How do schools judge a student’s leadership skills if they do not currently have leadership roles in clubs or organizations?
American schools look for leadership skills in many ways. Student leadership doesn’t always mean arranging or assigning work for others. Because leadership positions are limited in every organization, leadership often shows up in assistant or coordinator positions.  Take sports as an example. When you cheer your soccer teammates up before an important competition, you are showing leadership skills. If you are a member of the football team, and you regularly share your positive influence and moral encouragement, this is your leadership ability. One of our Wuhan campus students asked if playing the piano for kindergarten students was a way of demonstrating leadership, and the answer is yes, of course! Sharing your gift of music with children is a way to teach them appreciation for the art of music, and it sets a good example for your peers. Leadership is much more related to your ability to influence others around you.

One panelist mentioned that even if you are not a leader on a team, you can still play a leadership role. Could you explain more?
Every single student has his/her own advantages. When you join a club, we want you to pay close attention to your interests and the reason you are joining that club. Instead of simply seeking the title of “Leader” for your resume, we want you to love what you are doing. When you find something meaningful, you are better able to devote yourself to the task. Then when you describe the activity to us in your application, your emotions will show in your words.

Curiosity and passion are important qualities for applicants. Do students who join more activities have a stronger desire and higher passion?
We do consider the kinds of activities that students join, but a high number of activities is no guarantee that they will be accepted by our school. We also consider both the quality and the length of the activities. For example, if a student starts a club with only five members, but it grows to have 100 members by the time he/she graduates, we know that this student has created something meaningful and sustainable.

Schools are looking for responsible, sympathetic, and dedicated students. How do schools recognize these qualities in their applicants?
Colleges require students to participate in community service, which typically requires students to be sympathetic and caring towards minorities in society. Fortunately, students in KL Schools are required to participate in a minimum of 25 hours of community service in order to graduate with their American high school diploma.

One panelist mentioned that when considering community service activities, they look for “quality over quantity”. Does this mean that there is no specific time requirement?
While quality of community service is more important to us than quantity, it doesn’t mean that the length of time is not important, as both are crucial. Why limit yourself? Community service is a continuous project that fosters good habits in students. We are looking for students that have learned how to focus on people, their community, and society, and have learned how to be sympathetic, how to help, and how to serve. We want students who understand how to make the world a better place to live.

Do colleges prefer to see community service related to a student’s own interests, or rather community service related to societal care?
While it is wonderful when community service participation relates to a student’s interests, it is not the most important factor. We encourage students to combine their interests with community service when possible. For example, a student interested in computer games could find a sponsor to hold a computer game competition to raise money, and then donate the money to a charity or to people in need.

We know that the higher you score on the standardized exams, the higher the possibility you will be accepted. Why do American colleges set a minimum score for admission?
The minimum score is to ensure that students have no language barriers for studying in English. We cannot always guarantee that students will understand their courses if they get 80 or higher on the TOEFL test. To improve their English, we highly recommend that students join more English speaking activities and group discussions, which allows them to practice English while building critical thinking and independent study abilities.

Do you have any suggestions for AP courses? Which is more important for admission, the SAT2 or AP scores?
While SAT2 is required by some top 30 American universities, AP scores are not. Because AP courses are more difficult than other courses, we encourage students to challenge themselves if they have the time, because it will give you the chance to study at a level similar to that of a college class. AP courses and tests help you check your knowledge and better understand where you need improvement. However, AP course scores will not influence your college admission.

More and more students and parents are worried about safety issues in America. Do you have any suggestions for them?
Panelist Martin Kwok (SCAD) shared a story that addressed these concerns and demonstrated the level of attention US schools pay to student safety. One day he forgot his access key card, and he tried to sneak on campus, but the campus guard would not let him in even after he explained that he worked there. Each university has its own security department to ensure student safety. However, we recommend researching the criminal rate in a school’s town or city, and speaking with teachers and other students about any potentially unsafe places in that area.

Is it necessary to join a summer school?
If you have the time, joining a summer school is a great opportunity to expand your interests and improve your English. It can even help you hone in on your ideal major, give you a better idea of your dream college, and allow you to experience a different school environment.

Want to join our inspiring community of educators teaching on our global campuses? Check out our KL career opportunities today!