CameronDuring the 2023 application cycle, 6 BIPH students were removed from New York University waitlist and offered acceptance. As impressive as it sounds, an educated guess behind their long-waited offers can be attributed to NYU matriculation: many were accepted but chose to attend somewhere else. The under enrollment of incoming Class of 2027, pushed NYU to extend more offers by removing students that were previously placed on waitlist.
Recent years, it has become a common trend that students are likely to apply 20+ universities all over the globe, claiming it the strategy to settle their insecurity and uncertainty. To some extent, such strategy may seem to be plausible; however, this also drastically elevates the difficulties for college admission selection process for the surging number of applications and the unpredictability of matriculation rate. In another word, it backfires.
In light of the paradox that applying more universities doesn’t necessarily result in getting more offers, building an authentic relationship with colleges to demonstrate interest is of vital importance for such interest conveys yield – the percentage of students who choose to enroll in a particular college or university after being offered admission. After all, low yield leads to an enrollment that falls short of a school’s capacity, meaning fewer tuition-paying students. Demonstrated interest thus enables schools to base their yield projections on statistical evidence.
To facilitate the progress of demonstrated interests, each year, a number of college admission events are organized on and off the campus of BIPH, college counselors strongly encourage students to take advantage of these opportunities by posting announcements in Teams, College Counseling groups. Here are some tips to help students build those connections:
- Attend college fairs and information sessions: These events provide an opportunity for students to meet college representatives in person and through face-to-face interactions, students learn more about the institution. By asking thoughtful questions and engaging in meaningful conversations, students make impression to demonstrate interest.
- Visit the campus: If possible, schedule a visit to the college campus instead of a self-guided tour. Generally, there are tours led by admission officers or students; it is always better to have someone from the visiting school to guide, introduce, and interact along the way. Throughout the session, visiting students are able to obtain firsthand experience and show their genuine interest in the college. After the tour, it is recommended that the student to draft a thank you email for follow-up.
- Reach out to admissions officers: demonstrating authentic interest is humanizing. By reaching out to the specific regional admission counselor with a note of appreciation or with questions that cannot be answered from the school website, the student thus makes impression, and it goes into their application profile. A student therefore becomes more than stats: they are showing genuine intention. Do keep in mind that students should always use their basischina email.
- Follow the college on social media: Sign-up for admission blogs, newsletters, subscriptions and etc., stay up-to-date with the college's social media accounts to engage with their content: Like, comment, or share posts that is resonating. Do remember that students are suggested to sign-up with their school email so these interactions can be tracked by the colleges.
- Attend college events: Many colleges host events such as college fairs, information sessions, or open houses. Attend these events to learn firsthand information about newly opened programs, dual programs, and more about the college community from college representatives. As always, upcoming events will be announced in advance through Teams College Counseling groups.
- Connect with current students or alumni: Reach out to BIPH (or even other BASIS campus) graduates, ask them questions about their experiences at the college and gain insights into campus life. It is quite common that BASIS counselors refer each other’s graduates to collect enough information about a certain college for current senior students to make a school list.
- Write compelling essays: In application essays, especially supplement essay, student showcases genuine interest and connection to the college by matching their background with the specific program, research opportunity, facility, or any campus resource available at a targeted school.
- Apply Early Decision round.
Since the beginning of 2023 academic year, two college admission events were organized. In September, BIPH counselors had taken all seniors and a number of junior students to attend a college fair in Shenzhen, where more than twenty representatives and/or regional admission officers from research universities and liberal arts colleges were at the site. While students were seeking answers directly from school reps, counselors presented our school profile to these colleges and exchanged contact information with them, hoping to establish a stronger connection.
Two weeks ago, Ms. Catherine Leung, Director of the University of Notre Dame, Hong Kong Global Center, was on our campus and she delivered a presentation focusing on introducing the school and its summer programs. It was particularly worth mentioning that she did conduct a survey to collect attendees’ information, therefore indicating that University of Notre Dame, a top 20 ranking research university in Indiana, does track student interactions through student engagement.
All events, will be announced in advance through Teams College Counseling groups.