The Pop Out

I don't care about your feelings. I am coming for your lies.

Why do so many people have a hard time saying that they are feminists? It seems like the word is associated with far more than what it actually is. Let's uncover what it actually means to be a feminist.

This is the segment of the podcast in which I just rant about whatever annoys me or puts me in an unreasonable state of rage. Everything I say is meant to be taken as entertainment.... though I believe everything I say is true.

Some final thoughts on the college application process: Competitive colleges are not particularly unique or special in the kind of students they bring in and in how they develop these students. Job prospects, earnings, and so on are not necessarily a result of product of the quality of the student so much as the reputation of the college brand, wealth, and social networks. I can help give you the best chances of being accepted into the most competitive college, but participating in this system as it is set up doesn't really address the root issue, which is that we see colleges as something it is not. So then what would it look like if we began to see colleges differently?

I lied. You can reduce luck as a factor in admissions if you start early and follow this step-by-step guide. Don't believe all these other advice on getting in, like "pursue a passion project" and "show impact." I'll give you the real dirt on maximizing your chances of getting in.

So many different advice on what extracurriculars you need to get into college. "Get a leadership position," "pursue a passion project," "show initiative instead of joining something that already exists." Taken out of context, these advice miss the bigger picture of how colleges are using these activities. They're looking for the right kind of person: Someone who knows themselves, finds certain activities meaningful and purposeful, cares for something and someone beyond themselves, and shows thoughtful dedication to that pursuit. When you are the right kind of person, your activities will clearly reflect that truth. So instead of trying to game the system, try figuring out who you are, what you're about, and how you want to live out your truest self.

Simply put, toxic masculinity is not an attack on masculinity. It's an acknowledgement that some conceptions of masculinity is harmful, not just for others, but for men themselves. It's a desire to seek a healthier understanding of masculinity, one that does not lead to the high rates of depression, loneliness, alcohol abuse, and suicide that we see among men today.

This is the segment of the podcast in which I just rant about whatever annoys me or puts me in an unreasonable state of rage. Everything I say is meant to be taken as entertainment.... though I believe everything I say is true.

SAT, ACT, AP, IB. So many standardized tests. With so many schools now NOT requiring them, should I still take the test? Simply put, probably yes. But it's not simply something to add to your resume. Rather, if you understand what these tests are doing and how it is being used, you might begin to appreciate the good that comes to you in studying for these exams, especially if you are learning material that may not necessarily have been covered in your studies, but are definitely expected of you in college.

I don't know what Doechii meant, but straight men do seem like a red flag to me. But more importantly, why are people getting so defensive about it? Let's talk about it.

As someone who has written many letters on behalf of students, I noticed some common mistakes that students make, both in the choice of the writer and the way they ask for letters. There are ways to ensure you get the best possible letter on your behalf. You just need to know how.Simply put: Develop long-lasting, deep, meaningful relationships with supervisors, teachers, counselors, and community leaders.

DEI seems to elicit so many feelings, and I am not sure why. It's not unfairly trying to benefit anyone. Instead, its goal is to ensure fair, equitable treatment for all. So then why is this even a source of controversy?

This is the segment of the podcast in which I just rant about whatever annoys me or puts me in an unreasonable state of rage. Everything I say is meant to be taken as entertainment.... though I believe everything I say is true.

Ever ask for feedback, only to feel like you don't know what to do with that feedback? There might be ways to ask for feedback that will elicit more useful responses.

That's right. It's that time of the year when application decisions start to roll out and students record their reactions to getting accepted, waitlisted, or rejected from the colleges they hope to attend. Which mean... It's also the time when idiotic ideas start to float around about who got in or not and why. Students, parents, college consultants, everyone seems to have an opinion. Let's stop that garbage now. All these opinions are likely completely uninformed guesswork, and leads to nothing more than stirring up a lot of unwarranted resentment and anger toward universities, underrepresented groups, and so on. It happens every year, and it pisses me off because it's just not grounded in reality. So let's please respond with reason, and learn to deal with our emotions in a healthy, mature way, instead of suing.

What should community college students focus on? How is the application process different for a transfer student? Get a sense of how to prepare.

In a new segment, I just want to make sure that if we are going to critique something, we are critiquing what it actually is, not whatever people perceive it to be. Many of these ideas that are used in public discourse are ways to target colleges as perpetrators of something bad or sinister. Yet in most cases, people seem to be presenting ideas as something that simply isn't true. So let's clear the air.

This is the segment of the podcast in which I just rant about whatever annoys me or puts me in an unreasonable state of rage. Everything I say is meant to be taken as entertainment.... though I believe everything I say is true.

Who should consider going to a community college? Community college is not for everyone. Like your decision with a four-year college, you should put some serious thought into what college is a good fit for you. So for some, community college does not make sense. For others, it makes a whole lot of sense. So let's discuss why someone might consider going to a community college, and whether that applies to you. As my understanding and experience is highest at California community colleges, I would be grateful for any insight from those who are familiar with community colleges in other states!

Stay away from Drake.

Now that we know what the purpose of a personal statement is, let's talk a bit about the process of writing a personal statement. The key: BE AUTHENTIC. The question is, how can you be authentic?Simple answer: get therapy. Longer answer: listen to this episode.

This is a new segment on this podcast in which I just rant about whatever annoys me or puts me in an unreasonable state of rage. Everything I say is meant to be taken as entertainment.... though I believe everything I say is true.

I don't know how to process these feelings. Please, someone, help me through this. I love hip-hop, and I'm scared that Kpop will to it what Drake already did, if they haven't done it already.

What is the actual purpose of a personal statement in a college application? It might not be what you think. You might have gotten advice like:don't use humordon't talk about the immigrant experiencedon't write a sob storydon't list your accompishmentsbe uniqueshowcase your hobbies or other talentsThese advice all miss the key purpose of a personal statement, and so is not always correct (or incorrect). So let's peel the layers back and talk about why colleges even ask for a personal statement.

Before we talk about personal statements, let's talk a bit about what you should be looking for when you want help, whether it's with your writing, subject-specific studies, or exam preparation. The truth is that you can access all the information you need to learn for free. The problem isn't access to help. The question is what kind of help you need.

As a fellow parent, let's take a moment to reflect on our role in our children's education: With all that you are doing for your children, ask yourself: "Who is this REALLY for?"It's time to set aside our own pride or desires, and help our children find out the best version of themselves, which probably is not what you think it is.

This is a new segment on this podcast in which I just rant about whatever annoys me or puts me in an unreasonable state of rage. Everything I say is meant to be taken as entertainment.... though I believe everything I say is true.

College rankings give the impression that one college is better than another. That whole endeavor is a lie. These rankings just feed into reputations that are not necessarily deserved, and it does not reflect what is the best fit for students given their particular interests and desires for their college experience. Unfortunately, reputation makes a difference in how people treat you. Still, we can collectively dismantle this ridiculous lie by viewing colleges more honestly, and giving proper credit to so many of the colleges that do not appear on any list but continue to do wonderful work in building up future generations of innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders in the community. Let's all give a collective middle finger to these rankings.

All this crying about fairness in college admissions. College admission was never fair. It was never a meritocracy, never about what you deserved. I'll try to break down why we need to start by getting rid of this idea that college admission is based on your merits, this idea that somehow you are owed a spot into a specific college because of your hard work. If you want college to be fair, then we're going to have to radically change not just the educational system, but also social, economic and political systems. Good luck with that.

Welcome to the Pop OutI'm popping out like Kendrick did to dismantle the colonizing fraud that is Drake, but for education. I have been teaching high school and college students for over two decades in both the public and private sector. If there's anything I learned, it's that people constantly act on bad information. So let's set the record straight and talk honestly about issues in the educational system, college admissions, and transition to the work life. Along the way, we can talk about whatever I feel like talking about, like philosophy, Legos, hip hop, art, and going to therapy.