On September 27, 2025, the iBridge Foundation, in collaboration with the Association of Chinese American Physicians (ACAP), hosted an engaging and informative College Application Seminar via Zoom. The event drew students and families eager to gain valuable insights into the college admissions process, BS/MD programs, and the art of crafting compelling personal statements.
Opening Remarks
The seminar began with welcome addresses from Dr. Gary Guo, MD, PhD, President of the iBridge Foundation, and Dr. Ruliang Xu, MD, PhD, Honorary Chairman. They emphasized the foundation’s mission to advance educational opportunities and bridge the gap between communities and higher education through access, research, and empowerment.
Representing ACAP, Dr. Ziqiang Zhu, MD, President, and Dr. Jin Li, MD, PhD, FAAN, FAANEM, Chief Executive Officer, also delivered remarks highlighting ACAP’s ongoing commitment to supporting youth education and mentorship in the medical field.
Key Speakers and Topics
The seminar featured three distinguished speakers who shared expert guidance across various aspects of the college application journey:
Dr. Deng Sam, PhD, Owner of Sam Tutors, delivered an overview of the college application process, comparing the Common App and Coalition App, and explaining their differences in scope and structure. Dr. Deng also discussed how students can prepare early for college, particularly for medical and BS/MD pathways, explaining the components that make up a student’s college application including GPA, standardized testing (SAT/ACT/AP), course rigor, and enrichment activities such as volunteering, research, shadowing, and academic competitions.
Anita Weiss, JD, Assistant Director of Admissions at Columbia University and Founder of The Gilded Pen, led a personal statement workshop that explored the fundamentals of writing an authentic and effective essay. She guided students through brainstorming, drafting, and editing, emphasizing voice, structure, and clarity. Weiss also offered strategies for writing supplemental essays, avoiding clichés, and editing for precision and impact.
Dr. Wei Zhu, PhD, Professor at SUNY College Old Westbury and Director of the SCI Research Institute, concluded with a presentation on STEM research and its impact on college admissions. Dr. Zhu underscored curiosity, motivation, and perseverance as the foundations of successful research. He outlined the roadmap from idea development to competition and encouraged participation in major research contests such as ACAP, NRP, Regeneron STS, and ISEF, noting how these experiences enrich both personal growth and academic profiles.
Empowering Future Scholars
Through this seminar, iBridge Foundation and the Association of Chinese American Physicians reaffirmed their shared commitment to empowering the next generation of students. By offering access to expert knowledge and resources, the organizations continue to help learners navigate the complex college admissions landscape with confidence and clarity.
Read About The Speakers:
Wei Zhu, PhD
Professor Wei Zhu is a Professor at the Neuroscience Research Institute of SUNY College at Old Westbury and Director of the SCI Research Institute in New York. He earned his Ph.D. from the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium and completed his postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School. Over the past 25 years, Professor Zhu has published more than 80 research papers, secured three patents, and received prestigious honors including the SUNY Chancellor’s Award and the SUNY Research Foundation’s Innovation Award. His research has led to the discovery of bioactive compounds in plants and animals with potential therapeutic applications for multiple diseases.
Since 2000, Professor Zhu has been dedicated to teaching and mentoring students in cutting-edge, innovative research. Many of his students have earned national and international awards and gained admission to top universities such as Harvard, Yale, Columbia, the University of Pennsylvania, MIT, Princeton, and Stanford.
Beyond his academic work, Professor Zhu actively contributes to the community. He has delivered numerous public lectures to inspire interest in STEM research and education and has provided voluntary leadership and support to non-profit organizations, including serving as chairman of the I-Bridge Foundation, ACAP Foundation, Long Island Chinese Association, and the Long Island School of Chinese.
Anita Weiss, JD
Anita Weiss is the Assistant Director of Recruitment on the Admissions Team at Columbia University and is a seasoned college consultant with over 15 years of experience leading The Gilded Pen, a college consultation service specializing in teaching students how to write college application essays. Anita’s process is comprehensive. She works to build a personal rapport with each of her students and uncover their unique stories. She analyzes all aspects of her students’ applications (transcripts, test scores, and extracurricular activities) both to help them craft impactful essays and identify schools that are an appropriate fit. Her unique background as a former appellate attorney provides a distinctive and strategic lens for navigating the complexities of college admissions.
In addition to her one-on-one student work, Anita is a sought-after speaker, leading workshops on college essay writing for organizations and schools throughout the US and globally. In recent years her students have been accepted to top universities and liberal arts colleges across the US, including Yale, Stanford, Cornell, Dartmouth, Duke, Smith, Wellesley, Swarthmore, Rice, Williams, UC Berkeley, UT Austin, Carleton, USC, UCLA, Northwestern, and others.
Deng Sam, PhD
Deng Sam, Ph.D., is an experienced educator, researcher, and consultant. She has taught at the high school, undergraduate, and graduate levels across China, South Korea, and the United States. With more than 13 years of expertise as a college admissions consultant, Dr. Sam has guided students to top universities. In 2025, her students earned admission to all of the U.S. top five institutions—Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, and MIT. Deng Sam is also the owner of Sam Tutors.