ADMISSIONSCONSULTING

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Proven Track Record

The Edge’s Top 20 Universities* Acceptance Rate

The Edge’s Top 50 National Universities/Top 50 Liberal Arts Colleges* Acceptance Rate

The Edge’s Top 25 Universities and Colleges* Acceptance Rate

2012 2011 2010

70% 70%90%

THE EDGE’S 2016-2017 ACCEPTANCE RESULTS

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2017

20158.13%

30.77%

20167.94%

41.67%

22%

9.7%

2013The Edge’s Ivy Plus Acceptance Rate

Ivy Plus Acceptance Rate

Ivy Plus Acceptance Rate

The Edge’s Ivy Plus Acceptance Rate

7.61%

48.15%

The Edge’s students got into one or more of their Top 3 Choice Universities84.62%

*Ranking School # of Acceptances

US National University

#1 Princeton University 2

#3 University of Chicago 2

#5 Columbia University 3

#7 Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1

#8 University of Pennsylvania 1

# 1 Business University Of Pennsylvania - Wharton 1

#8 Duke University 1

#10 Johns Hopkins University 2

#11 Dartmouth College 1

#12 Northwestern University 2

#14 Brown University 2

#15 Cornell University 4

#15 Rice University 2

#15 University of Notre Dame 1

#19 Washington University in St. Louis 1

#20 Georgetown University 2

#20 University of California, Berkeley 9

#23 University of Southern California 12

#24 University of California, Los Angeles 10

#24 Carnegie Mellon University 4

#27 University of Michigan 8

#27 Tufts University 1

#31 Boston College 3

#32 University of Rochester 2

#34 Brandeis University 2

#34 Georgia Institute of Technology 1

#36 New York University 8

#37 University of California, Santa Barbara 6

#39 Northeastern University 10

#39 University of California, Irvine 9

#39 Boston University 6

#44 University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign 2

#44 University of California, San Diego 14

#44 University of California, Davis 12

#50 Pennsylvania State University 1

#50 Pepperdine University 1

#54 University of Washington 1

#56 George Washington University 1

#60 Fordham University 4

#60 University of Connecticut 1

#60 Syracuse University 3

#60 Purdue University - West Lafayette 2

#60 Worcester Polytechnic Institute 1

#71 Stevens Institute of Technology 1

#71 University of Minnesota - Twin Cities 1

#74 Clark University 3

#79 University of California, Santa Cruz 2

#82 Michigan State University 1

#86 University of San Diego 1

#96 Drexel University 5

*Ranking School # of Acceptances

US Regional University/ College

#2 (West) Santa Clara University 4

#3 (West) Loyola Marymount University 5

#3 (North) Bentley University 3

#8 (West) Seattle University 1

US National Liberal Arts College

#4 Middlebury College 1

#7 Carleton College 1

#9 Claremont McKenna College 3

#12 Colgate University 1

#12 Vassar College 1

#21 Wesleyan University 2

#21 Harvey Mudd College 1

#24 Oberlin College 2

#27 Barnard College 2

#27 Kenyon College 1

#31 Bryn Mawr College 1

#36 Mount Holyoke College 1

#44 Occidental College 3

#50 Connecticut College 1

UK University

#1 University of Cambridge 2

#3 London School of Economics and Political Science 2

#4 Imperial College London 2

#5 University of St Andrews 2

#6 Durham University 4

#8 University of Warwick 3

#10 University College London 7

#11 University of Bath 3

#13 University of Exeter 2

#17 University of Southampton 1

#19 University of Edinburgh 4

#21 King’s College London 4

#21 University of Nottingham 2

#23 University of Kent 1

#24 University of Bristol 2

#25 Newcastle University 1

#27 University of Sheffield 1

#29 Glasgow University 2

#31 Queen Mary, University of London 1

#37 Royal Holloway, University of London 2

Others

Canada #1 University of Toronto 3

Canada #2 The University of British Columbia 3

Canada #6 McMaster University 1

Canada #7 University of Waterloo 1

Canada #9 Western University 1

The University of Hong Kong 1

US# 2 Design School Parsons School of Design 1

US# 4 Design School Pratt Institute 2

US# 6 Design School California College of the Arts 1

*Ivy Plus: All Ivies + Stanford & MIT

31.03%

8.92% 2014

* US Ranking - US News 2017 Best Colleges | * UK Ranking - University League Tables 2017

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OUR ADMISSIONS CONSULTING TEAM

[My daughter] has been enjoying working with her counselors, and I learned a lot in this whole process. I like the quality control and straightforwardness of the counseling.

- Mother of L.A., Admitted to Columbia University

Unparalled Expertise International Reach and Experience

Highest Professional Qualifications

1 2 3• Our team is comprised of former

Admissions Officers

• Our team combined has over 50years of experience inside theadmissions offices

• We review more than 10,000applications per year

• We work with applicants all over theworld

• We provide support to students andfamilies in multiple languages andtimezones

• Our team is certified by recognizedprofessional organizations

• We are members of NACAC, OACAC,and IECA

• We continue professionaldevelopment to stay ahead of trends

Duc Luu Founder and CEO

Member of IECA, NACAC & International ACAC BA, Yale University

Before founding The Edge, Duc Luu worked in the educational arena as a Test Prep Instructor, SAT coordinator, and Principal Consultant, University Admissions for Kaplan Educational Centers USA and Hong Kong respectively. He then joined The Princeton Review Hong Kong where in his role as Master Trainer Duc Luu was responsible for teacher training and test prep curriculum. He was instrumental in the training of new teachers for the opening of The Princeton Review Mumbai. Duc is also an Associate Member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association, qualified to assist students and families with educational decision-making. In his nine years in education, Duc has helped students from Beijing to Boston identify and reach their goals in university admissions with a particular admit success rate into Ivy League Plus schools of nearly 40% annually.

Conrad Yu Admissions Consulting Partner

PGDE, Chinese University Of Hong Kong, Biology BS, University of Virginia, Biology

Conrad graduated from the University of Virginia with a B.Sc. in Biology. As an undergraduate, Conrad pursued both an education and research-based curriculum on genetic engineering and molecular genetics, before deciding to work full-time in education. Before joining The Edge, Conrad spent several years teaching at leading secondary schools in Hong Kong, and has also served as a volunteer instructor with Hong Kong youth groups. With his first-hand experience in both the Hong Kong and US education systems, Conrad hopes to guide students to discover and develop their future goals, as well as provide them with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in those goals.

Gary KeungAdmissions Consultant

Joyce Yin Senior Admissions Consulting Partner

Member of NACAC & International ACAC MEd, University of Massachusetts BS, Boston University

Joyce graduated from Hong Kong International School before receiving her undergraduate degree at Boston University. She is a licensed mental health counselor who worked at a community health center in downtown Boston. Relevant experience includes adolescent counseling, educational advocacy and consultation. After obtaining her Master’s degree in Counseling, she returned to Hong Kong and was employed as a high school guidance and university admissions counselor at Hong Kong International School for 9 years before joining the Edge. With a total of 18 years of experience in the counseling profession, Joyce specializes in supporting adolescent academic and emotional growth to maximize each student’s potential.

Member of IECA MA, University College London MA, National Research University Higher School of Economics BA, University of Southern California

Born in Hong Kong and moved to New York at 12, Gary later graduated from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. As an undergraduate, Gary has worked at various community organizations for Asian Americans in both New York and Los Angeles during his summer breaks, and developed an interest in international education during his exchange at Sophia University in Tokyo. Upon finishing a double Master’s Degree in Economics and International Relations at the University College London, and at The Higher School of Economics in Moscow, Gary returned to Hong Kong and has since worked as an education consultant in helping students through the college selection and admission process. By working with students and families, Gary hopes to enable them to recognize their potentials as they begin the rite of passage from high schools to colleges.

Siv Somchanhmavong Admissions Consulting Partner

Member of NACAC, NYSACAC & SACAC PhD, Candidate, Syracuse University MS, Cornell University

Siv is a former admissions officer who has an in-depth knowledge of the American college admissions process, particularly at Cornell University—a member of the Ivy League. As a Senior Associate Director of Admissions at Cornell, Siv worked effectively to recruit a diverse class, domestically and internationally, where at the time Cornell received 30,000 applications to enroll a class of 3,200 first year students. Now, Cornell and many other elite institutions are experiencing meteoritic rise (25-30% increase) in applications for the same number of slots. Having evaluated over thousands of applications on an annual basis for the past decade, Siv has the insight and knowledge to empower students and families to meet and achieve their educational goal appropriate to their demonstrated achievement and potential for success.

Ally Ip Senior Admissions Consulting Partner

Member of IECA & NACAC MBA, Harvard Business School BS, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Ally’s admissions essay was picked by Harvard to be included in the popular book “65 Successful Harvard Business School Application Essays”. She is a certified Independent Educational Consultant who is qualified to help students choose schools, colleges, and programs that meet their individual needs and goals. Ally sees the college application process as a journey of self-discovery, and takes great pride in working with young people in this exciting voyage. Prior to joining The Edge, Ally was a Captain in the United States Army, where she coached hundreds of soldiers, and was one of the very few Top Gunners in the Army. Outside work, Ally is a marathon runner and a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido.

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Everything you need to help plan for and prepare for university in one premium package.

Get the help you need, when you need it. A comprehensive introduction to the university admissions process in a single intensive course.

Everything you need to help plan and prepare for boarding school in one premium package.

1 2 3 4University Admissions Package Boarding School Admissions Package Hourly ServiceUniversity Admissions Course

Perfect for: Students and families who want to start the admissions process early, and those who want tailored and unlimited support throughout the process.

Perfect for: Students and families who need an in-depth introduction to the university admissions process.

Perfect for: Students and families starting the admissions process early, and those who want premium service and unlimited support throughout the process.

Perfect for: Students who need minimal support on essay editing, interview preparation, or waitlist management.

• Unlimited support from the moment you join our service until high school graduation.

• A dedicated counselor to walk you through every step of the admissions process –including defining your interests, consulting with you on your essay and preparing you for interviews.

• One single fee regardless of when you join, so start early for the best value.

• Our expert team helps you cut through the complexity ofthe admissions process, with case studies, role-plays, andindividual consultations.

• Experienced consultants give detailed overviews of a widerange of topics including college selection and personalstatements.

• Get individual access to an admissions consultant to help youplan for the admissions process ahead.

• Unlimited support from the moment you join our service untilboarding school acceptance.

• A dedicated counselor to walk you through every step ofthe admissions process – from defining interests to essayconsultation, interview preparation, and much more.

• One single fee regardless of when you join, so start early forthe best value.

• Experienced counselors available to help you refine your essay,practice your interview skills, or anything else you need.

• Flexible scheduling - schedule as much time as you need,whenever you need it.

• Ask about our starter package!

ADMISSIONS CONSULTING SERVICE PACKAGES

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FUTURE EXPLORATIONUniversities care about what you want to do, and how they can help you achieve your goals.

Using personality assessments and career interest inventories, our consultants help students define academic, career, and life objectives and identify universities that match those aims.

HURDLE JUMPINGAll universities demand that students demonstrate academic competence, and every level of academic achievement requires students to overcome challenges.

Our consultants help students maximize their potential and keep their options open by lining up appropriate academic and non-academic support resources.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIESUniversities use extracurricular activities as indicators of students’ passion, initiative, and commitment.

By working with students to identify those passions, our consultants help students select and excel in activities that fit their interests.

OUR PROVEN APPROACH

01

02

03

STORY CRAFTINGWith limited time for each applicant, university admissions officers look for application packages that tell coherent and compelling stories.

Using their knowledge of different universities’ needs and their understanding of their individual students’ profile, our consultants help students tie together their academic and personal stories in ways that fit, both academically and culturally, the universities to which students are applying.

THE PITCHUltimately, applicants need a strategy to sell their story of academic and personal achievement to university admission officers.

Our consultants help students craft coherent application packages that best showcase their individual stories in the context of the needs of specific universities.

Without the Edge, I seriously would not have gotten into Duke University. The Edge’s Consultant is not just a counsellor, but also a friend. She always welcomes students to talk to her about anything, and this is the reason I am at Duke. Through our conversations, The Edge’s Consultant has gotten to know me very well, and she then inputted all the information into what I call her personal ‘college dictionary’ and suggested schools that would best suit me, and only then did I think about Duke. Writing applications was a very tedious process, but with help from The Edge’s Consultant, I was able to get through. Sometimes I just didn’t know what to write, didn’t know how to structure it, but that didn’t matter, I just continually talked with The Edge’s Consultant. I slowly grasped what I was going to write, and as soon as I realized, I was done within a few drafts, all thanks to our discussions.

- E.L. SAT 1950Admitted to Duke University

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04

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FRESHMAN YEARGrade 9 / Year 10 / Form 3

Fall Semester

• Stay active and committed to your chosen extracurricular activities (ECA/CAS)

• Work on time management to maintain balance between academics and activities

• Develop a college of interest list and chosen major/passion

• Identify any barriers to school success and work on a strategy and improvement plan

Spring Semester

• Discuss 4-year academic and personal plan with parents and counselor

• Set 5 specific short-term goals to keep yourself motivated

• Review grades, identify academic strengths and weaknesses with counselor

• Arrange college visits during the summer, if possible

TIMELINE

How We Can Help: A Case Study

A student joins our program and chooses an admissions consultant who reviews the student’s academic and personal interests, and then assesses and mobilizes The Edge resources that the student will use to achieve her future goals.

The student clarifies with her admissions consultant the 4-year academic and personal plan while also planning for summer experiences that may inform future choices. The student shows both passion for and ability in competitive athletics and community service, which we encourage her to pursue with greater commitment.

PLANNING AHEAD

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SOPHOMORE YEAR Grade 10 / Year 11 / Form 4

Fall Semester

• Update your portfolio with your achievements from last year

• Establish clear academic, extracurricular, and personal goals

• Explore and research possible career options

• Consider reasons for going to college and how they relate to your possible career interests

Spring Semester

• Become familiar with general admissions and entrance requirements

• Take challenging courses (AP/IB) for next year, meet with teachers and counselor to discuss

• Learn about different types of colleges and make a list of selection criteria and what matters most to you

• Investigate summer opportunities and sign up for standardized test (SAT/ACT) preparation courses during the summer

The student focuses on academic achievement at school and begins to find consistent success while The Edge’s academic tutoring team deals with weaker subjects in which she needs additional support. With Stanford defined as her dream school, nothing less than perfect academic performance is expected by the student, her parents, and The Edge’s team. The Edge’s team helps the student to raise her grades from 89% average to 95% average.

The student spends her first summer in China working for a multinational community service organization. She also leaves time for intensive summer SAT preparation after deciding to take the SAT over the ACT.

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JUNIOR YEARGrade 11 / Year 12 / Form 5

Fall Semester

• Discuss academic subjects and activities you are interested in with your counselor

• Review study skills, habits, and time management

• Attend college fairs on campus or across the city when available

• Create and maintain a portfolio that contains copies of report cards, certificates, lists of awards, honors, and extracurricular activities

Spring Semester

• Create a college application calendar to incorporate academic/standardized testing plan and practice/study schedule

• Take first SAT/ACT exams in winter or early spring

• Take SAT Subject Tests before the summer holidays

• Start brainstorming and writing college essay/personal statement drafts

Summer

• Historically, most of our students have between 8 to 12 drafts of essays for their college applications and supplements

• Students should have their Common Application essays (the longer Personal Essay and the 150-word Activity Essay) finished by the end

of summer

• Students need to send in their essay drafts throughout the summer, even when students are at work or studying overseas

TIMELINE

Continued...

The student and her admissions consultant define leadership positions possible at school and in the community. They set a goal of finding 2-3 leadership positions by end of Junior year including the founding of and recruitment of classmates to a club dedicated to the community service work she did in China the previous summer.

The Edge’s Test Preparation team guides her through her SAT Reasoning and Subject Tests, helping her achieve 99th percentile on all external exams. She raises her SAT score of 1900 to 2210. The student and her Admissions Consultant select the final list of schools to apply to and begin developing college essay topics.

The student finishes her college applications ahead of her school’s deadlines. She writes essays that reflect the activities and achievements she and The Edge have worked towards over the last four years. Instead of manufacturing fake or weak achievements, the student is able to tell a credible and memorable story of how she has spent her high school years preparing for college success.

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SENIOR YEAR Grade 12 / Year 13 / Form 6

UNIVERSITY 1ST YEAR

Fall Semester

• Begin a college file to include important information such as school details, admissions requirements, etc.

• Create a calendar to keep track of important school and college application dates and deadlines

• Ask for letters of recommendation from teachers and school counselor and be clear with deadlines

• Start filling out college applications, doing a little at a time

• Continue to write essay/personal statement and supplements

Spring Semester

• Do more research and talk to people who know the schools to which you’ve applied

• Look out for college acceptance email and mail

• Make your final decision and send in deposit by the deadline

• Watch out for important deadlines regarding housing, etc.

After University admissions,

The Edge Learning Center can

help you with:

• Adjusting to overseas life

• Scolarship application support

• University transfer

The student gets into Stanford, her dream from the beginning. The hugs and tears of joy shared by the family and our team show the dedication and passion everyone involved put towards helping the student achieve her college dreams and future goals.

You have done a great job to help my son get into his choice of schools and prepare for these schools, and in the end he was admitted to one school that is just right for him. Thank you very much.- Father of an Admissions Consulting StudentAdmitted to Babson College

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SUBJECTS CAMBRIDGE AVERAGE

OXFORD AVERAGE

THE EDGE'S AVERAGE SUCCESS RATE

BIOLOGY NA 24% 44%

CHEMISTRY NA 27% 50%

CLASSICS 49% 36% 73%

COMPUTER SCIENCE 14% 9% 43%

ECONOMICS 14% 7% 48%

ENGINEERING 15% 17% 40%

ENGLISH 28% 21% 67%

GEOGRAPHY 31% 24% 57%

HISTORY 32% 23% 64%

HISTORY OF ART 23% 11% 67%

LAW 21% 12% 28%

MATHS 19% 18% 48%

MEDICINE 20% 11% 38%

MUSIC 42% 32% 67%

NATURAL SCIENCES 22% NA 63%

PHILOSOPHY 23% NA 67%

PHYSICS NA 16% 33%

POLITICS 21% NA 100%

PPE NA 15% 53%

PSYCHOLOGY 16% 19% 75%

THEOLOGY 47% 33% 71%

TOTAL 21% 16% 55%

The Edge U.K. is committed to offering a bespoke service, providing students with practical and specific guidance on their chosen area of study. Our UK University package is a comprehensive service that supports students at all stages of the U.K. university admissions process. Our service includes:

Navigating UCASOur Admissions experts demystify the university application process with a focus on key elements and dates as well as additional requirements

for specific courses and universities. We provide applicants with a structure for approaching university admissions so that they have the time to

ensure that their applications reflect the best of their abilities.

Assistance with university and course selectionWe take the time to get to know our students, their academic profile, extracurricular interests and personality. From there, our admissions

experts help students choose the universities and courses that are right for them.

Personal statement assistanceThe personal statement forms the most important part of the U.K. university admissions process. Our mentors help students produce a

highly personalised personal statement that stands out from the crowd. We work hard to ensure that each personal statement maximises the

applicant’s chances of gaining a place at their chosen universities while at the same time staying true to them.

Interview PreparationAll our interview preparation consultants are Oxford or Cambridge graduates; consequently, all are familiar with a grueling academic interview.

While most universities in the U.K. do not formally interview except Oxford, Cambridge and medical schools, the majority of universities do

interview some students across all courses, especially where they feel an application is borderline. We advise where there is a possibility of an

interview and provide training and support to the extent that it is required. We offer applicants a combination of interview preparation and mock

interviews undertaken by interviewers who are different to your personal interview preparation mentor.

Private campus tours (optional extra)Our admissions experts provide students with one-to-one campus tours throughout the year, offering personal insights into universities and their

courses as well as the sporting and recreational facilities.

The Edge U.K. provides expert support and guidance to students applying for entry to Oxford or Cambridge University and to medical schools in the U.K.. Our Oxbridge admissions experts have built up a wealth of experience helping numerous students achieve their aim of attaining a place at Oxford or Cambridge University as well as the U.K.’s top medical schools. We offer a comprehensive package that supports students at every stage of the admissions process. This package includes:

Subject, University & College SelectionOur admissions experts draw on individual course, college and university admission statistics, our own in-house knowledge of courses and the

collegiate system as well as the student’s individual preferences to help them make the right decision.

Personal Statement SupportA good personal statement is essential to attaining an interview at Oxford or Cambridge or U.K. medical schools, and the personal statement

will often form part of the interview. Our mentors work hard to ensure that each personal statement maximises the applicant’s chances of

gaining an interview while at the same time staying true to them.

Admissions Test PreparationAdmissions tests are an important factor in deciding which candidates to shortlist for interview. Pembroke’s subject mentors have dedicated

a large amount of time and resources to researching the optimal way to prepare for admissions tests, and have put together subject specific

plans to ensure that applicants reach the requisite level required to score well in admissions tests.

Interview PreparationFrom speaking to numerous successful applicants and Oxbridge professors, as well as examining the ways in which the UK’s top independent

schools prepare students for interviews, we have designed courses that provide students with the necessary foundation to excel at interview.

Students will be assigned a mentor, who will take them through Pembroke’s subject specific courses, mirroring the Oxbridge tutorial system as

far as possible.

Mock InterviewsAt The Edge, we create our own in-house interview content, which is reviewed by current Oxbridge professors to ensure that our mock

interviews come as close to the real thing as possible. All interviews are carried out by experienced, Oxbridge graduates, who the applicant has

not met before to ensure that the experience is authentic.

THE EDGE’S UK’S SUCCESSOVER 2015-2016

PACKAGE 1: UK UNIVERSITY ADMISSIONS PREP

PACKAGE 2: OXBRIDGE AND MEDICAL SCHOOL ADMISSIONS PREP

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