My son got in ED Johns Hopkins in December 2020. Yay! At least something comes up exciting in this bleak year!
My husband is a MD and PhD from PUMC China and I am holding graduate degree from the US. However, neither of us experienced the high school in the States. HS2’s call is so on time for us to make decision on how to help my son to go through high school life here. So far, I would say the money spent on HS2 is the most worth spending in my whole life no matter wherever my son gets his college offer.
My son started with HS2 Academy since freshman of high school. His counselor is incredibly supportive and outstanding. She has her own way to motivate and help the teenagers – energetic, inspiring, enthusiastic, strict but professional. She is always a great resource to go with all the concerns and hesitations. She is trying her best to be reachable although she takes care of several other kids at the same time. Based on the kids’ interests, characteristics and right assessments, she customizes and tailors the right path for the four years’ high school by selecting the AP classes, reviewing the college applications, recommending the activities in high school and even bridging the connection with her previous students in JHU to help my son to get the smooth transition in his upcoming college life!
My son took ACT in his sophomore year with the result of 35 out of 36. Without her motivation and also the training from HS2 Academy, no one would think about taking it so early. During the pandemic, when SAT and ACT exams have been pushed several times and kids are struggling to apply college without the testing scores, my son had it ready years ago.
High school study life in the US has been illustrated in an unrealistic way like, very flexible, very easy and not as intensive as the one in China. That’s so NOT accurate. In China, you have only one year intensively to prepare your kid to take the exams to go to your dream college and that single one national exam determines everything; while in the US, you have four years to prepare because every single exam score counts, every single step count, every single activity will be part of your kid’s college application. If you wait until the last minute to prepare for it, it would be too late. Without the mentor and coach from HS2 Academy, we would not go this far. I cannot say enough about the quality of the program and the counselor’s great help. The only thing I would recommend is to start early for your kid’s college life preparations and start it with HS2 Academy. You would not be regretful!
Wish everyone the best and we all have a brighter year in 2021!