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Shanghai teens on the ups and downs of university applications

What do teens going through the university application process wish teachers – and more importantly, parents – knew about the experience?

Posted: Tuesday September 4 2018

It's that time of the year again. A new school year is beginning, and a fresh batch of teenagers are gearing up to tackle arguably the most pivotal moment of their young lives: the end of high school. This is a stressful time, with the pressure of personal essays, grades looming overhead, ever-more competitive college admissions, and grappling with the decision whether or not to even attend uni.

It’s also an exciting time, with endless options to explore and expand horizons. We asked rising seniors in Shanghai to get real with us and share the ups, the downs, and all the stuff in between, of the university application process.

Interviews by Stephanie Brendel

What excites you most about the university application process?

‘I’m excited to showcase all my assets and sort of “brag” about who I am. I’ve never really done that before so I think it’ll be fun and encouraging to list out all my activities and the things I’m involved in.’ –Sophia Y, 17, Shanghai American School, Pudong Campus

‘Selecting universities from around the world and the course I want to take. It’s a pretty enlightening process as I get to discover what I do and don’t want to study.’ –Daisy, 17, Dulwich College Shanghai

‘I actually really enjoy crafting a personal essay for the Common App, an application system used by private universities in the USA. You don’t often have the chance to write this kind of narrative essay in an English class, and telling a story about who you are in one of the most important essays you’ll ever have to write is actually quite an experience.’ –Henry, 17, Shanghai American School, Puxi Campus

What are you the most scared of?

‘I am scared to start writing the application. It’s always hard starting with a blank page.’ –Naomi, 17, British International School Shanghai, Puxi Campus

‘Making sure my essays are completely perfect. I’m also scared of ending up at a school that isn’t a good fit for me.’ –Victoria, 17, Shanghai American School, Puxi Campus

‘The supplementary essays for schools are daunting. A lot of the questions are vague, and you don’t want to seem pretentious by excessively flattering a school. I guess a lot of it is about revealing who you are and how you can fit into that particular school.’ –Henry

‘The waiting process, and perhaps the interviews for universities such like Oxbridge.’ –Daisy

‘Rejection!’ –Sophia Y

What's been the most helpful resource during the uni application process for you?

‘University websites provide a lots of invaluable information... that has helped me in tackling those supplementary essays.’ –Henry

‘Fiske Guide to Colleges.’ –James, 17, Shanghai American School, Pudong Campus

‘Probably our head of higher education and meetings with him. Also, visiting campuses.’ –Naomi

‘My counsellor at school. Once I put the effort into explaining what I want out of university and what I want to study, he was able to help me develop a list of safety schools, target schools and reach schools. He also just has a lot of information on any school I ask him about.’ –Victoria

What are you struggling with most?

‘Making big decisions about where and what to study. It’s very hard to narrow down with so many options.’ –Naomi ‘I’m struggling with finding the perfect way to word my personal essays. I feel like it’s a one-time thing, and so I really want them to be perfect.’ –Sophia Y

‘Cutting down to the word limit. I am often over the word limit and I worry that my essays have more style than substance.’ –Henry

‘I’m struggling with my personal statement. I still don’t know what part of myself I want to present to the universities I’m applying to.’ –Sophia W, 17, Shanghai High School, International Division

‘Finding topics to write about that are a good balance of quirky to show my personality, and serious to show that I’m a hard worker.’ –Victoria

What do you want your teachers and counsellors to know?

‘How thankful I am for their support.’ –Sophia Y

‘I am so impressed by the professionalism of my counsellors. They are willing to help and answer my questions – even during the summer!’ –Henry

‘Probably that we don’t know much about the university system and how it’s assessed. Also, that more and more kids are considering not going to university at all.’ –Naomi

‘I want them to have a good idea of who I am as a person so they can write good letters of recommendation for me.’ –Victoria

‘I need guidance but most importantly, I need reassurance.’ –Daisy

What do you want your parents to know?

‘Many applicants like myself want to experiment and try something new or unconventional in their future. I am lucky to have parents that are quite receptive to my ideas and future semi-undecided plans, as we would often discuss and work things out. I really appreciate their support.’ –Henry

'I’m also worried that I won’t get into any of my ideal universities!’ –Sophia W

‘Safety schools are completely necessary. I can’t just apply to all the Ivy League schools and expect to get into one – I need backups in case I don’t get into my top choices.’ –Victoria

‘That I know what I want and what I will be good at.’ –Daisy

‘Probably that I’ll do what I think is best even if it’s not the most prestigious.’ –Naomi ‘How stressful it is and how big of a role luck plays into getting accepted.’ –Sophia Y