。其实无论是在学校学习期间还是假期，都有很多实践的机会，通过参与感兴趣的项目，你可以更好地了解自己的兴趣和目标。
此外，在申请季，大家都会面临一定的压力。紧张是正常的，但要保持冷静的心态。尽管当周围的同学陆续收到offer可能会让你更慌，但要稳住，因为最好的可能还在后面。所以大家摆平心态，不要乱了阵脚，你把该做的事情做好，相信后面会有更好的结果。
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#About Early Decision
Last month, we brought the great news about the class of 2024 ED offers (click to read). To have a deeper understanding of this matriculation pathway, in today’s ‘Alumni in the Spotlight’, we interviewed three alumni who chose ED at the time, sharing how they chose the ED universities they eventually accepted, and what factors they considered? What are their experiences after attending their dream school, and whether the quality of the school's courses, resources, and campus life meet their expectations? And how would they advise students who also want to apply to ED universities?
Janet Z
DHSZ Class of 2022
Boston University
Mathematics & Economics
Jonathan W
DHSZ Class of 2022
Emory University
Computer Science & Applied Maths
Mandy X
DHSZ Class of 2020
New York University
Sports management
Q&A
Q
What factors were considered when choosing the ED university?
Janet: At that time, as I was preparing my personal statement, I conducted in-depth research on the school, gradually discovering how it aligned with my own aspirations. Firstly, I paid attention to the school's geographical location. Boston, being a relatively safe city and a cosmopolitan metropolis, exhibits broad inclusivity, particularly with numerous Chinese communities. Additionally, it boasts a rich academic atmosphere, with renowned universities like Harvard, MIT, Tufts, Boston College, providing ample opportunities for visits. Beyond the school itself, I also benchmarked against my capabilities. Choosing ED was influenced by its higher acceptance rate compared to Regular Decision (RD) or Early Action (EA). Consequently, I needed to assess whether my standardized test scores and language proficiency met or exceeded the minimum ED admission criteria, determining my confidence in applying to this ideal school. Lastly, I seriously contemplated whether I was willing to forgo other choices for the sake of this particular institution.
Jonathan: When choosing a university, I first looked at the rankings of American universities, major rankings, and the resources available for my chosen major. In addition, I checked the campus environment and the faculty-to-student ratio. Although American universities allow students to choose their majors in their sophomore year, it is preferable to decide on your major direction from the beginning. This way, during university research, you can find a school that matches your chosen major with suitable resource allocations. After considering various factors, I ultimately chose Emory University.
Mandy: My interest in NYU came from a trip to New York where I visited the university and did some in-depth school research when I got back, and I found that all aspects of the university were very much in line with what my ideal university would look like. Firstly, the location, I personally prefer to study in a big city because of the convenience of life and transport. Secondly, I checked out the school’s programmes and saw that there were internships in addition to courses, which made me very interested. Because my professional interest is sports management, the professional academic learning is only a part, and the application of knowledge is more important. Finally, I like to watch NBA games, and there are two NBA teams in New York. Plus there is more access to the core resources of the sports. For example, the teachers in our school could also be staff from professional teams, which allowed us to learn first-hand from them.
In terms of my choice of major, I hope that the profession I engage in later aligns with the field I am passionate about so that I could really commit to it. My time at DHSZ and attending summer school made me decide to apply for a sports-related major. Looking back, with my university studies and current internship at the basketball association, it is indeed what I am passionate about.
Q
Does your dream school meet your expectations?
Janet: I am double majoring in Maths and Economics, and the school's teaching quality is undoubtedly reliable, as most of my professors are professionals who also teach at various universities in Boston. For example, my writing professor graduated from Yale University, and such backgrounds give me confidence in the quality of education I am receiving. Boston University has a strong academic reputation, and it is renowned for its challenging grading standards, ensuring fairness in grading and evaluation.
Regarding the campus, similar to New York University, Boston University does not have a fixed campus but is scattered along city streets, providing a sense of freedom. While the campuses may be slightly distant from each other, safety is not a concern because campus police regularly patrol, and any situations are promptly communicated to all students via email or phone. The university boasts a diverse range of clubs, with recruitment events held annually. Information about these events is disseminated through email, campus notifications, etc., where individuals can go to designated locations where many people promote their respective clubs and organizations. If one misses the recruitment period, various club activities can be found at the student activities center during the semester, such as dance clubs, CSSA, etc. Students can also stay informed about club information through platforms like WeChat, and if interested, they can prepare to apply, with interview processes often announced on these platforms. Moreover, abundant information about Boston University’s social life can be obtained through the university’s social media channels.
Jonathan:Upon arriving at university, I discovered that the campus environment is indeed beautiful and comfortable, providing me with the motivation to study. In terms of my major, initially, I intended to pursue business at Emory University. The major offered rich course selections and abundant resources, and my grades were satisfactory. However, during an internship, I came to realise that I am more inclined towards scientific research. Considering my aspirations for further studies, I decided to reevaluate and shifted my focus to a double major in Computer Science and Mathematics, with a greater emphasis on analysis and applications.
Mandy: Studying at NYU has been quite in line with my expectations, especially regarding my mentioned internship requirements. The school’s internship arrangements align well with the professional requirements and include relevant courses that guide us on applying learned knowledge in a professional work environment and effective communication with others.
In my sophomore year, we had dedicated courses for students to intern, and the university provided on-campus internship resources. The school also organises various events, such as networking sessions with professionals in our field, offering students broader social opportunities. Lastly, during my internship at the basketball association, I had the opportunity to explore different roles. I initially started with marketing-related tasks and gradually ventured into the realm of social media, gaining diverse work experiences and a broader understanding of the entire industry.
Q
What advice do you have for students planning to apply ED?
Janet: If you have great confidence in your academic abilities, you can opt for more competitive schools. However, for those who may not feel particularly strong academically, you can choose your dream school for ED while also considering some relatively conservative options with higher acceptance rates. I still remember my ED application process being quite nerve-wracking. Considering my language scores were not very high, I chose a school that was relatively moderate in terms of competitiveness.
If you are not admitted during the ED, don’t be disheartened. If you are successfully admitted but it’s not your dream school, or you don’t have a strong desire to attend, please refrain from considering tearing up the ED agreement. Doing so can significantly impact your high school’s reputation. Keep in mind that there are opportunities to transfer during the first and second years, and transferring is relatively more favorable than regular undergraduate applications with higher chances of acceptance. So, there’s no need to worry.
Finally, I hope students don’t feel too anxious. Applying to US universities is not solely determined by grades, so don’t hesitate due to concerns about your language scores or other factors. While it’s essential to strive, ensure that your statements are outstanding. How to define outstanding? It means being creative and authentically sharing your background story, as I believe essays are the only way for admission officers to truly get to know you. After all, language scores and Standardized tests can be somewhat rigid, so make sure to showcase your uniqueness in your statements!
Jonathan: It is crucial to have a well-thought-out plan, whether it's academics, language proficiency, or extracurricular achievements, you need to be in control of your own progress. The choice of major is particularly important. If opting for ED, it's essential to select a school that offers ample resources in your desired research field. The earlier you decide on your major, the more specialised courses you can take. While universities have numerous clubs and activities, actively applying and possessing the relevant skills is necessary. If you are indecisive or frequently change your major, you may not accumulate enough credits to apply for these resources. Some course content may not align well with the current market, so participating in extracurricular activities is essential for deepening and expanding your knowledge. Additionally, gaining comprehensive knowledge about the university itself is essential. For example, you can research the courses offered, explore potential projects, clubs, and activities that align with your interests, and understand the campus environment.
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Mandy: In the application process, I believe early planning and preparation are crucial. Planning early ensures enough time to undertake various preparations. This includes having a clear and definite application trajectory, knowing the direction you want to pursue, and having a general idea of the schools you're interested in. Once you have these concepts in place, make the most of your high school years by actively participating in activities and pursuing your interests. Applying to US universities involves not only academic achievements but also comprehensive activities and experiences. Therefore, it's essential to develop a long-term plan. For example, I like basketball, so I was on the basketball team for all four years at DHSZ. Whether during school or holidays, there are plenty of opportunities for practical experience. By engaging in projects that interest you, you can better understand your passions and goals.
Furthermore, during the application season, everyone faces a certain level of stress. It's normal to feel anxious, but maintaining a calm mindset is important. Even if your peers start receiving offers, stay composed because the best might still be ahead. Keep a balanced mindset, don't get flustered, focus on what needs to be done, and believe that better results will come later on.
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Develop themselves personally and professionally
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