Josh Stephens – Medium

Josh Stephens

Featured Book

The Urban Mystique

The Urban Mystique

The Urban Mystique covers the ineffable complexities that make all cities, in California or anywhere else, fascinating.

2020

Stories

Josh Stephens

How AI Undermines Thought

The most important book in the world right now is Writing to Learn, by William Zinsser. It is followed closely, in no particular order, by…

Oct 3

How AI Undermines Thought

Oct 3

Josh Stephens

College Essay Rhetorical Trends 2024

Everyday rhetoric, whether it’s in school, on social media, or in edited texts, relies increasingly on cliches — overused words and stale…

Apr 19

Apr 19

Josh Stephens

College Applicants Under the Influence of Social Media

I’m not exactly a dinosaur. But I’ll admit that, like most other adults, I don’t keep up with app-based pop culture trends. I’m more into…

Jan 2

College Applicants Under the Influence of Social Media

Jan 2

Josh Stephens

College Essays and the Anonymous Reader

A student once came to me wanting to write a college essay about her experience learning how to waterski barefoot. Fun, right? She…

Dec 6, 2023

College Essays and the Anonymous Reader

Dec 6, 2023

Josh Stephens

The True Value of “Safety Schools”

Some students recoil “safety schools.” They shouldn’t. A healthy respect for safety schools makes for stronger applicants.

Oct 7, 2023

The True Value of “Safety Schools”

Oct 7, 2023

Josh Stephens

The Supreme Court College Admissions Decisions Should not Influence Applicants — Yet

The Supreme Court has limited versions of affirmative action. Here’s what the decision means, and doesn’t mean, for applicants.

Aug 21, 2023

The Supreme Court College Admissions Decisions Should not Influence Applicants — Yet

Aug 21, 2023

Josh Stephens

The Purpose of College

Many students apply to college automatically. They would do well to take a moment to consider why they actually want to go to college.

Jul 26, 2023

The Purpose of College

Jul 26, 2023

Josh Stephens

Beavis and Butt-Head Reconsidered

Beavis and Butt-Head didn’t exactly enjoy school. Yet, they hold important lessons for ambitious college applicants.

Mar 16, 2023

Beavis and Butt-Head Reconsidered

Mar 16, 2023

Josh Stephens

The Futility of “Standing Out” on College Applications

The supposed need to “stand out” is one of the more toxic, and counterproductive, elements of the college application process.

Sep 24, 2022

The Futility of “Standing Out” on College Applications

Sep 24, 2022

Josh Stephens

College Essay Rhetorical Quirks (2021 Edition)

College essays often reflect acute rhetorical trends. Some are welcome; others are to be approached with caution.

Mar 23, 2022

College Essay Rhetorical Quirks (2021 Edition)

Mar 23, 2022

Josh Stephens

Josh Stephens

Book Author

Josh Stephens is a veteran teacher and college counselor based in Los Angeles. Josh can be reached at josh@joshrstephens.net.

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