The mission of the University and Careers Counselling Office is to educate Pao School students and families on higher educational opportunities, help students navigate the vast selection of global colleges and university options, introduce them to schools and programmes that best match their interests and abilities, and successfully assist our students in the eventual application process.
Beginning in Year 9, services are offered to support students in their search for a university and to also identify worthwhile summer programmes, internships and a wide range of other enrichment opportunities.
In line with our whole person education philosophy, the University and Careers Counselling Office believes strongly that students have a diverse and wide range of talents. As such, there is no 'one size fits all' when it comes time for students to make the next step in their educational journey. We encourage students and parents to embrace the university process with an open mind, and to look closely at both the student and school profiles to determine the 'best fit'. We want our students to thrive in university and achieve great results, and finding an appropriate school that matches the student's strengths, interests and skills is a crucial part of the university search process.
Originally from Hong Kong, Ben graduated from Duke University with a Master’s degree in Engineering Management (Financial Engineering Concentration). Prior to that, he attended Tsinghua University, and received a Bachelor of Engineering in Industrial Engineering. He started his career in management consultancy and investment, while later identified his true aspiration to bring the best education resources to students in China. He has worked with international high school students in China for seven years, both as an individual counselor and an educational consultant for college counseling agency. Such experiences helped Ben gain a unique perspective to better understand the challenges and dilemmas this special group of students faces in preparation for the next, perhaps the most important, stage of their lives. Ben joined YK Pao School in 2023.
Holly was educated through high school in Beijing before moving to the US for her undergraduate degree at UC Santa Barbara. She then moved to Harvard for her master’s degree in Education Management specializing in Higher Education. She has worked as a Student Advisor and Higher Education Programme co-ordinator at Kaplan in Los Angeles as well as working in the Admissions department at the Harvard School of Engineering. In 2020 she moved back to China and worked at Fudan University as the Senior Officer of Student Affairs before joining the University Counseling Team in August 2022.
Brooklyn received his education in Canada before pursuing a master’s degree at the London School of Economics in the UK. He gained valuable experience at China’s largest education consulting firm, mastering the intricacies of US colleges and graduate programs. Following this, he worked in college counseling and admissions at an American international school in Singapore before joining YK Pao School in 2024.
Venessa graduated from East China Normal University. She coordinated admissions for the Secondary School when she joined us in 2011. As Venessa moved on to the University and Careers Counselling Office in 2015, with her main focus on the 'Careers' part by organising the internship programme and the career speakers series, she also helps students and parents learn more about overseas educational opportunities, such as overseas exchanges, summer programmes and international universities application, etc.
Bell graduated from Hunan University of Technology with a Bachelor’s Degree in English. She has extensive experience in admin work, including scheduling, planning, communication and coordination. Bell’s personal goal is to 'Be Professional and Peaceful'.
US universities consider a range of factors when reviewing applications. This is called 'holistic' admissions. The greatest emphasis is always placed on grades and the rigour of the curriculum. The IB Diploma Programme is highly-regarded worldwide as a comprehensive and demanding curriculum that prepares students for the challenges of university study.
The personal statement or essay is the part of the application in which a student's own voice can be heard. Pao School's counsellors work closely with students so they understand the essential features of a good personal statement and how to develop a statement of their own. We provide guidance and editing support for the essay and supplements required by some universities. For most US universities, the essay can be written on a variety of topics.
Unlike those for US universities, approximately 75% of the statement for UK universities focuses on a student's selected course of study/academic background and the remainder focuses on extracurricular activities and identifying the connection between the two.
US universities practice holistic admissions so a variety of factors are considered in the application review, including extracurricular activities both in and out of school and during summer vacation. US universities look for evidence of leadership ability, while extracurricular activities not related to the student's intended area of study are less emphasised in UK and EU institutions.
Pao School's teachers and University and Careers Counsellors will write recommendation letters on behalf of our students. These letters are sent to the institutions electronically.
Check the interview policy for each university on their website as practices vary from school to school. Some universities offer Skype interviews. Others offer staff or alumni interviews in Shanghai. Pao School's counsellors assist students as they prepare for interviews. There are a few China-based reputable companies who provide unscripted, unedited 30 minute interviews for a fee.
Check the university website for details about information sessions, campus tours, recommended accommodations and much more. Always sign-up for visits in advance as opposed to simply perusing the campus grounds without an appointment.
1. When should my child start the application process?
While you may be tempted to have your child begin preparing for university admission process as early as Year 8 or Year 9, it is better to encourage your child to focus on goal setting, developing interests, exploring passions and engaging actively in their classes. Only by authentically developing their own strengths and interests during their High School experience will students be able to focus on what university programmes will be best suited for them.
Beginning in Year 11, Pao School students will begin attending university workshops and visits by university admissions officers from around the world. Families will receive a timeline for the process. Beginning in Year 9 and continuing to Year 10, the first step in this process will be for you to work with your child to chart the educational path for the remainder of his/her Pao School career.
In Year 11, students are assigned to a University and Careers Counsellor who will discuss overseas studies with you and your child and develop a timeline for the process and related activities.
2. What should my child being doing during summers to better prepare for the overseas university admission process?
While there is no one specific camp or programme that is the best for students to engage in over the summer, it is a valuable time for students to explore their interests and passions. Regardless of the activity, colleges and universities are seeking students who use their time productively as a way to develop themselves – either by attending camps, volunteering, participating in an internship or holding a summer job.
3. How can my child differentiate themselves from other applicants and succeed in their applications to overseas universities?
There is no doubt that grades and test scores matter. However, they are only one piece in a very large and complicated puzzle. There is no 'magic formula' to applying successfully to overseas universities and, for the most selective universities, excellent grades and scores are by no means a guarantee to admission. In addition to a solid academic record, schools are often looking for students who will actively participate in their own education, enrich the community with their interests and passions and take initiative in the learning process. It is imperative that Year 8 and Year 9 students be given the time to develop these authentic interests and not focus prematurely on the university process.
