Group Meeting with SK parents and Students

Harpal emphasized the importance of competitive spirit and teamwork. Success Koaxh has grown from two students in 2019 to 81 in 2024. The discussion covered the significance of essays in college applications, stressing authenticity and personal growth over mere achievements. Metrics highlighted included the importance of summer programs and academic rigor.
Action items
• [] Begin researching summer program options and compiling a list of potential programs.
• [] Participate in tutoring services and Center of Excellence programs.
• [] Develop plans for competitive exam preparation.
Outline
Success Koach Team Introductions
• Harpal expresses gratitude for the attendees and emphasizes the competitive nature of the event.
• Harpal shares the growth of the company from two students in 2019 to 81 students in 2024, highlighting the support from the team.
• Sherry introduces herself as the person in charge of ongoing backstage operations and encourages attendees to go through the SK classroom materials.
• Anu introduces herself as Coach Anu, with a PhD in biosciences and a postdoc from Stanford, and shares her journey to becoming a coach.
Essay Writing and Admissions Officer Perspective
• Harpal discusses the importance of essays in the admissions process, emphasizing that they are a cherry on top of a strong application.
• Harpal explains that essays should reflect the student's authentic voice and unique story, rather than just listing achievements.
• Tosca and Anu discuss the importance of authenticity in essays and the need for students to be honest about their experiences and growth.
• Harpal and Tosca emphasize that admissions officers are looking for students who can contribute to the college community and demonstrate intellectual curiosity.
Trivia Questions and Prizes
• Harpal engages the audience with trivia questions about college admissions, such as whether Early Decision is binding and the term for the essay submitted with the Common App.
Mentorship and Executive Function Programs
• Tosca introduces the mentorship program, explaining its purpose of helping students reflect on their interests and goals.
• Tosca shares her own experience of seeking guidance in college and the importance of having a space to reflect on one's path.
• Harpal discusses the executive function program, which helps students develop skills in prioritization and organization.
• Harpal and Tosca emphasize the importance of leveraging the resources provided by Success Coach, such as the Sk AI tool for capturing conversations.
Summer Programs and Academic Planning
• Harpal discusses the summer programs offered by Success Coach, including Model UN, mock trial, and speech and debate.
• The importance of academic planning and the need for students to take challenging courses that align with their interests.
• Harpal and Tosca emphasize the importance of balancing academics and college applications and the need for students to stay involved and motivated.
• Harpal and Tosca provide tips for students to collect stories and reflect on their experiences to write compelling essays.
College Application Process and Supplemental Essays
• Harpal and Tosca discuss the importance of completing personal information questionnaires (PIQs) for UC applications and the need for students to write supplemental essays.
• Harpal explains the yield ratio and the importance of convincing colleges that students will attend if accepted.
• Harpal and Tosca emphasize the need for students to stay ahead of the application process and not wait until the last minute to submit applications.
• Harpal and Tosca provide tips for parents to support their children in the application process and the importance of project management.
Summer Internships and Research Opportunities
• Shraddha, a professor at College of San Mateo, discusses the importance of summer internships and research opportunities for college students.
• Shraddha shares a story about a PhD student who struggled because she lacked collaboration skills and the importance of learning to ask for help.
• Shraddha emphasizes the need for students to develop a mindset of collaboration and responsibility through internships and research.
• Harpal and Shraddha discuss the importance of summer internships in preparing students for college and the need for students to take responsibility for their learning.
Academic Planning and Course Selection
• Harpal discusses the importance of academic planning and the need for students to take challenging courses that align with their interests.
• Harpal emphasizes the need for students to demonstrate academic maturity and the importance of not overloading with too many AP courses.
• Harpal and Tosca provide tips for students to balance their course load and ensure they are taking courses that will help them achieve their goals.
• Harpal and Tosca discuss the importance of self-study for AP courses and the need for students to take responsibility for their learning.