Case Study ·

Accepted to
Yale and Stanford

International Relations and Theater
Owen, a theater-loving student from China, started in the spring before senior year unsure what made him stand out. A nonprofit theater division and a documentary shaped his story, and he was admitted to Yale and Stanford.
Smiling student

About Owen

Application Persona · the theme that tied it all together

“The drama expert who uses his craft to help others”

Started
11th grade
From
China
GPA
4.3 / 4.5
Test score
SAT 2250

Challenges and Activities: Before and After

Where Owen started
Where Owen finished
Many accomplishmentsUnsure what made him unique
One theater-centered storyUsing theater to help others
Drama Club founderTheater group focused on performing
Nonprofit divisionStarted a nonprofit division of his theater group
Work seen only at schoolNo public record of his theater group
Documentary on YouTubeMade with input from a Hollywood film producer
SAT 2250Felt it was too low for Yale and Stanford
Admitted to Yale and StanfordAfter more than 20 personal statement drafts

How did InGenius Prep Help?

A Harvard University Former Admissions Officer and a Graduate Coach worked with Owen 2-on-1 from 11th grade through the application.

  1. Spring

    Finding his story

    Regular video calls and a resume review in the spring before senior year to find his most distinctive themes.

    Through Application Counseling
  2. Summer

    Building on theater

    He started a nonprofit division of his theater group, interned with a Hollywood film producer and met Yale Repertory Theatre instructors.

  3. 12th grade

    Essays and recommendations

    More than 20 personal statement drafts and a prepared package for each recommender.

  4. Submission

    Final checks

    His team reviewed every line and walked his mother through the CSS Profile.

Questions About This Case

When did Owen start working with InGenius Prep?

In the spring before his senior year, with Candidacy Building and Application Counseling.

What made his application stand out?

He started a nonprofit division of his theater group and produced a documentary about it, with input from a Hollywood film producer he interned with.

How much work went into his personal statement?

He brainstormed topics with his counselors and wrote more than 20 drafts before a final line-by-line review.

Did InGenius Prep help with financial aid forms?

Yes. The team walked his mother through the CSS Profile by screen share.

One honest conversation.
That's how it begins.

Every student works 2-on-1 with a Former Admissions Officer and a Graduate Coach.