Aileen

On our first call with Aileen, she shared her passion for singing, dancing, and art—though calling it a “passion” hardly does justice to her extraordinary talent.
Aileen excelled at her international school in Seoul, thriving both academically and as a vibrant community leader. She led the Arts Council and the Tri-M Music Honor Society, competed in dance across Asia, and founded a club addressing mental health taboos in South Korea. Outside school, she flourished as a multilingual songwriter, artist, and performer. Her accolades included awards in songwriting, art, writing, and design, with multiple works published.

One of her proudest moments came when she submitted Don’t Say, an original R&B song, to the prestigious John Lennon Songwriter’s Contest. Competing outside South Korea’s K-pop scene, she wrote, arranged, and performed the song, capturing the raw emotion of an impending breakup. Six months later, she won.

Aileen faced a challenge in finding the right college—one that valued her creative passions while offering flexibility for broader interests. She applied Early Decision to Brown, drawn to its interdisciplinary focus. We helped her craft an application with the same care she poured into her songwriting. When Brown offered the option to submit a video, we encouraged her to create a lively, unforgettable introduction. She was thrilled to be accepted.

Then came a surprise: Aileen competed in a singer-songwriter contest that garnered more attention. She was given the opportunity to record an album with a top South Korean producer. We supported her through the tough decision to defer her Brown admission to spend the year in the studio.

We are confident that Aileen has a bright future ahead—whether she chooses to tour after her album’s release, enroll at Brown next fall, or pursue both paths!