5 Books to Check Out if You Enjoyed “Freakonomics”
Updated: Feb 22, 2023 This past June, high schoolers in our book club read Freakonomics by Stephen Dubner and Steven Levitt. It was a fascinating glimpse into the unconventional truths that economic data may reveal about society and history. We explored the ubiquity of incentives while answering wacky questions like: Do sumo wrestlers cheat? Why do […]
5 tips for finding an LGBTQ+ friendly college
Updated: Feb 22, 2023 Happy Pride month! Every June, we celebrate the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Riots, which galvanized the gay liberation movement. Just last week, the Supreme Court ruled “that the landmark federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects LGBTQ employees from discrimination.” The fight for LGBTQ+ equality has come a long way, thanks […]
10 Books with Black Protagonists for Middle Schoolers
Written by Angela Lin | Updated: Feb 22, 2023 Books are one great way to learn about Black history and the Black experience. From fiction to nonfiction, graphic novel to autobiography, here are 10 books suitable for middle schoolers to read. Some were my personal favorites growing up. I hope you can find a story (or […]
What Has Changed in College Admissions During the Pandemic, and What Hasn’t
Updated: Feb 22, 2023 The coronavirus pandemic has upended life for pretty much everyone on the planet. For high school students, college admission is still on their minds. Read on to see what’s changed and what hasn’t changed in the world of college admissions. 5 Things That Have Changed During the Pandemic: 5 Things That Have […]
How to Take Full Advantage of Your College Experience
Updated: Feb 18, 2023 This article was originally written and published by Rose Wong in 2020. College is not unlike summer camp in that there is so much to do and even more people to meet, but instead of being packed into three weeks, it’s four years. You may be so busy on a day-to-day basis […]
You Got Into College—Now What?
Updated: Feb 19, 2023 This article was originally written and published by Rose Wong in 2020. Hey—CONGRATULATIONS!!! You should be very proud of yourself. This marks a major milestone in your life and the culmination of all your hard work and learning, especially in the past four years. Whether or not you are attending your “dream […]
How to Find the Right College for *You*
Updated: Feb 22, 2023 This article was originally written and published by Rose Wong in 2020. Taped on the front door of the college counseling office in my high school was this quote, “College is a match to be made, not a prize to be won.” I admit that when I was applying to colleges, I […]
Which Volunteering Activity Reads Better on a College Application?
Updated: Feb 22, 2023 Here’s a question that has a right answer: Which volunteering activity reads better on a college application? The last detail should have tipped you off. Universities don’t expect their students to be bankrolling expensive activities to impress them, and are usually more turned off by the implications of that than excited by […]
Tips for Snagging a Winning Teacher Recommendation
Updated: Feb 22, 2023 [This blog entry was originally published in The South Pasadenan on 2/27/2019.] As a former full-time public school teacher, I’m going to reveal something from my first teaching year that I know I’m supposed to keep to myself. It’s the moment a high school senior asked me to write his college recommendation, […]