129. What U.S. Admissions Officers Really Look For in International Applicants

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Applying to U.S. universities as an international student? This episode breaks down exactly what you need to know. Former Admissions Officer Kevin (MIT, Brown, UChicago, Cornell) explains:

✅ How international students can highlight their cultural identity authentically

✅ What U.S. admissions officers really look for across different regions

✅ How to present local achievements in a way that resonates with American colleges

✅ Why personal essay storytelling matters more than “trauma dumping”

✅ What international student-athletes must know about recruitment

✅ The biggest global admissions trends affecting applicants right now

Whether you’re applying from Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Africa, or anywhere else, this episode gives you insider clarity you won’t find on Google—and helps parents understand exactly how to guide their student through the U.S. admissions process.

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