Plan It Education

05/23/2025

https://www.harvard.edu/president/news/2025/supporting-our-international-students-and-scholars/

We have just filed a complaint and a motion for a temporary restraining order will follow. As we pursue legal remedies, we will do everything in our power to support our students and scholars. We have just filed a complaint and a motion for a temporary restraining order will follow. As we pursue leg...

10/04/2024

Back in the 90's I was Volunteer in Asia (VIA), and taught English in Mainland China. VIA Programs has expanded so much over the decades. If you are interested in educational and cultural exchange programs, take a look at the 2025 programs. Applications are open for:

Global Community Fellowship (formerly the volunteer program), with multiple posts in Thailand and several other potential sites (Deadline: Oct 27)

Exploring Social Innovation (ESI) in Silicon Valley (Deadlines: Oct 27 | Nov 24)

Discovering Culture & Health Care (DHC) in Silicon Valley (Deadlines: Oct 27 | Dec 1 | Jan 5)

If you know any university students or starting professionals who may be interested, please let them know about these opportunities!

03/04/2024

Heads up all Juniors! The Common App has announced their Essay Prompts for 2024-25. College Bound students should know that more than 1000 colleges and universities use this platform for college applications. There are 7 prompts, and students are required to select 1 and answer it in 650 words or less.

The Common App essay prompts offer diverse topics, inviting students to share personal stories, challenges, growth, and meaningful experiences.

11/14/2023

My college counselor colleagues and I will present the Berkeley Splash Parent Program. Free for students and parents. Walk-ins are welcome.

10:15 to 10:45 "10 Tips for Building Best Fit College Lists" by Haruka Yamash*ta
10:45 to 11:15 "UC Holistic Admissions Review" by Mausami Kakkar
11:15 to 11:45 "Selecting College Majors" by Marge Cortes
11:45 to 12:15 Q & A
12:15 to 12:45 Berkeley Student Panel (tentative)
12:45 to 2:00 Lunch Break
2:00 to 3:00 Financial Aid at UC Berkeley

11/14/2023

You are invited to SPLASH AT BERKELEY!
SAT. NOV 18, 2023. 10 to 5 pm
UC Berkeley, Dwinelle Hall

Splash at Berkeley brings local HS students to the UC Berkeley campus for a day of student-led learning. HS students take courses in both conventional and unconventional subjects taught by Berkeley students.

In addition, my group, the East Bay College Admissions Advisors (EBCAA) has partnered with Splash at Berkeley to lead the Parent Program. I will be one of 3 speakers presenting “Preparing for College Admissions.”
Student Program Fee is $30. Pre-Registration by Nov 15 is required. *Seats still available as of Nov 12!*

The following Parent Program is Free for students and parents. Walk-ins are welcome.

10:15 to 10:45 Haruka Yamash*ta
10:45 to 11:15 Mausami Kakkar
11:15 to 11:45 Marge Cortes
11:45 to 12:15 Q & A
12:15 to 12:45 Berkeley Student Panel (tentative)
12:45 to 2:00 Lunch Break
2:00 to 3:00 Financial Aid

For more information and registration: https://berkeley.learningu.org/
Hope to see you there!
- Haruka Yamash*ta

What is Splash?Splash at Berkeley brings local high school students to the University of California, Berkeley for a day of unlimited student-led learning. Participating students take courses in both conventional and unconventional subjects taught by Berkeley students (occasionally other university s...

04/25/2023

Juniors! Here the Common App Essay Prompts for 2023-2024. More than 1000 colleges and universities use the Common Application. You'll select 1 out of these 7 prompts and your response can have up to 650 words.

The Common App essay prompts will remain the same for 2023-2024.

03/18/2023

If you are looking for an inclusive university, just an hour north of San Francisco that isn’t selective, take a look at Sonoma State University! It’s the only COPLAC (Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges) university in California. With 9000 undergrads, it’s medium sized school. It’s a school with a bucolic wine country setting that is great for kids who don’t want the hussle and bussle of a big or urban campus. Oh, and by the way it has been ranked #1 Best college dorm in the CSU!
Roadmap4College Susanna Ordway College Consulting Haruka Yamash*ta

12/15/2022

If I were to summarize college admissions in 3 words, it would be Supply vs Demand. I wonder if this tuition reset is the start of a trend. Let’s hope.

Colby-Sawyer in New Hampshire has reduced its tuition to $17,500 a year, from about $46,000. But the cut is also a recognition that few pay the list price.

08/25/2022

Great news for families who have been overburdened by student loan debt! I’ll be sharing more FAQs as I lean more.

President Biden’s student debt relief plan will:
- Provide relief to up to 43 million borrowers
- Target relief dollars to low- and middle-income borrowers
- Help borrowers of all ages
- Advance racial equity

06/28/2022

Do you have a YET MINDSET? This is a great explanation by Dr. Carol Dweck.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-swZaKN2Ic

02/26/2022

Attention Nikkei Students!

2022 JACL National Freshman Scholarships are due in one week, on Friday, March 4th! You can learn more and apply below!
https://jacl.org/scholarships