For students at Beijing Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University United International College (BNBU), the internationalized training system and diverse academic backgrounds have led an increasing number of them to apply for top-tier graduate programs in regions such as Hong Kong, Singapore, the UK, and the US.
However, as competition for overseas master's admissions intensifies, many BNBU students are concerned about how to leverage their undergraduate majors to choose suitable research directions and how to enhance their application competitiveness through background improvement.
During the 2026 Fall graduate application season, CheersYou (清柚教育) collaborated with BNBU students to launch the "BNBUer·Listen to Me – Senior Application Experience Sharing Series." This initiative invited outstanding BNBU seniors who successfully gained admission to world-renowned universities to share their real application experiences and planning strategies.
The theme of this session is "Insights from a BNBU Marketing Senior on Graduate Applications," focusing on how Marketing students can break through traditional application paths. By extending their professional expertise and exploring interdisciplinary fields, they successfully secured places in master's programs at top universities in Hong Kong.
Lecture Topics:
- In-depth analysis of differences in joint applications to the US, Hong Kong, and Singapore
- A senior's deep dive into "background enhancement" through five internships
- Revealing information gaps in internships and comprehensive submission channels!
- How to precisely "tailor your story" in personal statements?
- How to maintain balance during the marathon of applications?
Introduction to the CheersYou (清柚教育) BNBU Student:
- Senior Z
- BNBU - Marketing (MKT)
- GPA: 3.6+
- GRE: 330+
- IELTS: 7.0+
Admission Results for BNBU Students
- The University of Hong Kong - Health Economics, Policy and Management
- The University of Hong Kong - Global Management
- Columbia University - Enterprise Risk Management
- Cornell University - Health Policy and Economics
- Duke University - MMS: Foundations of Business
- Johns Hopkins University - Marketing
- New York University - Integrated Marketing
- University of Pennsylvania - International Master of Public Administration
- Nanyang Technological University - Marketing Science
Q: Senior, could you first share your four-year university planning roadmap with everyone?
A: First, you need to clarify the direction you wish to pursue in the future, and then work backward to determine which major to study for your master's degree. I aim to work in emerging growth sectors such as medical technology, health tech, internet healthcare, or digital growth. Since I have taken many analytics and coding courses, I am particularly interested in focusing on epidemiology, biostatistics, and Python data analysis, with potential integration with AI in the future. Additionally, many companies require sales roles. Therefore, I chose Marketing, which is somewhat of a versatile major. Many freshmen feel confused; I joined numerous clubs to integrate into the BNBU community and made friends from diverse backgrounds. Interacting with them sparked many creative ideas, so engaging with more people can indeed enhance your thinking.
In your sophomore year, you need to enrich your background. Prepare a resume in advance to apply for internships, including participating in competitions and research projects. I participated in a L'Oréal business competition and achieved a good ranking. Secondly, maintain your GPA, ideally above 3.4, and start preparing for IELTS and GRE exams.
By junior year, you enter the sprint phase. You can enhance your profile by interning at well-known companies or participating in overseas exchange programs. I wanted to go to North America, and fortunately, my university had a summer school exchange partnership with UBC. I seized this opportunity and also secured a letter of recommendation.
In your senior year, you should start preparing for graduate school applications, including major planning, personal statement polishing, and interview coaching. With the help of CheersYou (清柚教育), these processes were completed smoothly and successfully. I still recommend that students choose their direction early on. The cost of trial and error is lowest in freshman year, so feel free to explore various options. The cost of trial and error is much higher in senior year, so avoid regrets caused by insufficient preparation time.
Q: Drawing from your five internship experiences, could you share how to find good internship opportunities?
To find good internship opportunities, an excellent resume is essential. Your initial resume might not be very rich in content, so you can include clubs you joined, the roles you held, and the results you achieved, preferably presented with data. You can also mention competitions you participated in. Note that you should not use the same resume for all internships. Adjust your resume according to the Job Description of each position; it is you who needs to fit the company, not the other way around. If you are not confident in writing your resume, you can ask consultants from an agency to help polish it, and then modify it further based on different job requirements.
Regarding platforms for finding internships, applying through official websites tends to have a higher response rate. Boss Zhipin is also quite good. Additionally, WeChat official accounts such as "Today's Internships" and "Hedgehog Internships" regularly update internship openings at large corporations and in popular industries, which I highly recommend. You can also utilize university resources to attend career fairs or contact alumni and mentors to expand your professional network. What’s important is knowing where to look for internships and when the internship periods are, which facilitates better internship planning.
Q: Could you talk about your experience in business case competitions?
I found the L'Oréal Brandstorm competition particularly interesting. It was somewhat like advertising design, including layout work. Since I personally enjoy design projects that stimulate creativity, it was also a great opportunity to exercise teamwork and entrepreneurial thinking. I participated and achieved a top 200 ranking globally. L'Oréal uses such competitions to identify talent they need, and my subsequent successful internship at L'Oréal was likely linked to this competition. When applying to the University of Hong Kong, there is even a specific list for students to fill out regarding business case competitions they have participated in, so I believe these competitions hold significant value.
Q: Do you have any tips or insights on interview preparation?
The interview is the final step to securing an offer. Before interviews, CheersYou (清柚教育) would carefully prepare me with interview coaching and a collection of real interview questions. Several times, the questions asked in actual interviews were very similar to those in the question bank. You also need to adapt in advance to the tense environment and atmosphere. A consultant from CheersYou (清柚教育) practiced with me online for a long time and constantly encouraged me, which gave me great reassurance. The challenging part of interviews lies in confidently presenting your prepared English answers. Additionally, admissions officers may ask questions you haven't prepared for, so you need to continuously practice your ability to react on the spot. Thoroughly understand the curriculum and faculty backgrounds, and demonstrate your deep passion for the program to be fully prepared.
Q: Finally, could you share some heartfelt thoughts and advice after the application season?
The application season is a time when many people feel lost. If you have thoughts of pursuing graduate studies during your freshman or sophomore years, you must plan early to minimize information gaps. Therefore, I chose to seek professional help. At that time, I compared over twenty agencies before finally choosing CheersYou (清柚教育). Professional guidance can double your results with half the effort.
Next, consider which schools and majors you want to pursue. For example, Hong Kong and Singapore have high GPA requirements, so you need to improve your GPA, which is the cornerstone of all applications and should never be neglected. The US system might be more flexible, allowing you to develop other aspects of your background. Also, proactively seek opportunities and actively apply for internships and research projects. Do not fear rejection; every attempt is an accumulation of experience.
Regarding personal statements, learn to connect your experiences coherently, highlighting the growth and gains behind them to showcase your strengths. My personal statement was woven around stories involving my father, combined with my internship experience at McKinsey. Introducing these two examples might bring more novelty and diversity. If you are determined to attend a particular school, you need to understand what kind of students they prefer and craft your story accordingly.
Last but most importantly, maintain a positive mindset. The application process is a marathon, and setbacks are inevitable. Do not feel anxious because peers around you have already received offers. What you need to do is adjust yourself, remain resilient and optimistic, and combine effort with persistence. You will surely achieve unexpected rewards.
Recap of Past Events: CheersYou (清柚教育) × BNBU
https://www.cheersyou.com/zh/news/110974
