About The Book

Did you know that it takes the average college admissions officer less than seven minutes to decide whether or not to admit a student to their school? That’s just part of the reason why, for parents in both the U.S. and around the world, helping their child get into a top U.S. college or university can be a baffling ordeal. Everyone has heard the horror stories about the student with the perfect test scores and stellar GPA who was rejected by their first-choice school, and sometimes even their second-choice school. Exactly what are admissions officers at elite American schools looking for? And, more importantly, what can students and their parents do to help them rise above the competition and win entry to the school of their dreams?

The 7-Minute Admissions Decision: Making Every Second Count to Gain Acceptance to Your Dream School has the solution.

Written by Sean Ma, Founder/CEO of Ma Academy and President/Board Member of Shanghai Leighton School and a BA and MA graduate of Columbia University, The 7-Minute Admissions Decision cuts through the rumors and confusion around the U.S. college admissions process and gives the reader insight into what admissions officers at top institutions are actually looking for; then gives students the tools to build a secondary school career and create an application that will grab admissions officers’ attention and make them want to say yes.

In the book, Ma takes the reader through the same process he uses with his clients, first helping their student maximize their high school years in terms of preparing for the college and course of study of their choice, then guiding the reader through each element of the application process and how to utilize it to their best advantage. The book includes interviews with admissions officers at top schools where they share what they’re really looking for in an applicant to their school, along with stories of real-life students who have successfully applied his methods and won admissions to their dream schools.

Packed with real, actionable insights and following a proven method that has worked for thousands, The 7-Minute Admissions Decision will serve as a valuable tool to help parents help their children prepare for the future, achieve their dreams, and ultimately live the lives they want to live.

About The Author

SEAN MA has helped countless students gain admission to Ivy League schools and other elite universities. He’s the President/Board Member of Shanghai Leighton School and the Founder of Ma Academy, an institution specializing in preparing students for top colleges. He holds a BA and MA from Columbia University, along with an MSt from Cambridge University.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Advantage Books (February 27, 2024)
  • Length: 198 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781642259131

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Raves and Reviews

“There is an art to the underlying patterns and strategies that create successful college applications… Ma captures the essence of US college admissions, making this guide accurate and actionable for any student or family hoping to create a compelling application.”

Lucy Chechik
Former Admissions Officer, Stanford University

“Sean understands the value of education and specifically the goal of having a student find the right match at a college or university where they will academically and socially succeed. The process of applying to a highly selective US university is complicated, but Sean maps out a clear strategy for those students seeking admission in a competitive collegiate marketplace."

Megan Colt
Former Admissions Officer, Carnegie Mellon University

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