On March 13, 2026, Lilly Yu, Managing Partner of InAmerica Education and Head of Chair at InAmerica Education Group (IEG), was invited to deliver a keynote address at Building Equitable Futures: Women’s Justice and Leadership , an official NGO CSW70 Parallel Event held during the 70th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) in New York. The event brought together a distinguished group of Asian women leaders, practitioners, and advocates, creating a platform to share lived experiences, community insights, and transformative approaches to advancing gender equity and leadership. Held at the Church Center for the United Nations, the gathering focused on empowering women to shape a safer, more inclusive future. In her keynote address, Lilly shared a personal story about her journey at the age of 21, when she made the decision to pursue her education in the United States despite initial resistance from her family. Reflecting on that pivotal moment, she said, “At this age, my twenties are not meant to be safe. They are meant to explore how far I can go.” This decision ultimately shaped both her personal path and her commitment to education. Drawing from her own experience, Lilly highlighted the challenges many Asian families face when balancing stability and opportunity in educational decisions. Motivated by this understanding, she founded InAmerica Education from her college dorm room with a simple goal: to help families navigate the admissions process with greater clarity and confidence. Speaking on women’s leadership and personal growth, Lilly emphasized the importance of resilience and self-advocacy: “Courage is not the absence of fear. It is the decision to move forward anyway.” She encouraged women to trust their own voices and pursue their ambitions, even in the face of uncertainty. Addressing parents in the audience, she added, “Sometimes the greatest gift you can give your daughter is not protection—it is trust.” As part of Women’s History Month, Lilly’s participation reflects InAmerica’s ongoing commitment to empowering women through education and leadership. Her story underscores the broader mission of the organization—to support students and families in pursuing meaningful educational pathways while fostering confidence, independence, and global perspective.

As a "giant" among American public universities, the University of California (UC) remains a top-tier choice for students globally, offering world-class academic resources, strong career prospects, and an exceptional return on investment. As UC campuses continue to climb in global rankings, the difficulty of admission is rising in tandem. While students await the main wave of admission decisions in March, the University of California has officially updated its Fall 2026 application data . The report covers overall and campus-specific data for freshmen, transfer students, in-state, out-of-state, and international applicants. This cycle, the UC system received a record-breaking 251,907 total applications . While this number may seem daunting, a closer look at the data reveals that the real story isn't just about increased difficulty—it’s about a structural shift  in the applicant pool. Today, we analyze the Fall 2026 trends across the nine UC campuses to help families navigate the road ahead. Overall UC Application Trends According to the UC Office of the President (UCOP), the system received 251,907 applications  for Fall 2026, a 0.8% increase over last year. Freshman Applicants:  205,431 (+0.1%) International Applicants:  32,070 (-0.1%) Transfer Applicants:  46,476 (+3%) The transfer segment is clearly the primary driver behind this year's record-breaking numbers, rising from 44,666 in Fall 2025 to 46,476  this cycle. Freshman application data has reached a "high-level plateau"—it is no longer surging wildly but remains consistently at a historic peak. Meanwhile, the transfer track is becoming significantly more crowded. Campus-Specific Highlights: The Most Popular Choices Among the nine campuses, UCLA  remains the "most popular" with 146,000 applications, followed closely by UCSD  (141,000) and UCB  (133,000). UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles): With over 146,000 freshman applicants, UCLA saw 24,718 international students (17% of the pool). Last year's international acceptance rate was a tight 6%, and we expect similar selectivity this year. UCB (University of California, Berkeley): Berkeley received 133,128 freshman applications, including 25,220 from international students (19%). Notably, UCB’s new Electrical & Computer Engineering  program has provided a fresh option for Engineering applicants, potentially easing the bottleneck in the traditional EECS track. UCSD (University of California, San Diego): UCSD’s freshman application volume now exceeds Berkeley’s. It is also the top choice for international students , receiving 25,480 international applications—more than any other UC campus. Last year’s international admit rate was a friendly 28%. Other Campuses: UCI  (125k+), UCSB  (108k+), and UCD  (104k+) all surpassed the 100,000-application milestone. These three remain very welcoming to international students, with acceptance rates often exceeding 40%. Rising Proportion of Low-Income Applicants A significant structural shift occurred this year: the proportion of applicants from low-income families rose from 41.4% to 43.6% . This reflects the UC system's commitment to its public mission of educational equity. For applicants, this means that personal background, social contribution, and public value narratives  are becoming increasingly important in the holistic review process, rather than just academic metrics alone. Looking Ahead: Five Key Characteristics of UC Admissions As we move toward the mid-March release of decisions, several trends have become clear: Application Volume Stability:  Numbers have stabilized at a record-high plateau. High Selectivity:  Competition remains intense and stable. Equity Policy Weight:  Family background and social impact are carrying more weight. Transfer Surge:  The transfer path is heating up significantly. Diverse Environments:  A multicultural student body is the new normal. While UCB and UCLA remain the most difficult to enter, campuses like UCSD  are catching up, with its Computer Science and Engineering thresholds nearing those of the "Big Two." Strategic Advice:  * UCD  is excellent for Biology and Agriculture. UCI  holds a strong reputation for Business. UCSB  excels in Materials Science. For those seeking higher ROI or specialized niches, UCSC’s  Game Design and UCR’s  Business School remain highly competitive yet accessible options.

From February through March, the U.S. K-12 admissions cycle reaches its peak. Currently, top-tier private day schools have begun releasing their decisions. At InAmerica, we are celebrating a continuous wave of offers, with many of our students securing placements at prestigious institutions. However, because the competition for elite private schools is incredibly fierce, it is inevitable that some excellent candidates will find themselves on a Waitlist . What is a Waitlist? Don't Panic! A Waitlist status means that after reviewing your application, the school recognizes your strength and potential but cannot offer direct admission due to limited space. Essentially, the Waitlist acts as a "backup pool." If an admitted student chooses not to enroll, the school will select candidates from the Waitlist to fill those vacancies. Being waitlisted is not  a reflection of your worth. In fact, top schools often have far more qualified applicants than they have seats. Factors such as a higher-than-expected yield (the percentage of admitted students who enroll), low student attrition, or an exceptionally competitive applicant pool this year can all influence the decision. If you find yourself in this position, do not be discouraged—there are still proactive steps we can take to secure an acceptance. What Should You Do After Being Waitlisted? Typically, waitlisted students may not know if a spot has opened up until after April 10th , as schools must wait for admitted students to make their final decisions. Here is your strategic action plan: 1. Formally Accept Your Spot Immediately Do not overlook the instructions in your decision email. If you remain deeply interested in the school, ensure you accept your place on the Waitlist as soon as possible. Usually, you only have 24 to 48 hours  to respond, as many other students are also waiting for an opportunity. 2. Analyze the Reason for the Waitlist On one hand, while the school appreciates your credentials, you may have lacked a specific "spark" that set you apart. In this case, you should work with your consultant to communicate with the school, adjust your materials, and highlight new achievements. On the other hand, the school may believe you are overqualified and fear they are not your First Choice . Schools care deeply about their Yield —the ratio of admitted students who actually enroll. If this is your dream school, you must reinforce your commitment and demonstrate why you are a perfect "culture fit" to boost your chances. 3. Strengthen Your Profile with New Materials During this period, continue to strive for academic excellence. If the school requests updated transcripts, ensure your grades remain stable or show an upward trend. Participate in extracurricular activities that enrich your profile and focus on developing "soft skills" such as communication, leadership, and teamwork. 4. Follow Up Consistently—But Respectfully You cannot remain passive, but you must avoid "over-communicating." Provide meaningful updates, such as recent awards, improved grades, or new projects. Constant, repetitive inquiries without new information can often be counterproductive. 5. Leverage Resources and "The Right Connections" To stand out in the waitlist pool, efficiency is key. It is important to understand the "unspoken rules" of admissions: the opinion of the Admissions Officer is paramount when choosing between students with similar scores. Building a professional bridge between a specialized agency and the admissions office can be the deciding factor in whether a student is "plucked" from the pool. 6. Maintain a Plan B Many schools do not begin pulling from the Waitlist until April or June, and the process can sometimes last through the summer into September. If you decide to wait, you must coordinate a Plan B . Families often face a dilemma: being waitlisted at a dream school while having to commit to another school before the waitlist results are out. This requires a serious strategic discussion with your consultant.

Elite admissions consulting by InAmerica Education: expert guidance for K-12 and college admissions in the United States. Schedule a consultation today. Trusted Expert Admissions Guidance Empowering Students Since 2013 Schedule a Free Consultation Today From Application to Acceptance — With You Every Step Pre-Kindergarten Consulting We guide families with children ages 2–6 through the fiercely competitive admissions process for top early-childhood programs. From winning a coveted 2’s Program seat to securing a Kindergarten place with single-digit acceptance rates, our play-based evaluations, language enrichment, and targeted school outreach give families a decisive edge. Explore Our KinderQuest Consulting Services K–12 Consulting We help students of all grade levels focus on meeting early education requirements essential for graduation and beyond. Our K–12 consulting services build the foundation for lifelong learning and success. Whether the goal is to enter an elite university or eventually pursue a PhD, we help students and their families take advantage of the best educational opportunities available. Explore Our K–12 Consulting Services College Consulting No matter a student’s background, the college admissions process can open new doors of opportunity. From academic experience to career setup, the early stages of college preparation help students chart a direct path to the world’s most selective schools. Landing at the right university is possible with careful planning and support. Explore Our College Consulting Services Overall Achievements 5/5 70%+ 100% Google Review Client Satisfaction Rate TOP 3 Choices Admissions Rate TOP 50 College Admissions Three Years Executively Relationships That Drive Results A refined professional perspective, efficient communication, and dedicated teamwork have enabled the InAmerica team to build strong, long-term relationships of trust and friendship with many top private schools. We’ve helped students gain admission to some of the most prestigious and best-fitting schools among the 4,000+ private K–12 institutions in the United States. We develop personalized relationships with each of our students to best understand their family’s plans and their academic needs. This approach connects students to schools that can help them thrive—and reach their next stage of education with the preparation and experience necessary for success. Hear from the Families We’ve Helped Expert Admissions Consultants We know how significant it is for students to have insightful guidance from an academic support team. We pair students with consultants who understand their needs, goals, and experiences. All of our consultants are familiar with the school application process and maintain a deep well of knowledge about specific schools, admission trends, and the global educational context. Meet Our Expert Team Personalized Consulting Services For almost a decade, we have successfully consulted with thousands of students and their families from around the world to achieve impressive admissions tailored to their specific needs. Adhering to the concepts of heuristic breakthrough, we enable students to step out of their comfort zones, re-establish self-awareness, and build a mentality of elite learning. Our students develop self-confidence and make progress toward their goals quickly. Through achievement and support, they are also able to foster personal growth beyond the application process itself. As part of our consultation services, we may help students with interviews, portfolios, or testing. Each step is customized for the individual student’s journey. Our History InAmerica Education was born in 2013 in Philadelphia and grew in New York City, two hotspots for Ivy League colleges. It was founded by alumni of the University of Pennsylvania and the Wharton School of Business. Our mission and specialty is to help our clients achieve admission to the top private and boarding schools in the United States for grades K-12 as well as top colleges and universities globally. We provide support instrumental in helping students attend dozens of prominent colleges and universities. We have years of experience providing comprehensive admissions counseling including MBA admission and PhD admission help. We also match academic and social goals along with transitional support for our students. Our wide-ranging clientele and outstanding consultants have formed a cross-disciplinary global team that makes us one of the best-known consulting companies worldwide. Our Concept For almost a decade, we have successfully consulted with thousands of students and their families from around the world to achieve impressive admissions tailored to their specific needs. We accomplish this by partnering students with an early education, K-12, undergraduate, or graduate admissions advisor to help them complete the admissions process. We know how significant it is for students to have the best guidance including support to help them meet academic and career goals. Adhering to the concepts of "heuristic breakthrough," we make students step out of their comfort zones, re-establish self-awareness and build a mentality of elite learning. Our students develop self-confidence and global-vision realization in a short time and achieve personal growth beyond the application process itself. Our Client A refined professional perspective, efficient communication, consultation, and dedicated teamwork have enabled the InAmerica team to build strong, long-term relationships of trust and friendship with many top private schools. We help students of all grade levels focus on meeting early education requirements essential for graduation and beyond. Whether the goal is to earn an MBA or PhD we help students and their families take advantage of the best educational opportunities available. Out of over 4,000 K-12 private schools in the United States, we have successfully matched and secured admissions for our clients to the most prestigious and best-fit schools. InAmerica has been named "Annual Influential Education Brand" by Tencent Education " Echo China" for two consencutive years since 2022. InAmerica has been a member of the National Association for College Admission Counseling since 2020. InAmerica was named "Annual Influential Education Brand" by Sohu Education in 2023. InAmerica Wins Silver at TITAN Business Awards for Entrepreneur of the Year in Education in 2024 Education Insider Names InAmerica International Among Top 10 Admissions Consulting Service Providers of 2024 InAmerica Wins 2024 BASA Award for Best Small Business in Education InAmerica has been a member of EMA since 2025 InAmerica Awarded "Best American High School Application Consulting Company" by College Daily in 2024 InAmerica has been a member of the International Association for College Admission Counseling since 2024. InAmerica was recognized as a Forbes China Leading Brand in the international education industry by Forbes China and College Daily InAmerica Awarded "Gold Stevie Award" by The American Business Awards InAmerica Recognized as 2024 Small Business of the Year by BIG Awards At the Noble Business Awards , InAmerica was honored with Gold in the Education category and Silver in the Outstanding Small to Medium Enterprise (SME) category InAmerica has been officially authorized as an SSAT Test Center starting in 2025.

Celebrate the chinese new year celebration with InAmerica! Join us for an unforgettable chinese new year celebration full of joy. InAmerica International Since 2010 Press & News BACK A Warm New Year's Meal The InAmerica team gathers with international students, families, and school teachers to celebrate the Chinese New Year together! 01 / Purpose of the Event and Preparation The InAmerica team understands that many families and students cannot return to their home countries during the Chinese New Year and cannot reunite with their families and friends for a lively and warm Chinese New Year. So this year, for the first time since the pandemic, the InAmerica team invited local school teachers, international students, and families from around New York to gather for a fun "ChuXi" New Year's meal together! Together we celebrated Chinese New Year's Eve and welcomed the Lunar Year. In addition, the Spring Festival was a great way to get into the Chinese New Year spirit. Early Saturday morning local time in New York, InAmerica's colleagues and staff arrived at New York's famous local seafood restaurant, Fish Village. The preparations for the event began in earnest. We prepared traditional gifts for all the guests, including Chinese New Year lucky bags, and the Year of the Rabbit red packets. 02 / Gourmet Seafood Thanks to the restaurant for their support in preparing a sumptuous New Year's Eve dinner for us with six tables full of food. Including Emperor crab three ways, crispy chicken, coconut milk chicken soup, beef rib, and 15 signature dishes. 03 / Traditional Performance Halfway through the New Year's Eve dinner, a lion dance performance was staged! Everyone cheered, applauded, and grabbed their cameras to record this wonderful moment. This is also a traditional Chinese performance, and the non-Chinese teachers and children were even more curious and happy to see this great performance. 04/ InAmerica’s New Year Greeting During this past year, all of us at InAmerica worked diligently with our students and parents during the busy application season and the background enrichment preparation period. By doing so, we have achieved results that our students and families can be proud of! Furthermore, we have witnessed the progress of our students and the achievement of their application goals! At the same time, we have also seen InAmerica's growth and received more trust, support, and friendship from our families and students. We are grateful for this recognition and trust, allowing each of us at InAmerica to stay true to our educational mission. We are able to assist, enhance, and positively change the educational path for our students. All of us at InAmerica wish our students and parents a new year of hope and prosperity!

Discover the inspiring journey and offerings of InAmerica Education, where we focus on providing top-notch educational consulting services. InAmerica International Since 2010 Press & News BACK InAmerica Founder and Managing Director Lilly Yu’s 10th Anniversary Gala Speech The InAmerica story began more than ten years ago in a college dorm room. An undergraduate from Zhejiang began her path of entrepreneurship by starting a small test prep company. At that time she was 20 years old. It was a winding path that took her first to the Graduate School of Education at University of Pennsylvania, then to the City of New York. InAmerica 的故事始于十年前的一间大学宿舍，一位来自浙江的本科生通过创办一个小型的考试辅导机构开始了她的创业之路。当时她只有20岁。这是一条曲折却收获颇丰的道路，带着她走进了宾夕法尼亚大学的教育研究生学院，然后来到了纽约。 What has changed in the past ten years? 过去十年改变了什么，发生了什么？ What has changed is that InAmerica is no longer that one-person shop looking for their first clientele. InAmerica education now has dozens of team members and hundreds of contractors around the world, and has assisted thousands of families, with every part of a child’s education - from pre-k (our youngest student being just 1.5 years old) all the way through to graduate school, alongside offering a variety of enrichment programs including research opportunities, internships, personal projects, tutoring programs, summer camps, and more. InAmerica 发生了巨变，不再是一个单打独斗的个人公司，已成长为拥有数十名团队成员和遍布全球上百家合作方的全球化教育咨询公司，已累计协助数以千计的家庭达成升学目标。我们助力孩子的每一个成长阶段，包括从幼儿的学前教育（最小的学生只有1岁半）一直到研究生阶段，提供了科学规划方案的同时提供丰富的背景提升方案，包括科研机会、实习、个人项目、辅导课程、夏令营等。 But what hasn’t changed in the past ten years is the dedication to help each child, and every family, find their best school fit and right education path. 但在过去的十年中InAmerica始终没有改变初心：致力于帮助每个孩子和每个家庭找到最适合的学校和教育路径。 What hasn’t changed is how rewarding it feels not only seeing the joy of a family receiving their dream offer, but also the transformation years after a child enrolls at the school, and more, the formation of their characters and personalities. 我们不仅共同感受到了家庭收到他们梦寐以求的录取通知书时的喜悦， 更重要的是见证了孩子在进入梦校后的成长，以及个性和性格的成功塑造，这份成功教育规划所带来的成就感也从未改变。 And of course, what hasn’t changed is the optimism that every challenge is an opportunity for positive changes, and growth. 当然，我们保持乐观的态度也从未动摇，每一个挑战都是一个积极变化和成长的机会。 I want to thank our InAmerica team members and wonderful partners, whether you joined us for years or just recently. Thank you for empowering InAmerica’s mission to achieve the best educational outcome for every child, which can be a stressful time for many families. From a 6am meeting, to finishing up an essay at 11pm. Everyone of you contributes to the growth. 我要感谢我们的 InAmerica 优秀的团队成员和各位合作伙伴，无论您是多年前还是最近加入我们。感谢你们认可并坚守InAmerica的教育使命，陪伴许多家庭共度这充满压力的时期，为每个孩子实现最佳的教育结果而努力。无论是早上6点的会议还是到晚上11点的论文修改，各位同仁为 InAmerica 的成长都做出了竭诚的贡献。 And I want to of course thank our clients, without whom none of this would be possible. We cannot express in words how much we appreciate your support and your trust. Thank you for allowing us to be part of your children’s educational journey. 同时，我要感谢 InAmerica 的所有客户，没有你们，就没有InAmerica今天所取得的一切成就。真的无法用言语来表达对你们所给予的支持和信任的感激之情。感谢你们让 InAmerica 成为孩子教育旅程的一部分。 From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank everyone for being part of the InAmerica family. Thank you for being there as we lead the charge to a brighter future in admissions preparations and educational consulting. 从我的内心深处，我要感谢成为 InAmerica 大家庭一员的每个人。是你们长久以来的认可与支持，使 InAmerica 的升学规划和教育咨询可以更顺利的引导同学们走向更光明的未来。 This is just the first chapter for InAmerica, and we are just getting started. 首个十年，只是 InAmerica 的第一章，我们才刚刚开始，未来还有更长远的路要走。 First, we are not content with resting on our laurels - we will constantly seek to provide an even higher level of services on a larger scale. 首先，我们不仅仅只安于现状，我们将不断寻求在更大范围上提供更高水平的服务。 Second, we will continue adding new members to our team, those who believe in our mission and culture of excellence, customer centricity, and diversity. 其次，InAmerica 将持续增加新的血液，欢迎那些愿意践行和认可 InAmerica 卓越文化和使命、以客户为中心，并拥有多元化背景的有志之士的加入。 Lastly, InAmerica will become a thought leader and a trusted authority in the field of education consulting so that we can truly espouse our values and beliefs that every child can shine and have unlimited potential. 最后，InAmerica 将成为教育咨询领域的思想领袖和值得信赖的权威公司，因此我们可以更广泛的传播 InAmerica 的教育价值观和教育信念，即每个孩子都可以闪耀光芒，并拥有无限潜力。 We will be the solid bedrock during this unstable time, and become the foundation for a brighter future for not just InAmerica students, but the larger community and society as a whole. 在这个瞬息万变、充满挑战的时代，我们不仅是 InAmerica 学生求学成才之路上最坚实的基石，同时目标成为更广泛社区和整个社会未来教育的基石。 Together we will write the next chapters of the InAmerica story. May the next ten years, and the many ten years to come be just as rewarding as or more regarding than our first. 我相信，我们将共同谱写 InAmerica 的新一篇章，携手踏上充满希望的未来，开创更多积极的可能性。在未来的十年甚至许多个十年，我们也将如第一个十年一样，收获颇丰，并相信未来一定能获得更多成就。 让我们共同期待下一个十年、愿我们初心不变 愿我们归来仍是少年。