What Happens After Submitting an Application? Understanding How Admissions Officers Review Applications

A new application season has begun! Students entering 12th grade after this summer should start preparing for Fall 2023 admissions. But how exactly are their application materials reviewed?   A. League consultants regularly meet with international admissions officers and continually study evidence-based literature to gain a deep understanding of how universities operate. Here, we share insights into the review processes of several universities.     Yale University At Ivy League Yale University, 25 admissions officers first review application files from their respective assigned regions. These files are then exchanged for a second review by admissions officers from other regions. If the primary officer believes additional perspectives and opinions are needed, they consult colleagues for a third or even fourth review. After this process, the application files are submitted to the admissions committee.   The committee consists of five members, including admissions officers, the Dean of Admissions, the Dean of Student Affairs, professors, or lecturers. The responsible admissions officer presents case reports to the other committee members. The committee discusses select cases that have been screened. Even if the committee lacks the time to thoroughly review every application file, all admission decisions are collectively made by the committee. An applicant must secure at least four out of five votes to be admitted.   After all committee votes are finalized, a review team examines new information submitted by applicants. If the total number of admitted students exceeds the school’s enrollment target, the review team re-evaluates the list. They may identify admitted students who are comparatively weaker and waitlisted students who are stronger, redistributing admission or waitlist offers accordingly.     University of Pennsylvania At the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn), admissions officers traditionally reviewed all application files from their assigned regions and wrote detailed evaluation reports for the admissions committee, which used these reports to make final admission decisions.   However, this method was time-consuming and labor-intensive. Admissions officers struggled to manage the increasing number of applications each year, and working day and night, including weekends, was unsustainable. To address this, the Associate Dean and Director of Admissions at UPenn introduced a new review process in 2013. Under the new method, two admissions officers work together, simultaneously reviewing different parts of the same application on their respective screens. The officer responsible for the applicant's region evaluates academic performance, such as grades, test scores, course selection, and recommendation letters. The second officer focuses on the applicant’s voice and unique talents through essays and interview reports. Together, they discuss the applicant's achievements in the context of their background, such as high school or family circumstances, assign a score, write comments, and recommend either admission or rejection.   According to UPenn's Dean of Admissions, this approach reduced the average review time from 12–15 minutes to just 4 minutes. Despite the shorter review time, the method is more analytical due to real-time discussions between officers, which minimizes individual biases and increases efficiency while improving outcomes.   Since then, many top universities, such as the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Emory University, and leading liberal arts colleges like Pomona College and Swarthmore College, have adopted UPenn's approach. A 2018 report by the College Board revealed that over 30 universities had implemented this new review process by that year.     University of Rochester  According to a 2018 interview with the Dean of Admissions at the University of Rochester, the first reader spends 20 minutes reviewing all aspects of an applicant's file, including academic records, interests, talents, essays, recommendation letters, and interview reports. While reviewing, the reader writes comments and assigns scores based on 20 evaluation criteria, ultimately marking the application as "admit," "deny," or "waitlist."   Next, a second reader spends 10 minutes reviewing the same applicant's file and provides a recommendation based on the evaluation criteria.   If both readers agree on admitting the applicant, the decision is finalized, and the applicant is admitted. However, if the two readers have differing recommendations, the file is sent to a committee. In the committee, the two readers present their perspectives, and a third party makes the final decision. Statistics show that 60% of application files are reviewed by the committee.     Santa Clara University  At Santa Clara University, admissions officers spend approximately 20 minutes reviewing each applicant's full file, which includes academic performance, course rigor, extracurricular activities, and test scores. They also evaluate the applicant’s character through essays and recommendation letters, forming an impression and recommending whether to admit, waitlist, or deny the applicant.   Next, a committee of five members, led by the Dean, votes on the applicants recommended by the admissions officers. If the number of final recommended admits exceeds the planned enrollment capacity, the committee uses the vote tallies to determine which applicants will receive admission offers.   Applicants are evaluated holistically, meaning no single strength guarantees admission. Admissions officers consider all aspects of an applicant’s profile, so even exceptional grades cannot ensure acceptance. However, the one factor that leads to automatic rejection is failure to meet the minimum required scores on English language proficiency tests. Applicants who do not achieve the required minimum scores on the IELTS, TOEFL, or DET are not admitted, regardless of their performance in other areas.   It’s also worth noting that, as a private university, Santa Clara favors applicants who apply through Early Decision and do not require financial aid.     University of California  The University of California (UC) campuses consistently rank among the top in the nation for the number of applications they receive each year. Since adopting a SAT Test-Blind policy, application numbers have surged dramatically, reaching tens of thousands or even over a hundred thousand. This overwhelming volume is far beyond what even a large team of admissions officers can manage.   To address this, UC Berkeley has, for over a decade, hired dozens of external readers during the admissions season to conduct an initial review of all applications. Each reader spends about 8 minutes evaluating an applicant’s materials and assigning preliminary scores. These high-scoring applications are then forwarded to the university’s internal admissions officers for a second review and final decision-making.   Given the sheer number of applicants, admissions officers often face challenging constraints. For instance, at UC San Diego, when the number of selected applicants exceeds the university’s enrollment capacity, decisions about who receives an official admission offer versus being placed on the waitlist are sometimes made through a random selection process.      While application files are reviewed in just a few minutes amidst intense competition, A. League provides guidance from grades 9 to 12, helping students strategically develop their profiles and accumulate personal achievements over those four years.   During the application season, they carefully craft and polish application materials, ensuring that these documents deeply reflect the student’s efforts, growth, and unique qualities. This approach aims to showcase the student’s potential in a way that captures the attention of admissions officers, maximizing their chances of success in such a competitive environment.   By combining long-term planning with thoughtful presentation, students can effectively highlight their individuality and make a lasting impression within the brief review time.   閱讀中文版文章：送出申請後都發生了什麼事？了解美國大學招生官如何審查入學資料   High School Counseling & College Application Guidance Program Read More

A.LEAGUE: The Only NACAC-Certified Counseling Firm in Taiwan

The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), established in 1937, is a U.S.-based organization dedicated to enhancing the professional expertise of college admission counseling professionals—commonly referred to as college counselors—through education and advocacy. Its mission is to expand access to higher education and help all high school students obtain the opportunity to attend college. Nearly all accredited universities in the United States are NACAC members, including Ivy League institutions such as Harvard, as well as leading STEM-focused schools like MIT and Caltech. Membership also extends to world-renowned universities such as the University of Cambridge in the UK, Waseda University in Japan, the University of Toronto and the University of British Columbia in Canada, and the University of Sydney and the University of New South Wales in Australia. Beyond universities, NACAC members also include major standardized testing organizations such as the College Board, ACT Inc., and Duolingo English Test; college application platforms like the Common App and Coalition for College; and third-party application management systems used by international schools, such as Cialfo. Even organizations like Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY) are NACAC members. Although Taiwan has increasingly emphasized international education in recent years, NACAC-certified member institutions in Taiwan remain rare. A.LEAGUE is the only certified educational consulting company in Taiwan, while the remaining four certified members are all international schools: Taipei American School (TAS), Taipei European School (TES), Kaohsiung American School (KAS), and Washington High School in Taichung (WHS). A complete list of member institutions can be found on the NACAC official website. A.LEAGUE: The Only Educational Consulting Firm Among Taiwan’s Five NACAC-Certified Members   Among the five NACAC-certified member institutions in Taiwan, A.LEAGUE is the only educational consulting company. NACAC grants membership not only to institutions but also to individual counselors. Both of A.LEAGUE’s principal counselors are individual NACAC members, and following rigorous training, four additional team members have also earned certification as senior counselors. Many more of our colleagues are actively engaged in learning and professional development, with the shared goal of helping even more students in the future.  In addition, A.LEAGUE counselors regularly pursue professional development, study materials related to admissions and education, and exchange first-hand information directly with university admission officers abroad. We also collaborate with counselors from top U.S. boarding schools to design integrated Taiwan–U.S. academic pathways for our students. Ultimately, our work is guided by a parent’s perspective, with the aim of maximizing every student’s potential.      Contact Us for High School Counseling & College Application Guidance  ​ Read More

常春藤大學：懂得苦行才是錄取的公式

美國常春藤大學一直以來都是名校的象徵，兵家必爭之地，即便經歷了嚴峻的COVID疫情，今年Class of 2026的申請人數仍一如往常地突破了歷年紀錄，錄取率也是創新低。 當然，我們今年也很榮幸地參與了孩子錄取藤校的心路歷程。 如同我之前寫過一篇有關史丹佛的狀況一樣，如果有人跟你說有保證錄取常春藤的方法，那大概都是騙你的，除非你另外被收取了鉅款。我們最多只能說做了什麼準備可以提高錄取機率，而以我目前錄取常春藤的孩子們的共通點，我簡單稱之為 - 苦行。 常有家長問我：如果我孩子不能去世界知名企業實習怎麼辦？如果我孩子沒有奧林匹亞比賽怎麼辦？我是不是要捐款或讓孩子做慈善募資？我需要請政要官員或者企業老闆寫推薦信嗎？ 我不是常春藤校友怎麼辦？ 如果沒有這些我孩子是不是就上不了常春藤了？ 不是！也許上述那些項目可以幫你些許加分，但絕對不是沒有就無法錄取的要素。一個孩子能錄取常春藤，需要頭腦以外，還要能刻苦耐勞，有著過人的意志力、耐力、決心，以及自己熱愛的學術領域。 (Photo Credit: Cornell University) 何謂苦行？ 第一 你必須從9年級開始一路到12年級不間斷地爭取在學校裡該年級各科能拿的進階課程，連續四年，把每一次考試、每一樣作業和報告都盡全力做到最好，拿到A的成績，這樣才能通過第一關：高中四年GPA與修課內容的得分。 有人會問：我想讀的又不是文科，為何我要選最難的AP history？ 我想讀的是商學，為什麼要選AP science？ 因為這些學校很清楚地說明他們想要的孩子是全能，在高中基礎學科裡都有卓越表現，接納跨領域學習，同時在某個特別有興趣的領域還有突出的成績。 所以你的選課不能偏科，但注意我有說是該校能提供最高階的課程，不用因為別間學校有開AP而你的學校沒有開去擔心。大學會從School Profile內了解到你在你的高中已經盡全力完成最難的課程了。不過，你必須在你的學校同年級中名列前茅。 (Photo Credit: Harvard University) 第二 你的標準考試需要有Top 1%的水準，SAT、ACT、AP Exam、甚至是 TOEFL、IELTS。以SAT為例，大概是1530分以上的等級才有PR 99；以英文成績來說，雖然托福和雅思成績單上沒有排名，甚至有常春藤是不強制要求繳交英文語言考試成績，但曾有招生官說過107分的托福「有點低」。 (Photo Credit: Princeton University) 第三 你必須參與有興趣科目相關的競賽，MEC、IC、AMC、AIME、IMO、VEX，FRC、iGEM、BBO 等等的比賽，Olympiad 沒有不好，但需要投入大量的時間並取得國際等級的獎牌才有到相當的加分，所以除非從很早開始準備，不然建議多花時間在其他比賽上面累積獎項。 (Photo Credit: Brown University) 第四 服務，志工，領導。你必須要在乎學業跟課外學習，還要積極參與校內社團及關懷社群，讓你的周遭變得更好。要知道，就連我們在常春藤的教授，都願意每週貢獻時間從事社區免費教學，所以對他們來說，你為了周遭的人事物做了什麼非常重要，你不能只是一個顧及自己功課的孩子。 (Photo Credit: Columbia University) 第五 課外活動：學術、體育、音樂、棋藝、動物，任何興趣都好。你要有你擅長的項目，同時對你的目標科系要有深度的研究。一個想念機械工程的孩子不一定要在三菱重工實習，在家旁邊的摩托車店學會如何維修一個壞掉的二行程馬達一樣可以獲得大學的青睞。善於研究，創意發明，運用你的知識跟熱情，致力研讀跟發想，你也可以讓人類進步過得更好。這些都是孩子需要去努力達成的目標。 (Photo Credit: Yale University)   或許上述任一聽起來都不難達成，但當一個孩子需要把五項基本功加在一起，堅持四年持續完成，那是很辛苦、很艱難的。 我看著我的學生這樣一步一步準備每一次考試，顧好每一個學期的成績單，投入每一場比賽，熬過每一個睡不飽夜晚，這樣的高中生涯是非常令人心疼的。 所以當他們錄取時，我的內心除了感動，還有著深深的敬佩。我常說，在升學路途上，最辛苦的永遠是孩子跟家長，我深感榮幸可以陪伴他們走過這些時光。 You deserve it! 看完上面的解說，如果你也想以常春藤當目標前進的話，準備好要一起苦行了嗎？   高中在校輔導＆申請大學輔導專案，歡迎洽詢 A. League 教育顧問  ​ Read More

2021-2022 College Acceptance

Total Scholarships USD $1,710,409     2021-2022 Admissions     United States Columbia University (#2) *1 Master of Science in Enterprise Risk Management (#2)   University of Chicago (#6) *1   University of Pennsylvania (#8) *1 ED *1   Johns Hopkins University (#9) *2 Peabody Conservatory, Bachelor of Music Master of Science in Biotechnology (#6)   Northwestern University (#9) *1 Master of Science in Leadership for Creative Enterprises (#9)   University of California - Los Angeles (#20) *4 RD *3，MS *1 Master of Engineering in Data Science (#16)   Emory University (#21) *1 Admitted to Emory College & Oxford College   University of California - Berkeley (#22) *3   University of Michigan - Ann Arbor (#23) *5 EA *4，MS *1 Master of Science in Data Science (#10)   University of Southern California (#27) *5 RD *4，MS *1 Master of Science in Digital Social Media   New York University (#28) *6 ED *1，RD *4，MS *1 Stern School of Business *1 Master of Science in Management and Systems (#6)   University of California - Santa Barbara (#28) *8   University of Florida (#28) *2   University of Rochester (#34) *4 Scholarship US$14,000 *1 Admitted to Eastman School of Music and Arts, Sciences & Engineering dual degree program *1   University of California - San Diego (#34) *8   University of California - Irvine (#36) *10   Boston College (#36) *1   Georgia Institute of Technology (#38) *3 EA *3 Computer Science (US#5) *1   University of Texas - Austin (#38) *7 EA *2，RD *5   University of California - Davis (#38) *12   Boston University (#42) *10 ED *2，RD *6，MS *2 Questrom School of Business *1 Scholarship US$25,000 *1 Master of Science in Mathematical Finance and Financial Technology (#12) Master of Art in International Affairs (#12)   Case Western Reserve University (#42) *13 EA *10，RD *3 Scholarship US$102,000 *1，Scholarship US$76,000 *1，Total Scholarships US$178,000   University of Wisconsin - Madison (#42) *4 EA *1，RD *3   University of Illinois - Urbana - Champaign (#47) *19   Northeastern University (#49) *9 RD *8，MS *1 Master of Science in Corporate and Organizational Communication (#12)   Ohio State University - Columbus (#49) *12 EA *12 Full Scholarship approx. US$152,000 *1   Purdue University - West Lafayette (#49) *16 EA *14，RD *2   Pepperdine University (#49) *1 EA *1   Santa Clara University (#55) *2   University of Washington (#59) *15 Scholarship US$28,800 *1，Scholarship US$16,800 *2，Total Scholarships US$62,400   Syracuse University (#59) *7   University of Pittsburgh (#59) *1   Pennsylvania State University - University Park (#63) *3   University of Connecticut (#63) *6 Scholarship US$60,000 *1，Scholarship US$40,000 *1，Scholarship US$20,000 *2， Total Scholarships US$140,000   George Washington University (#63) *1 Master of Art in Media and Strategic Communication (#5)   Fordham University (#66) *1 EA *1 Scholarship US$80,000   Indiana University - Bloomington (#68) *3   University of California - Riverside (#83) *8 Scholarship US$54,000   Michigan State University (#83) *2 Scholarship US$77,000 *1，Scholarship US$33,000 *1, Total Scholarships US$110,000   University of California - Merced (#93) *1   University at Buffalo (#93) *3 Scholarship US$30,000   University of California - Santa Cruz (#103) *2     Liberal Arts College Wellesley College (Liberal Arts #5) *1 ED *1     Canada University of Toronto (CA #1, World #26) *20 St. George Campus EA *9，RD *10，MS *1 Scholarship CA$100,000 *2，Scholarship CA$92,500 *1，Scholarship CA$50,000 *8， Total Scholarships CA$692,500 Master of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering (#1)   McGill University (CA #2, World #26) *1   University of British Columbia (CA #3, World #45) *3 Vancouver Campus *3   McMaster University (CA #4) *1 Master of Financial Mathematics (#12)   University of Waterloo (CA #7) *1 Scholarship CA$1,000   United Kingdom Imperial College London (UK #3, World #7) *1   University College London (UK #4, World #16) *3   King's College London (UK #7, World #35) *1   University of Manchester (UK #8, World #27) *3   University of Warwick (UK #9) *2   Queen Mary University of London (UK #12) *1   University of Birmingham (UK #13) *1   University of Bristol (UK #20, World #62) *3   Royal Veterinary College University of London (Vet UK #1, World #1) *1     Art School Parsons School of Design, The New School (Art US #1, World #3) *1 EA *1   Rhode Island School of Design (Art US #2, World #4) *2 ED *1，RD *1   School of the Art Institute of Chicago (Art US #4, World #9) *2 EA *1，RD *1 Scholarship US$37,800 *1，Scholarship US$33,600 *1, Total Scholarships US$71,400   Pratt Institute (Art US #5, World #10) *2 EA *1，RD *1 Scholarship US$140,000 *1，Scholarship US$100,000 *1, Total Scholarships US$240,000   California College of the Arts (Art US #10, World #25) *1 EA *1 Scholarship US$72,000   School of Visual Arts (Art US #11, World #32) *2   Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising *1     Music Conservatory The Juilliard School *1 Barnard-Columbia-Julliard Program     Asia University of Hong Kong (HK #1, World #22) *1     Australia University of Sydney (AU #2, World #28) *2   Monash University (AU #6, World #58) *1       Last updated：2022.6.27   A. LEAGUE High School Counseling & College Application Guidance Read More

Pathways for Applying to Overseas Medical Schools

  Pathways for Applying to Overseas Medical Schools   For international students hoping to earn a medical degree abroad, there are two main pathways:   The Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS/MBChB) and the Doctor of Medicine (MD).   MBBS/MBChB Pathway   In the UK, a medical bachelor's degree typically takes about 5 years to complete, followed by 2 years of foundation training in local NHS hospitals. After that, students can choose to pursue further training in a specialized field, such as becoming a surgeon. In Hong Kong, the system is similar to the UK. After graduation, every medical student must complete 1 year of training in a public hospital. In Japan, universities offer a 6-year undergraduate medical program, which includes 2 years of training at a university hospital. Afterward, students must pass a final exam and complete 2 years of internship at a hospital. In Italy, students can apply directly to medical school after high school through a 6-year combined program (often referred to as an international MD or LM-41 degree). After graduation, they must pass a state licensing exam and then enter residency, which also follows PGY levels depending on specialty length. In Spain, students also begin medical education directly after high school with a 6-year undergraduate medical degree. Upon graduation, they are required to take the MIR (Médico Interno Residente) national exam, which determines placement into residency programs. The residency phase follows similar PGY-style progression.   MD Pathways   In the United States and Canada, students must already have a bachelor’s degree before applying to medical school. The program usually takes 4 years, followed by 3 to 7 years of residency. Although some universities in Australia offer MBBS/MBChB programs, MD degrees are more common. After earning an MD, students must complete an internship year, followed by a residency program.   BS/MD Program   Some U.S. schools offer a combined BS/MD program, which usually takes 7 to 8 years to finish. Upon graduation, students receive both a bachelor’s and a medical degree, and can go directly into hospital internships.   A key advantage is that students don’t need to take the MCAT or reapply to medical school after completing their undergraduate studies.   PGY/Residency   Residency is organized by Post-Graduate Years (PGY), starting with PGY-1, which may be a general internship year or the first year of residency. When within a specialty program, these years are also labeled as R1 to R7 (e.g., R1 = first year resident). All R-levels are PGYs, but not all PGYs are considered part of a specialty residency (e.g., a PGY-1 transitional year). As a result, it takes at least 11 years to become a licensed doctor.    ​   How do students apply to study medicine?   Medicine is one of the most competitive degrees to get into. Many countries place limits on the number of international students who can be accepted into medical schools. This means the application process is very strict, and deadlines are often earlier than for other subjects.   In addition to the standard application process, students usually need to complete the following:   Entrance Exams   Some countries require students to take entrance exams that assess reasoning and decision-making skills. These exams often require extensive preparation. They may be nationally recognized tests (such as the MCAT in the U.S., the BMAT or UCAT in the UK, and the GAMSAT or ISAT in Australia) or exams set by individual universities.   It’s worth noting that some countries, like Germany and the Netherlands, do not require entrance exams for medical applicants, so students should carefully check the specific requirements of each university they are applying to.   ​   Interviews   If students pass the first stage of the admissions process (the written application), universities will invite them for an interview. The purpose of the interview is to help admissions officers see whether the student has the interpersonal and logical skills needed to become a good doctor.   While there’s no single format for medical school interviews, common topics may include:   Problem-solving and critical thinking Logical reasoning and numerical ability Communication skills and compassion Empathy and ethical decision-making Understanding what it means to pursue a career in medicine   What subjects should students study in high school?   A strong foundation in chemistry and biology is essential for future medical students. Some schools may also require advanced credits in physics and mathematics.   If students want to return to Taiwan to practice medicine after graduation:    Those who earn a recognized medical degree in one of nine approved regions — the U.S., Japan, Europe, Canada, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, or Hong Kong — can take Taiwan’s national physician licensing exam.   To qualify, their degree must meet one of the following requirements:   A medical program that lasts at least 6 years A post-bachelor medical program that lasts at least 4 years   In addition, the curriculum must include basic medical sciences and clinical internships with a minimum number of training hours.   For degrees earned outside of the nine approved regions, students must first pass a degree evaluation by Taiwan’s Ministry of Education before they are allowed to take the licensing exam.   閱讀中文版文章：海外醫學院申請 Pathways   High School Counseling & College Application Guidance  ​ Read More

2020-2021 College Acceptance

Total Scholarships USD $1,685,175 Fellowships USD $825,095     2020-2021 Admissions     United States Princeton University (#1) *1 Ph.D. Electrical Engineering (US #12) Fellowship US$98,510/yr for 5 years   Columbia University (#3) *1 M.S. Applied Analytics   University of Pennsylvania (#8) *1   Rice University (#16) *1 ED *1   Washington University in St. Louis (#16) *1 M.S. Business Analytics   Cornell University (#18) *1 ED *1   University of Notre Dame (#19) *1   University of California - Los Angeles (#20) *2   Emory University (#21) *1   University of California - Berkeley (#22) *1   University of Southern California (#22) *1 Ph.D. Electrical and Computer Engineering (US #10) Fellowship US$32,000/yr for 4 years   University of Michigan - Ann Arbor (#24) *6 EA *4, RD *1, Transfer *1 College of Engineering *1, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts *4, SMTD *1   Carnegie Mellon University (#26) *2   University of Virginia (#26) *1   University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill (#28) *1 EA *1   New York University (#30) *5 ED I *1, ED II *1, RD *2, MS *1 M.S. Management and System (US #10)   University of Florida (#30) *5   University of California - Santa Barbara (#30) *6 RD *4, Transfer *2   University of Rochester (#34) *2   Georgia Institute of Technology (#35) *4 EA *3 (Pathway); RD *1   University of California - San Diego (#35) *12 RD *11, Transfer *1   University of California - Irvine (#35) *17 RD *16, Transfer *1   University of California - Davis (#39) *20 RD *19, Transfer *1 Scholarship US$53,000   Brandeis University (#42) *3 ED *1, RD *2 Scholarship US$60,000   Boston University (#42) *9   University of Texas - Austin (#42) *8 EA *4, RD *3, MS & PhD *1 M.S. & Ph.D. Electrical and Computer Engineering (#9)   University of Wisconsin - Madison (#42) *2 EA *2   Case Western Reserve University (#42) *7 EA *4, RD *3 Scholarship US$94,000 *1，Scholarship US$90,000 *1，Total Scholarships US$184,000   University of Illinois - Urbana - Champaign (#47) *18 Fellowship US$12,510/yr *1   Northeastern University (#49) *9 Undergrad *2, Bond *3, Immerse *4   Santa Clara University (#53) *2   Ohio State University - Columbus (#53) *11 EA *8, RD *3   Purdue University - West Lafayette (#53) *28 EA *19, RD *9   University of Washington (#58) *15 Scholarship US$12,000   Syracuse University (#58) *10   Pennsylvania State University - University Park (#63) *8   Rutgers University - New Brunswick's (#63) *9 Fellowship US$12,145/yr   University of Connecticut - Storrs (#63) *11   University of Massachusetts - Amherst (#66) *2 Scholarship US$40,000   Fordham University (#66) *3 Fellowship US$23,645/yr   University of Minnesota - Twin Cities (#66) *2   Texas A&M University (#66) *1   Indiana University - Bloomington (#66) *3 Jacobs School of Music (US#1,  World#23) *1   Michigan State University (#80) *4 Scholarship US$28,000   Binghamton University SUNY (#88) *3 Fellowship US$11,345/yr   University at Buffalo SUNY (#88) *6 Scholarship US$20,000 *5，Scholarship US$10,000 *1，Total Scholarships US$110,000   Stony Brook University SUNY (#88) *1   University of California - Riverside (#88) *12 Scholarship US$54,000 *1，Scholarship US$12,000 *1，Total Scholarships US$66,000   University of San Diego (#88) *1   University of California - Santa Cruz (#97) *14 RD *13, Transfer *1 Scholarship US$30,000 *1, ScholarshipUS$10,000 *1，Total Scholarships US$40,000   University of California - Merced (#97) *1   University of San Francisco (#103) *3 Scholarship US$80,000、US$64,000、US$60,000，Total Scholarships US$204,000   Arizona State University - Tempe (#103) *1   Seattle University (#124) *1 Scholarship US$96,000     Art School Parsons School of Design, The New School (Art US #1, World #3) *1 EA *1   Rhode Island School of Design (Art US #2, World #4) *1 ED *1   School of the Art Institute of Chicago (Art US #4, World #9)*1 EA *1 Scholarship US$54,600 *1，Scholarship US$33,600 *1，Total Scholarships US$88,200   Pratt Institute (Art US #5, World #10) *2 EA *1, RD *1 Scholarship US$105,000   California College of the Arts (Art US #10, World #25) *1 Scholarship US$72,000   School of Visual Arts (Art US #11, World #28) *1 Scholarship US$20,000     Canada University of Toronto (CA #1, World #25) *28 St. George campus - First stage *1, Second stage *11, Third stage *12, Fourth stage *4  Scholarship CA$100,000 *2, Scholarship CA$50,000 *9，Scholarship CA$7500 *1，Scholarship CA$500 *1， Total Scholarships CA$658,000   University of British Columbia (CA #3, World #45) *7 Vancouver campus *7   McMaster University (CA #4) *2  Scholarship CA$1,000   University of Waterloo (CA #7) *4 Scholarship CA$2,000 *1，Scholarship CA$1,000 *1，Total Scholarships CA$3,000   University of Ottawa (CA #8) *2   York University (CA #18) *4   Ryerson University (CA #25) *1     United Kingdom University of Cambridge (UK #1, World #7) *2 RD *1, MS *1 M.Phil. Advanced Computer Science (UK#1)   University College London (UK #4, World #10) *5 Mathematics (Unconditional Offer) Computer Science; Economics; Engineering (Chemical); Mathematical Computation (Conditional Offer)   University of Edinburgh (UK #6, World #20) *8 Economics and Management Science; Economics; Mathematics; Physics (Unconditional Offer) Computer Science; Chemical Engineering; English Language and Literature; Politics (Conditional Offer)   King's College London (UK #7, World #31) *10 Electronic Engineering; Economics; Mathematics; Physics (Unconditional Offer) Computer Science; Economics and Management; General Engineering; Global Health and Social Medicine; International Development; Politics (Conditional Offer)   University of Manchester (UK #8, World #27) *9 Economics (Unconditional Offer) Chemical Engineering; Electrical and Electronic Engineering; English Language and English Literature; Environmental Science; Fashion Marketing; Mathematics; Physics (Conditional Offer) M.S. Artificial Intelligence (UK#12) *1   University of Glasgow (UK #11) *2 B.S. Zoology (UK#1) Scholarship £15,000 M.S. Data Science (UK #7) *1   University of Birmingham (#14) *1   University of Southampton (#15) *1   Lancaster University (UK #18) *1   University of Nottingham (#21) *1   University of Leeds (#22) *2 RD *1, MS *1 M.S. Data Science and Analytics (UK #6)     Australia Australian National University (AU #1 , World #31) *1   University of Sydney (AU #2 , World #40) *1   University of Melbourne (AU #3 , World #41) *1     Japan Waseda University (JP #9) *1     South Korea Yonsei University (KR #5) *1     Swiss Hotel Management Ecole hoteliere de Lausanne (CH #1) *1   Les Roches Gloabl Hospitality Education (CH #2) *2 Scholarship CHF$13,005 *2，Total Scholarships CHF$26,010       Last updated：2021.8.13   High School Counseling & College Application Guidance Read More

A. League Collaboration with International Schools – U.S. Online Programs

A. League 與國外學校合作 – 美國線上學程 Online School   No matter if a student is attending an international high school or a local public or private school following the Taiwanese curriculum, as long as they’re interested in studying abroad, A.LEAGUE can help them apply to universities overseas.   To support a smooth transition into studying abroad, we partner with accredited U.S. education providers to offer high-quality online courses. These remote learning options give students the flexibility to take subjects beyond their school’s regular curriculum.   Through this online course program, students can overcome time and location limitations.They may choose to take individual credit-earning classes or complete a full program to earn a U.S. high school diploma.   Available high school course options include:   AP   Computer Science Cybersecurity, Computer Science Principles, Computer Science A, Calculus AB, Environmental Science, Chemistry, Biology, English Literature and Composition, English Language and Composition, Spanish Language and Culture, US Government and Politics, US History, Psychology, Human Geography, Statistics   Electives   Mathematics: Algebra 1&2, Calculus, Consumer Math, Geometry, Integrated Mathematics, Refresher Math, Pre-Algebra, Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus/Trigonometry, Probability and Statistics, Practical Math, Continuing Algebra, Developmental Algebra   Literature & Language: English, American Literature, British and World Literature, Jounalism, Public Speaking, Grammar and Composition, World Literature, Creative Writing, Spanish, Chinese, French, Intensive Reading, Gothic Literature   Science: Physical Science, Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Science, Forensic Science, Anatomy and Physiology, Veterinary Science, Health, Lifetime Fitness, Physical Education, Astronomy   Social Studies: American Government, American History, Civics, Contemporary World Issues, Geography, Economics, Psychology, Sociology, US and Global Economics, US Government and Politics, Modern World Studies, Modern US History, US History, World History, Geography and World Cultures, Anthropology, Financial Literacy Fundamentals   Arts: Animation, 3D Modeling, Art Appreciation, Art and Music Appreciation, Art in World Cultures, Fine Art, Music Appreciation   Students in middle school or below can also join full course programs to earn diplomas or take specific subjects to strengthen areas where they need extra help.   Every student enrolled in the online program receives 1-on-1 guidance from a teacher who helps them set goals and stay on track with their learning progress.​   We also partner with professional U.S.-based schools to offer online English courses for students from Grade 1 to Grade 12.    These courses are customized to match each student’s English proficiency level, helping them build a strong foundation and prepare effectively for a globalized future. The materials and teaching methods are directly adapted from the U.S., developed strictly according to language standards set by the U.S. Department of Education or elementary and secondary schools.   All courses are taught by professionally trained native English-speaking teachers, and are specifically designed to prepare students for future study abroad.   The course content is based on:   - Common Core State Standards (CCSS) - International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum - Teaching guidelines from our U.S. partner schools​   閱讀中文版文章：A. League 與國外學校合作 – 美國線上學程 Online School   High School Counseling & College Application Guidance  ​ Read More

家人是每位留學生的靠山

這一屆A. LEAGUE有位學生順利錄取了英國伯明翰大學醫學院。​ 我相信「謝謝學生一起努力」這句話在A. LEAGUE 過去的文章裡並不陌生， 因為我們始終覺得最辛苦、最努力的永遠是孩子們， 但今天這篇文章除了要謝謝這位孩子的用功之外，還要特別感謝父母親偉大的付出。 ​   申請英國醫學院是一個非常複雜且辛苦的過程，首先，高中四年的在校成績每一分都可能影響面試資格， 因此家長不只要隨時幫助孩子一起向學校老師了解成績狀況， 還要時常熬夜陪孩子完成一些報告和考試準備。和在校成績同樣重要的是醫學院入學考試， 並且從申請前一年就要準備應考，更需要飛去香港才有比較豐沛的備考資源。   ​   有了基本的成績之後，選校是相當關鍵的一個步驟，畢竟英國申請大學系統的五個志願中只能填四個醫學院， 因此要針對每所醫學院的歷年錄取狀況來討論目標，學生和家長不厭其煩地與我們開會，耐心等待英國大學的回信， 畢竟對一位國際生來說，每走一步都會影響到是否能取得面試資格。 ​   順利取得面試資格後，家長還需要陪著孩子一同飛往英國進行面試，甚至為了配合不同的學校的面試時間， 還分別飛了兩趟至當地大學。在這整個過程中，我們對於家長的付出感到無比敬佩與動容， 也是因為這樣的付出才能有今天的收穫， 讓孩子順利錄取了University of Birmingham MBChB Medicine and Surgery （伯明翰大學醫學院醫學系）。   ​ 陪伴是最好的教育，而家長投入心力參與孩子成就夢想的過程便是最好的典範， 所以在分享這個好消息的同時，我們想感恩孩子與爸爸媽媽的付出，讓A. LEAGUE有幸參與這一段特別的時光！     高中在校輔導＆申請大學輔導專案，歡迎洽詢 A. League 教育顧問     Read More

想知道如何進入Stanford?

  常常有人問：「要如何能進入Stanford?」   我想，能信誓旦旦回答出這個問題的人，要不是在吹牛，就是神燈精靈。 因為就連排名100以外的學校也無法百分之百錄取，更何況是這所年年改變學生喜好的頂級名校。 ​   但我可以說，我們這些年錄取Stanford的學生都有一個共通的特質，那就是對於知識持有無窮無盡的渴望與熱忱。 比方說有學生喜歡數學到自己寫出一本微積分的教科書， 有學生為了達到標準考試的目標分數而關在圖書館整整一個月， ​ 甚至自己寫了背單字的程式出來，也有學生基於對語言學的熱愛而創造多國語辨識系統， 並花了大量時間研究與訓練。這種熱情不止於學術，也包含藝術，像是利用暑假沒日沒夜地拍攝影片， 或是為了找到劇本的元素而花了半年學習第三種語言。     他們都不是被逼著去做這些事，而是自發性地開啟這種瘋狂的學習模式， 享受獲得知識的過程，對於自己的興趣不斷追求完美—這個是我在這些學生身上看到的共通點。 ​   所以不需要一再執意尋找進入Stanford的方程式， 而是要讓我們一起找到你的天賦與喜愛的領域，進而登峰造極，也許屆時就會獲得Stanford的青睞   ​     高中在校輔導＆申請大學輔導專案，歡迎洽詢 A. League 教育顧問   Read More

UK University Application Requirements – The Difference Between Unconditional and Conditional Offers

Application Deadlines   For high school students applying to UK universities, the earliest and most critical deadline is October 15th. This applies to all courses at Oxford and Cambridge, as well as to medicine, veterinary medicine, and dentistry courses at other universities. Missing this date means students will need to wait another year to apply. For most other popular programs—such as engineering, computer science, and business—the main deadline is January 14th of the following year. This is the UCAS Equal Consideration deadline, by which most universities commit to fairly reviewing all on-time applications.   International students who miss this deadline may still apply for remaining course openings up until June 30th, though early application is highly recommended to increase the chance of admission.   Receiving Application Results   UK universities begin reviewing applications as early as September, and results are released on a rolling basis—there is no unified decision date. Even students applying to the same program at the same university may receive decisions at different times. Some offers may arrive within a month, while others may take up to six months.   Decisions generally fall into one of three categories:   Offer Waitlist Rejection   Got an Offer? What’s Next?     UK university offers typically fall into two types:   Conditional Offer This means the university has accepted the applicant on the condition that they meet specific academic requirements before graduation—such as certain scores in A-Levels, IB, AP, or SAT exams. If a student fails to meet even one part of the requirement (even by one point), the offer may be withdrawn after final results are released. For this reason, conditional offers carry a degree of risk. Unconditional Offer This is a full acceptance with no further academic requirements, other than completing high school. It’s the most reassuring outcome and ensures the student’s place regardless of final grades.   Clearing – Additional Opportunities   If a student doesn’t receive any offers or chooses not to accept the ones they received, they can still apply to universities through the UCAS Clearing process.   Clearing matches applicants with universities that still have available places, offering a valuable second chance for admission.   Our Recommendation: Diversify Your Options   Because conditional offers from UK universities can be unpredictable, we strongly recommend that even students targeting the UK also apply to universities in other countries, such as the U.S., Canada, the Netherlands, or Australia. If a student chooses to accept a conditional offer from a UK university, we suggest also reserving a spot at a university in another country by May 1st as a backup plan.   閱讀中文版文章：申請英國留學的條件 - Unconditional 與 Conditional Offer 的差別    高中在校輔導＆申請大學輔導專案，歡迎洽詢 A. League 教育顧問   Read More