Try Harder! is a documentary film that explores the lives of five high-achieving seniors at Lowell High School, which is a public school located in San Francisco. The film follows their journey as they strive to get into their dream colleges, which are some of the most prestigious universities in the United States.
The five seniors who are featured in the film each have their unique story to tell. Alvan, who is a second-generation Chinese American, has grown up with the pressure to excel academically from his parents. He has dreams of attending Harvard University. Sophia, who is also Chinese American, has to balance her academic pursuits with her passion for music.
Ian, who is Filipino American, is more interested in pursuing filmmaking and storytelling than taking traditional academic subjects. He wants to attend Stanford University's film program. Rachael, who is African American, has family challenges to overcome to pursue her college dreams and wants to attend the University of California, Los Angeles.
Finally, we have Steven, who is a first-generation Vietnamese American, is the class president as well as part of the school orchestra. He is passionate about music but also wants to attend a top-ranked university.
The film portrays the rigorous academic culture of Lowell High School, where students are expected to work hard and excel in their studies. The documentary sheds light on the struggles, challenges, and triumphs of these five students as they navigate the complexities of high school life and try to achieve their dreams.
Throughout the film, we see the students prepare for standardized tests, write application essays, attend interviews, and wait for acceptance letters. Their stories are interwoven with interviews from teachers, counselors, and admissions officers, who shed light on what colleges look for in their applicants.
Overall, Try Harder! is a heartwarming and inspiring film that celebrates the resilience, determination, and hard work of these five high school students as they strive to achieve their dreams and shape their futures.