#GraduateStory | Alice Chen: Growing Like a Plant: Finding My Way Through Passion and Imperfection



Part 01

Discovering My Interests

I applied to study Environmental Science. Looking back, I see a gradual process: curiosity led me to explore, experience helped me find a direction, and accepting imperfection allowed me to grow.

My interest in Environmental Science developed through the things I chose to do. When I reflected on my experiences, I realized how many involved the environment and ecology. In the second semester of Grade 10, I decided to make Environmental Science the focus of my applications. A research project with a Peking University professor deepened my understanding and prepared me to apply for another project supervised by an American professor.



Yuanpei Young Scholars Research Project

In Grade 10, I began developing my own activities. At school, I helped plan Environmental Art Week and took part in a microplastic visualization workshop, along with the Little Flowers and Grasses campus garden project. Outside school, I continued sharing my calligraphy on Xiaohongshu and volunteered with Friends of Nature. My love of art and concern for the environment often came together in these activities. I explored how art could express environmental issues across disciplines.

Part 02

Finding the Right University



Application season brought decisions about colleges and essays, along with other requirements. I began by exploring options with my College Counselor. After an initial review of rankings and location, together with climate and other factors, I compiled a list of colleges that might suit me. Detailed research and conversations with older Beijing Academy students, alongside past admission results, helped me narrow it to three competitive universities. After comparing them carefully, I chose WashU for its strong fit and my comparatively better chance of admission.

My College Counselor helped enormously with my main essay. It focused on an art practice I had loved for years and how it helped me move beyond restrictions I had placed on myself, expressing myself more honestly. She asked, "What activity makes it easiest for you to enter a state of flow?" I immediately thought of being absorbed in making art. We built the essay around that experience, examining the creative process and changes in my thinking, along with my personal development.

The writing went smoothly because our early discussions had clarified my ideas. I noticed that seeking revisions from many teachers could sometimes make a student's central message harder to identify. After finishing my draft, I briefly questioned it, then chose to keep it because it expressed the experiences and feelings I wanted to share. I came to value sincerity in my essay and trust the story I had chosen.

Part 03

Accepting Imperfection

My biggest change in high school was learning to accept imperfection and respect who I am. I had cared deeply about results and other people's judgments. Gradually, I understood that everyone develops at their own pace and that mistakes can accompany growth. My College Counselor, Ms. Liu Jie, influenced me greatly. She patiently listened to my experiences, including stories that ultimately stayed outside my application. When I felt anxious or uncertain, she helped me work through my feelings and identify what I cared about. She encouraged me to trust my own ideas amid many opinions. I am learning to accept my inexperience and hesitation as part of growing.

Part 04

Advice for Younger Students

Complete your standardized exams early so that you have plenty of time for applications. I achieved my TOEFL score in July and my SAT score in August, in the summer before Grade 12. That gave me room to begin my applications calmly in September. Many students begin application season while still working toward their exam scores. Grade 12 also requires maintaining your GPA and preparing application materials. Managing all these demands can increase stress and affect your early decision application. Finishing exams early makes the workload more manageable.

Keep reflecting on your strengths and interests. For each activity, consider why you chose it and how it helped you develop. Top U.S. universities receive many applications with high scores and awards. I believe admissions officers also want to understand who you are and what you care about, alongside the effort you have devoted to those interests. Understanding your choices can communicate more than a long list of activities.

Choose activities that suit your strengths. Some students enjoy leading independent projects. Others prefer analyzing research literature and data, then writing papers. Some enjoy problem solving and competitions. Finding the approach that suits you allows your abilities to show clearly. Maintain a healthy mindset and limit comparisons with others. Everyone develops at a different pace, and concentrating on your own direction helps you progress.

Part 05

A Parent's Reflection

Alice joined BAID from a public middle school in the summer of 2022. She began with uncertainty, then developed a different approach to learning and found her own direction. She received her ED1 admission to WashU in December 2025. Throughout that journey, BAID's emphasis on motivation and initiative, alongside planning, played an essential role.

BAID's varied AP and English courses, along with the Elite Scholar elective, helped Alice strengthen her English and explore academic interests. Winning Best Supporting Actress at the Chinese Drama Festival and working with classmates on the basketball court gave her opportunities to develop her interests. Planning and carrying out Environmental Art Week demanded her full commitment. These experiences encouraged her to examine her individuality and find her own direction.

We thank Ms. Xu Yousan for guiding Alice's Chinese writing and encouraging her to publish, helping her express herself with courage. Ms. Lyu Tu patiently answered her questions and introduced her to Environmental Science through the AP course. Her Homeroom Teacher, Mr. Zhang Mingming, cared for her academic and everyday needs. Her College Counselor, Ms. Liu Jie, offered detailed and thoughtful guidance throughout application season. We are grateful to these teachers and to all BAID teachers for their dedication to education and their students.

Life and education offer many possible answers. Beijing Academy's commitment to helping students develop as people and discover themselves encourages independence and acceptance. It prepares them to face challenges and gives them the freedom to choose lives that reflect their own aspirations.

We hope every BAID student continues pursuing their dreams and exploring a wider world, contributing to making it better.