For many of us, when we were growing up, we were told that going to college was the gateway to a successful life.
Yet, in the 21st century, is this even true any more?
And, when it comes to students in alternative education like Acton Academy Taipei, is this even a desirable expectation when we’re encouraging each individual to pursue their own gifts, heroine’s journey, and ultimate happiness?
Here’s what our founder, Jenny Wang, wants to share:
“As head of Acton Taipei, I strongly believe that university is not the only 'right' path after graduating high school. For instance, I took a gap year after high school to study Chinese in Beijing and to work on a ecology expedition in Borneo, Malaysia. Both were very deliberate choices, as I felt burnt out from my very competitive high school, which did not allow much 'adventure', in terms of traveling and also I felt I missed out on a true immersion experience in Chinese culture.
But beyond gap years, I completely believe it is best for some to go straight into work, like the homeschooled student, who started a ski school business in Japan at the age of 18. Shortly thereafter, she opened four new extremely successful branches.
There are so many different paths — college is not the only way. If it’s something that you want, it makes a lot of sense to be prepared and have the option available to you, which requires a lot of forward planning.”
If you’d like to learn more about what it takes to prep for a successful college admissions process, join our upcoming livestream event on our Facebook page, where you can ask Lisa Bartle anything you’d like!
Click here to join our upcoming event on December 11th, 1:30pm Taiwan Standard Time or submit your questions for Lisa in advance:
And, here’s more about Lisa Bartle, Director of Counseling, US College Admit:
For over 20 years, Lisa has been working with students, families and schools to help hundreds of international applicants reach their college admission goals in the United States, Canada, and UK. As the former executive director and owner of the Princeton Review Taiwan, she has a unique perspective on how the pressure of standardized tests too often stifles the imagination and how the stress of college admissions saps the pleasure of learning. A recognized expert on university advising and admissions, Lisa has done extensive research, designed original curricula, and developed innovative practices in working with students and their families. She has been an interviewer for the University of Michigan and an application reader at the University of Virginia and has first-hand knowledge of their admission processes. Lisa attended the University of Michigan for her B.A. and the University of Maryland for her J.D.