Tina Yong

Tina Yong, a passionate politics student, tackles the troubling trend of trauma-focused essays in college applications, particularly affecting marginalized youth. She exposes how these narratives pressure applicants to commodify their pain for acceptance, creating an ethical dilemma in admissions. Yong proposes a shift towards a more equitable process that values academic achievements and personal stories free from trauma. She advocates for empowering students to share their identities authentically, challenging institutions to rethink their approach to admissions.

In a thought-provoking discussion, TED speaker Tina Yong shares her insights on college essay narratives, emphasizing that students shouldn’t feel pressured to write about trauma to stand out. She reflects on the systemic issues around personal storytelling, especially for students of color. Yong highlights the importance of taking ownership of one's identity and offers practical exercises to help articulate personal narratives. The conversation also touches on the implications of recent Supreme Court rulings regarding race in college applications.