College Admissions the Calm Way - A Talk by Dr. Amy Morgenstern
How do you get students to write amazing admissions essays?A native New Yorker, Wai brings 10 years of college admissions experience to Blue Stars. Holding a Wharton MBA and Master of International Studies from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Art in International Relations from Tufts University, Wai has helped over 100 students majoring in engineering, the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities reflect upon their stories, discover their strengths, and enter their dream universities like Yale, MIT, Stanford, Johns Hopkins, Amherst, NYU, Tufts, Purdue, and more. He also served on the admissions team for the Wharton Admissions Office in 2021.
Wai began his professional journey at Teach For China, teaching English to 400 rambunctious elementary school students in rural China. Afterward, he joined AIC Education, where he served as an admissions counselor. Influenced by his students, Wai also developed an interest in technology and entertainment.
After graduating from Wharton, Wai joined gaming companies like Electronic Arts as a product manager, working with engineers, art teams, and game designers to provide fun and engaging user experiences. During this time, Wai realized he missed the deep sense of fulfillment he received from mentoring students and helping them grow, leading him to his current role at Blue Stars.
Wai is known for his sense of humor, listening skills, and deep engagement in his students’ advancement, many of whom continue to reach out for advice. Outside of work, Wai volunteers at his church and at a special needs high school in Philadelphia. He loves watching anime and rooting for the New York Knicks, and he is a really bad basketball player.
DrM: With your background in technology and education, how do you help students blend their passion for tech with their college aspirations?
Wai: Whenever I work with students with technology aspirations, I dig into their interests. Why are you interested in STEM? What particular problems are you focused on solving? Who might benefit from your solutions?
Although dreams may change, I find students with larger goals find more success (and meaning) in the application process. They’re not only able to evaluate schools more accurately, but they’re also able to create plans to leverage a school’s resources, preparing them for long-term success.
DrM: How do you use your Wharton experience to guide students who are aiming for top-tier universities?
Wai: Wharton students often struggled with “opportunity paralysis,” an inability to choose resulting from the plethora of opportunities available and desire to do everything.
At Wharton, I overcame opportunity paralysis by defining success on my terms. For example, knowing that I was passionate about technology and also value deep relationships, I embarked on a unique path combining my key interest and core value by joining the Wharton-Lauder International Studies Program, a smaller academic cohort, which led to exciting opportunities in the gaming industry.
This lesson applies to people aiming for top-tier universities. If you find the right program that matches who you are, you set yourself up for success. That’s why I’m passionate about helping my students discover themselves.
DrM: You’ve helped students gain admission to prestigious schools like MIT and Stanford. What do you think makes a student stand out in such a competitive admissions process?
Wai: My MIT and Stanford students had strong academic achievements, often within STEM. However, what made them stand out were special interests that complemented their STEM interests. One was an amazing artist. Another was passionate about anthropology and using documentaries to support their community.
DrM: How does your international experience help you connect with students from diverse backgrounds and guide them toward success in the college admissions journey?
Wai: When I first traveled to Uganda, I learned the importance of seeking understanding, asking questions and listening. Taking that advice as I’ve traveled the world, I’ve experienced many adventures and met lifelong friends.
Similarly, all our students carry unique stories. As a counselor, my job is to listen and uncover interesting characteristics that students may not see in themselves. The lessons my students learn often shape them deeply, even if they are not initially aware of it.
DrM: What’s the best way for STEM students to showcase their skills and projects in college applications?
Wai: The goal of these achievements is to demonstrate ability and passion.
The fundamental way to showcase ability and passion is excellence in the classroom. Beyond that, students can consider competitions, conducting research, or building their own products. There isn’t one right answer, but whatever you do, pursue excellence, whether entering more challenging competitions, building upon previous research, or iterating on a product for greater impact.
DrM: How do you help students manage the pressures of applying to top schools, especially when they’re juggling challenging STEM projects and academics?
Wai: On a practical level, I communicate with my students to make plans and prioritize. It’s also important to make investments that save time in the long run. For example, brainstorming can be arduous, but if a student brainstorms well, they will expedite the actual writing process.
It’s also important to celebrate victories throughout the process. One of the more special moments I’ve had is seeing a STEM student return and share how he’s applied the lessons he’s learned through the application process to get an A in English.
DrM: What are the most important qualities for a student to develop if they want to succeed in both their college applications and future tech careers?
Wai:
The first trait I think of is grit. I distinctly remember a student who was not a top student in her school. However, she had an extraordinary amount of determination. She applied to over a hundred internships in high school, and although she received many rejections, she eventually landed a dream role helping North Korean refugees. This is the type of student who will continue to overcome challenges in the future.Another trait is empathy. Our students are our future leaders, and leadership involves being able to understand the needs of diverse stakeholders. If a student is empathetic, they will lead well.
DrM: What’s one piece of advice you wish every high-achieving high school student knew when applying to college?
Wai: Because our students are high achievers, they often feel nervous submitting drafts. When it comes to writing, however, I tell my students that writing is a creative process. Writers, like George R.R. Martin, constantly brainstorm, re-write, and submit their works for review. Students should see themselves as participating in a similar process. The first draft might not be perfect, but through this journey of iterating and revising, we get closer to the final work we’re all proud of. Keep writing, submit work on time, don’t worry about the imperfections, and I promise you, you’ll come out of this a much stronger writer.
Free Workbook for Students
Start today! Go through these strategic exercises to help you sketch out your plans for all four years of high school.
- Learn key traits important to top colleges.
- Write your first personal narrative
- Branch out, exploring interests and defining activities.
- Set goals and create your 4-year college planning timeline.
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Resources to help teens and their families navigate the college admission process
Our collection of stories, interviews, and tips provides insight and strategies to navigate the complex college planning and application process.
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