How students find their dream schools with Kaplan

With more than 80 years of experience, Kaplan has become a recognised global leader in the test prep industry. Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions has helped over 9,000 students in Hong Kong to score higher on standardised tests and gain acceptance to top boarding schools, colleges and graduate schools. Kaplan’s professional admissions consulting counsellors determine admissions strategies ultimately helping students to achieve places in their top choices of dream schools and colleges.

Aspiration in 2021

Aspiration is the theme for 2021 and Kaplan is keen to create noise around its high-achieving students who ‘glow as they grow’ with support from the dedicated admissions counsellor team. The admissions consulting service adopts a student-centred approach with a focus purely on students themselves, their needs, confidence level, life goals and aspirations. This is a far cry from some other admissions consulting services that structure their services around a ‘one size fits all’ approach and standardised admissions essays, school interviews and school rankings.

Who is Kaplan for?

A large percentage of students come from international schools, a smaller percentage from local schools and in recent years, an increasing number of university students who would like to explore their career path. Sessions are personally tailored to the student. “There are so many types of students and no single approach can deal with all types of student,” says Hubert Ho, Head of Admissions Consulting Services.

Students tend to engage with the admissions consulting services for between one and three years forming a close relationship with counsellors. In most cases, students check in every other day, sharing updates on what has happened at school, the counsellor will listen and offer advice as well as giving constructive feedback on college admissions essays and interview performance.

“In our experience, students are more receptive and willing to improve if our feedback is delivered skilfully. We are not just an admissions counsellor, but also a mentor to our students, they share their ups and downs with us,” says Ho. “At the end, we are not just helping them to get into a ‘good’ school but also to guide them to have a better future.”

Why choose Kaplan?

In a highly competitive admissions environment, Kaplan prides itself on having a unique edge over other admissions consulting services and offers a two-tier approach. “We spend a lot of time researching and generating insights into the latest admissions trends. Elite universities are looking for a specific set of competencies in a pool of competitive applicants. We help our students develop a profile that would highlight these qualities. At the same time, we develop an understanding of university offerings, so we are able to identify well-fitted programs for our students,” says Ho.

Looking ahead

It’s not just the students at Kaplan who are working towards new goals in 2021. The admissions consulting services is set to launch a new program this September called the K-Scholar Scheme. This pre-app mentoring program for Grades 9-11 aims to equip students with necessary college soft skills and leadership qualities as well providing hands-on experience working with a team of peers to achieve a common goal.

Engaging with a highly regarded admissions consulting service, such as Kaplan is an incredibly rewarding experience for students of all calibre. “Ultimately students become more self-aware, more self-confident and more energetic and most importantly, they have a clearer idea of their life goals along with a plan of how to achieve them,” says Ho.