Throughout the academic year, Melinda Giampietro, Options Founder/President, will share some of her favourite things in our new Founder’s Feature blog. Melinda loves reading, data, research, and following academic and adolescent news around the world.
Melinda’s October TV Show:
Ted Lasso. As a natural cheerleader and guider of humans, I love the goodness and manners in this show. It reminds me weekly to “Believe” (IYKYK!).
Melinda’s October Featured Article:
Our new consultant, Gianluca Agostinelli is a writer, editor, consultant, speaker, and emerging scholar, whose research explores the intersections of masculinity, sexuality, and university sport. I found this article about his brother’s tennis journey and legacy to be both heartbreaking and inspiring. We are so excited to have Gianluca and his writing talents on our team. http://ontennis.ca/articles/2020/StringsAttached.html
Melinda’s October Podcast and Book Picks:
This summer, I listened to every podcast I could find in which Adam Grant was interviewed. His research focus is on how people find motivation and meaning. This led me to his podcast: Work Life. I really found value in the episode: How to Love Criticism. I find him articulate, engaged, and thought-provoking. After a particularly rough week, I was also inspired to re-read Option B, Facing Adversity, Building Resilience and Finding Joy, which he co-wrote with Sheryl Sandberg. Just as it did the first time, the book inspired me to do better and to be better.
Melinda’s October Cookbook Pick:
During Covid, I followed a lot of cooking blogs. As a former Coloradan, I fell in love with Half Baked Harvest, Tieghan Gerard, and her rustic cooking barn. Her Half Baked Harvest Super Simple cookbook has been a staple in our house for the last year. Some of our favourite recipes include Blueberry Lemon Pull-Apart Bread, Autumn Harvest Salad, Walnut Crusted Chicken, and Easiest Cinnamon-Apple Tarts (perfect for October!).
Melinda’s Featured Resource for Canadian Admission:
Stats Can released its summary of undergraduate and graduate tuition fees for the 21/22 school year. There was a 1.7% increase in undergraduate tuition from the 20/21 school year. You can read the report here.
Melinda’s Featured Resource for US Admission:
Because the US early admission deadline is right around the corner, I thought it would be fun to share Forbes Magazine’s new ranking. It is making waves for its unique approach, and in their own words, “After spending the pandemic year rethinking the way we evaluate the country’s finest schools, low-cost public universities surged up our ranking, grabbing six of the top 25 spots.” See the ranking here.
