Introducing Passion Prep!
Welcome to Passion Prep! I’m Julie Kim, a graduate of USC and Harvard University. When I began preparing for my college applications back in high school, I did what everyone else around me was doing, joining as many clubs and volunteer organizations so I could list them on my resume like a laundry list. I […]
How to Use These 5 Popular Extracurriculars on Your College Application to Stand Out
It’s the oldest college admissions strategy in the book: extracurricular activities. Year after year, I see a lot of students committing to all sorts of different extracurriculars in high school to get accepted into their dream Ivy League and Top-tier colleges. And year after year, it breaks my heart. Because a lot of students take […]
3 Things I Learned Applying to U.S. Colleges as an Asian American Student (and How I Got In)
As an Asian American, my life has been filled with “firsts.” My parents uprooted their entire lives to immigrate our family from South Korea to the United States when I was in second grade. I experienced a new “first” day of school in an entirely new school system, and remember my first time speaking an […]
Episode #69: Why my students decided to work with me
For today’s episode I’m excited to be interviewing two students of my 6-month college consulting program, The Ivy League Formula! Brianna just completed the program and Natalie is currently a student, and these amazing young ladies both share why they decided to say “Yes” to enrolling in the program, any hesitations they had before doing […]
Episode #68: How my student landed an extraordinary opportunity using his Passion Project
In today’s episode of Demystifying College Admissions, I’m bringing you a conversation I had with an incredible student on mine named Richie. Richie is a freshman in the 9th grade who decided to “just do it” and go all-in on his passion project, Teens Against Racism. He reveals how he got this passion project off […]
Episode #67: How to be CONFIDENT (and why this is important for your college admissions success)
“Confidence is the freedom to set your own standards and unshackle yourself from the need to prove yourself.” – Ryan Holiday, Stillness Is the Key I’ll admit I’m a total self-help nerd. I’m constantly reading and researching ways to improve my mindset in order to achieve my own dreams. And one huge takeaway from my […]
Episode #66: I used to be overweight and insecure (and THIS is what I learned)
When I was in high school, I had a super negative image of myself. I was overweight and unhappy with my body. So much so that I became a victim to it. I was so ashamed, even though I had SO much to be proud of. I had great friends. I was involved in leadership […]
Episode #65: Interviewing my Ivy League Formula Students (Part 7!)
In my consulting programs, my students are not just given the tools they need to start their own Passion Projects. They are given a community — a league of students who believe in and strive for the same things that they do. My students have people they can turn to for advice, encouragement, and motivation. […]
Episode #64: Interviewing my Ivy League Formula Students (Part 6!)
To be honest, I’m not motivated by the usual definitions of “success.” While money, clout, and recognition can all be considered motivators for success, they are not what gets me out of bed every morning. My students are my ultimate motivators. Their passion inspires me to take my college admissions strategies to the next level, […]
Episode #63: Interviewing My Ivy League Formula Students (Part 5!)
Every time I interview students from my most popular consulting program, The Ivy League Formula, I get goosebumps! Okay, Julie, maybe it’s time to chill out. Interviewing your students about college admissions can’t be THAT exciting… That’s where you’re wrong! My students in this program gain clarity and understanding of what they’re passionate about, then […]
