This Teen Turned Loss Into an Inspiring College Admissions Essay

Teens and young adults amaze me all the time. Their passion and drive and boundless energy, their potential for good, their advancement of change.

Obviously I’m not the only one because recently, a young valedictorian went viral for her TikTok video sharing her Harvard application essay.

Abigail Mack, a drama kid at the top of her high school class, has drive and ambition. She likes to stay busy.

On her TikTok account she has dedicated a lot of videos to offering advice to other students going through the college admissions process. She discusses topics like which standardized test to take (the SAT or the ACT).

Abigail also filmed reaction videos when she opened her college acceptance letters, like this one, where she found out she got into Harvard:

@a_vmackHarvard 2025 acceptance! ❤ ##harvard ##harvard2025 ##ivyleague ##college ##collegedecision ##accepted ##fyp

In addition to Harvard, she was also accepted to Northwestern, Notre Dame, Georgetown, and Dartmouth. The girl is going places.

Based on her reaction, I think you can guess which school she chose.

In four subsequent videos, Abigail also shared herself reading her essay that, along with her stellar grades, helped gain her admittance to all those prestigious schools.

In the essay, she speaks about the pain of losing her mother to cancer at the age of 12.

@a_vmack

♬ original sound – Abigail Mack

The theme of hating the letter “S” in parents because of her loss is one that spoke to a lot of users, and with their encouragement, Abigail went on to post the rest of her essay.

After losing her mom, she controlled the one thing she could–her schedule–throwing herself into academics and activities.

@a_vmack

♬ original sound – Abigail Mack

While some of us are stifled under the burden of over-scheduling, Abigail found a rhythm and thrived.

As long as she was active, she didn’t have to think about what was missing.

She filled up the void her mother left in her life with activities.

@a_vmack

♬ original sound – Abigail Mack

Like any good story, Abigail’s essay takes a positive turn.

She learned to dial it back, to focus on the things that were most important to her, and excel in those.

As she explained to BuzzFeed:

“I grew up in a very artistic family–my mother opened a dance studio that my father still runs, and my father is a piano teacher–so theater has always been part of my life. There [is] something cathartic in escaping to a new world and being someone else for even just a few hours on stage.”

Abigail found her passion, and her motivation to succeed keeps her moving forward instead of dwelling on the past.

@a_vmack

♬ original sound – Abigail Mack

It’s an inspiring essay, moving and well written, and Abigail delivered it with a powerful speaking voice obviously trained in the dramatics.

But theater isn’t her only passion.

Over the past year, the Massachusetts teen has been awakened to the political movements happening across America, and there, too, she has found voice and meaning.

“Politics is a newer passion. When the Black Lives Matter demonstrations were occurring this past summer, I realized how passionately I felt about politics. I knew that I could no longer stand idly by and watch as the world made leaps forward without me. I became a fellow on Senator Ed Markey’s re-election campaign and also taught volunteers how to phone bank for Joe Biden’s campaign. It was extremely gratifying to feel like my voice was being heard.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Abigail Mack (@abigail_vmack)

Now that she’s headed to Harvard in the fall, Abigail plans to combine her interests, focusing on humanities and social sciences. She may also add classes in French and foreign policy.

According to BuzzFeed, she doesn’t know what she wants to do with her life, which is frankly the best way to enter college.

Who knows? This bright young thing might one day become an ambassador or political leader herself. Or maybe she’ll write impassioned speeches that would make Aaron Sorkin proud.

We’ll be watching.

What did you think of Abigail’s essay? Share your thoughts in the comments.

The post This Teen Turned Loss Into an Inspiring College Admissions Essay appeared first on UberFacts.

These Wedding Rules Went Viral on TikTok and There’s a Lot of Bride-(and Groom)-zilla Energy

I’ll never forget some advice that a family friend gave on a wedding day.

I say “a” wedding day, because we attended so many together that I can’t remember if it was first said on MY wedding day, or a friend’s, but he said, “No matter what happens, at the end of the day you’ll be married, and that’s the whole point.”

It’s so true, and yet something that is easily lost in all the excitement and stress of wedding prep, and I have repeated it to friends myself.

Those words may stop a panic attack on the day, but they won’t necessarily stop most people from over-planning their perfect day, as evidenced by the recent TikTok trend #weddingrules where brides and grooms to be offered their list of rules, both silly and serious, for their special day.

This self-proclaimed Bridezilla offered a pretty standard list of rules that emerged as themes throughout the other videos.

@xoxoarshi

yes I’m gonna be a bridezilla and no i don’t care because my wedding my way. #weddingrules #fyp #foryou

♬ Elevator Music – Bohoman

I didn’t know “Don’t wear white” needed to be said outside of Schitt’s Creek, but enough people listed it that apparently it does.

Even this girl who actually DID want kids at her wedding felt the need to say “no white.”

@_roseygirl

#greenscreen my wedding rules pt.1 #weddingrules #fyp

♬ original sound – Rose

And the “no kids” policy seems like the number one most divisive rule of wedding planning.

Personally, I can see it both ways, and I just think people shouldn’t be offended by the couple’s wishes.

It definitely wasn’t an across the board thing. Some people really do want kids at their wedding, especially if it’s kids that they know.

@yomrants

tell me your wedding rules ??#greenscreen #weddingrules #wedding #yomrants

♬ original sound – Myah Elliott

But “no random plus ones” definitely emerged as a theme.

In addition to the standard set of rules, there are other no-brainers like turn off your cell phone and don’t show up late.

@that_emo_kid_izzy

This is list 1/2 so tell me if you want see the rest #greenscreen #gaywedidng #weddingrules #myweddingmyrules #gay #girlinred #bi #trans

♬ My wedding my rules pt 1 – Izzy

And a lot of people also stressed that in addition to not wearing white OR the bridal colors, you weren’t allowed to wear jeans.

If I recall, I may have actually explicitly told my uncle he WAS allowed to wear jeans, although it was 105 degrees the day I got married, so I’m a little surprised no one showed up in shorts.

@dalecsander

Also be nice to the caterers #fyp #dalecsander #weddingrules

♬ original sound – DAleCsander

A distaste for the weird garter toss tradition was also pretty common, and individuals planned to avoid it for a variety of reasons.

Another theme that emerged was that people didn’t want long speeches and they especially didn’t want surprise announcements like other peoples’ engagements or pregnancies.

Again that just seems like common courtesy to me, but I guess sometimes it needs to be spelled out.

Unlike most people, this person doesn’t even want a bridal party.
(And she’s dead serious on the “no announcements” rule.)

@missyeah

I woke up and chose unhappy family #weddingrules #weddingplanning #newlyengaged

♬ SugarCrash! – ElyOtto

Some people had very specific criteria, like this girl, who wants a flower wall for pictures (very cool idea), a sick Air B and B in the mountains (nice), and guests’ attire to follow a color scheme (maybe too far).

@mirandandersonphoto

I still have so many more so like for pt 2 #weddingtiktok #weddingrules #weddingideasforyou #vancouver #fyp

♬ original sound – Vancouver Photographer Miranda

Others responded to the viral hashtag, which has had over 61 million views, with silliness, like this guy who wants a One Direction themed wedding.

@williamsheats

Y’all are all invited btw #weddingrules #foryou #onedirection #louistomlinson

♬ original sound – williamsheats

This one is pretty ridiculous, but I like where she’s going with her first rule.

@reneecarrot

#greenscreen #weddingrules #fyp #foryou #OverShareInYourUnderwear

♬ Drive Forever – Remix – Sergio Valentino

And this girl doesn’t want to get married, she wants to get married in a Schitt’s Creek episode complete with Dan Levy.

@victoriagarrick4

*not me not even being engaged* #weddingrules #weddingruleschallenge

♬ original sound – Victoria Garrick

All in all, I’m mostly just glad TikTok wasn’t around when I got married.

Personally, unlike some users, I think wedding is for your family, not for you, and personally, I think everyone would be a lot happier if they just eloped.

What about you? What’s on your ideal wedding ‘must’ list? Tell us in the comments.

The post These Wedding Rules Went Viral on TikTok and There’s a Lot of Bride-(and Groom)-zilla Energy appeared first on UberFacts.

This Guy Refutes That the Gender Pay Gap Is a Myth and His Video Went Viral

People don’t really like to talk about money. Whether because we think it’s rude or because we don’t understand it, as a species, we’re not super comfortable with it.

But most women who have had a conversation with a male coworker on the taboo subject of salary can verify that the gender pay gap is very real. Still, sometimes I guess the world needs a man to prove it.

Like many head-scratching things, the gender pay gap has been turned into a political issue.

So it came as little surprise recently when Dennis Prager, a radio personality and socially conservative political commentator popped off about the issue, describing it as a myth.

Dennis Prager asks Why would any employer employ a man?

Image credit: TikTok

He posted his patronizing bad take on TikTok, but the backlash was so intense that he has since deleted his account.

One response came from James Ray, who uses his account @jamesgetspolitical and his economics degree to combat misinformation on social and political issues.

In his video, which has almost 2 million views and has been shared more than 10 thousand times, James quickly and eloquently explains two reasons the employers still hire men, despite them costing more than women: customer bias and hiring manager bias.

Both often lead to women losing out on jobs to men, or to being paid less when they do land the job.

You can watch the full video here:

@jamesgetspolitical

Labor market time ? #greenscreenvideo #leftist #liberal #democrat #women #FindYourCore #fyp #4u #reply #politics #usa #money

♬ original sound – James Ray

When interviewed by Bored Panda James explained his video response to Praeger.

“He spews very hateful unfounded rhetoric to his audience and I think the disinformation and overall problematic nature of his content have made me dislike him considerably!”

The artful take-down was not the only one on James’s account, either.

His account is full of critiques of bad takes, like this one, where he explains why popular arguments against a minimum wage increase are silly:

@jamesgetspolitical

Econ tea time #greenscreenvideo #leftist #liberal #democrat #politics #usa #fyp #4u #money #ChipsGotTalent #economics #education #lesson #teacher

♬ Lofi – Domknowz

And this one, about making Washington, DC a state:

@jamesgetspolitical

Can we stop treating the founding father’s like Gods idk #greenscreensticker #leftist #liberal #democrat #politics #usa #fyp #4u #TikTokGGT #DC

♬ Spongebob – Dante9k

He also responded to a white dude who was emoting on why everyone’s hating on white dudes:

@jamesgetspolitical

#stitch with @itzbengee I actually might know! leftist #liberal #democrat #politics #usa #fyp #4u #history #education #MillionActsofLove

♬ original sound – James Ray

If you are progressive or want to learn about progressive politics, you’ll enjoy his videos.

What do you think of his explanation of the pay gap? Are you ready to join the fight or do you have your own hot take?

Let us know in the comments.

The post This Guy Refutes That the Gender Pay Gap Is a Myth and His Video Went Viral appeared first on UberFacts.

A TikTok User Asked for Examples of Men Who Are Insecure, and the Video Went Viral

We all know some guys who have to prove how masculine they are.

There are the old jokes about the size of his car proving that he’s compensating for something.

American men especially are brought up to perceive a very narrowly defined definition of masculinity as “right.”

Recently, a TikTok user challenged those assumptions when he asked his followers what their biggest indicator was for a man feeling insecure in his masculinity.

@richtiktoxic

Stitch or Duet me with your favorite indicator!! #stitchthis #toxicmasculinity #peab

♬ Esco Like Yhop ft. Shawn P – Èsco Upp?

He also provided his own answer.

“I’ll go first. As soon as a man refers to himself as an ‘alpha,’ …”

In many circles, this is referred to as toxic masculinity.

Buzzfeed explains:

According to dictionary.com, toxic masculinity is defined as “a cultural concept of manliness that glorifies stoicism, strength, virility, and dominance, and that is socially maladaptive or harmful to mental health.”

Here are some of the top responses that @richtiktoxic, a photographer and environmentalist, received:

Mal: when they lift their cars/truck unnecessarily high to make their vehicle look bigger (laughing face with crying eyes). RichTikToxic: THIS.

Image credit: TikTok

A lot of the responses shared similar themes.

One indicator was an obsession with money:

“When they get upset at how much money you make.”

-@marin.hope

“I made more money than my ex, so I would pay for things. But he wouldn’t let me pay — as in, he wouldn’t let me physically hand my card over to the server. So when the server would come, my ex would look me straight in the eyes and say, ‘I got this, babe.’ Then, he would hand her my card.”

-@toxicatok

Another common theme was emphasizing their straightness.

Zsuuuuu: being weirdly specific about how he's not gay.

Image credit: TikTok

“When they refer to themselves as ‘super straight.’” —@reggieherold

A very common theme centered on a general aversion to anything associated with being female.

Redd: When they refuse to talk about anything relating to eMoTiONs because it's too girly.

Image credit: TikTok

“When he says, ‘Periods are gross.’”

-@basicminiwheats

“Whenever they find ANY reason to discredit women’s issues.”

-@nigelmylesgordon

Zeke Yeager: Refuse to do any form of self care because it's only for woman (rolling eyes emoji)

Image credit: TikTok

“When they hate or dislike something for the sole reason for it being a ‘girls thing.’”

-@cm12k

Many women found it was a big red flag if the guy won’t help you out with your bag.

user8830742952726: Omggggg if they refuse to hold your purse. (frowning face)

Image credit: TikTok

And of course several reasons just fell into the category of having a generally gross personality.

“Whenever someone gets off on hating everything and constantly projecting toughness. I was like that when I was, like, 15, and my entire personality was a device to try and convince people I was tough in some way. Like, if a new song came out, I had to assert that it was terrible.”

-@cwelz_

“When they won’t date a tall girl.”

-@user715430319797

“Owning guns is a personality trait rather than just owning them.”

-@vicki.lester

“It was when he said ‘I’m the BOSS in this relationship’ for me ?

-@ninjaskuxx

These would definitely all be red flags for me. What do you think? What is the most obvious indicator for you?

Let us know in the comments.

The post A TikTok User Asked for Examples of Men Who Are Insecure, and the Video Went Viral appeared first on UberFacts.

According to Gen Z Folks, These Things Millennials Do Are Not Cool Anymore

Those poor Millennials

You thought you were so cool for a while, didn’t you?

You were pretty much running the show there for a long time and then BOOM, these young Generation Z people swooped in and stole your thunder.

And not only that, now they’re talking mad trash about Millennials…and they’re making fun of them about the things that they like to do that the Gen Z’ers think are not cool and honestly kind of lame.

And, of course, the younger folks are posting their trash talking online.

Let’s see what kind of shade Generation Z people are throwing at Millennials. Hang on tight!

1. I guess the middle part isn’t cool anymore…

Who knew?!?!

@baileyupchurchmua

Sorry Gen Z, side part FO life! ? #PupPeroniShuffle #GetReadyWithOldSpice #fyp #millenialmom #middlepartchallenge #middlepartbaddie

♬ human – Christina Perri

2. Skinny jeans are officially OUT, people.

Just thought you’d like to know.

@amelie_coleman_

Okay we all had a skinny jeans phase but I love my baggy jeans

♬ This is not my sound – Mikaela

3. You guys need to stop using that emoji, okay?

It’s for the best…

@lesby.onix

???? #laughemoji #millennial #comedy #lgbt #okboomer

♬ brandy running and crying – brandy running and crying

4. Really? Is it time to do that already?

Okay, if you say so…

5. It’s about time, people!

And maybe you shouldn’t brag about that…

6. Guys, it’s time to get it together.

LOOK AT THE CAMERA. We’ve been over this before…

7. Oh, isn’t that adorable?

Well, maybe not so much…

8. I’ve heard about enough of that.

Are you with me on this one?

9. I had no idea!

And here we are…

10. I’m not a fan of that one.

It’s kind of annoying!

11. Can we stop all the wine talk?

It’s gone on for far too long.

12. You know you’ve seen it!

And we all feel the same way about it.

@lexi.borden

pack it up “i can’t survive without coffee”? #millennial #foryou #girlboss #avocadotoast #millennials #fyp #laughingemoji #harrypotter

♬ Sail – AWOLNATION

Have you seen any funny memes, tweets, or videos about people making fun of other generations?

If so, please share them with us in the comments.

Let’s see if you can make us laugh!

The post According to Gen Z Folks, These Things Millennials Do Are Not Cool Anymore appeared first on UberFacts.

Artist Reimagines Disney Princesses as Modern-Day Women

Disney princesses are always popular. From Ariel to Tiana to Elsa, there’s something about the group that we just can’t get enough of.

One artist recently used the platform TikTok to bring the princesses to life in a modern way.

Yudelmis “Yudie” San Emeterio took to her account to imagine each of the princesses as a modern-day woman.

Yudie has a pretty interesting back story: she used to work as a specimen processor in a lab, but is finishing up her art degree. She decided to share her princess transformations after seeing other artists produce similar work.

In one video, she completely modernizes Belle (smartphone and all).

@vanotyarts

Saw people doing “glow ups” of Disney characters so I decided to do my own. I went for a more subtle change! #disneyprincess #artchallenge #belle

♬ Strawberry Shortcake – Melanie Martinez

In other, Mulan has an upper arm tattoo and some seriously amazing make-up.

@vanotyarts

I knew that I wanted to do something more dramatic for Mulan, and I love the “ABG” look, so… #abg #mulan #disneyprincess #gloupdisney

♬ Candy – Doja Cat

Tiana also gets the Yudie treatment, and the result is absolutely killer.

@vanotyarts

As much as I like the blue and green dresses in the film, I think pink was made for Tiana ? #tiana #disneyprincess #gloupdisney #artchallenge #art

♬ Talk – Khalid

Watching Yudie work is pretty mesmerizing! She makes updating the look of each princess seem so easy. Her fresh take on Jasmine is perfect:

@vanotyarts

Aladdin is probably the only Disney movie I have never seen and I’m ashamed of myself ? Jasmine is ? though. #aladdin #princessjasmine #gloupdisney

♬ B.S. – Jhené Aiko, H.E.R.

Yudie also took on the task of updating Rapunzel’s look, even though she notes that working with the 3-D image was more challenging than the others.

@vanotyarts

The trickiness with 3D edits is that they’re a bit more involved, but Rapunzel is worth it ❤ #rapunzel #disneyprincess #gloupdisney

♬ GREEDY x TREASURE – conradrocha

Yudie says that she hopes other people are inspired by her work and create their own art as a result.

Art can sometimes be undervalued or ignored on these platforms, so I really just want to open people up to more of it.

She also said that she hopes people realize that even though her art might have specific aesthetics, none of it is meant to be taken as the best way for women to look:

None of my videos are meant to suggest a particular beauty standard. All the princesses are beautiful just as they are, and my videos are only exploring different looks for fun! No one should have to feel that they have to look like these characters — before or after my transformations. Everyone is beautiful!

Isn’t Yudie’s work amazing?! Yeah it is!

Make sure you let us know which princess transformation is your favorite in the comments!

Please and thank you!

The post Artist Reimagines Disney Princesses as Modern-Day Women appeared first on UberFacts.

Take a Look at the “Wipe It Down” Challenge on TikTok

Trends come and go on social media. Some are good, some are bad. The “Wipe it Down Challenge” on TikTok is definitely one of the good ones.

Have you heard about it yet?

Here’s the deal: set to the tune of BMW Kenny’s song “Wipe It Down”, people are posting videos of themselves magically transforming just for a second into a dressed-up version of themselves or maybe in cosplay when they wipe down their bathroom mirrors. Then folks are really perplexed.

It’s a whole lot of fun, and here are some of the best examples on TikTok.

Enjoy!

1. Harley Quinn.

A total transformation!

@iamlaurencomptonWait what? ##cosplay ##Harleyquinn ##harleyquinncosplay ##wipe ##morror ##fyp ##foryou ##foryoupage♬ Wipe It Down – BMW KENNY

2. Black Panther!

That’s a pretty dramatic one.

@richblackguyWhen you remembered something petty your cousin did. ##cosplay ##blackpanther♬ Wipe It Down – BMW KENNY

3. What just happened there?

Pay close attention to this one…

@coltonjusticezHold up? ##fyp ##foryou ##finalsathome ##tiktokrestarea ##marshmello @marshmellomusic♬ Wipe It Down – BMW KENNY

4. Hello, graduate!

On to bigger and better things.

@ayychrissy##pov You’re casually cleaning your mirror and see a glimpse of the future after the pandemic. ##fyp ##foryourpage ##InTheHouseparty ##transition♬ Wipe It Down – BMW KENNY

5. It’s Luigi!

Straight off the video screen.

@kyrramarie_guys i think my mirror is cursed ? ib @iamlaurencompton ##wipechallenge ##wipe ##fyp ##foryou ##foryoupage♬ Wipe It Down – BMW KENNY

6. Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.

Peter Parker, in the flesh.

@airhaydenUhhh… ##wipeitdown ##spiderman ##mirrors ##foryou ##foryoupage ##fyp ##marvel ##cosplay♬ Wipe It Down – BMW KENNY

7. Going wayyyyy back.

A view of your younger self.

@team2momsJumping on this ##Trend! ##wipeitdown ##fyp ##lgbt ##lgbtq ##WeTried ##viral♬ Wipe It Down – BMW KENNY

8. This is good.

Thank an essential worker today!

@nickandsiennaThank an essential worker today. They need to hear it , trust me ???##wipeitdown ##corona ##firstresponder♬ Wipe It Down – BMW KENNY

9. Haters Back Off.

Do you know this show?

@colleenbad things happen when i start cleaning. ##wipeitdownchallenge♬ Wipe It Down – BMW KENNY

10. Rediscovering your youth.

A blast from the past!

@leilaexkerWait til the end? ##foryou ##fyp ##wipeitdown ##trending ##featureme ##irish ##xyzbca ##viral ##ireland ##nana♬ Wipe It Down – BMW KENNY

11. Sir, you are now a doctor.

Good luck out there!

@johnnysins##wipe ##wipechallenge ##fyp ##foryoupage♬ Wipe It Down – BMW KENNY

Hey, that’s a lot of fun, isn’t it?!?!

Have you gotten in on this latest social media craze lately?

If so, please share a link to your TikTok video with us in the comments.

Let’s see what ya got!

The post Take a Look at the “Wipe It Down” Challenge on TikTok appeared first on UberFacts.