Pearland High School Graduates Share College Application Experiences (5.18.2019)

It’s graduation season once again. May is a memorable month for every 12th-grade student, marking the culmination of twelve years of growth and a new milestone in life. On May 18, 2019, seven outstanding graduating high school students from Pearland were invited by AYLUS, the Pearland Chinese Association, and Pearland Hua Xia Chinese School to share their first-hand experiences about high school life and the college application process with younger students.

The event began with an introduction of the guest speakers by AYLUS officers Andy Gu and Kate Liu. The discussion was hosted by Ben Liang and Janie Chen, who had prepared many questions that high school students commonly care about.

Regarding how to organize summer time effectively to prepare for college applications, Helen shared practical and actionable advice. She recommended contacting school counselors and teachers for recommendation letters by the end of 11th grade. During the summer, students should set deadlines for their various tasks and strive to complete them. Alex offered equally practical advice: he first created a broad plan to handle the complicated parts of the application, then spent time carefully refining his essays to strengthen his application.

On the topic of choosing recommendation letter writers, Hans suggested that students consider not only the subjects they excel in but also align their choice with their intended major to attract admissions officers’ attention. Alex added that recommendation letters are more persuasive when the teacher’s comments match the student’s demonstrated strengths.

With so many colleges in the U.S., school selection is critical. Bovey shared that his strategy was to research carefully and choose schools whose academics, culture, clubs, and safety matched his interests and qualifications. He applied to only two universities and was accepted early by Yale. Bovey also advised students to collaborate with their parents, valuing their input. He noted that stepping into college makes him appreciate his parents’ concerns even more—though sometimes parents may seem overbearing, careful consideration often reveals valuable insights.

For students who feel they lack clear goals, Helen suggested broadening the range of schools they consider. This approach allows students to reflect and grow throughout 12th grade, providing more options when it comes time to make decisions.

The atmosphere at the event was lively, with continuous questions from the audience. The graduates selflessly shared their insights on school selection, application details, time management, and study strategies. The final question sparked particularly meaningful discussion: what kind of support do students hope to receive from parents during college applications? The graduates expressed that parents can offer advice on school choices and help supervise timelines, but they should avoid imposing their own experiences on their children. They also shared examples from their own families and friends’ families of what worked well and what did not, resonating strongly with the audience.

Before anyone realized it, the two-hour session had passed, leaving students and parents alike feeling inspired and full of new ideas.