Student Gao, Shanghai

Admissions

Student Background

• Final test scores: SAT 1490, TOEFL 114
• Admissions: Cornell University, USC Annenberg (a top-2 US communications school), Boston University College of Communication (top 5), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Media (top 5, and director Ang Lee’s undergraduate alma mater) and more (that year’s highest admission with the lowest scores from the main campus of Shanghai High School)

Planning Journey

1. Planning began in the first semester of grade 11

   • A student from the regular (gaokao-track) main campus of Shanghai High School
   • Switched from the traditional gaokao path to applying abroad

2. Summer school

   • Helped the student gain admission to Cornell University’s summer school
   • Helped obtain a recommendation letter from a professor

3. Activity planning

   • Planned media activities within the school
   • Built influence on campus

4. External resources

   • Connected the student with an American media education association
   • Obtained a recommendation letter from an officer of the association, strengthening the application

Highlights

The lowest-score, highest-admission case from Shanghai High School’s main campus, showing a successful path from a traditional top school into international education.