Thousands of students aspire to and dream of getting admitted or enrolled in the finest academic institutions. The first step is investigating which institutions provide the best opportunities and financial aid. Students must examine the costs, curriculum, and scholarship options each institution offers. Once the students have determined which institution suits their needs, the next step is preparing for the application. Writing essays, taking standardized exams, getting recommendation letters, and other activities are part of this process. The next step is applying for financial aid, which requires thoroughly comprehending the university’s criteria and requirements. Getting accepted to the best university with a scholarship is a big achievement. One such example of such individuals is John Shen, who also got admitted to some of the best educational institutions, including Peking University Law School and the graduate schools of eleven American universities, all with full scholarships.
John Shen, born on January 23, 1970, is an entrepreneur known for his ability to create and run numerous enterprises simultaneously. He has made a name for himself by contributing to the business sector as the founder and CEO of American Lending Center. Shen’s entrepreneurial enthusiasm is not limited to a single firm; he has launched numerous additional successful businesses, including Eritage, Sunstone Management, Sunstone Trust Company, and Partake Collective. Shen has also penned the informative book “Crossing the Swamp – My Path to Innovating as a Parallel Entrepreneur,” in addition to his business accomplishments.
As an adolescent, he was driven by his goal of entering Beijing’s top middle school. Despite confronting difficult admission examinations, Shen received a passing score and enrolled in middle school. The achievement urged him to replicate it while applying to Beijing’s best high school. After graduating high school in 1988, Shen was accepted into Peking University Law School. However, Shen observed a watershed moment in history during his academic years. University students nationwide organized marches in 1989 to demand better economic opportunities and political changes. In April, these demonstrations spilled into the streets of Beijing. Shen went on a hunger strike to effect genuine change in solidarity with his classmates. However, the government reacted by sending 300,000 troops to Beijing and confronting the student demonstrators resulting in hundreds of deaths and injuries.
Shen determined that residing in China was no longer an option for him due to the lack of freedom and oppression. He set out on the challenging process of applying to American graduate school programs, motivated by a desire for independence and intellectual progress. However, since access to computers was restricted for the typical Chinese person then, this attempt brought numerous obstacles. Shen regularly visited a library to acquire printed catalogs from American colleges.
Shen’s determination triumphed in the face of adversity. He received a few tuition-free offers from prominent American institutions during his first year of applying. Unfortunately, these offers did not cover the essential living expenditures for international students. The financial aid was simply not enough. Shen, determined to achieve his aspirations, found a paralegal job at a law firm in Beijing while still working on his graduate school applications on weekends.
Shen’s dedication paid off in a surprising turn of events. He got 11 full financial assistance offers, including fellowships from prestigious universities like Princeton University and Duke University. He eventually decided to continue his doctorate studies at Duke University. His success in receiving full scholarships to 11 institutions broke a record in Beijing and won him great attention among kids applying to schools in the United States. Because of his fame, he was asked to give speeches to prospective students and their families, offering his experiences and views. Notably, one of his memorable speeches drew a crowd of over 1,000 people at the National Library in Beijing.
On his way to Durham, North Carolina, Shen stopped by Los Angeles in the summer of 1993 to visit his elder brother, who taught Chinese at Pomona College. Due to the contrasting environment and social norms, adjusting to American life in Los Angeles was a significant change and cultural shock for John Shen. In late August, he finally arrived at Duke University and enrolled as a Sociology Ph.D. student. By the conclusion of his first year, Shen had made the critical choice to switch from seeking y Duke’s master’s degree program in statistics and decision sciences. In May 1996, he finished his master’s degree, demonstrating his versatility and dedication to personal improvement.
