Please swipe left for English
本月中旬，美国大学早申录取开始放榜。相关话题又成为热点：
▫“进入名校意味什么？”
▫ “名校关注学生哪些方面？”
▫ “想要被名校‘关注’，最要做对哪些事情？”
▫ “哪些辅助项目可以加分？”
许尚杰（Jack）、张玫，
都是美国名校毕业，
都是启明星家长，
都是成功的创业人士
他们的一场公开的越洋对话，事关这些应景话题：
许尚杰（Jack Hsu）
启创中心创始人
哥伦比亚大学面试官
哥伦比亚大学北京全球中心理事
毕业于加州大学伯克利分校、哥伦比亚大学
张玫
社会企业Wild China碧山旅行创始人
前哈佛商学院校友董事
前麦肯锡咨询专家
加州大学伯克利分校博士在读
藤校想要看到学生
对世界有责任感
⦿Jack：这些年，藤校之类的一流大学的录取率一直在降低。拿几个数据来说吧，30年前，我们考大学的时候，藤校的录取率大约是20%，算是合理吧，今天就只剩4%了。再比如芝加哥大学，30年前，录取率有40%—50%，今天也就只有4%—5%。
挑战这么大，大家还是很愿意去拼。那么进入名校到底能带来什么，在名校读书是什么样的体验？玫，你在哈佛读书，能不能讲讲在哈佛的那几年，给你的人生带来了什么样的改变？
⦿张玫：进入名校就像拿到了一把金钥匙，可以打开一些门。它可以给你人脉，给你同学圈，但是这些都只是一时半会的事，打开门之后要怎么走，还是要靠你自己。
我觉得哈佛给我更重要的东西，是做事情的信念——不管这个世界有什么问题，只要把心放进去，好好的做事情，就能解决问题。还有一个重要的东西，就是利他的思想。哈佛商学院很核心的一个理念就是，不管你创业是为了盈利还是非盈利，一定心里头要想着这件事情能够为别人、为社会解决一个什么问题。
⦿Jack：我完全同意。像哥伦比亚大学这样的学校也是非常强调责任感的。我记得去哥大上学的第一天，校长就说，你们是最优秀的，可你们的责任也是最大的，你们有这么多优势， 要思考怎么去造福别人。毕业典礼上，校长说的还是这句话。
活动要持续、要真实
哪怕从身边500米开始
⦿ Jack：对世界的责任感是很难反映在成绩单上的，这个时候申请文书的作用就很突出。我从2003年开始做哥伦比亚大学的面试官，读过很多申请文书，面试过很多学生，可以从这个经历出发谈谈感受。
我觉得，学生要讲述自己的服务类活动，有2点特别重要：
第一是活动的持续性。我们会看，这些活动是不是年复一年地去做，是不是有持续性，想要解决问题。这个持续性绝对是招生官、面试官在看的。
第二是真实性。也就是能不能让我们从中看到你的反思能力和热情，你是不是真的享受做这些事，是不是真的喜欢。如果不是，那它和申请材料的其他板块、其他故事是串联不起来的，很容易被看破。
FFC学员的项目
⦿ 张玫：你刚才讲的要“发自内心”真的特别重要。一个孩子可以关爱全世界，做服务可以从自己身边500米开始，来建设自己的人生。
我觉得，文书的核心不是书写，而是关于“怎样做更理想的人”。踢足球也好，做社区救助也好，不要为了写文书去做，而是要为了真的能够帮助到别人，也能够给自己一些力量而去做。
你的活动不需要做的多大，不一定要去国外做多么惊天动地的事情。藤校想要看到的，是你能把事情做的有多深，能带来什么影响，怎么让这个世界更好？所以做事要有定力，有持续性。
在真实的世界里做事
你会学的更好
⦿ Jack：去做实际的事情是很重要的。我在美国读大学的时候，就会逃课去公司里实习，了解公司是怎么做估值的，怎么运营的，然后在学校学习相关的知识，实践和理论就对上了。先发现问题，再针对性地学习，我觉得这个顺序是对的，学起来也不费劲。而且你会知道，世界比分数更大。藤校想要的学生也是勇敢探索自己的热爱，在参与真实世界的过程里，一步步明确学习的方向。
⦿ 张玫：我也觉得知道自己的兴趣在哪里了，再去抓你想要学的东西，会学的更好。
我现在有一个博士生同学，他喜欢观鸟。他研究的题目是通过鸟的分布来监测气候的变化，因为鸟的品种和数量的变化一定是跟气候有关系的。他去选的课程也都是能够帮到他这个研究题目的，所以学得特别带劲！现在，他在伯克利是全A的学生，STEM课都是A+！
我们有针对性的项目
来支持学生
⦿ 张玫：说到探索自己的热爱，有这么20个孩子给我的印象特别特别深。他们入选了启创·英才计划（FFC）项目。今年夏天在FFC项目里，我有机会和他们在一起，带他们一起阅读。他们优秀，又很投入，我相信，在启创中心参加活动的这段经历，都是大学申请文书很好的材料。
Jack，你是启创中心的创始人，是不是讲一下背景，这样大家更容易理解。
2024 FFC学员和导师
⦿ Jack：好的。我们在2022年成立了启创中心，愿景是让人们了解社会创新这个理念。它的重点是让世界变得更好。我们通过启创中心，支持学生探索和完成自己感兴趣的社会创新项目，磨练探讨和解决问题的思路和技能，同时被更多机会和平台、包括一流大学的招生官“看见”。
现在，启创有2个这样的项目。一个是启创·英才计划（FFC），适合高中生，为期一年，是个人项目。今年夏天的FFC吸引了全国上百所学校的学生关注，最终我们从4000人当中选出了20个孩子。
我们认为，要普及社会创新理念，20个人是远远不够的，我们要覆盖更多学生，所以又推出了启创·创投峰会（VFC）。7到12年级学生都可以参加，时间也缩短到5个月。
启创·创投峰会（VFC）是一项晋级式学习峰会，和哥伦比亚大学新兴企业家组织、联合国青少年领航计划合作，致力于培养全球7至12年级（初一至高三）关注社会问题和环境挑战，并对创业感兴趣的学生团队。学生们将组成3至8人的团队，共同制定并推广解决社会问题的创业方案，并有机会获得启动资金。
我们欢迎学生真诚投入自己热爱的项目，完善背景提升，早早开始构建自己有价值的人生！
In the middle of this month, early admission decisions at US universities have started rolling out. This has sparked renewed discussion around related topics:
▫"What does it mean to get into a top school?"
▫ "What aspects do elite schools focus on in students?"
▫ "What should one do to get 'noticed' by top schools?"
▫ "What supplementary programs can boost one's application?"
Jack XuandMei Zhangare both:
Graduates of prestigious US universities
Parents of Daystar students
Successful entrepreneurs
In this public dialogue, they address these timely questions:
Jack Hsu
Founder, Qi Center
Columbia University Admissions Interviewer
Advisory Board Member,
Columbia Global Center Beijing
Graduated from UC Berkeley, Columbia University
Mei Zhang
Founder, Social Enterprise Wild China
Former Director,
Harvard Business School Alumni Committee
Previously worked at McKinsey
PhD Candidate at UC Berkeley
Elite Schools Want to See
Students' Commitment to
Social Responsibility
⦿Jack：Over the years, the admission rates at Ivy League and other top universities have become increasingly competitive. Let’s look at some numbers: 30 years ago when I was applying to college, the acceptance rate at Ivy League schools was around 20%, which was reasonable. Today it is only 4%. Take the University of Chicago for example: 30 years ago, the acceptance rate was 40-50%; now it's down to 4-5%.
The competition is fierce, but people are still determined to get in. So what does it really mean to get into these top schools? Mei, you went to Harvard - can you share how those years at Harvard changed your life?
⦿Mei:Getting into a top school is like having a golden key that can open certain doors. It gives you access to networks and a circle of peers. But those are just temporary benefits. What is more important is how you proceed when you move forward through those doors and step into your life; that is up to you.
I think Harvard gave me something more important: it instilled in me a belief in the power of action– that no matter what problems the world faces, if you put your heart into it and do things well, you can solve them.Another core value I learned was altruism.A key tenet at Harvard Business School is that whether your venture is for-profit or non-profit, you must genuinely believe that it serves to address a problem for others or for society.
⦿Jack：I completely agree. Schools like Columbia also really emphasize a sense of responsibility. I remember on my first day, the president said "You are the best and brightest, but with that comes great responsibility. Given all the advantages you have, how will you use them to benefit others?" The same message was repeated at graduation.
Activities need to be sustained
and authentic,
even if they start in your neighborhood.
⦿ Jack：Students' sense of global responsibility isn't something that shows up on a transcript. This is where the application essay becomes so important. As a Columbia interviewer since 2003, I've read many essays and interviewed many students. I've found two key things to look for:
First, the continuity of their service activities.We want to see that they've been engaged in these activities year after year, trying to address a social issue in a sustained way.Continuity is something admissions officers and interviewers really pay attention to.
Second, authenticity;can we see that the student is truly passionate and reflective about these activities, rather than doing them just to check a box?If it's not authentic, it won't align with the rest of their application.
FFC projects
⦿ Mei:What you said about authenticity is so important. A student can care about the whole world, but they can start to make a difference in their own 500-meter radius and build from there.
I think the core of the application essay isn't just the writing, but about "how to become a more self-realized person." Whether it's playing soccer or community service, don't do it just for the essay, do it because you genuinely want to help others and empower yourself.
Your activities don't have to be massive - you don't have to go abroad and do earth-shattering things.Top schools want to see how deep you can go, what kind of impact you can create, how you can make the world better. So have dedication and continuity in what you do.
By doing things
out in the “real world”
you will learn more
⦿ Jack：Taking action in the real world is crucial. When I was in college in the US, I would skip class to intern at companies, to understand how they do valuations, how they operate. Then I'd come back and learn the related academic concepts - the hands-on experience made the learning much easier. First, discover the problems then learn targeted skills you can apply - I think that's the right order. And you realize the world is much bigger than just test scores.Top schools want students who bravely explore their passions, and who figure out their learning path through real-world engagement.
⦿Mei:I agree, when you know what you're interested in, then you can focus on learning the right things, and you'll learn them much better.
I have a PhD classmate who loves birdwatching. His research is on using bird distribution to monitor climate change, since bird species and numbers are connected to climate. All the courses he chooses are directly relevant to supporting his research topic, so he's super engaged and motivated. Now he's a straight-A student at Berkeley, even acing the STEM classes.
We have targeted programs
to support students
in exploring their true passions
⦿Mei:Speaking of exploring true passions, there's a group of about 20 students that really left a deep impression on me. They were selected for the Fellowship for Change (FFC) program. This past summer, I had the chance to work with them, lead discussions on classic readings. They're excellent and very dedicated -I believe their FFC experience will make for great material in their college applications.
Jack, as the founder of the Qi Center, maybe you can share a bit more about the background, so everyone can understand better.
Members and mentors of FFC 2024
⦿ Jack：Sure. I founded the Qi Center with the vision of spreading the concept of Social Innovation - the idea of making the world a better place. Through the Qi Center, we support students in exploring and executing their own Social Innovation projects, honing their problem-solving skills, while also creating more opportunities and platforms for them to be "seen" by admissions officers at top universities.
Currently we have two main programs.One is the Fellowship for Change (FFC), a year-long individual project geared towards high school students.This past summer, the FFC attracted over 4,000 applicants from hundreds of schools nationwide, and we selected 20 students.
However, we felt that to really mainstream Social Innovation, 20 students isn't enough. So we launched theVenture For Change (VFC) summit, which is open to students from Grades 7-12, and condensed to a five-month program.
The Venture For Change (VFC) summit is a staged learning programthat works with CORE and UNYLDP to cultivate global student teams from Grades 7-12 who are passionate about social and environmental issues, and interested in entrepreneurship.Students will form 3-8 person teams to develop and pitch their social venture ideas, with a chance to receive startup funding.
We welcome students to genuinely invest themselves in projects they truly care about, and start making a valuable impact beginning with what’s within their reach!