Over the last 10 years, Elite Scholars of China has successfully helped over 1000 students gain admission to the most selective colleges in America.
We were coffee-shop regulars, but not for the coffee. Weekend after weekend, we sat at cafe tables across from inspiring Chinese high-school students, conducting alumni admission interviews on behalf of our respective alma maters. Many of these students were intellectually curious and exceptionally motivated. They had done research on black holes and won awards for original plays and published papers about the psychology of their basketball teams.
While we were in awe of these students, we were troubled by the lack of guidance and resources available to them as they navigated a foreign application process. As time went on, we knew that we wanted to be on the other side of the cafe table, not interviewing these applicants but working alongside them. In September 2010, the first six elite scholars gathered around our kitchen table to begin their applications to American colleges.
Ten years later, Elite Scholars of China (ESC) has successfully helped over 1000 students gain admission to the most selective colleges in America. A team of devoted education experts and graduates of top colleges, we strive to provide not just application guidance but also more holistic support, mentoring students as they discover who they are and what motivates them.
We look forward to continuing to guide China’s brightest students to opportunities that will empower them as future leaders of China and the world.
Our low student-to-consultant ratio (5:1 on average) is proof that we prioritize the progress and success of each individual student. We believe that the better we know our students, the better we can support them: recommend resources that inspire them, suggest colleges that suit their interests, and encourage them to achieve their best written work on applications. Moreover, we take care to communicate with students’ families, providing regular updates and arranging in-person meetings to discuss big decisions.
We want students to graduate from our program feeling not just excited about their collegiate futures; we also want them to leave for college with a strong sense of who they are and ample confidence in their ability to make a smooth transition to American college life. To achieve this growth, we empower our students to explore opportunities to get involved in school or community activities. Through extensive group and one-on-one mentoring, students develop their long-term interests and build foundational skills that will serve them well in the college application process and, most importantly, beyond.
Our four-story building in Beijing’s Chaoyang District is home to a vibrant community of students and mentors. Admitting roughly four of every five students who apply to our program, we select strong learners who, through interviews and writing samples, demonstrate intellectual curiosity and commitment to personal growth. Whether students are debating one another in a weekend enrichment seminar or chatting with consultants over our daily home-cooked lunch, they are forming bonds that will last well beyond the application season. In fact, we stay in close touch with our alumni even after they leave for college.
This article will provide a glimpse into Watermelon Song Yuanfeng’s student journey from ESC to a highly selective private research university in Nashville, Tennessee. Watermelon is an ESC alumni from the Class of 2020 who recently finished his first semester at Vanderbilt University. Watermelon joined ESC at the beginning of his Gao 2 year as…
This article will provide a glimpse into Sissi Feng Nuanxi’s student journey from a shy high school student at ESC to a thriving college student at one of the most selective liberal arts colleges in the U.S with a Fall 2020 acceptance rate of a mere 9%. Sissi is one of our wonderful ESC alumni…
ESC counselors, staff members, and students encompass a range of cultural backgrounds and identities. Built on the belief that acknowledging and uplifting different identities is central to ESC values, the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiative at ESC strives to foster a supportive and inclusive cross-cultural community. Like many initiatives at ESC, DEI started with…
The mock interview is one of the most important parts of the college interview preparation process. Before ESC students interview with an admissions officer or alumnus at their dream school, they will have likely practiced their answers multiple times with every single member of their counseling team. ESC senior scholars counselors do all they can…
What kind of professional skills can I expect to develop while working in Education Consulting? Education consulting has a few foundational skills necessary for success. As noted in our previous posting, competencies such as mentorship, admissions insights, and writing/editing are all fundamental in helping us provide high-value service to clients. As a candidate, you will…
