How I Got Into 8 Ivy Leagues: Extracurriculars! Journalism edition

[@haileypan1510]

your accomplishments are absolutely jaw-dropping. you are such a hard worker and an inspiration!

[@CassandraHsiao]

Thanks for watching！

[@catherinechung6482]

Great blog as always! Btw, just heard about your horrible robbing experience in Amsterdam. I am so sorry this happened to you, and sending lots of strength and love your way, and take care!!!

[@CassandraHsiao]

Thank you!

[@nicolehernandezg.6354]

Wow this is so impressive, I feel so inspired! (And I'm a little bit jealous you got to meet Ansel Elgort)

[@CassandraHsiao]

haha. im jealous of my past self

[@subramaniamkumarasamy2694]

Thank you soo much Cassandra. My ambition is to be a journalist too. This really helped me a lot. Love you Cassandra 🌼. Love from Malaysia

[@CassandraHsiao]

best of luck!!!!!

[@subramaniamkumarasamy2694]

Thank you.

[@wcai3421]

this is so inspiring!!!

[@lavender1217]

Question ; If for example your school doesn't have any extracurricular activities, what can you do? And if there aren't any AP classes and there aren't any AP tests you can do in other schools nearby, does that affect your chances?

[@bffchannel9860]

Screaming Potato I’m not an expert lol but I would tell you to take online ap classes and dual enrollment

[@CassandraHsiao]

Hi! All of my journalism activities in this video were outside of school. My school did offer a journalism class but I wasn't a part of it. You can always look for things to get involved with outside of school. the possibilities today are endless in finding your own community--or better yet, starting one. My brother started a newspaper club on his campus. AS BFF channel said, online ap classes and dual enrollment are always possibilities. Definitely talk to your counselor about that. My brother has done both because his school didn't offer that many.

[@pinkribbons476]

I love you and you are such an inspiration!! Keep writing I hope to see you win a Pulitzer for an amazing play one day :)

[@CassandraHsiao]

very sweet of you!

[@matthiussine8358]

I always come back to this channel whenever I need inspiration to work harder lmao

[@CassandraHsiao]

Thank you!

[@juliew1730]

I love all of your videos and very impressed by your accomplishments:). I would love to hear all about your mother &/ fathers journey in raising you. I have two little girls and would love to get some parenting wisdom from them .:) please ask them to do a video !

[@CassandraHsiao]

Good idea. Maybe I will ask them to do one with me. Here is lajajakids' interview with my mom in chinese. www.lajajakids.com/2017/04/07/【精彩預告】丫丫園地獨家專訪蕭靖彤媽媽-grace-暢談-cas/?fbclid=IwAR1-bg-rQeRjcM6FPh-d8giAPiq0lFro3xT3ZwUEQA3OlQwWgI3Nv1MaJsU

[@CassandraHsiao]

I'm doing a video with my mom soon! Any particular questions you have for her?

[@CassandraHsiao]

i did a Q&A with my mom! kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKCoqHWanbCib6M

[@euphoriay838]

Just stunning❣

[@黄翔宇-n4m]

Hey Cassandra, did you apply anywhere early when you were applying to college? If so, did you get in straight away?

[@sophiali726]

黄翔宇 she applied to 17, got into all

[@黄翔宇-n4m]

Sophia Li But where did she apply early?

[@amandanguyen3775]

Hi! I watched all your Class with Cass videos and you are so inspirational and amazing!!

[@CassandraHsiao]

[@ChristRedeemed316]

You are such an inspiration💞

[@CassandraHsiao]

thank you so much for watching

[@the_real_andresjorgeortiz]

Good evening! I really enjoyed watching your video! It is very helpful to me. You did a great job with experiencing your journalism career at a young age. It is very impressive! My dream career is also to be a journalist at a young age. However, I did not have that much experience with it because I had to move from state to state for another 2 to 3 years at a young age because my dad’s military. Also, my dream career is to be a singer and actor on television. I will be earning my AA degree in General Ed next semester. I have been studying at a 2-year college for 7 years. I graduated from high school in the year of 2016. I have been through many changes in high school due to my military move. After I have complete with my AA degree in general Ed, I will be doing training for acting and music on television studios. If the training for music does not work out, I will be focusing on training for acting on television studio. I was born in the city of Buffalo in New York. I was diagnosed with autism at age 3. I went to a life skills program to learn how to communicate. I did not speak until age 4. I lived in the city of Buffalo in New York during my early childhood until age 5. I grew up with an Individual Educational Plan (IEP) during my school years. In high school, I was in regular mainstream classes with one-on-one assistant for 10th, 11th, and 12th grade. I lived in three different states for 3 years, Virginia for 6 to 7 months, Puerto Rico for a year, and two different states for 2 years. For right now, I am living in Florida. Thankfully, I do not have to move anymore. Florida is my last military move. I lived here in the state of Florida for 3 years. Once I receive training in acting, I will be earning my BA degree in journalism while minoring in business to help me with my acting and journalism career at a 4-year college within 3 years. I am working on my second book which is called my life throughout with autism and being a military child. My dad who is in the military is technically my stepdad, but I always call him dad because I grew up with him. My bio parents are from Puerto Rico, and my stepdad is from Colombia. I grew up with my mom and my stepdad. I have a younger brother in my mom’s side. He also goes to the same college as me. I have four younger sisters and one baby brother in my bio dad’s side. My passion is to be an actor and journalist on television. If you want to know which states I lived in before, I will let you know when I finish with my first book. I have finished with my first book. However, I need to include my AA degree on my first book as well! Once my book is publish, I will let you know when my book is publish while I am earning my AA degree from a 2-year college. I speak Spanish and English fluently by the way. Again, you did a great job with receiving your awards in journalism. That is very impressive! Congratulations! I really enjoyed watching your video because it has been inspiring to me. My name is Andres by the way. It is pleasure to meet you! Good luck with everything you do! God bless you and your family. 🙏❤️

[@junkurera1651]

god tier, crazy stufff!

[@sophiegeller7528]

Thank you so much for this video! Do you have any tips for writing for newspapers or magazines? I'm not sure who to reach out to.

[@elifeanor]

Hi Cass! So I watched this video and I was wondering about the "Scholastic kids press" applications.. I just turned 13 years old in March, but it is too late to apply? The 2021-2022 scholastic kids press application is due at the end of May, so do I still have time to apply? I'm extremely interested in journalism, so I thought maybe I could get in like you. Btw I love all your videos, and thank you so much for sharing your story!

[@sabrinathaler2288]

I'm entering high school and I don't have any journalism experience, but it's definitely something I want to pursue! What is your advice?

[@yasminabdulrazak7958]

Hey Cassandra! Thank you for this video. I'm applying from Malaysia and I have my interview very soon. Do you have any tips? Thank you!! I LOVED your common app essay by the way!!

[@CassandraHsiao]

thank you!!!! for your interview: brainstorm questions as if you are the interviewer and make sure you have an idea of what to say for each. don't be super rehearsed--just a rough outline is enough. The main thing is you don't want to be caught off guard by any questions! If you are, however, it's ok to take a moment to think. You can say, "Can I have a moment to think about that?" This will impress your interviewer because you're taking the time to carefully consider your answer! Other than that, be loose, have fun, just be yourself! Remember you are more than your resume.

[@yasminabdulrazak7958]

@@CassandraHsiao thank you!! pray for me!! EA decisions come out in 2 weeks :oooo

[@CassandraHsiao]

@@yasminabdulrazak7958 Best of luck. Let me know how it goes.

[@UnknownCartoonEditor]

Would love to hear about the ambitious extracurriculars / accomplishments you’re getting done at Yale!

[@CassandraHsiao]

they're on my channel!! you can check it out here kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYTbfKiKgK-hnJY kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHqvnYSpltqbb8U

[@sadiaobaidul7740]

How were you able to find so many opportunities as a high school student? Was the scholastic opportunity a push that allowed you to pursue the LA times internship? Was the LA times what introduced you to so many amazing experiences?

[@CassandraHsiao]

highschool.latimes.com

[@CassandraHsiao]

All HS insider reporters find their own stories.

[@sadiaobaidul7740]

Cassandra Hsiao Ohhh so did you personally contact ppl to find so many interesting stories?

[@lildibbles1143]

Ahh watching this I feel like I'm starting my college application too late :( I am 14 right now and I am part of the Journalism team in my school. How can I be like you and get all these opportunities?

[@CassandraHsiao]

Keep your eyes peeled for opportunity! And if there isn’t any, create your own. Pitch a long form narrative driven project that requires more research than your average article. Is your team missing a beat (culture, sports, lifestyle, politics, etc)? Identify what you want to see at your school journalism wise and go after it! Start small, and your opportunities will continue to grow

[@aashish01yash]

Hi Please also do a video on all the skills that you developed and mastered that helped you ACE your GPA This would really help

[@Wooplot]

so thats how u have all those celeb videos!

[@CassandraHsiao]

yep! i didn't just run into them on the street haha

[@HappyPerson-bh2mv]

If you don’t mind me asking what movie review blog did you write for?

[@CassandraHsiao]

it doesn't exist anymore, but it was called KidsPickFlicks! founded by Tara McNamara

[@simplycyd1053]

I’d like to see video on how you chose Yale over the other schools that you were accepted to. Like what were the factors that you considered?

[@CassandraHsiao]

Cydney Collins admissions.yale.edu/bulldogs-blogs/cassandra/2019/04/16/why-i-chose-yale-coin-toss :)

[@CassandraHsiao]

new vid series on life @ yale! kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYTbfKiKgK-hnJY & kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHqvnYSpltqbb8U

[@rohanpandey5439]

I'm an international student and my school didn't provide any AP classes so the chances getting in is less ?plzz reply ...is it matter?

[@dayanavenerdi1813]

hi, I guess you can take online ap classes. Google about it, I am not sure

[@mollylevitt1474]

Hi Cassandra! Your videos are really inspiring, but I live in a very small town so I don't have many resources here. However, I am a little over an hour away from a major city and I can go there from time to time. Do you have any tips on how I can build an impressive resume?

[@CassandraHsiao]

You can always look for things to get involved with outside of school. the possibilities today are endless in finding your own community--or better yet, starting one. My brother started a newspaper club on his campus.

[@ilyeszeraiki2560]

Hey Cassandra, What would those that have not yet found their passion do in this case?

[@CassandraHsiao]

focus on what you're good at! it may not be your ultimate passion--that can take many years to find, and people discover their passions in college and beyond--but for now, do what you can and sharpen those skills. perhaps passion will follow

[@adachoudhry5523]

Hey, great video! I wanted to ask you something. I am about to start my junior year at high school and don't have any extracurricular achievements. is it too late for me?

[@CassandraHsiao]

Of course not!! In fact junior year is one of the best most important years for college. Never too late!

[@sofiaxu5103]

How to find our passion

[@zarinsafa7183]

Hi I'm an immigrant from Bangladesh and I recently came to USA on my sophomore year. As I just came here, I couldn't take any Ap classes for my freshman or sophomore year. I also took PSAT and got a bad score. I really want to get into a good college. How can I organize my junior year? Also I'm currently involved in speech. Will that be enough for extracurricular activities? I would be really happy if you answered. Thank you ✨.

[@CassandraHsiao]

Zarin Safa join my college bound Facebook group.

[@sarahandsushi1920]

Hi Cassandra! I'm in the 7th grade and really want to go to an Ivy League. Any tips to get me started? Also you're a huge huge inspiration!

[@CassandraHsiao]

sarah andsushi join my collegebound Facebook group to learn more . Read lots of books and write. Chk out my creative writing edition video.

[@sarahandsushi1920]

@@CassandraHsiao Thankyou so much for replying, but unfortunately I don't have any social media platform except for youtube! But if you're open to suggestions I would love some more tips on how to start working towards getting into an Ivy League from now :)

[@mabmainchannel]

What do you do if one of your parents doesn’t support your goal to go to college (by choice even though they have the resources and time to help) and the other is too busy working to help much (working to support the family as a single parent)? 😕 So to elaborate, a situation where it’s very difficult to find mental and emotional support, general life/school/friendship/career guidance, can’t find transportation to volunteer and extracurricular activities except through a couple kind friends (and you live in a suburb where there isn’t public transportation and everything is miles apart), can’t get support to go buy proper study materials for AP/SAT/ACT testing, can’t find help if you need extra help understanding something from class, no parental support when you’re bullied at school, and denied funds to buy a new computer after the old one is completely breaking down because one parent won’t help and the other lacks the resources (so when a research paper is due, your computer keeps needs to be restarted because it intermittently freezes, and you can’t stay late at school because you won’t have any transportation home after the bus leaves, so you have to stay up late into the night to do research on the dying computer. Then you accidentally fall asleep in class the next day out of pure exhaustion, and the teacher accuses you of laziness despite you trying your best)? 🙁 Do you call social services, tell a school counselor that you’re having no support despite trying (so your teachers will know why you’re always so tired and stop bullying you about being lazy), or cope/suck it up and try to do your best for 4 years until hopefully you can leave this situation?

[@nicolepoon5669]

Maybe this wasn’t directed at me, but I’m so sorry to hear that you have to go through that. I’ve personally been blessed with a lot, and it’s so grounding to see how much you’ve been going through. If I’m honest, I really wanted to scroll past this without saying anything. I was lazy and just didn’t want to think hard about this because it’s just so serious. But I just couldn’t, so I how that this helps you in at least a small way! Personally I’d talk to a teacher. I’d tell them what I was going through in a calm but sincere manner. A lot of the time Teachers disregard a situation because they think you’re making a big deal out of something small which is common around your age group. So it’s your duty to communicate that it’s bigger than that in a calm manner and emphasise that you have a good awareness of the situation. If the teacher fails or if it doesn’t, a good way to get community hours is by hotlines? Those that you can do from home. I’m not too sure though. If personally start a club if that’s possible or join an already existing one that’s for helping the community. If your parents have not time or money to send you anywhere, maybe try public transport? Or carpooling with friends. Now laptop, find a job! Jobs can make you look responsible and mature, it shows that you understand how jobs work to an extent and that you have experience with money/business. A part time job goes a long way. Eventually you’d have enough to buy a second hand laptop online. Everything can be accomplished so Long as you manage your time well and regulate your stress. Make sure to do things you’re passionate about and will enjoy. I’m not sure if you’re blowing things outta proportion but if your situations is as bad as you say then make the best of it. Colleges will be all the more impressed by your grit and there are always less illustrious options which don’t have as high requirements.

[@sherpajacket]

Michelle Brumwell this wasn’t directed at me and is a bit late, but does your school have you fill out a form for internet access? quarantine must be a nightmare for you if you didn’t get a working laptop. you should probably talk to your counselor about that, if not the other issues. for sat prep, use khan academy!! it’s completely free and if you’re okay with spending a little bit there are prep books on amazon and such. i’m very lucky with what i have and i’m so so sorry you have to go through this.

[@jessyen8835]

Hi Cassandra, can you share about how you study for college?

[@CassandraHsiao]

Maybe I will do a video on that topic. Meanwhile here is my life at Yale : admissions.yale.edu/bulldogs-blogs/841

[@jessyen8835]

@@CassandraHsiao Thank you!

[@CassandraHsiao]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gXzLhaypf611gpI here you go!

[@erikaaaaa2882]

those look so unachievable for me TwT i'm starting a bit late bc i didn't know about all of these opportunities until now, and i'm a highschooler, so i just don't know how i'll get from point a (a highschooler that has no life) to point b (accomplished highschooler)

[@CassandraHsiao]

don't do it for the sake of accomplishment! do it for yourself. really my advice is to find your passions-and it's never too late to discover that. This is meant to serve you beyond high school, beyond college even. Do things that you love because you love them, not because you want to look good for college or for your admissions! I pursued journalism because I truly loved it

[@erikaaaaa2882]

@@CassandraHsiao I do have many things that I truly do love, I've just never entered into competitions and it seems daunting...

[@CassandraHsiao]

@@erikaaaaa2882 you gotta put yourself out there! I received MANY rejections before my acceptances... it might hurt but it builds character!

[@nicolehernandezg.6354]

5:00...?

[@happynewyear1839]

What are you majoring in?

[@CassandraHsiao]

Ethnicity Race & Migration + Theater & Performance Studies!

[@ChatteNoireBlanche]

Meanwhile 3n HS my parents told me that it was better for me to no try anything because I will fail anyways

[@peacehope8972]

awww don't listen to them. so what if u fail, it's apart of life! and u might actually be really good at stuff, you never know!

[@peacehope8972]

awww don't listen to them. so what if u fail, it's apart of life! and u might actually be really good at stuff, you never know!