Student Stories
Every student is on a unique journey.
At Novellea, what we value most isn’t just the college offers—it’s the growth, clarity, and confidence students gain along the way.
These stories are more than outcomes; they are reflections of resilience, self-discovery, and the power of trusted guidance.
Our testimonial
Student Success Stories
Linda
Offer:
- Princeton University
Academic Interests:
- Economics
- Physics
From: Bilingual School in China
Linda’s Journey:
Since I was a child, learning brought me joy.
The feeling of mastering a complex idea after patient work — rereading, rethinking — was deeply satisfying to me…
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But even though I loved academics, part of me feared:
Could my idealism survive in the real world?
When I met Hua in tenth grade, I was still reserved, unsure if my hopes could ever become real projects.
Hua changed that.
She taught me that ideals aren’t something fragile to protect — they’re something you can grow, build, and strengthen through action.
With her encouragement, I launched projects that turned ideas into service: community research in rural China, youth discussion forums, and translation initiatives.
She helped me understand that impact doesn’t come from grand gestures — it comes from consistent, thoughtful work.
At the same time, she helped me keep my love of learning alive — encouraging me to grow broadly, not just in economics, but across disciplines.
When Princeton accepted me, it wasn’t just because of awards or transcripts.
It was because I had become someone who could hold onto idealism and translate it into real change — someone ready to keep growing, wherever the future led.
Amy
Offer:
- Cornell University
- Wellesley College
- Washington University in St. Louis
- Barnard College
- and more
Academic Interests:
- Anthropology
- Sociology
From: US Boarding School
Amy’s Journey:
In high school, I loved learning — but when it came to choosing a major, I felt completely lost.
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I tried everything: political science, economics, philosophy.
But none of them clicked, and as college application deadlines approached, a quiet fear grew louder:
What if I never found something I truly loved?
Carol and Hua didn’t push me to choose fast.
Instead, they created space for real exploration: guiding me through field research projects, helping me reflect through conversations and essays, encouraging me to pursue meaningful summer programs.
Through that journey, I discovered anthropology — a field that connected all my curiosities about culture, society, and human connection.
It wasn’t just about finding a major.
It was about finding my voice — and learning to trust it.
When Cornell’s offer came, it wasn’t just a reward for good grades.
It was a celebration of the years of searching, reflecting, building, and growing — supported by mentors who never once lost faith in my journey.
Sean
Offer:
- University of California – Los Angelas
- Carnegie Mellon University
- and more
Academic Interests:
- Math
- Economics
From: US Boarding School
Sean’s Journey:
When I first started thinking about college, I knew I had strong grades — but beyond that, everything felt uncertain…
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I didn’t know what major to choose, how to tell my story, or even what truly made me different from everyone else applying.
The pressure of college admissions was overwhelming, and even though I worked hard, I often doubted if it would be enough.
Working with Hua changed everything.
She didn’t just focus on building a list of activities — she helped me reflect deeply on what mattered to me, what strengths I already had, and where I could grow.
With her encouragement, I pushed myself beyond academics: launching leadership initiatives, competing nationally, and taking ownership of my personal development.
When I faced setbacks — including a painful early decision rejection — Hua helped me stay grounded, helped me see each moment as part of a longer journey, not a final verdict.
She made sure that even in hard moments, I moved forward with clarity and resilience.
By the time acceptances from schools like UCLA and Emory arrived, I realized my real victory wasn’t just the offers.
It was that I had found the confidence and direction to define my own future — a future I was excited to step into.
Audrey
Offer:
- Columbia University
Academic Interests:
- Fine Art
- Creative Writing
From: Bilingual School in China
Audrey’s Journey:
From a young age, I was passionate about creativity. However, as I approached the college application process, so many questions had been raised: Should I pursue writing, film, art history, or another path? I feared that my diverse interests were too scattered to form a coherent application narrative, and I doubted my abilities, having received limited external validation.
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Carol’s guidance transformed my perspective. Rather than pushing me to make an immediate choice, she encouraged me to delve deeply into my inner world. During one of our conversations, I shared a poem I had written. Her recognition and encouragement made me believe, for the first time, that my creative work held genuine value.
Under her mentorship, I began integrating art and creative writing, shaping a unique application focus. Together, we designed activities both within and outside of school that reflected my artistic and literary aspirations. Each step was filled with introspection and growth. Carol didn’t just help me complete tasks; she guided me to ponder deeper questions: Who am I? What kind of person do I aspire to be? How can my art impact those around me and society at large?
When I received my acceptance letter from Columbia University’s art program, I understood that it wasn’t merely an acknowledgment of my academic achievements. It was a testament to my journey of self-discovery and development. I am profoundly grateful to Carol—not only as my mentor but as the guiding light on my creative path.
Kevin
Offer:
- Northwestern University
Academic Interests:
- Engineering
- Computer Science
From: Bilingual School in China
Kevin’s Journey:
For years, I thought my path was simple: computer science.
It was logical, structured, safe.
And yet… something inside me wondered if there was more.
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Hua gave me permission to ask that question.
Through our conversations, she introduced me to the broader world of engineering — a field where creativity, design, and human impact come together.
She challenged me to take risks: leading new projects, entering competitions, even creating an indoor navigation system for the visually impaired that went on to win awards.
Every step stretched me beyond what I thought I could do.
Choosing Northwestern Engineering wasn’t just an academic decision.
It was a decision to believe in my own ability to step beyond limits — and to keep discovering new strengths within myself.
Eddie
Offer:
- Johns Hopkins University
- University of Michigan – Ann Arbor
Academic Interests:
- International Relations
- History
- Political Science
From: US Boarding School
Eddie’s Journey:
I wanted to make a difference — but ambition alone didn’t show me how…
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I struggled with questions:
How do you turn passion into real-world action?
Where do you even start?
Carol stepped into that uncertainty with quiet confidence.
She helped me break down big dreams into real steps: working with nonprofits, creating initiatives for social good, building a record of impact rooted in service, not just ideas.
She encouraged me to move beyond comfort: to take on internships, advocacy, community leadership — not perfectly, but persistently.
When I received offers from Michigan and Johns Hopkins, I realized something bigger than any acceptance:
Serena
Offer:
- Northwestern University
Academic Interests:
- Communication
From: Bilingual School in China
Serena’s Journey:
Storytelling always came naturally to me.
But the path to a top communications program felt daunting — filled with competition, complexity, and uncertainty…
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I worried: Would my passion be enough to stand out?
Working with Carol gave me the answer — and the tools.
She helped me shape my love for writing into a strategic narrative: choosing summer programs that sharpened my skills, designing leadership projects that aligned with my story, and selecting schools that truly fit who I was.
When it came time for essays, Carol and Hua taught me something priceless:
True storytelling isn’t about grand claims — it’s about capturing small, honest moments that reveal your heart.
Thanks to their mentorship, my Northwestern application wasn’t a list of achievements.
It was a living story about community, growth, and connection.
And when the offer from Northwestern came, I knew it was more than an admission — it was a reflection of the journey I had dared to take.