Photo of DePauw University via LinkedIn
About Me
Owen Hou
Your College Counselor
For the past 18 years, I have been involved with college counseling, both in the high school and in the private college counseling settings. Based at La Salle College Preparatory, a private high school in Pasadena, California, that regularly sends graduates to highly selective universities around the world, allows me to work with a greater number and a more diverse group of students and families.
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I regularly work with students with a wide range of academic abilities and interests, including:
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student-athletes,
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artists and musicians,
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first-generation students,
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students with learning needs,
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international students, and
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low-income students
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Being school-based also allows me to invest in significantly more professional development, including visiting college campuses and attending professional conferences.
Education
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MS in School Counseling with PPS Credential, University of La Verne
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BA in Economics, University of California, Berkeley
Professional Memberships
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National Association of College Admission Counseling
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Western Association of College Admission Counseling
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American School Counseling Association
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My Travels
One of the most important aspects of being a college counselor is visiting colleges. Unfortunately, many counselors don't travel as much as you think and instead rely solely on third-party resources. This is akin to being a travel agent and referring clients to to vacation destinations sight unseen.
College guidebooks, college review websites, and virtual tours are good resources for initial research. However, they aren't substitutes to seeing a college in person where one has the opportunity to:
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Interact with current students and faculty
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Get an in-depth understanding of the college's facilities, and
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See the college's culture and values
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Another benefit of all the travel is the opportunity of develop professional friendships with my colleagues on the college side. More than once, a quick phone call was all I need to get one of my students out of a bind.