July 23, 2025
Meet three Yu Ming alumni who just graduated high school and are heading to colleges across the country — and they’re not alone. This year, more alumni are spreading far and wide, with new destinations including Cal State Monterey Bay, UC Santa Cruz, Temple University, and Yale.
Jacob ’21
College: Purdue, IN
Major: Engineering
Fun fact: In 2022, Jacob recruited a small team of Yu Ming alumni and launched a virtual tutoring program that ran for three years, offering free homework support twice a week to current students, making sure help was accessible to anyone who needed it. Jacob is also the recipient of a National Scholar Merit award, earned through top PSAT scores.
How has Yu Ming prepared you for high school and college?
Yu Ming helped me uncover an affinity to engineering by fostering an open mind to try new things, and through experiences like intersession which gave us time to discover our passions beyond traditional school subjects.
How do you feel about next year at Purdue?
I’ve lived in the Bay Area my whole life, so in Indiana, everything will feel new. I’m excited to meet people with different perspectives and stories — and make great friends along the way.
What advice would you give current Yu Ming students?
Be yourself. Branch out. If you go to a big enough place, find what genuinely interests you and you’re bound to find your people and do just fine. There’s nothing to worry about beyond that.
Khetani ’21
College: UC Berkeley
Major: Applied Math
Fun fact: Khetani was set on going out of state for college — UC Berkeley felt too close to home. But once the acceptances came out and his best friend (also a Yu Ming alum!) got in too, it was hard to say no. In the end, he chose UCB and made the intentional decision not to room with his friend next year to step outside his comfort zone, meet new people, and keep growing.
How has Yu Ming prepared you for high school and college?
Yu Ming was definitely academically rigorous, and being around other students who cared about school helped me build strong habits early on. Also, going from Mandarin immersion to all-English classes made my first year of high school feel easier—even though classes were harder. You don’t realize how much brain power you’re using at Yu Ming for Mandarin until you leave.
How do you feel about next year at UC Berkeley?
I’m excited for the independence — getting to live on my own and make my own plans. I’m also looking forward to choosing what I want to learn, even for required classes. It just seems like a more fun and motivating way to learn.
What advice would you give current Yu Ming students?
Know what you’re capable of — and don’t just look for the easy way out. Getting into a good college is supposed to be difficult. Otherwise, everyone would do it. If you work hard and stay focused, it will work out.
Cate ’21
College: St Olaf, MN
Major: Music
Fun fact: In 2023, Cate won first place in the 47th CLTAC Chinese Mandarin Speech Contest University Division – Group A, as well as outstanding performance, Her speech was one of three US winners, and her performance recording was used to open the ceremonies. and she got to travel to China with the other international college level participants.
How has Yu Ming prepared you for high school and college?
Yu Ming provided a diverse environment where I learned to work with people and feel comfortable communicating in different situations. It prepared me to take college-level Mandarin classes and made me feel confident traveling.
How do you feel about next year at St. Olaf?
I am particularly excited because I am in a program at St Olaf called “Asian Conversations” to further my Mandarin studies and study abroad with peers. The distance is the aspect which scares me most; St Olaf College is in Northfield, Minnesota, a five hour plane trip from home. As September draws near, the reality is setting in for me.
What advice would you give current Yu Ming students?
Stay in touch with the friends you make in this community. They share with you the blessing of a Yu Ming education. They understand you, and they will achieve wonderful things, so let that be a motivator for you in pursuing all of your goals.
Where are they now? Read more here about our alumni’s high schools and universities.