Henry Ong

What is your name? What grade are you currently in academically, if applicable? What year is this for you at this school or what year did you graduate? My name is Henry Ong, and I’m a senior in college, currently in my fourth year at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI).

Which preparatory school did you attend, and what key factors influenced your decision to enroll at that institution? I attended St. Paul’s School. I chose St. Paul’s because of the wide range of extracurricular and athletic opportunities it offered, as well as the supportive community.

Please describe a typical day during the competitive season, including your schedule and the balance between training, academics, and other commitments. During the competitive season, there was very little downtime—I was always doing something, whether it was academics, extracurriculars, or club activities. The structure of prep school kept me busy and engaged throughout the day.

How does your daily routine differ during the off-season? Outline your typical activities, including any training, rest, or personal development efforts. In-season training was very guided, with professional strength coaches and experienced staff overseeing our development. The off-season, on the other hand, was more self-directed and focused on independent workouts and skill development.

How did you manage to balance your athletic responsibilities with your academic coursework? Feel free to share specific strategies or resources that were particularly helpful. I dedicated time every day to schoolwork and planned ahead for busy weeks or road trips. Time management was essential, and I learned early on to prioritize effectively.

What are your professional objectives over the next five years, and in what ways has attending a preparatory school contributed to or shaped these goals? I plan to enter the engineering industry or consulting. Prep school prepared me well by reinforcing habits of self-improvement and personal growth, both academically and socially, that translate directly into professional success.

If you could offer one piece of advice to prospective students considering a similar preparatory program, what would it be and why? If you want to become a well-rounded individual, prep school is the way to go. It doesn’t just focus on hockey—it shapes who you are outside the sport. Be open to opportunities and say yes to the things that interest you.