On June 16, I had the privilege of moderating the education roundtable at the first anniversary celebration of the North American Alumni Association of BISU. It was a day of learning for me, where experts in finance, education, and immigration shared insights shaped by both data and decades of experience. I walked away with two realizations: one about what’s changing in college admissions—and one about what stays constant in life.
The New Landscape of College Admissions
One theme emerged clearly from our roundtable: today’s college admissions process is more competitive and complex than ever. High school students are applying to more schools, many through early decision or early action. Colleges, meanwhile, face increasing financial pressures and are admitting more first-generation students—adding layers of unpredictability to the process.
Yet one thing hasn’t changed: what ultimately matters most—strong academics, meaningful extracurriculars, and clear character.
During the discussion, a particularly thought-provoking moment came when two education professionals described their approaches to working with new families. An American educator said, “We pre-screen students—because students are the key.” But another, whose students are mostly Asian, said, “We pre-screen parents—because parents are the key.”
This contrast reflects two distinct cultural frameworks. In one, the student is the primary agent of change, expected to take initiative and show independence. In the other, the parent plays a central role, shaping strategy and making major decisions.
Both perspectives hold truth. But the gap between them reveals a deeper question: how do we nurture self-motivated learners in cultures where parental control often overshadows personal agency?
I believe that in the long run, students must be in the driver’s seat, steering their own journey. That’s how genuine passion is cultivated—and that’s exactly what admissions officers (AOs) are looking for.
AOs don’t want résumés packed with disconnected accomplishments. They want to see authenticity, focus, and growth. As one speaker put it, “Show me your passion project. Show me how you learned to lead while completing it. Show me you're not afraid to step outside your comfort zone.”
Here are a few key takeaways:
Declare a mission, not just a major. College is not the end goal—it’s part of the journey.
Start a blog. Use it to document your evolving interests and personal growth.
Choose your own summer. Don’t just take another online course. Do something real.
Don’t force it. Let your path unfold naturally—水到渠成 (when water flows, a channel forms).
Be self-motivated. AOs value students who take initiative, who learn on their own, who are genuinely curious.
As one speaker beautifully said, “Don’t just teach me—involve me.” Learning today is no longer passive. It’s collaborative, experiential, and driven by the student.
From College Dreams to Life’s Priorities
Later, while catching up with a college friend, he mentioned that his wife was planning to upgrade their already-spacious home to an even larger one. Inwardly I thought: Isn’t this the time in life when we should be doing the opposite?
As we reach a certain stage in life, instead of adding more—perhaps we should do more subtracting. Not accumulating more possessions, but let go what we no longer need. Not material quantity but life quality.
Subtraction means more clarity and freedom. It lightens our load, leaving us more space and time for new experiences, for people we care, for who we’re becoming and for the intangible legacy that we care to leave behind. After all, the most enduring things in life are not things at all.
In education, as in life, it's about building a life. And at some point, we build best by letting go and using least.