This year’s US boarding school application season has come to a close, and Daniel, a science-focused student from a traditional Chinese public school, has earned an offer from his top-choice school, The Webb Schools. He reached that result after navigating language barriers, cross-cultural adjustment, and months of work refining his essays.
Bright, personable, and quick-witted, Daniel was a favorite among his teachers and peers, and a strong academic performer with a real talent for learning. Whenever he committed to a challenge, his counselors saw rapid progress. His path to Webb was not without difficulty, though. [1] Stretches of stress, anxiety, and late nights were part of the journey too.
Daniel worked with his InGenius Prep counseling team throughout the process: Choate Rosemary Hall Former Admissions Officer Chris, Penn Graduate Coach Sam, and Mentor Emily. As the team that guided him from early strategy through decision day, we are proud of what he accomplished, and we sat down with him for a candid conversation about the experience in the hope that it helps future applicants.
Inside Daniel’s US Boarding School Application
You were already a top performer in a traditional Chinese school and could have had a promising future through the Gaokao route. What made you decide to step out of your comfort zone and take on the competition of US boarding school applications?
It was a decision my parents and I agreed on quickly. My parents hope I will work in cutting-edge tech fields like AI and big data in the future, and since the US leads the world in these areas, starting my journey there aligns better with my long-term goals.
On a personal level, I was quite introverted in elementary school. During middle school, though, I attended a basketball camp in Los Angeles. The atmosphere there, which pushed us to communicate and constantly encourage one another, inspired me and made me much more outgoing. I realized that you grow fastest when you brace yourself and dive into the deep end.
US schools also emphasize holistic education, including sports and leadership, rather than focusing solely on grades. I felt I had a greater competitive edge on a path that values well-rounded development.
When applying to US boarding schools, many of your competitors come from international or bilingual schools. Did the gap in language skills and cultural background make you anxious?
Objectively, the gap existed. But once I set my emotions aside, my mindset was solid. Language is fundamentally a tool for communication. As long as you can express yourself clearly, you can close the gap with enough practice. I also read widely to build up my background in history and culture.
I had my own strength to lean on, too: the rigorous, systematic training in math, physics, and chemistry from the Chinese public school system. I had gone deeper into STEM subjects than most applicants, and that gave me a distinct advantage.
Competition for The Webb Schools is intense. What do you think truly impressed the admissions officers and helped you secure the offer?
A few things mattered most. First, I maximized my presence at Webb. On my campus visit day, my schedule was full, thanks to my InGenius Prep counselors. I met with a Webb alumna at 8:00 AM, did my interview at noon, and was invited to watch a basketball game in the afternoon and evening. I spent essentially the entire day there.
Following the advice of my counselors, Sam and Chris, I emailed the basketball coach in advance. With Emily’s help, the coach not only took me to watch the game but also wrote me a recommendation letter, which made a real difference.
Second, I believe admissions officers value authentic kindness and sincerity over polished, surface-level achievements. I also have to credit Emily for one creative idea: she suggested I perform balloon twisting during my interview. That detail left a memorable impression on the Director of Admissions.
Looking back at the whole application season, what were the hardest and the most rewarding moments?
There were plenty of hard moments. When I first started preparing for interviews, I would freeze and have nothing to say. The day before my Webb interview in California, the pressure felt overwhelming.
March 10th, the decision release day, was another test. After a few waitlist results came in first, my internet connection lagged right as I went to check the Webb decision. I was so anxious that I ran outside to get a better signal.
The most rewarding moment was seeing the Webb acceptance appear on the screen. I was thrilled. Another high point was when an interview question I had prepared for came up exactly as I expected. Knowing the work had paid off was deeply satisfying.
Having been through this season, how do you feel you have changed?
I am more confident than ever. When I face a major presentation or host an event now, I can stay calm. I think to myself, “I made it through US boarding school interviews. What is there to fear?”
More importantly, I got to know myself. By revisiting my own experiences again and again, I built a personal story bank. I realized I have a lot of strengths I can back up with real evidence, which will help with future interviews and introductions.
What advice would you give to future applicants?
First, be authentic. Don’t over-package yourself. Pull genuine stories from your real life to build your material, and let your emotions come through naturally in interviews.
Second, be proactive about building connections beyond the official interview. Engaging with coaches and the admissions office helps you stand out.
Third, prepare for the stylistic differences between East Coast and West Coast schools. West Coast interviews tend to be more relaxed, while some East Coast interviewers are more formal and can run a stricter question-and-answer format. If that happens, stay composed and deliver your prepared stories steadily.
Finally, know your submitted profile inside and out. Be ready for unexpected, rapid-fire questions.
Is there anything you would like to say to the InGenius Prep team?
I am deeply grateful to all of you. InGenius Prep strikes the right balance between strengthening a student’s abilities and supporting strong admissions results, without the narrow focus on outcomes you find at some agencies.
Chris was tireless, staying up with me until 1:00 AM to refine my essays, focusing on how to make sentences concise and vivid. Sam offered invaluable strategic guidance. During one low moment when I thought I had written an essay completely off-topic, she pointed out that it actually fit a different prompt perfectly, which was a real breakthrough. Emily walked me through mock interviews and helped me revise emails late into the night, giving me both steady encouragement and sharp advice.
Thank you all. You helped me find a genuine match with my dream school.
Work With a Private and Boarding School Admissions Consultant
Daniel’s offer came down to preparation that began long before decision day: a campus visit built around the right meetings, essays refined until every sentence carried weight, and interview practice that turned nerves into composure. That is the work InGenius Prep does with every family. Our 2-on-1 model pairs each student with a Former Admissions Officer who has evaluated thousands of applications and a Graduate Coach who drives the week-to-week strategy, so the application reflects who the student truly is and lands at a school that fits. If your family is preparing for private or boarding school admissions, schedule a free consultation to start building your plan.
Daniel is a pseudonym. The student’s name has been changed to protect his privacy.