For international high school students, applying to university can feel like following an invisible thread—one end leading to the gates of world-renowned universities, and the other tied to the expectations of families.
How can students earn that coveted offer letter? Beyond outstanding academic performance, success also depends on the expertise and professionalism of their university guidance team.
At Xi’an Liangjiatan International School (XLIS), university guidance is never the achievement of one individual. It is the collective wisdom and experience of a team that has spent years refining their practice.
A Comprehensive and Professional Guidance Team
At XLIS, 13 experienced part-time mentors specializing in university planning and applications. Each member brings over eight years of international guidance experience and is well-versed in application processes across Mainland China, the U.S., the U.K., Canada, Australia, South Korea, Hong Kong SAR, Singapore, Japan, and Europe.
Whether a student’s goal is an overseas university or a top domestic institution, they receive precise, one-on-one professional guidance.
Clear Roles and Seamless Collaboration: Integrating Classes and Personalized Guidance
Our approach aligns university counseling with each stage of a student’s academic growth, combining classroom-based instruction with individualized mentoring to create a connected, complete system.
MYP5: Interest Exploration and Academic Profiling
In class, monthly guidance sessions revolve around key topics such as “connecting subject interests with future majors” and “competition types suitable for Grade 10.”Students also begin developing essential habits like activity tracking and resume writing, laying the foundation for future applications.
· For a student interested in Physics, the mentor might design a DP course selection plan and a competition preparation roadmap.· For those drawn to Humanities, mentors may recommend writing projects and related summer programs.
This dual system helps each student build a distinctive academic profile, turning classroom learning into personalized development.
DP1: Application Readiness and Profile Development
At this stage, biweekly guidance lessons focus on practical skills such as university research, personal statement writing (for both UK and US systems), resume building, and mock admission exercises.Students also learn to navigate BridgeU, UCAS, and Common App, ensuring full understanding of global application systems.
Outside the classroom, the application and planning teams collaborate closely:
· Application mentors refine students’ essays and materials one-on-one.· Planning mentors adjust university lists based on reach/match/safety analysis and monitor standardized testing progress (TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, etc.).
This structure ensures classroom learning translates into an actionable, individualized application plan.
DP2: Full-Cycle Guidance and Transition Support
In DP2, counseling focuses on key milestones:Requesting recommendation letters, submitting applications, tracking progress, preparing visa documents, and applying for university housing.
Students are also guided on how to balance academics during the waiting period.
Meanwhile, both teams provide in-depth one-on-one support:
· Application mentors proofread final essays and organize supporting documents such as certificates and recommendation letters.· Planning mentors dynamically adjust application strategies, track IB core task progress, and prepare students for visa interviews and university course selection.
This ensures students can focus on their studies while staying fully supported through every stage of the process.
In addition, students in MYP2-MYP4 may optionally attend various university-admission information sessions to gain an initial understanding of our school’s guidance and procedures for university application.
IB University Application Quick Q & A
Growth and Achievements: Visible Results of Continuous Effort
With the support of the XLIS University Guidance Team, graduates have been admitted to outstanding universities worldwide across fields such as Science, Engineering, Humanities, Business, and the Arts.Each success reflects the collective professionalism and dedication behind every student’s journey.
Bringing the University Experience onto Campus
At XLIS, we bring universities into the school so that preparation becomes a part of daily life rather than a final-year rush:· Lectures and mock interviews
· Alumni sharing sessions · Talks from embassy education officers
· Annual university fairs
· BridgeU online platform
Empowering Every Student to Find Their Path
University application is a young person’s first true life decision — choosing their own direction. At XLIS, our University Guidance Center transforms global data into personalized choices, complex processes into clear timelines, and family anxiety into measurable progress.
Standing alongside every student and parent, we ensure that the application journey is not the end — but the beginning of lifelong growth.
Author:
Erika Chen (University Counselor)
Kathy Wei (Director of HR & All Staff Well-being)
Fancy Fan (Admin Officer)
