“Being genuine and open-minded is my best piece of advice. Explore a variety of interests and tell your own narrative without fear. Don’t undervalue the significance of mentoring, either. Having a mentor to help you navigate the process can have a significant impact.”
Ishika Jain, University of Chicago
Why the University of Chicago?
When we asked Ishika, Why UChicago? Her answer highlighted key insights about herself and the program she is applying to. She said, “I wanted to pursue Economics but also had an inclination towards the business side of things, and UChicago offers a program that satisfies both my needs.”
What aspiring students can learn from this is that when we say research the program you want to apply for, we mean that you know in and out about the program and yourself, as Ishika was very clear regarding her passion for economics. She wanted to pursue economics but was not sure whether she would dedicate time to research only; this program at the University of Chicago allows her to not only learn more about economics as a subject but also how there can be an applied aspect to it by learning its impact in businesses.
So, researching the program does not simply mean knowing what it offers but determining how well it fits your needs.
Extracurriculars and Beyond.
One of the significant aspects of a college application is the extracurriculars section.
Although extracurricular activities are ranked in the middle of importance and cannot replace strong test scores and good grades, numerous studies show that students who participate in extracurricular activities have higher GPAs, better attendance, and higher SAT scores than students who choose not to participate. Participating in extracurricular activities also shows an admissions officer some important attributes:
- Commitment
- Time management
- Talent
- Interest
- Drive
All these qualities are present in Ishika’s application.
Ishika worked as a content and creative writer for an online publication named Political Pandora; she said, “When I joined, I faced challenges like finding original ideas and learning how to reference academic work, but it was a great learning experience.”
It was a great learning experience indeed because Ishika then goes on to say how her experience helped her craft compelling essays and college applications.
So much so that she secured a position as a research scholar in Young Leaders for Active Citizenship, wherein she co-authored a research paper on the effectiveness of the National Education Policy 2020 in strengthening school leadership.
Her experience did not end there; she went on to participate in the John Locke Institute Essay Competition and became the finalist.
The key thing to note here is that when we talk about extracurriculars, it need not be something very out of the box or something no one else is doing. It is about doing the thing you really want to do and enjoying that while also excelling at it at the same time.
Ishika is a prime example of that; when she started, she was not very sure about it and struggled initially, but in her own words – she started doing better, and her achievements are testimonials of that fact.
Secondly, although this does not apply to every extracurricular activity, her experience and passion for writing helped her in creating compelling college essays as well.
Ishika said, “Writing has always been a medium for me to express my ideas. While I never considered studying literature formally, I found that creative writing played a significant role in my applications. For example, my UChicago essay was very creative. I used metaphors and visual imagery to convey my ideas.”
Academics and Achievements
We have already talked a bit about her achievements. However, extracurricular activities are not enough to get you into a top university such as the University of Chicago; you require a holistic approach.
And this is what Ishika did; she scored an impressive 1520 on her SATs and a perfect 4.0 on her GPA. She earned an IB diploma, wherein she excelled at all her subjects.
Her academic achievement does not stop at scoring high grades and marks; she also participated in a team mathematics competition with help from Singapore International School, where her team finished in a semi-finalist spot, and Engaged in the World Scholar’s Cup, and won two gold medals for debating.
All in all, not only her extracurriculars but also her Academic performance made her stand out, and this is what we mean that you must have a holistic profile, that is, you must engage in an activity that is truly benefiting and also perform at the top level when it comes to your academics.
Deciding between US Universities and UK Universities.
Another key point wherein students are not decided is whether to choose UK universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, or LSE or US Universities such as Havard, Princeton, or, in this case, UChicago.
Ishika also contemplated this decision when we asked her what made her choose the US, she replied, “The cultural aspect was also a big factor for me. The UK is known for its academic rigor, but I felt that the US offered a more well-rounded, more holistic approach and experience. According to me, UChicago offers interdisciplinary approach. I can explore different disciplines, join societies, and interact with a diverse group of people. The flexibility to pursue a minor or change my major was also very appealing.
Additionally, the sense of community in US universities stood out to me. I visited a few campuses and loved the idea of living and studying in an environment that values collaboration and self-expression.
It is no secret that universities in the UK are heavily academically inclined, and the US, on the other hand, takes a more holistic approach towards its education. However, students still feel lost when it comes to choosing US or UK universities. Answering why Ishika was able to make her decision would take us to the next section.
Mentorship
At Rostrum Education, we have helped many students get into top universities with dedicated mentorship and enabled many students to get into the Ivy League and Oxbridge.
The same is the case with Ishika, wherein we guided her through the application process, “ Mentorship was crucial. When I first started working with Rostrum, I had a clear idea of what I wanted to do, but over time, I became more open-minded and confident in my abilities. My mentors helped me refine my essays and encouraged me to be vulnerable and authentic in my writing. For example, my first draft of the Common App essay was very different from the final version. Initially, I wrote about my boarding school experience, but through discussions with my mentors, I realized I needed to dig deeper and share a more personal story.”
At Rostrum, we believe in a personalized approach, for us, no two students are the same, and the mentors create an individualized plan of action, wherein we work on profile building, highlighting what is necessary for the student and how to approach the tricky admission cycle. We also prepare them for SATs, GMAT, and GRE, with our offices in Hong Kong, Delhi, UAE, and London and our Mentors who have 25 plus years of experience in guiding students to Harvard, Columbia, Oxford, and many more, we truly are a global company.
In Ishika’s case, her head mentor provided valuable guidance by helping her recognize her strengths and refine them further; one such area was writing, which she nailed down to the T.
We arranged profile-building sessions with her, wherein the team helped her build her profile through dedicated programs and arranged a coherent set of activities, be it volunteering or internship experience, which made her application stand out.
