#1. What does your GPA show?

Your GPA is the top priority, so you must maintain the point as high as possible (above B). The GPA is not just a number, but a representation of what you do to yourself and your future in the school. It shows your soft skills (personality, attitudes, insights, etc.) and hard skills (abilities to see and handle problems). Any subject you get below C+ is critical. This GPA management journey begins in 9th grade, and everything you do in high school matters to get into the college you want.

#2. Show and Tell your VALUEs!

GPA is not everything for college admission because it is not enough to explain your VALUEs. So, every college asks students one question in various ways for a personal statement, “Who are you?” meaning “What makes you YOU (different from the others)?” Thus, you should know how to demonstrate your values, skills, interests, and qualities you will contribute to the school community. Please think outside the box and get out of your comfort zone!

#3. Make an outstanding statement!

Your goal must be to make your statement outstanding among the other competitors. Therefore, it would help if you crafted your story as effectively as possible. Remember, the academic essay is to show your critical thinking skills in reading, understanding the points to make arguments, and analyzing the contents, but the personal statement is to convince your audience. It should convey how you think, feel, act/work, and live. 

#4. Connect the dots!

Please avoid the typical mistakes by writing about common ideas such as usual achievements with typical plots that focus on hardworking traits (indeed, your GPA already explains the traits), extracurricular activities that everyone does such as sports, music, mission trips, etc., (BTW, your extracurricular activities should be 4+ years as the duration of activities somewhat explains your passion, dedication, interests, etc. ) and what you know in general. You should be able to articulate your experiences and creatively connect them to your values, insights, care (craftsmanship), and vulnerability (speaking with heart, not just with brain). We help you to see and define the dots to connect.

#5. Be positive!

Everyone is struggling. That's a part of life. 

Even cells in a body struggle; every day, three hundred billion cells are replaced by new cells; in the process, if old or dysfunctional cells cannot fit into what a body needs, even if the cells are still capable, lysosomes dissect and eliminate them to sustain the goal of living in a better condition. 

Every semester, I see two types of students: those who take it the wrong way and get frustrated and those who take it positively. If you are wiser, you should see it positively, as our cells struggle to maintain a better condition. Due to this struggle, right now is the youngest moment for the rest of your life. So, the wisest choice for the future is to do your best now by utilizing whatever the given condition. Please remember that complaints are not solutions. They don't solve anything but make you look weak.

#6. High school time is an opportunity!

Many things you face in high school may discourage or even depress you. Indeed, sometimes you may feel that everything is annoying due to the burden or pressure you carry. When you encounter the moment, you must remember this. The real-world practice is worse than any school experience since the competition is beyond what you can imagine. Most problems arise from a part that we do not know well. Thus, society seeks a leader who can manage multiple (interdisciplinary) fields beyond personal interests. If you try to take a situation based on what is right or wrong, you will be depressed. However, if you take a moment based on what works/what doesn't, you will see what you need to do to accomplish your goal. Please do not dismiss any subject even though you cannot enjoy it. High school time is an opportunity to realize how reality works and prepare for it.