Reborn in America: Starting as a California Resident

In the pragmatic land of America, its education system also reflects a corresponding spirit of pragmatism.

No matter where your heart leads, stepping through the gates of any institution of higher learning requires experiencing a unique "rite of passage"—the university application process.

This is completely different from China's college entrance examination system. It is not just a simple exam, but a comprehensive assessment of students' all-round abilities.

In this process, the admissions committee focuses on five key areas: the choice and difficulty of the four-year high school curriculum and grades; performance on standardized tests such as the SAT; the richness and achievements of extracurricular activities; the personal statement in the application essays; and letters of recommendation from teachers.

Among these factors, the most important is the student's academic performance during their time at school, which usually accounts for about 40% of the overall assessment.

However, different types of universities have different preferences. Public universities may open their doors to students who rank in the top 5% to 10% of their high school class, while private institutions tend to look for students who not only have excellent grades but also demonstrate outstanding academic or leadership abilities.

In the American high school curriculum, there are three different levels of difficulty: regular courses, honors courses, and AP (Advanced Placement) courses.

Students should avoid avoiding challenging courses out of fear of difficulty, lest they be seen as lacking ambition;

At the same time, one should not blindly pursue difficulty while ignoring results, otherwise one will be considered to lack good decision-making ability.

The core curriculum covers four major areas: mathematics, English, science, and social studies. In addition to physical education and health education in the first two years, students must take these subjects every year.

As for the SAT exam, it is more of a test of students' learning outcomes than a decisive factor, and its score usually accounts for no more than 30%, so many American students do not put too much effort into preparing for it.

The SAT exam is divided into a foundational section and subject tests. The foundational section includes three sections: Math, Reading, and Writing. Each section is scored out of 800, for a total of 2400 points.

Typically, American high school students only take the SAT exam two or three times.

The reason for this is that repeated testing may not significantly improve scores, and may instead leave a bad impression on universities.

Taking exams strategically, focusing on improving weaknesses from previous tests to build a total score comprised of the best performances in each subject, is a wiser choice.

Thirdly, the quality of extracurricular activities also plays a crucial role in applying to top universities.

Especially when academic performance and standardized test scores are similar, admissions officers often place greater emphasis on applicants' extracurricular activities.

This is especially important for professions that require leadership skills and hands-on experience, such as business or management.

Extracurricular activities can cover a wide range of topics, from academic competitions to sporting events, from musical performances to community service, and even political activities.

Most students need to rely on existing platforms in the school or society to carry out these activities, such as opportunities provided by school clubs, churches, or charities.

A good extracurricular activity should have the following characteristics: First, it should be based on personal interest, not utilitarian pursuit; second, the activity should be long-term and continuous, and gradually deepen over time; third, participants should assume certain leadership responsibilities during the activity; and finally, there should be concrete proof of achievement, such as awards or commendations.

Henry's mother understood the importance of this, so she started a charity project in her church early on, encouraging high school students to donate mosquito nets to villages in Africa. The project was recognized by the California government and the governments of African countries.

This event not only demonstrated the individual's sense of social responsibility, but also added a lot of luster to the college applications of the four Henry siblings.

As for application essays, American universities hope to gain an initial understanding of students' writing abilities, depth of thought, and personal qualities through these short essays.

Writing short essays is a time-consuming task, and it is generally recommended to start preparing the first draft during the summer between 11th and 12th grade.

An excellent short essay should avoid empty idealism and instead draw inspiration from daily life, demonstrating profound insight.

It not only needs to be unique, but also needs to avoid being similar to other applicants, and should help admissions officers build a vivid image of the applicant.

The final recommendation letter selection is a rather delicate step.

Letters of recommendation are an important part of a comprehensive evaluation of an applicant from a third-party perspective, providing unique insights beyond the self-statement.

A good letter of recommendation can highlight a student's personality, abilities, and growth process, especially those characteristics that cannot be expressed on paper through numbers and grades.

Teachers typically write recommendation letters based on factors such as classroom interaction, student engagement, academic enthusiasm, and teamwork skills.

Ideal recommenders are not limited to lecturers; they can also be mentors who have guided students on research projects, club advisors, or anyone who can truly reflect the applicant's potential and qualities.

However, choosing who to write the recommendation letter requires careful consideration, as not all teachers or mentors can write impressive recommendations.

Sometimes, a teacher who has a close relationship with a student and can give specific examples of the student's strengths is more likely to impress the admissions committee than a more famous professor.

In this complex and diverse application process, each applicant strives to find their place, attempting to tell their story and demonstrate their value in their own unique way on this pragmatic land.

For Henry, his mother's charitable projects have provided him with opportunities to demonstrate leadership and social responsibility, while also offering ample material for their recommendation letters.

Given the recent stir he's caused in the American tech world, his admission to Stanford University was practically a done deal.

Nevertheless, Henry still earnestly invited Mrs. Jacqueline to write him another letter of recommendation that would be even more illustrious.

The reason for this was nothing other than valuing the other party's reputation in the field of education.

As the principal of Montivetta School, Mrs. Jacqueline naturally enjoyed a prestigious position in California and even throughout the southwestern states.

In the American education system, those influential figures who write college recommendation letters for students are generally assumed to have a special relationship with each other.

Although this bond was far less formal than the teacher-student relationship under the ancient Chinese imperial examination system, it still helped Henry build a subtle yet powerful network of social relationships.