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

Going to College Before You Go to College

Among my high school’s roundabout virtues was its unrelenting emphasis on academic research. I’m not kidding.

May 12

Going to College Before You Go to College

May 12

A Playlist for College Applicants

It seems quaint to think that, just a few decades ago, rock music drew disdain for being sordid, louche, and Satanic. The nation’s kids…

Apr 6

A Playlist for College Applicants

Apr 6

Making the Most of College Essay Feedback

High school students aren’t likely to ask friends or relatives to review their workaday expositions on the causes of the War of 1812, the…

Nov 7, 2024

Making the Most of College Essay Feedback

Nov 7, 2024

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, 2024

How AI Undermines Thought

Oct 3, 2024

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, 2024

Apr 19, 2024

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, 2024

College Applicants Under the Influence of Social Media

Jan 2, 2024

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

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

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

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

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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