Unveiling the ED2 Success Stories
We asked them about their choices of ideal school and major, as well as how they highlighted their distinctive qualities and experiences during the application process. Despite their diverse fields of study, we found that they all demonstrate a commitment to interdisciplinary exploration, a keen awareness of real-world issues, and a proactive approach to transforming personal interests into social value.
#Ranked No. 1 for undergraduate entrepreneurship for 30 consecutive years by US News
#Alumni entrepreneurship rate is five times that of typical business schools
#Named “Most Transformative Business School” by the Financial Times
Blanche W
From a very young age, Blanche aspired to become an entrepreneur and was captivated by the world of business. Recalling her childhood family trips, she remarked, “Business is everywhere, no matter which country I am in. When we reach out to a travelling agency, find out which hotel to book, and choose the stores to walk in, I wanted to know how business works to affect our lives and the engrossing story behind every entrepreneur.” This early curiosity about creating products with her own hands and imbuing them with value sparked her deep exploration into the essence of commerce.When she discovered that Babson College's entrepreneurship programme was ranked number one in the United States, Blanche was immediately drawn to the school and applied for its summer study programme in Year 11. There, she discovered the fascinating “Entrepreneurial Thought & Action” methodology – a unique approach that combines creative problem-solving with real-world application. As she puts it, “Babson’s strong networking opportunity and hands-on approach to entrepreneurship, with its emphasis on social impact, is exactly what I need to achieve both my academic and career goals of building a business that is financially successful while making a positive impact on society.”
Blanche further believes that her application stood out because she demonstrated not only a committed passion for entrepreneurship but also revealed a genuine, multidimensional self. Her video supplement, the story of her hobbies, and her ability to blend creativity, resilience and leadership have been central to her personal and academic journey. A key experience for her was co-founding a business during the summer programme – an initiative aimed at helping autistic adults succeed in the workplace through an online seminar platform and a 24-hour counselling service. This demanding project, requiring extensive research, collaboration and problem-solving, taught her the importance of adaptability and perseverance. Moreover, her journey as a cellist – particularly her solo performance of “The Parade of Lions” at the Suzhou Culture Expo Centre – marked a transformative moment where she shifted from striving for perfection to embracing imperfections, growing with every challenge and inspiring others along the way.
#Innovative interdisciplinary EEPS
#Cutting-edge research & global collaborations
#Nurturing future environmental & sustainability leaders
Carol Q
There are many reasons why Carol chose Washington University in St. Louis (WashU). Firstly, the exceptional campus environment stands out – WashU boasts outstanding facilities as well as excellent residential and dining services. As a private institution, it offers superior per-student resources, and a favourable student-to-faculty ratio compared to large public universities.Regarding her academic interests, Carol’s primary passion lies in environmental science, natural sciences and ecology. However, her intellectual curiosity spans multiple disciplines, and she has often felt constrained by traditional single-subject majors. This realisation led her to WashU's unique interdisciplinary programme, Earth, Environmental and Planetary Science (EEPS), which immediately captured her attention. The programme integrates earth sciences, geology, environmental ecology, planetary studies and biochemistry, and features hands-on laboratory work and offers fascinating field research opportunities. Furthermore, St Louis’s status as a hub for aviation, energy and biotechnology industries provides excellent professional alignment with her academic interests.
Carol also values WashU’s commitment to showcasing the multidimensional nature of its applicants. She recalls that when her friends learned she had chosen Art as an elective – alongside Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics in her A-Level curriculum – they were surprised, “but it is precisely this passion for art that enriched my application.” Thanks to WashU’s provision for a video portfolio, Carol produced a vlog in which she painted a piece in real time, demonstrating her unique way of seeking inspiration and her one-of-a-kind perspective. She explains, “In the video, I created a piece on the spot and showcased my unique way of drawing inspiration and my one-of-a-kind perspective. This is what I love most about WashU – it allows applicants to present a more authentic, multidimensional self, rather than being reduced to mere statistics on paper.” Carol is further drawn to the renowned Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts, adding, “If given the opportunity, I would like to pursue a double major – to study an art-related subject alongside my main discipline.”
Carol summarises that this journey has taught her a vital lesson: no matter how intense college applications or academic pressures become, one should never abandon what they love. “While stress can drain motivation, genuine passion fuels resilience. Without the daily freedom to create in art class, I doubt I’d have found the drive to tackle other subjects. My advice is to act immediately on interests that excite you – even imperfect attempts hold value. Every experience, successful or not, can evolve into a standout element of your application. After all, US college admissions committees seek not just achievers, but curious individuals whose authentic passions shape their unique narratives.”
#Mathematics department: rigorous teaching & cutting-edge research
#Flexible curriculum for interdisciplinary exploration (astronomy, architecture, management)
#World-class campus facilities & dormitories
Michael X
Michael X is eagerly looking forward to his life at WashU. He notes that WashU’s dormitories are renowned as some of the best in the country – especially the famous memory foam mattresses, which have become something of a legend. While he has always loved mathematics, Michael admits that he is still exploring exactly what area to study or which career path to pursue. However, WashU’s flexible course selection system offers him the opportunity to explore other fields that spark his interest, such as astronomy, architecture, and management.Moreover, since Year 11, Michael has been actively involved in both online and offline volunteer tutoring. This experience has taught him a great deal as he has gained valuable skills in lesson planning and teaching and significantly improved his ability to communicate and explain mathematical concepts, an area he once found challenging. Through his volunteer work, he has come to appreciate just how precious educational resources are, and now he cherishes every opportunity to learn even more.
#Elite intimate undergraduate institution (US News Top50)
#Small class sizes, excellent student–faculty ratio
#Balanced rigorous theory & practical application
#Nurturing versatile talent sought by global industry
Tory L
Tory chose Lehigh University primarily for its intimate, undergraduate-focused environment. He learned that most classes at Lehigh comprise only twenty to thirty students, ensuring that each student receives ample attention and resources. Furthermore, the university’s location in a peaceful town offers an ideal environment for study.
When it came to selecting a subject, Tory found that Mathematics is not only a broad and extensive field – often seen as quite versatile, with applications in various domains. Lehigh’s interdisciplinary education model allows him to supplement his main studies in Mathematics with courses in other areas, thereby broadening her horizons and clarifying his future direction.
During the application process, Tory actively engaged in various research projects and competitions. He participated in the CTB (China Thinks Big) project with his team, investigating ways to address youth addiction to e-cigarettes by proposing a ‘nicotine-free tea cigarette’ solution. Additionally, he took part in the chemistry competitions like CCC. These experiences not only enriched his application portfolio but also showcased his ability to integrate knowledge across different disciplines.
The journeys of these four students demonstrate that top-tier universities value not only high academic scores and achievements, but also those who can transform personal passion into societal impact. Whether it is Blanche’s entrepreneurial endeavours, Carol’s fusion of science and art, Tory’s interdisciplinary breakthroughs, or Michael’s anticipation for exploring more fields, their success stems from a steadfast commitment to what they love, a keen ability to utilise available resources, and the courage to present their authentic selves. As Carol aptly puts it, “Every experience, whether successful or not, can become the highlight of your application.” This is perhaps the very essence of an outstanding education – providing fertile ground for every unique passion, so that the younger generation may define their own path to excellence through exploration.
