19 Distinguished (and free) Academic Programs for High School Students
Not only will these research and academic programs help you stand out in college admissions, but they are FREE. Some will even pay for your housing, transportation, AND provide a stipend.
How do I write a BANG OUT statement of purpose for graduate school?
Whether you are applying to medical, law, or business school, or any other graduate program, applications will likely ask students some form of the following question:
What experience do you have in this field, why do you wish to attend this program, and what goals do you hope to achieve upon graduation?
I call this the A, B, Cs of statements of purpose. A is what you have accomplished so far, C is what you hope to accomplish, and B—the graduate program—is the catalyst that gets you from A to C.
How do I know if my Common App personal essay is any good?
What a tricky question. After all, essays are an art form. Each person’s experience of them are filtered through the lens of their own perspectives and biases. It remains true that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, who, in this case, is ultimately your admissions reader.
However, there are tell-tale signs of what usually works in a college personal essay, and I have detailed a few of those indicators below to help you along the writing process.
Why in the world do U.S. colleges rely on holistic admissions?
Like how America uses the imperial system of measurement while the rest of the world implements the metric system, the U.S. college admissions process is a little unique compared to, say, applying to college in England or China.
11 Steps to Finding a Job After Graduation: A Definitive Guide
How on earth does anyone get employed when you have to submit applications into the blackhole of job portals?
Now as an admissions and career counselor, I’ve discovered there is a method to the madness of getting employed, and I’ve compiled a definitive guide for you, fresh college grad, to score a great job.
Let’s get started, shall we?
For Megan, college fit was most important
I have always strived to be the very best student that I could be. From my earliest years in school, I put everything into getting the very most hat I could get out of my education. In high school, this translated into taking the most challenging courses available to me with the highest grades that I could achieve.
CR learns the value of putting in your best effort
MAPS has helped me in the college and life process by challenging me to not limit myself. Before I had joined, I was only really involved with band, where it was looked down upon to join something that involved planning events or making posters. But after MAPS I was able to see the value in the collaboration and planning process. Now that I am in college, I am making an effort to join groups that will build my skills so that I am a better-rounded individual.
Manuel leaves gang and aspires to attend college
In the gang scene, Manuel recalls that “Every day, somebody from the gang was getting jumped. I got jumped.” During one night of drinking, he was even shot at by members of a different gang whom he had challenged. When he got home, he says, “I found two holes in my shirt where the bullets went through.” Realizing that he could have died, Manuel had an epiphany. He realized that he had to get himself out of the gangs. He ended his late night parties and gang fights. He stopped drinking and smoking. However, at school it was difficult to escape racial tensions.
Maria finds her voice
After a few meetings I started coming out of my shell and other members of MAPS noticed that I was more outgoing and I felt it was easier to talk to the members. Now it’s easier for me to talk to people I may not know and voice my opinion, which I had a lot of trouble with before.
How Paul found purpose, despite facing tragedy
My sister and I were very fortunate and believe it was the grace of God that led us to Sarai and MAPS. My mother attended 24 Fitness and was connected with Sarai who was a gym trainer. At first my mother forced my to try MAPS out, but soon after I realized it was not like any other strict hagwons. Sarai actually helped us out personally—not just with academics but with much more.
How NyNy, a homeless student, inspired the founding of MAPS
Before MAPS began, Dr. Sarai Koo spent her time helping the homeless—focusing on helping the homeless youth. MAPS is forever indebted to NyNy. NyNy was a homeless youth who not only transformed his life, but also changed the life of Dr. Koo. NyNy is the reason MAPS was birthed. Helping the homeless taught Dr. Koo that every human life is precious.
What it means to belong, by VL
MAPS was the place where I smiled, laughed, cried, and blossomed. It became my safe haven, where I vulnerably expressed my frustration about society, deepest feelings about my past, and my journey to independence.
Seven years later, Adrian reflects on SPICES
I feel the biggest mistake people (especially my age) make is charging down career or life paths without careful consideration of their personal ambitions, happiness, and legacies. They hear talk of good money or stability, and barrel down pathways hoping they’ll like the lives they end up with. This, I feel, is why so many people look at themselves when they’re 30 and find themselves unhappy. They’ve climbed to the top of a mountain they never wanted to stand on.
Celia reflects on being a SPICES Facilitator
I think my work with MAPS as a SPICES Facilitator has given youth the opportunity to learn/think more about themselves, and the adult they want to become.
Natalie forges ahead and goes to Grad School
MAPS not only prepared me for a career in the field of Education and nonprofit work, it also provided me with a support system throughout the job hunt, resume and job interview assistance, networking opportunities, and many memories!
Brianna talks about how to be a successful student
I am currently an Undergraduate Finance Associate for the Walt Disney Company and also a full-time student in my 3rd year at the California State University, Fullerton in the University and Business Honors Program. Through my volunteer experience with MAPS…
Deepa’s career growth
I currently work as a software Quality Assurance engineer at Belkin International. My experience at MAPS definitely helped to get the current position. MAPS was an eye opener to American culture and problems. Sarai has an amazing personality and just knowing her and her achievements was a great inspiration to me. I owe a lot to MAPS 4 College.
How Helen learned true courage at MAPS
Originally written by Helen, on September 14, 2013
The courage to believe in students, believe in people, believe in our ability, and to devote immense time and energy to our future while resisting conventional societal wisdom that tells you money is the key to success and happiness has the grandeur of Homer’s epic heroes. And it has an even grander effect than winning war.
It changes lives.
Alondra Pours Her Heart Out
Originally written by Alondra, on March 19, 2014
MAPS is something that lives inside of me. It’s what made me happy and sad and excited and cared for. When someone asks me about a certain topic, I always relate it to something that has to do with MAPS because MAPS is everything I know. I mean, I know a lot of things and I’ve experienced many great events out on my own, but none of those experiences would have been the same if I hadn’t gone through MAPS. I am a totally different person than when I first started MAPS.
A Healed Heart for Yoseline
Originally written by Yoseline, on July 12, 2013
Over the course of my experience in MAPS 4 college, I have not only learned about the opportunities of being a part of this organization offers me, but the meaning of life itself.