Our strategists, coaches, case managers, and youth mentors leverage their own overseas experience and industry knowledge to give all clients a competitive edge in the middle and high school admissions process. Working with former admissions officers and school administrators, we have secured admissions to elite institutions around the world. Trust FGE to guide you every step along the path to your dream school!
The Foundation’s school application service comprises a long term comprehensive and personalized journey. We cater to each family's specific needs, meticulously analyzing the student's personality, strengths, and weaknesses. Treating it like a project management endeavor, our custom-tailored approach ensures that each application process truly reflects the individuality uniqueness of every student. The child's aspirations is important to us, and we are dedicated to creating an outstanding and seamless school application experience.
Our team has extensive experience working with different types of students and identifying the environments that they thrive in. Through guided research, a youth mentorship program, and a large network of school contacts, we are able to not only compile a list of good-fit schools for each student, but also segment the list into various categories based on a student’s likelihood of admission. This helps us refine our application focus and maximize each child’s success in the overall application process.
With our Annual Education Planning (AEP) Service, we cater to families who are considering overseas education for their children in the future, starting from 18 to 36 months before the application process. A core part of the preparation process is profile building, where we not only work to highlight and enhance pre-existing strengths and achievements, but also make tailored summer program recommendations to round out a student’s identity. We work hard with coaches and youth mentors to make sure that every child, through a diverse collection of experiences and talents, is able to present the best version of themselves.
We take pride in offering a cutting-edge Interview Preparation Program with a comprehensive and interactive curriculum, meticulously curated using years of first-hand experience and extensive research on past interview questions. We adopt an interactive approach that includes mind mapping to help students gain a clearer picture of their unique positioning. This empowers students to organize their thoughts, strengths, and achievements cohesively, presenting a confident and compelling narrative to the interviewer. Our goal is not only to prepare our students for every possibility, but also to develop a lasting connection with the interviewer.
Foundation’s Essay Coaching Team consists of writing experts, ex-Admission officers, and former English teachers with strong humanities background. Our team has over 20 years of experience coaching students in crafting compelling application essays. We understand precisely what admission committees seek and patiently engage with students to decode essay questions, identifying “key stories” that reflect each student’s unique journey and differentiate them from similar candidates. Our thorough internal review process meticulously aligns essays with the student’s positioning, ensuring that each student’s voice is authentically captured.
Experience the unparalleled Campus Visit Service, tailored for families seeking a more in-depth and guided exploration of the boarding school environment. Our comprehensive one-stop solution streamlines every aspect of your visit, including itinerary arrangements, school appointments with tour guides and admission officers, hotel and car reservations, and even translation services if necessary. Notably, our specialized on-the-road interview training, led by experienced Foundation counselors, helps students make iterative improvements to their self-presentation. Furthermore, our exclusive one-on-one feedback sessions with admission officers ensure valuable insights into students’ performance, enabling necessary adjustments. Embark on a seamless and insightful campus journey with Foundation’s expertise and guidance present every step along the way.
With our extensive experience and vast network of close contacts in admission offices and school leadership, we do our best to advocate for each and every one of our students individually. We communicate frequently and thoroughly with schools every day throughout the application season in order to represent your child’s best interests and acquire the early information necessary for timely strategic adjustments. In 2023 alone, we spent over 1050 hours in direct communication with some of the best private schools in the world.
See how our programs have transformed our students' lives.
Offer:
The Lawrenceville School
The Hotchkiss School
The Taft School
From: US Junior Boarding Sschool
Interests: Professional Figure Skating, Sports, photography, history
Personality traits: Persistent and resilient, strong-hearted, fearless in the face of challenges
Application Journey
J is an exceptional student at our school, consistently achieving top academic honors while continually challenging herself. Beyond academics, she holds pivotal roles as a school tour guide, orchestra flute section leader, admissions office assistant, and grade-level leader, refining her leadership prowess. She also excels as a vital member of our school’s ice hockey and field hockey teams, actively engaging in diverse campus activities. Her adeptness in seamlessly transitioning between these roles prompts us to ponder: where lies the essence of being a “high-quality young woman”?
01. High-Quality Young Woman
J embarked on her journey in figure skating at the tender age of 4. Childhood for J meant icy rinks, rigorous training, and the pressures of coaching. Intrigued by the smooth ice and swift skates, she progressed from a simple hobby to intensive professional training, navigating moments of deep frustration. Despite vowing to quit due to the arduous training, returning to the school’s rink rekindled her joy and resilience. Reflecting on her experiences, she asserts, “It is these trials that have made me fearless in adversity.”
Moreover, figure skating unexpectedly enriched J’s life. While not highlighted in her application as a specialty, her evolution from passion to weariness and back underscored her unique journey on the ice. We strongly recommend she articulate this narrative in her essays and interviews, as it left a profound impact on admissions officers.
02. Close to Top US Boarding Schools, Perhaps Just a Stack of Photos Away
As J matured, her love for photography blossomed. Capturing architecture, landscapes, and the unnoticed facets of life, she found her voice through the lens. Her photographic achievements, including recognition in state-level competitions across the United States, underscore her talent.
J’s commitment extends beyond photography to community service, where she uses art to explore the world’s intricacies and unveil the beauty in overlooked moments. These endeavors reveal her sensitivity and enrich her profile with compelling humanistic narratives that resonate deeply with admissions officers.
03. Strong Inner Drive and Pioneering Spirit
In addition to her stellar academic and extracurricular record, J’s application highlights her unwavering drive and pioneering spirit. Guided by our support, she tackled the history essay competition, “The Concord Review,” delving into feminist studies with a depth surpassing her peers. As the sole middle school participant, she collaborated with high school and college students, navigating divergent perspectives to elevate her research prowess.
04. One Walks Fast, but a Group Walks Far
While US boarding schools emphasize team cohesion, J predominantly pursued individual projects. Recognizing the importance of teamwork, we advised her to immerse herself in school team activities to experience camaraderie and collective success. Leveraging her athletic prowess and solid foundation, J swiftly became a linchpin in the varsity ice hockey and field hockey teams, assuming leadership roles that fostered unity. Her affable nature seamlessly integrated her into the team, forging lasting bonds with her peers.
See how our programs have transformed our students' lives.
Offer:
The Lawrenceville School
The Hotchkiss School
The Taft School
From: US Junior Boarding Sschool
Interests: Professional Figure Skating, Sports, photography, history
Personality traits: Persistent and resilient, strong-hearted, fearless in the face of challenges
Application Journey
J is an exceptional student at our school, consistently achieving top academic honors while continually challenging herself. Beyond academics, she holds pivotal roles as a school tour guide, orchestra flute section leader, admissions office assistant, and grade-level leader, refining her leadership prowess. She also excels as a vital member of our school’s ice hockey and field hockey teams, actively engaging in diverse campus activities. Her adeptness in seamlessly transitioning between these roles prompts us to ponder: where lies the essence of being a “high-quality young woman”?
01. High-Quality Young Woman
J embarked on her journey in figure skating at the tender age of 4. Childhood for J meant icy rinks, rigorous training, and the pressures of coaching. Intrigued by the smooth ice and swift skates, she progressed from a simple hobby to intensive professional training, navigating moments of deep frustration. Despite vowing to quit due to the arduous training, returning to the school’s rink rekindled her joy and resilience. Reflecting on her experiences, she asserts, “It is these trials that have made me fearless in adversity.”
Moreover, figure skating unexpectedly enriched J’s life. While not highlighted in her application as a specialty, her evolution from passion to weariness and back underscored her unique journey on the ice. We strongly recommend she articulate this narrative in her essays and interviews, as it left a profound impact on admissions officers.
02. Close to Top US Boarding Schools, Perhaps Just a Stack of Photos Away
As J matured, her love for photography blossomed. Capturing architecture, landscapes, and the unnoticed facets of life, she found her voice through the lens. Her photographic achievements, including recognition in state-level competitions across the United States, underscore her talent.
J’s commitment extends beyond photography to community service, where she uses art to explore the world’s intricacies and unveil the beauty in overlooked moments. These endeavors reveal her sensitivity and enrich her profile with compelling humanistic narratives that resonate deeply with admissions officers.
03. Strong Inner Drive and Pioneering Spirit
In addition to her stellar academic and extracurricular record, J’s application highlights her unwavering drive and pioneering spirit. Guided by our support, she tackled the history essay competition, “The Concord Review,” delving into feminist studies with a depth surpassing her peers. As the sole middle school participant, she collaborated with high school and college students, navigating divergent perspectives to elevate her research prowess.
04. One Walks Fast, but a Group Walks Far
While US boarding schools emphasize team cohesion, J predominantly pursued individual projects. Recognizing the importance of teamwork, we advised her to immerse herself in school team activities to experience camaraderie and collective success. Leveraging her athletic prowess and solid foundation, J swiftly became a linchpin in the varsity ice hockey and field hockey teams, assuming leadership roles that fostered unity. Her affable nature seamlessly integrated her into the team, forging lasting bonds with her peers.
See how our programs have transformed our students' lives.
Offer: The University of Pennsylvania
From: US Boarding School
Susan’s Mother’s Sharing:
Early planning is crucial for navigating the complexities of applying to American universities and maximizing success. Without ample preparation, securing admission to top-tier institutions becomes daunting. Reflecting on my daughter’s experience applying to Penn, I often field inquiries from parents curious about the approach.
I stress the importance of long-term strategic planning. Regardless of consultancy quality, rushing preparations undermines outcomes. Achieving competitive standardized test scores, maintaining a strong GPA, and cultivating a robust extracurricular portfolio necessitate years of careful cultivation.
Crafting compelling application essays, which illuminate a student’s unique qualities and experiences, demands substantial foresight and refinement. Initiating preparations as early as 9th or 10th grade affords students the necessary time to develop academically and personally, ensuring they present their best selves to admissions committees.
Foundation stands out as a trusted partner in this journey. Their seasoned consultants provide invaluable guidance on selecting rigorous coursework, participating in enriching summer programs, and engaging in impactful extracurricular activities. Their holistic approach ensures students receive tailored support throughout their academic endeavors.
Beyond academics, I advocate for nurturing a child’s “underlying logic” — their innate drive and values — over fixating on academic rankings and achievements. Encouraging children to explore their passions and develop as individuals fosters long-term fulfillment and resilience. I believe that children from economically stable families, like those born in the 2000s and 2010s, should pursue their ideals and personal growth rather than solely focusing on academic competition, unlike previous generations constrained by survival pressures.
In essence, fostering an environment where children can authentically thrive and explore their potential is paramount. Understanding and supporting their unique paths to happiness and success empowers them to navigate life with confidence and purpose. This philosophy underpins my daughter’s journey and my approach to family education, advocating for authenticity and personal growth above all.
