logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2023
13m 14s

The rise of the "trauma essay" in colleg...

TED
About this episode

As if college applications aren't stressful enough, disadvantaged youth are often encouraged to write about their darkest traumas in their admissions essays, creating a marketable story of resilience that turns "pain into progress," says politics student Tina Yong. She brings this harrowing norm to light, exploring its harms and offering a more equitable process for colleges everywhere.

Vote for our show in the Signal Awards for Most Inspirational podcast!


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Yesterday
Sunday Pick: Can AI really teach your kids? with Leah Belsky | from WorkLife with Molly Graham
Technology has been promising to revolutionize education for a long time. Online learning, smartphones, and even asynchronous classes during COVID seemed for a while like they might finally transform what learning can look like, but all we really learned was that changing educati ... Show More
51m 9s
Oct 10
Why the future is human ... plus AI | Sal Khan and Esther Perel
As AI reshapes work, school and love, what part of being human can't a machine take over? In a wide-ranging conversation, psychotherapist Esther Perel and TED's vision steward Sal Khan provide their unique takes on the answer. From personalized learning and AI companions to "emot ... Show More
23m 39s
Oct 9
The three words that saved my life | Blake Mycoskie
On paper, Blake Mycoskie is a glowing success story: he founded TOMS Shoes, building a global brand that has given away more than 100 million pairs of shoes to children in need. Yet despite his success, his struggle with depression nearly cost him his life. In this personal talk, ... Show More
18m 48s
Recommended Episodes
Jun 2021
Raising Resilient Kids with Angela Duckworth
With unprecedented levels of stress and depression amongst young people, I wanted to know what we, as an older generation can do to help. So I talked to psychologist, professor at the University of Pennsylvania and author of Grit , Angela Duckworth. This is… A Bit of Optimism. If ... Show More
30m 9s
Sep 2021
2+2 = You're Oppressing Me: It's Our Back-To-School Special!
The politicization of college campuses is now happening in lower and secondary schools. FIRE's Bonnie Kerrigan Snyder, author of "Undoctrinate," tells Danielle how parents can recognize it and deal with it. PLUS: Christina Hoff Sommers joins the cocktail segment to discuss "wokef ... Show More
1h 15m
Aug 2022
Ep 52 – Back To School: Tips & Tricks
<p>Tinx looks back on her academic career to prepare and motivate us for the upcoming school year! Tinx shares the learning difficulties she experienced in high school, the "birth of Tinx" in college, and how she made the most of her decision to attend grad school. Finally, Tinx ... Show More
35m 49s
Aug 2022
Should I Even Apply?
The highly selective admissions process can be daunting and feel discouraging, especially for students who fear that some aspect of their personal circumstances will put them at a disadvantage. Prospective students often ask “Given the very low rate of admission, should I even ap ... Show More
24m 32s
Jun 2020
Essays: What Works
Part 1 of 3. The most effective application essays help admissions officers understand who students are and the contributions they would make to a community. There’s no formula or perfect essay topic, but Hannah and Mark discuss what makes an essay work for an applicant. Admissio ... Show More
27m 5s
Nov 2022
The Anxiety of Money, University, and Raising Mentally Healthy Kids
It’s the time of year when so many young adults and their parents are thinking about a major achievement in young life - getting into college. It’s easy for overachieving parents to put that stress on their kids to go to the perfect school. But the process comes with such a rolle ... Show More
44m 26s
Feb 2024
88. How to Find Your Unique Voice in College Application Essays
<p>How do you capture an Admissions Officer’s attention through your college essays? On today’s episode, Nivanthi Karunaratne, a Graduate Coach at InGenius Prep, shares her personal journey of self-discovery through music and how it has influenced her approach in helping students ... Show More
24m 52s
Jul 2021
How creative writing can help you through life's hardest moments
Writer Sakinah Hofler makes the case for writing as a tool to help you process difficult memories and reclaim the power they may hold. This talk was filmed at TEDxUCincinnati. All TEDx events are organized independently by volunteers in the spirit of TED's mission of ideas worth ... Show More
6m 32s
Jan 2025
S3E24: Managing Stress in College Admissions
<p>In this episode of <em>The Admittedly Podcast</em>, Thomas Caleel addresses the growing pressures high school students feel during the college admissions process. Exploring the sources of this stress—whether self-imposed or external—Thomas emphasizes the importance of intentio ... Show More
17m 27s
May 2020
The Coach Effect
Colleges today talk a big game about valuing diversity — so why are so many of them failing to retain first-generation students? We meet a homeless straight-A track star and her ad-hoc college application coach to look at why it’s so hard to get into college while rural, poor, an ... Show More
42m 4s