Hey everyone!! In this video, I break down EVERYTHING you need to know to study at US universities. This is the most comprehensive video I have ever made on the US Undergrad application process. If you're a student, send this to your parents! If you're a parent, shoot this over to your children. I can guarantee this information will help you in the long run. If you want to get into the college of your dreams, be it Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, MIT, Berkeley, Columbia, Cornell, & USC - this is the video for you.
There are 5 aspects to an undergraduate application in the United States:
1. Academics: IB or ISC or CBSE? These are just a few of the questions I get on school grades. When it comes to academics, the focus for a strong US college application to the Ivy Leagues isn't your ability to be an exam topper, or school rank 1, it's more about your ability to perform consistently well over the four years of high school.
2. Standardized Testing: In this section we discuss the different tests US universities require you to submit. I talk about the SAT and ACT, their differences, and give a detailed timeline on when you should start their preparation and when you should schedule your test dates. In my opinion, it takes roughly 6-8 weeks to prepare for these exams and you should take them right after your ISC, ICSE, or CBSE Board examinations. We also discuss APs, or the College Board Advanced Placement Tests. These tests are college level tests that are designed to give you college credits. I talk about the APs I took (Microeconomics, Psychology, & Calculus) as well as the benefits and drawbacks of taking AP examinations.
3. Extra-Curricular Activities & Co-Curricular Activities: In this section, I break down the reason colleges ask for extracurricular activities, and how you should approach them. From debate and public speaking, to playing an instrument, to playing a sport, to starting a non-profit organisation, to writing a research paper, your extracurricular activities don't matter as much as how much effort you put into them does. What Extracurriculars should I pursue to get into an Ivy League college? You're asking the wrong question! Lastly, I also discuss what makes a standout extracurricular and how to develop them.
4. Essays: The College Application Essay is, in my opinion, the most important part of your college application, and in this section I mention why. We discuss mistakes students make while writing essays, how to write a Common App essay, and finally, the three pillars of a compelling college application essay: Reflection, Storytelling, and Writing. Lastly, I also bring up Sleep Deprived Dreamers, the most comprehensive online course on the college essay - ever.
5. Letters of Recommendation: This is the last segment of this video, and we will discuss what goes into a powerful letter of recommendation, who to ask to write them for you, and how you can create a 'brag sheet' to help your writers understand your experiences in their field better. It's important to only ask individuals you believe know you well, and regardless of whether this is a counsellor letter of recommendation or a subject teacher's LOR, it can prove to be an invaluable source of information for your college application.
In the very end, I discuss how you actually apply to US universities - through the Common Application.
Some links to help you:
1. The Common Application - www.commonapp.org/
2. Take an SAT practice test today - www.cracksat.net/index.html
3. Take an ACT practice test today - www.crackact.com/
Timestamps:
Introduction: 00:00
Who is this for: 00:18
The 5 Ingredients: 00:54
The Burger Analogy: 02:05
Academics - The Buns: 02:17
IB vs ICSE vs CBSE: 02:36
The Threshold Theory: 02:59
Science vs Humanities vs Commerce: 04:23
Standardized Testing: 05:26
ACT vs SAT: 06:35
ACT & SAT Timeline: 08:09
APs: 09:00
Extracurricular Activities: 11:05
Which ECs should you do?: 11:52
The EC Timeline: 12:52
The College Essay: 15:20
The Superstar Applicant: 16:24
What makes a winning essay: 17:29
Letters of Recommendation: 20:22
The Brag Sheet: 21:54
Conclusion: 23:47