Name: Miles

Graduation Year: 2027

Middle School: Chinese American International School

Hometown: San Francisco

Why did you choose College Prep? I chose College Prep because of the academic rigor. When I was applying to high schools, one of the biggest things I looked for was a strong academic program. I wanted to challenge myself and grow as a student, and I felt that I could achieve that at College Prep where I’d be surrounded by people I could constantly learn from. College Prep is also accessible for people living throughout the Bay Area since it's located next to a Bart station. As a student who lives in San Francisco, this accessibility was another major factor in my decision.

What is the biggest difference between middle school and high school? One of the biggest differences is the diversity of the community. I came from a middle school where most of my classmates had similar backgrounds. High school has felt like a contrast because I’ve been able to meet people with diverse life experiences and interests, and from all over the Bay Area.

What advice would you give to eighth graders applying to high school? My advice to eighth graders is don’t apply to a school just because your friends are applying to it. You should consider schools that will be the best fit for you because some schools may suit your friends but not you. High school is an opportunity to grow and develop new friendships so while you may want to consider applying to schools for your friends, you shouldn't let that be the deciding factor.

What has been your favorite class so far (and why)? So far, I’ve enjoyed physics the most. Physics was a challenging class but there was an even balance of fun hands-on experiments and learning new content. I felt like I learned something new every day. Although it was a lot of information to process, I was able to retain what we learned because the teacher would always do demonstrations based on the topics we covered in class and also make connections to real-life situations. For example, I discovered how radios work by learning about resonance and frequency, and to test our knowledge about the subject, we later had to build our own radios.

What is your favorite thing about College Prep? My favorite thing about College Prep is the community. Many others may say the same but that just proves how much people value and appreciate it. Our community fosters an environment where students can openly express themselves, allowing them to try new things and develop a sense of self confidence and identity. The kindness and acceptance of people also make College Prep a place that you look forward to going to every morning.

1. I do archery (Olympic recurve).

2. I'm a black belt in taekwondo.

3. My favorite artist is Takashi Murakami.