Journey to Stanford: A Reflection on Education Costs and Experiences
Journey to Stanford: A Reflection on Education Costs and Experiences
Achieving admission to Stanford University is no easy feat, and my son’s journey is a testament to hard work and dedication. I would like to share his educational path and the financial investment that accompanied it. 🌴
🌴 My Son’s Educational Path
- Elementary School: Bilingual School in Shanghai
- Middle School: Private Bilingual School in Shanghai
- High School: International School in Shanghai
Throughout this journey, we prepared thoroughly for various standardized tests including TOEFL, SAT, AP, AMC, and participated in numerous competitions to give him the best chances for success.
💰 In-School Expenses
The financial commitment to education started early:
- Elementary school: Approximately ¥80,000 per year, totaling ¥400,000 over five years.
- Middle school: ¥240,000 over three years.
- High school: ¥210,000 per year, totaling ¥630,000 for three years, plus ¥100,000 for personal living expenses during middle and high school.
Total for In-School Expenses: ¥1,400,000
💰 Out-of-School Expenses
External academic pursuits added another layer of costs:
- TOEFL, AMC 10/12, and AIME preparation: ¥120,000 per year, totalling ¥360,000 over three years.
- AP classes were essential for top-tier university applications; he opted for 9-10 AP courses, accumulating 450 hours in middle school for ¥200,000 and 500 hours in high school for ¥250,000.
Total for Out-of-School Expenses: ¥1,000,000
🌾 Examination Costs
Examination fees were yet another part of the investment:
- TOEFL (taken twice) and SAT (taken twice): Approximately ¥30,000 total.
🏫 Summer Programs and Extracurricular Activities
To enhance his college applications and provide rich experiences, we enrolled him in several summer programs:
- Four summer activities, including a trip to the UK (¥100,000), two trips to Japan (¥100,000), and one trip to Korea (¥50,000), totaling ¥250,000.
- Three summer schools in the U.S. costing approximately ¥300,000.
✅ Total Expenses
Adding all these expenses together, the overall financial commitment reached:
- Total Expenditure: ¥3,000,000
This summary does not include other extracurricular classes or travel expenses, as my son has been disciplined and responsible, making the journey somewhat easier for us as parents. Ultimately, he achieved his dream of attending Stanford.
Only my son and I can truly understand the challenges and doubts we faced along the way. Now, watching him flourish, I feel a sense of satisfaction and gratitude for every step we took together on this journey.
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