tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58612705595472870352024-02-20T03:04:02.807-08:00ILC Student FeedbackMadeline Kronenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00809038721402994691noreply@blogger.comBlogger138125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861270559547287035.post-83467215159514434792014-01-16T09:05:00.001-08:002014-01-16T09:05:55.316-08:00Selene Calderon - UC Berkeley<span style="font-size: 12pt;">ILC Scholars,</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">My name is Selene and I graduated from Richmond High School in 2011. I am currently in my third year at UC Berkeley majoring in Social Welfare with a minor in Education. I would like to offer all of you two brief pieces of advice about your soon to start college journey.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">First of all, remember your passions outside of the classroom. It can be hard especially when your term is in full swing with papers and tests to find time to relax. However, if you spend all your time on your school work you will eventually be too tired to finish the term. Remember to take study breaks and even if you can’t take a whole day off take half an hour off from studying to do something that makes you happy and helps you release your stress. If your way of spending your down time right now is to listen to music, watch movies, go for a hike, go to the gym, draw, etc. don’t simply quit doing these things because of your busy college schedules.Continuing to do these things will help you stay focused and motivated. Part of succeeding in college is taking care of yourself not just GPA or being on the Deans List. You won’t be able to perform your best in class if you are not feeling good. Plus hobbies are great ways to bond with new friends, meet new people, and even get involved with student groups on campus.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Second, I suggest you explore other departments other than your own major or concentration. Don't restrict yourself to just one area. I think one thing I try to do when I plan my class schedule each semester is to find one class out of my major to further enrich my education. You might love your major but there is so much other knowledge available on your campuses so take advantage of it. Even if it might seem pointless to take some class that won’t fulfill any of the many requirements you have to meet to graduate taking it can only help your academics. During a hard school term having one class to lay back and refresh your focus can make all the difference. Whether it will motivate you to go to class every day or even point you into a different career path the experience will be worth it. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and explore different areas of studies. <span></span>I suggest humanity courses to be especially good choices because of their variety. Take advantage of being able to take classes for something other than a grade, if that is an option available to you. At UC Berkeley you are allowed to take some classes for a pass or no pass, with no effect on your GPA. However, if you feel very confident in the area take it for a grade and boost your GPA. <span> </span>Classes out of your department will add some variety to your college transcript. I have found my own major advisor to be a great source of knowledge as to what classes out of my department would be good options. Major advisors might seem in some cases really busy or just not approachable but they might actually be really nice people and don’t forget they hold their job position for a reason. Also they have tons of experience and connections within your department to help you during your college career and after. Try to visit your major advisor at least once a semester, if not more.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lastly, remember that college will be a learning experience and its okay if you make mistakes. Seek help when you need it, take care of yourself in every aspect, and stay motivated. Don’t get too caught up about grades that you miss other opportunities to enrich your life. Most of all don't forget you made it into your university or college for a reason.<br /><br /> If you have any questions about UC Berkeley I would feel more than happy to help you where I can. Feel free to email me at <a href="mailto:scalderon93@gmail.com">scalderon93@gmail.com</a>.<br /><br /> Best wishes to you all and good luck with your college decisions,<br /><br /> Selene Calderon</span><br />
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Madeline Kronenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00809038721402994691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861270559547287035.post-23521060384866512422014-01-15T14:08:00.000-08:002014-01-15T14:08:03.136-08:00Julia Chang - UC Berkeley<div class="MsoNormal">
My name is Julia Chang, and I am a first year at UC Berkeley. I graduated from Pinole Valley High School last June, and took the World Religions course at Vanderbilt University in the summer of 2011 as well as the Grand Strategies course at Yale University in 2012. Upon completion of my first semester at Cal, I wish to share a plethora of lessons I learned with you prospective college students and detail a few of the new experiences that college has introduced me to.</div>
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Though I am sure you are aware that collegiate academics differ greatly from those of high school, it is a point that I cannot disregard when discussing what you ought to expect after you graduate high school and enter into this faster-paced, more challenging academic world. Keep in mind that, to a large extent, you will be in charge of your education – not your parents, professors, TAs, or tutors. It will be your responsibility to complete your work on time, ask for help when needed, and push yourself to greater heights. You may find that quite often, midterm and final exams will determine the majority of the grade you receive. Thus, there are fewer opportunities to “boost” your grade in college as opposed to high school, where daily homework, quizzes, and extra credit comprise a greater portion of your grade. None of the classes that I took last semester offered extra credit, and I do not know of any that do. Therefore, it is extremely crucial to perform to the best of your ability on exams. This requires focus and effort. I found myself studying more than I ever had before in preparation for my exams, spending countless hours in the libraries pouring over notes and practicing problems. You will learn that what you put into your schoolwork – studying, reviewing, asking questions – is what you will get out of the class – knowledge, personal growth, and, of course, a letter grade.</div>
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In addition to balancing your course load, you might be interested in joining a campus organization or club that serves one of your interests. In high school, I took handfuls of AP classes and led a handful of clubs. In college, it becomes increasingly difficult to spread yourself thin so much. The academics are arguably much more challenging and time-consuming, as are extracurricular activities. I joined the American Red Cross at Cal last semester, which works with the larger Bay Area chapter to provide disaster preparedness/relief, community outreach, education, and so on, to the campus and greater community. I am serving as an intern this upcoming semester and will be a Youth Services Coordinator later this fall. Joining a student group is a fun and engaging way for you to become more involved on your campus. In addition, you will have the opportunity to meet fellow students who share a common interest with you. College can seem like a big place in comparison to high school, and it may seem like an easy place to get lost in the crowd. I encourage you to be open and immerse yourself in the rich extracurricular life that your college has to offer because there, you will be surrounded by a smaller community of students with whom you may establish great friendships and share memorable college experiences with.</div>
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College is a time in your life where your greatest and primary responsibility is to learn. I have learned so much in just one semester at Cal – not only about the material presented in the lecture halls and classrooms but about myself as well. The next four years or so of your life will be your opportunity to grow academically and personally, so take advantage of what your college offers you. Do not be afraid to take a random class that you have a slight interest in or join the student organization where you can have fun or do something impactful with. Opportunities lie everywhere – you just need to seek them out and seize them.</div>
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I wish you all the best of luck with all that you choose to do wherever you choose to go.</div>
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Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions you might have regarding Cal, college in general, or anything of that nature. I would be more than happy to help.</div>
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Go Bears!</div>
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Best regards,</div>
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Julia Chang</div>
Madeline Kronenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00809038721402994691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861270559547287035.post-2755238124629253892014-01-12T12:27:00.000-08:002014-01-12T12:27:43.592-08:00Genevieve Simmons - Yale UniversityI would love to share whatever brief input I could to help educate other students in our district about succeeding in college.<br />
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I have found my first semester to be a drastic change from high school, but I learned how to make sure I got the support I needed and could not really imagine the semester having gone any better. I believe the most under-emphasized resource available to students in college are office hours, whether they are of your professor or Teacher's Assistant. Office hours are a time where you get one-on-one assistance and guidance through whatever you need- it doesn't even necessarily have to pertain to the specific class you are in. They are thoroughly happen to meet students showing an interest in learning, and I know many people who do not take advantage of this because it may seem intimidating at first. Know this is under your own jurisdiction, as well as any homework or other assignment from now on in college. <i>There is no one who is going to remind you about due dates. </i>Take initiative to get things done in a timely manner- especially reading, as there will be much more of it in college than you will have experienced before. Know that this is a time of your life to meet people from many different backgrounds however, and do not immerse yourself in studying to the point where you are not enjoying yourself and making new friends. I have sometimes found that I learn the most from conversations with my peers. Regardless, college is a time to develop and experience new things, so do not be afraid to do so!</div>
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Hope all is well, and Happy New Year!</div>
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Madeline Kronenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00809038721402994691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861270559547287035.post-17953852589732551092014-01-11T11:46:00.000-08:002014-01-11T11:46:02.659-08:00Adrianne Ramsey - Sarah Lawrence College
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">My name is Adrianne Ramsey and I am a first-year student at
Sarah Lawrence College. After reading so many college testimonials over the
years, I will admit I am a little shocked that I am sitting here writing my
first one. While I am still figuring out the world of college, I hope that one
will find a “lesson”, whatever it may be, within my words. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Sarah Lawrence has an interesting and somewhat complex academic
system. First, students take three five-credit courses each semester, and
“conference” makes up a big bulk of the coursework. In short, students meet with
their professors every other week for thirty minutes (conference) and discuss
an individual project that they will create for the class. The project, which
for most students is a very long paper, is worked on over the course of the
semester. Second, all first years are required to take a yearlong seminar
(First Year Studies) in a subject they are particularly interested in (course
choices are submitted to the academic committee during the summer). The
professor who teaches your FYS is your don, who is your academic counselor for
the next four years. Dons help students navigate which courses they want to
take, provide them with advice, and make sure they are keeping up in their FYS.
Third, Sarah Lawrence prides itself on having an open curriculum, which means
there are no general-education requirements and students can virtually take any
classes that they are interested in. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">My FYS is a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Fiction
Workshop</b>, and I wrote two short stories that were 10-12 pages each for my
conference work. In addition to my FYS, I took two semester long courses, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">History of Photography from the 19<sup>th</sup>
to 20<sup>th</sup> Century</b> (a lecture course) and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">18<sup>th</sup> Century British Theatrical Literature</b> (a seminar
course). For my photography conference, I wrote a 7-page paper about how
documentary photography aided the American Social Reform Movement (1880-1936).
For my British Literature conference, I wrote a 20-page paper on gender and
narrative tone in the novels <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Oroonoko</i>
(Aphra Behn) and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Princess of Cleves</i>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The first semester
of college was quite an adjustment period for me, not only in terms of academic
rigor but also figuring out what direction I wanted my education to go. My
lecture class was accessible because there were 40 students, but my two weekly
seminars consisting of 12 students each was an extreme change of pace from my
high school classes of 35 students. I loved my don and the close discussions
that went on during my fiction class, but they were initially very
intimidating. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">When
we began to read our stories aloud, I saw that majority of my classmates were
abstract writers, meaning that they provide many detailed scenes and do not immediately
let the reader know what the arc of the story is. I am an expressionist writer,
meaning that I like to get to the point and always let the reader know what is
going on. I was completely blown away by my classmates’ stories and would
always dread reading mine. I would pray that everyone else would get over his
or her shyness so I could read my story last. These insecure feelings didn’t
sit well with me. I consider myself to be a very confident writer and am
usually very proud of my work, but in this situation I felt that my stories
were minimal, lackluster, and mediocre compared to my peers. When we began to
discuss readings, it took a while for me to break out of my shell and
contribute. Things began to change when I started to write my first story for
conference. I believe that first conference story was the turning point for me
in terms of becoming confident in my writing again. I really began to work
harder on adjusting tone and dialogue, providing the right amount of details to
where I didn’t confuse the reader but didn’t make everything entirely obvious,
and going deeper into the minds of my characters. It was an enlightening experience
and also helped me to speak up much more in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">all</i>
of my classes. When I began to work on my second conference story, I felt much
more confidant. I thought to myself, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I
can do this</i>. My don was also very supportive and helped to boost my
confidence over the course of the semester. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I had two very
different reactions to my semester-long courses. First, I came into college
thinking that I wanted to take many world literature courses. But halfway
through my British Literature class, I regretted that wish. While I hate to
simply say that a class is “boring”, I am not exaggerating when I say that
every discussion was painfully dry and those times I spent working on my
conference project were some of the lowest points of my first semester. I don’t
hate the concept of literature classes; I really do love reading. I just had a
professor who led class discussions very poorly and did not provide enough
historical context of 18<sup>th</sup> century Great Britain. Thus, British
Literature was not a joyful experience for me. However, I refuse to say that
the class was a “waste of a semester” because it wasn’t. I was able to
successfully finish a 20-page paper and realized that I would rather not pile
on a load of literature courses. Second, I was pleased to discover that my art
history professor was down-to-earth, brilliant, funny, and, to put it shortly,
awesome. At Sarah Lawrence, lecture classes have “group conferences” in place
of individual conferences in which 10-12 students discuss a subject in
accordance to the class for an hour. My professor ignited the conversation and
guided it if it digressed, thus prompting students to think as critically as
possible. In class I learned about the origins and scope of photography in
France, America, and Great Britain, and in conference explored many different
aspects of photography, such as discussing spirit/trick photography and looking
at images from D-Day.</span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif";"> </span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">When I took film photography in high school I had always wanted
to learn the history behind the medium, but didn’t know where to begin. Writing
papers for my photography class was a synch because I was fully immersed in the
subject. As I read the required readings/essays for lectures, I developed a strong
drive not only to finish the reading, but to also read in a way that made each
piece meaningful and relate to my interest in photography. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Sarah Lawrence
doesn’t have a designated time for midterms/finals, but the last three weeks of
semester are bunched into what is called “conference week”. This was the time
when I saw my peers bleary-eyed, sipping endless cups of coffee, and spending
the night in the library working on the conference projects that they had
procrastinated on all semester. My roommate spent 20 hours in the library
working on six different papers and didn’t sleep for 2 days. Fortunately I had
been working very hard on my conference projects all semester and was able to
finish them a week before the semester ended. I realized what academic strategies
weren’t going to work for me and cut them out early. Honestly, as long as one
stays balanced, organized, and keeps track of all their deadlines, making it
through conference week/finals is relatively simple. I worked and studied hard,
and it definitely paid off and I plan on staying at this ideal academic level. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Extracurricular
wise, I definitely stepped back a lot. In high school I participated in ten
activities; this semester I wrote articles for our school newspaper <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Phoenix</i> and am still in the process
of writing articles for our school blog <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">SLC
Speaks</i>. At the beginning of the semester I was very self-conscious and
annoyed with myself for not joining a lot of clubs. I felt like I was doing
homework all the time, which <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">was</i>
true. I didn’t understand how so many people were able to balance being in so
many clubs and having so much conference work. However, looking back I am happy
that I chose to focus solely on academics and hope to join more activities next
semester.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">My college
experiences were not solely academic based; dormitory life played a big part</span><span style="color: #454545; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">. At the beginning
of the school year, I lived in a six-person suite. This consisted of a triple,
a double, a single, a common room, two bathrooms, and a kitchen equipped with
appliances. While this is luxury (especially for first-years!), nothing stayed
peaches and cream for very long. Four of my roommates ended up moving out of
the suite due to their own personal issues. One even left the school and
returned home shortly before the semester ended. Luckily, my best friend
Isabelle moved into my room. It is a slumber party every night, which provides
a very positive environment for the both of us. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although so many people moved out of my suite,
it was common for me to hear from friends who did not really connect with their
roommates or returned to their rooms feeling as if they were entering a
battlefield. The best advice I can give regarding not only roommates but also
students is to have a default attitude of being patient, respectful, and
welcoming. I often made strong friendships with people I probably would not
have befriended in high school. Random conversations or situations also sparked
friendships. Bottom line is, have a pleasant and positive attitude towards
others because it will make your overall day-to-day experiences nice and your
overall experience rewarding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">College is an
amazing experience, and you don’t have to be at Sarah Lawrence to know that.
Being in <i>any</i> college is an incredible accomplishment. Your experiences
and struggles in college will be your own. There may be times where you feel
like nothing is going right, you don’t belong, and you want to go home. But
trust me, things will get better. It’s a blessing to be in college. Stay true
to yourself and your passions, and continue to chase after your dreams! </span></div>
Madeline Kronenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00809038721402994691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861270559547287035.post-86068301368612313042014-01-11T11:40:00.002-08:002014-01-11T11:40:23.432-08:00Beulah Agbabiaka - Columbia University<br />
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As one of the participants in the Ivy League Connection's 2010 summer program at Columbia University, I was given my first look at college life at the university I would be fortunate enough to matriculate to. I was able to experience New York City in one of the best ways imaginable: as a student at a world class research institution. This gave me incredible access to the city, and to amazing instructors which made New York magical for me. Participating in the Ivy League Connection was one of the best experiences of my life and I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity. </div>
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Message for current ILC members: <div>
As a junior at Columbia University in NYC I'm finally getting the hang of balancing all the different aspects of my college experience: classwork, extra-curricular activities, work-study, social life, and sleep. Settling in to my majors (African-American Studies and Jazz Studies) has also been really fun since I'm taking more upper division classes and I'm definitely enjoying priority registration as an upperclassman. I was recently awarded the Kenneth Cole Fellowship for summer 2014 and my extra-curricular activities include being the Vice-President of Students Against Mass Incarceration, a member of the Black History Month Planning Committee, a tour-guide for the Undergraduate Recruitment Committee, a member of the Multicultural Recruitment Committee, a performing artist (I'm a jazz bassist and I play gigs) and hopefully next semester I'll be able to resume tutoring at the Double Discover Center-a tutoring and academic enrichment program for high school students. I also have two work-study jobs, and a really active social life but it isn't to difficult to juggle my interests and my school work with a little elbow grease. <div>
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Something I've learned over this past semester is that just like in high school, junior year is quite difficult so it is important to be prepared for the challenge and ready to work. However, having a solid support group definitely makes this easier. I struggled with finding that support group initially at Columbia, but I have been able to build a solid network of people I genuinely like and enjoying being around. I did this through finding like-minded individuals in the extra-curricular activities I'm passionate about, being open to making friends despite differences we may have, and making sure I'm investing my time and energy into worthwhile relationships rather than trying to change people to be the friends that I need. I wish I had known this and made the according changes in my life sophomore year, and that's my biggest suggestion to you all. </div>
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Good luck everyone!</div>
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Beulah Agbabiaka</div>
Madeline Kronenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00809038721402994691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861270559547287035.post-90295927796234391122014-01-11T11:38:00.003-08:002014-01-11T11:38:38.988-08:00Dyana So - University of Pennsylvania
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<span style="font-family: Rockwell;">It has been exactly one year since I’ve reflected on my
whole college experience for the ILC. It’s been just as long since I’ve been
home in the Bay Area. To say that there’s been a lot of changes is an
understatement. Truly, I am having trouble starting sentences because just
thinking through all I want to talk about (and don’t) feels overwhelming, let
alone challenging to organize into a neat narrative. At least, that is how I
feel about my college experience thus far. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Rockwell;">For inspiration, I decided to read through my last ILC reflection
from one year ago. Given that there was rarely a dull moment in-between then
and now, I was excited to reintroduce myself to someone I had more or less
forgotten under layers and layers of new memories. By the end of reading my
post however, I found it both eerie to realize how much dissonance now stood
between me and, well, me, but also – and more personally striking – what it was
that we still shared that prevents me from feeling completely detached from
her. It is difficult to keep track of all the episodes that contributed to this
‘transformation’ but that’s probably the best way I can describe the college
experience so far – my own at the very least – when you expose your mind and
heart to all it has and can offer you. As a result, I feel that the best way to
ease into this reflection is to assess who I was one year ago.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Rockwell;">Back in 2012, Dyana was at what she called “an epic liminal”
space at the University of Pennsylvania. Making the most of her time was a
leading concern and subsequent catalyst for much of her spontaneous actions.
Even though she couldn’t help but view herself wedged in Penn’s undergraduate
culture of inseparable pre-professionalism, she remained optimistic about being
in an environment that always gave her inspiration for constructing her
“complicated blueprint” of “her place on campus”. Though the optimism she
expressed was genuine, it was also the default-by-habit way she knew how to
address anything that was unfamiliar and unresolved. However, unlike not
knowing something she read in a book, or not knowing where she would go to
college, the ‘magnitude of importance’ that seemed to come with – and she also
let manifest into – thoughts about her place in the future after college, gradually
became so frighteningly paralyzing that it was also easy to forget that it was
supposed to be exciting as well.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Rockwell;">Perhaps this was a typical phase of many freshmen’s
experiences. I had just returned home after 5 months of being away on my own
for the first time and the greater difference of time remaining of the
semesters I had left at Penn, juxtaposed to the time I had used up so far was
large enough that any ‘mistakes’ made in my first semester could still be
comfortably redefined as ‘fine opportunities for growth’. Ironically, however,
it was my desire to be mature about college in such a black-and-white way that
made me most naïve. In actuality, the time I always felt I was racing to beat was
largely self-imposed and only further blinded me from realizing that constantly
thinking about the future meant I was missing out on appreciating the present.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Rockwell;">Since my middle school days to now, I’ve been told that
college is the place to find oneself but I realized that I did not know what I
was looking for. Decidedly taking a liberal arts approach to my undergraduate
Penn education also made me realize this sooner, for I found myself entering
phases of deep criticism and skepticisms about such reoccurring motifs as
fidelity, morality, objectivity, truth, etc., that it was impossible for me to
keep such thoughts only within the confines of classrooms. Before I knew it, I
became as much of a reflector of the content I was learning as the topics I
would write papers about, and when you start to find it hard to resist thinking
about additional aspects of problems that were not explicitly stated, daily
life stubbornly slows, demanding a thorough double-take.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Rockwell;">Thus, the choices one makes during college, and how, are so
important. Not – and I really stress this – because everything you do in
college suddenly has this magical weight of importance relative to any other
time of your life, or that every decision you make is from here-on-out
trajectory to your post-college career(s), but because the unique environment
that you are in gives you an opportunity to explore something that isn’t
supposed to be defined yet. One of the most limiting outlooks you could impose
on yourself is the assumption that you already know what you’re looking for,
that you let your confidence run its course instead of inviting doubt in to
challenge. Even for those who pursue a pre-professional path in undergraduate
school, should be more open to the wide range of possibilities that comes with
their desired careers. And though I periodically envy those who are perfectly
content with the plans they are pursuing in college (the pre-meds, the
engineers, the nurses, the Whartonites, etc.), I have come to accept that I
cannot expect myself to move any faster towards a lifestyle that I only want
immediately out of haste. I’ve decided that understanding who I am and what my
affinities are will be my leading priorities of my undergraduate education.
Perhaps I will be lucky and find my ‘true calling’ – if it exists – but before
I throw another graduation tassel in the air, I will be content if I can come
closer to understanding selflessness through selfishness. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Rockwell;">One year ago, I would have hoped that I could, at the very
least, share what my intended major was by now. Though I’ve personally come a
long way from being someone that gets too caught up with regrets, the one
advice I would give anyone about declaring a major is this: choose something
you really like. I will not deny that planning very far ahead has great value
but the greatest value you can be to others, as I’ve come to accept, is when
you do something you love. Passion goes a long way. It is what will motivate
you to explore new perspectives others will not think about; it is what will
naturally convert your setbacks to enticing challenges to overcome; it is what
makes what makes work not feel like work; and it is what is most contagious to
inspire in others to do the same for them. There was a point shortly after
winter break last year that I heavily considered joining the Naval Reserve
Officers’ Training Corps (NROTC) at Penn because the discomfort of not knowing
what I was to make of myself in college was strong enough to make me willing to
substitute a lifetime’s guarantee of stability over a chance to find something
I truly love. Very people in the world can honestly say they love what they do,
and for many, it’s because they were never given that chance to explore what it
is that they like. College will not give you the answer but its environment,
its resources, and most importantly, what you choose to do with what it offers
you, can bring you closer.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Rockwell;">This optimism, while different, not only assures me that
there are some aspects of my character that will likely ever change, but it
also helps me measure just how much one grows according to the environment you
are in. Before, I used to think that any college experience would suffice for
me if I make the most of what they have to offer, but by embodying this
mentality, I’ve also presupposed I knew a part of me well enough to be assured
of this (the one outlook I’ve advised one not to take). This notion might feel
applicable during freshman year, but choosing a school that will challenge your
current personality most will start taking affect after you get start getting
comfortable in your new environment. My writing seminar professor this
semester, who is also a graduate student at Penn, is from Spain and she told me
how surprised she was to discover how fast everything was at Penn. “Pushing
people at the deeper end of the pool to teach them how to swim well does not
work for everyone,” she reminds me. “Some people may drown.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Rockwell;">I have doubted whether Penn was the right place for me,
often at times when things were most challenging and when making oneself
vulnerable to comparisons to others was so natural and easy. Three semesters
later however, especially in reflecting who I would miss out on becoming
without the unique experiences I’ve had as a result of being at Penn and living
in Philadelphia (a city I’ve really come to love), I am honestly very content
to be a Quaker. I’ve made some very genuine friendships and found really wise
mentors here. Sometimes there are too many adventures and ‘coffee chats’ to
plan in a week. This past semester was the most challenging for me –
academically, mentally, physically, and spiritually – but it has been the best
so far. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Rockwell;">Over winter break this year, I will be deeply assessing the
two leading options for my major: a visual studies and cinema studies double
major or an individualized major concentrating in adaptation studies. Because I
don’t believe my major will be trajectory to any specific career, my decision
will ultimately depend on what I think challenges my character and fuels my
passions best. Academically speaking, an interdisciplinary approach to
interpreting visual content is what I find myself gravitating towards most,
with reoccurring side interests in east-west comparative philosophy, minority
studies, and communications. Within the Penn community, I am a peer counselor
for PennCAP (College Achievement Program) freshman students and a CWiC
(Communication within the Curriculum) advisor currently helping Vagelos
biochemistry students with their science presentation oral/visual delivery and
organization. I recently finished working with a student group planning a
weeklong celebration of Asian American heritage celebration at Penn,
contributing predominantly in design and marketing. For this upcoming semester,
I’m looking forward to cutting back on extracurricular activities with heavy
commitments so I can focus more on school, getting back into kendo, and my
personal exploration of the arts.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Rockwell;">There is always more I could share but I don’t want to be
too prolix. If after reading this you would like to learn more or share your
own thoughts about what I’ve written, I really encourage you to contact me
personally. Learning is always reciprocated, never one-sided and engaging with
those who come from our school district really holds a special place in my
heart. You can contact me at </span><a href="mailto:dyanawingtungso@gmail.com"><span style="color: #6ba9da; font-family: Rockwell;">dyanawingtungso@gmail.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Rockwell;">
and I look forward to getting to know you. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Rockwell;">All the best,<br />
Dyana W. T. So</span></div>
Madeline Kronenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00809038721402994691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861270559547287035.post-58270586242128685882014-01-11T11:35:00.004-08:002014-01-11T11:35:35.001-08:00Alysa Butler - UC Riverside<div class="MsoNormal">
Hello ILC!</div>
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I participated in the Physics program at the University of Pennsylvania during the summer before my senior year of high school in 2012. The Ivy League Connection was truly an eye-opening experience for me. Prior to my program I was convinced that the East Coast—thousands of miles away from home—was the perfect place for me to attend college. Through the ILC I learned that I was best suited closer to home.</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have just finished up my first quarter at UC Riverside where I am a Neuroscience major. College is tough. Last week my suitemates and I came to the conclusion that while we were all used to striving to get 4.0 GPAs in high school, most students in college are simply striving to pass their classes. Luckily I came in with enough college credits that I acquired during my high school education to have sophomore standing at the university, but classes were still tough for me nonetheless. Attending Middle College High School I thought I had a pretty good idea of academic freedom, but the freedom I now have in college is immense. Breadth course requirements really allow you to expand your knowledge in many different areas. This past quarter I took Comparative Politics, Introduction to Psychology, and a course on smartphones, electronics, and mobile internet. My advice is to really take time to figure out exactly what you’re interested in. Use breadth courses to explore different areas and absorb all the knowledge that you can.</div>
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I know this is something you probably hear a lot but DON’T PROCRASTINATE! Keep a schedule and stick to it. Sure long nights spent in the common room “studying” and socializing are what make the college experience memorable but the long nights and early mornings soon can take a toll on your grades. </div>
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Although I have only been a student at a university for a short 10 weeks, I have learned so much. College really is a great opportunity that not many are blessed with so use this time to learn about yourself and the world around us. </div>
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Best of luck to you all,</div>
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Alysa Butler</div>
Madeline Kronenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00809038721402994691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861270559547287035.post-16646147015723011932013-12-18T08:44:00.002-08:002013-12-18T08:45:35.419-08:00Alvin Yee - University of California - Santa Cruz '13<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: ArialMT;">My name is Alvin Yee
and I recently graduated from UC Santa Cruz with a major in Computer<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: ArialMT;">Science and a minor
in Chemistry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: ArialMT;">I want to give my
gratitude to the Ivy League Connection because they exposed me to the<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: ArialMT;">intense levels of
academic competitiveness during my two summers at Cornell. It made me<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: ArialMT;">realize students were
determine to achieve success and anything less was not acceptable to<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: ArialMT;">them. My most
memorable experience was when a dorm mate rewrote each detail from his<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: ArialMT;">notes 75 times before
the Freedom and Justice exam. I knew I wasn</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: ArialMT; mso-bidi-font-family: ArialMT;">’</span><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: ArialMT;">t
the smartest student at<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: ArialMT;">Cornell Summer
Program so I felt the need to exert extra effort to keep pace. The experience<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: ArialMT;">has taught how me to
handle the heavy workload of the college life. My two Cornell Summer's<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: ArialMT;">has helped me develop
a good work ethic and I can proudly say the ILC was the root of my<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: ArialMT;">development.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: ArialMT;">Aside from my Cornell
experience, choosing a major was by far the hardest choice I made in<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: ArialMT;">college. I was
undecided entering my freshman year so I experimented with economic. Shortly, I<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: ArialMT;">found out that I
lacked passion for the subject so I decided to try chemistry. I made this
change<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: ArialMT;">because I did well in
the general chemistry series. I continued with chemistry until my junior year,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: ArialMT;">but uncertainty of
possible careers distanced me from the study. I settled with Computer<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: ArialMT;">Science, because I
had a higher chance of finding a career in which I would be happy working<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: ArialMT;">long term.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: ArialMT;">So the lesson I took
away from choosing majors is to know which career you want to pursue<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: ArialMT;">before declaring.
Your major will be a stepping stone to any occupation that awaits you after<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: ArialMT;">college. Find a
interesting major early in college and you won</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: ArialMT; mso-bidi-font-family: ArialMT;">’</span><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: ArialMT;">t
make the same mistake. In my<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: ArialMT;">case, I had to stay
an extra quarter due to my indecision to pick major.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: ArialMT;">In addition to
choosing a major, it is critical to utilize school resources. There will be
many<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: ArialMT;">opportunities to land
internships and jobs at your campus career fair. It is very important to be an<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: ArialMT;">active participant at
these events, because career fairs provide a high chance of employment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: ArialMT;">There is less
competition at campus fairs compared to job websites, because you will be<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: ArialMT;">competing against
your classmates and not the workforce. Start early by developing your<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: ArialMT;">resume and your
connections with TAs and professors. They will be the ones providing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: ArialMT;">reference for jobs
and graduate school.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: ArialMT;">Remember college isn</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: ArialMT; mso-bidi-font-family: ArialMT;">’</span><span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: ArialMT;">t all about academic. Go explore events and your environment. It will
help<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: ArialMT;">you ease through
stressful projects and exams. I hope this information was useful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: ArialMT;">Alvin Yee<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: ArialMT; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ascii-font-family: ArialMT;">UC Santa Cruz 13</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Madeline Kronenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00809038721402994691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861270559547287035.post-50593902046904857582012-12-17T09:10:00.004-08:002012-12-17T09:11:39.183-08:00Brandon Amargo<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
Dear Ivy League Connection Community,</div>
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</div>
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</div>
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As I enter my final semester at U.C. Berkeley, I can only think about graduation day in May. Cal has taught me so many lessons inside and outside of the lecture hall. The rigorous courses and diverse student body has equipped me to enter the workforce with awareness to the importance of valuing everything everyone has to offer. I plan on continuing my work at Cal, but as a full time employee post-graduation. In addition, I plan on volunteering or working at Equality California, a non-profit in San Francisco.</div>
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</div>
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This past semester, I completed three upper division Political Science courses: History of Ancient Thought, Japanese Politics and Latinos in the U.S. Political System. Next semester, I will complete my last set of upper-division courses in Political Science: Modern Arabic Political Thought, International Political Economy and Public Organization & Administration. These upper-division courses have student enrollments from 60 to 120 students. In contrast, lower-division courses can reach an enrollment of as much as 300 students. Furthermore, the section size in upper-division courses is reduced to about 20 students creating an intimate setting for fruitful conversation on course material. The course structure varies incredibly. Some courses are strictly composed of lengthy take-home essays. Others include pop quizzes, in-class midterms/finals and small online assignments.</div>
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My advice to current ILC members is to picture yourself at the universities your interested in. Being comfortable and having a sense of belonging is crucial to your academic success. For example, it is extremely difficult to escape the uniqueness of Cal and if you don’t embrace “Bezerkeley” for what it is, you’ll have a hard time studying here. The fact of the matter is Cal isn’t for everyone and the same goes for most schools. It is only due to my passion for Cal that I am able to succeed here. I hope that you all find your passion.</div>
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</div>
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Go Bears!</div>
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</div>
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</div>
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Brandon</div>
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Brandon Amargo<br />
U.C. Berkeley | 2013<br />
B.A. Political Science<br />
<a href="mailto:bamargo@berkeley.edu">bamargo@berkeley.edu</a></div>
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Assistant, Vice Chancellor for Research Office</div>
Madeline Kronenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00809038721402994691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861270559547287035.post-22375474313617025492012-12-17T09:07:00.000-08:002012-12-17T09:11:16.067-08:00Megan Robb<br />
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dear Mr. Ramsey and ILC, <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This past semester I took
classes in Organic Chemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, People, Culture, and
Society Sociology/Anthropology, and Ethnic Literature. Organic Chemistry was extremely
difficult and fast paced. It was my most challenging course and I am very glad
that it is over. My Biology course was focusing more in depth on the cellular
mechanisms and the specifics on how the cell functions. My Intro to Sociology/Anthropology
was very interesting. We had many discussions about culture in America both in
the past and present. The Ethnic Literature course was my favorite class this
semester. We read and discussed a wide range of literature. Some of my favorites
were <u>Maus I and II</u>, <u>Crescent</u>, <u>The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar
Wao</u>, and <u>Twilight: Los Angeles 1992</u>. The books that we read in the
course looked at Black, Asian, Middle Eastern, White, and Asian culture within
America. <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
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<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">At Denison University there are
a lot of people from the east and west coasts. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Denison has been referred to as an east coast
school in the Midwest. In other words, students are very well off and overall
preppy. This was a sort of culture shock for me but I have grown to love
Denison. <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
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<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Denison, and college in general,
is different from high school in regard to the importance of time management. I
cannot emphasize enough the importance of having good time management skills.
This past semester I was very involved in my sorority, on-campus job, and
volunteering, therefore I had to be extremely focused and literally had no time
for procrastination. <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
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<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #1a1a1a;">As an individual, I have become
more independent, responsible, and focused. This past semester I decided that I
wanted to get a Soc/Anth minor instead of a Chemistry minor. I made the change
once I realized that I was not pursuing the Chemistry minor for the right
reasons and that I should focus on something that I am passionate about. I have
also become better at time management and the very delicate balance between the
academic and social aspects of college. <br />
</span><br />
</span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thank you,<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1a1a1a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Megan Robb<br />
Denison University ‘15</span></span></div>
Madeline Kronenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00809038721402994691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861270559547287035.post-2059939604446030172012-12-16T10:22:00.002-08:002012-12-17T09:12:04.187-08:00Stephanie Ny<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
Good evening everyone,</div>
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I’m now done with a third of my junior year at Northwestern. Unlike many juniors in college, I am still undecided about my major. I have pretty much decided on sociology, though, in case anybody who has read my previous testimonials wants to know! Since an early age, I have been interested in the way in which society functions to advantage some and disadvantage others. It was not until college, however, that my interest really developed, and now I am satisfied that I will (probably) major in something by which I am genuinely moved.</div>
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My college works on the quarter system. Generally, we have nine or ten weeks of classes, a dead/reading week, and finals week. That being said, classes move rather quickly. At times I find myself having a midterm at least once a week until the end of the quarter. At the same time, it basically guarantees that I stayed on top of my studies at all times. Because of this, I also feel like I’ve learned more by using the quarter system than I would have learned if I’d gone to a semester-based school. (There’s no real telling, though, since I have no experience with these schools).</div>
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In light of recent tragic events that are not unique to Northwestern, I must really, really advise all of you that if you are struggling in any way—emotionally or academically—to not be afraid to ask for help. Don’t think that you’re alone in your struggle, or that you’re a burden to your peers or to those whose services are open to you. College is a stressful place (high school is, too!) and can take a toll on you in ways that can make you feel isolated. But do try to keep in mind that people <i>do</i> care and <i>will</i> help you. Ask, and help will come to you.</div>
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Sadly, I will cut this testimonial short as I have been under the weather as of late. I do apologize if it wasn’t as thorough as expected. </div>
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As always, feel free to e-mail me any questions you have about Northwestern or college in general, and happy holidays!</div>
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Stephanie Ny</div>
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Northwestern 2014</div>
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<a href="mailto:stephanieny2010@gmail.com">stephanieny2010@gmail.com</a></div>
Madeline Kronenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00809038721402994691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861270559547287035.post-32300750857318699912012-12-16T10:21:00.001-08:002012-12-17T09:12:26.448-08:00Michelle Saechao<div id="yiv223448630yui_3_7_2_16_1355555835381_49">
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Dear Ivy League Connection Community,</div>
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My second year at UCLA has been so rewarding thus far. I began this year with so much more confidence and so much motivation to improve myself. Last year I secured a position working at the College Library Instructional Computing Commons, or CLICC, where I've had the opportunity to meet new people, make connections with important library officials, earn money and study a lot. I feel so blessed to have a job that not only pays well but allows me to study when it's not so busy. I hear stories from people about their other jobs around campus and I have to say that my job is one of the best around and I just received an email yesterday that I've been promoted!</div>
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On top of working all quarter, I also received the Secretary position for UNICEF at UCLA. It's been truly rewarding volunteering my time to raise money for one of the best humanitarian organizations in UNICEF, playing with and teaching children who live in an alternative transitional homeless shelter and organizing awareness events around campus. </div>
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I've also secured an internship for next quarter at Viacom Media Networks/MTV Networks International in Santa Monica working in the media library. Although I have no particular interest in the entertainment industry, I also have no idea what I want to do in the future. Hopefully this will serve as a great experience for me to see what different kinds of careers are out there and if I can see myself working them. </div>
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Double-majoring in International Development Studies and Economics allows me to take a wide-range of classes. This past quarter I took Spanish, Gender Studies and Microeconomics. Although Spanish language courses are technically taught by TAs, my TA this quarter was an older native Quechuan women from Ecuador who is incredibly educated and lectures all over the Americas. She was an incredible teacher to have because she was so dedicated to student learning. Although I am an Economics major, the subject material is generally more difficult for me to grasp, so I didn't do so well this quarter in my Microeconomics course. Instead of having midterms like other courses, my professor had three quizzes and a final. Calling it a 'quiz' instead of an exam didn't help my study habits and so I passed the course with a C. I know to take each bit of work more seriously in the future because although the material may be difficult, I am completely capable of working harder to receive a better grade. Lastly, my Gender Studies course served as a nice break from all the graphs in economics. While I didn't enjoy lecture very much, I did feel very enthusiastic about my section discussion sessions because we got to really engage with our peers about the readings for each week. Nonetheless, I'm grateful for all I've learned this quarter, but I'm also grateful for being done!</div>
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Words of advice: </div>
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1. Get involved, but stay organized! It's important to remember that everything deserves your time and if you neglect one thing for another, you're not being fair. </div>
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2. Enjoy people! They will keep you sane. I can't say how many times weird remarks from my roommates or freestyles from my friends have lifted my mood and given me energy to keep on working!</div>
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3. Don't wait for midterms or finals to study! Use all the time you have to continually learn and review material. It's a drag, but it helps.</div>
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4. Look into campus resources like free printing, writing help or tutors. Your tuition dollars go toward these programs, so let them help you!</div>
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Hope this has been helpful for all of you! Have a very Happy Holiday Season!</div>
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Go Bruins!</div>
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Michelle Saechao</div>
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UCLA Class of 2014</div>
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2010 ILC Alumna </div>
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Madeline Kronenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00809038721402994691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861270559547287035.post-29751873453081722092012-08-05T09:53:00.002-07:002012-08-05T09:53:14.860-07:00Gabriel Augusto Jomdos Sanchez<span style="font-size: 10pt;">My name is Gabriel Sanchez, a rising third year at UCLA. In 2009, I joined the ILC and attended Columbia University.</span><div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Overall, my second year was a time of immense change and growth - a feeling I know I will continue to experience until I graduate from this institution. The best piece of advice I can share with all of you is to always push yourself out of your comfort zone, and to constantly challenge yourself in every way possible. I've used this quote so many times in these emails I write to the ILC, but I can't help to share this again; a great friend of mine at UCLA once told me, "You grow the most when you are in uncomfortable positions." If you're afraid to join an organization or club, join it. If you're afraid of taking a class because it's too hard, take it. If you're afraid to make new friends, talk to as many people as you can. Constantly challenge yourself - because when you are comfortable, you are complacent.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">As I mentioned in the email I wrote in the Winter, this past year, I served as Parent Investment Coordinator and an Academic Peer Advisor for a Pilipin@ college access project, Samahang Pilipino Advancing Community Empowerment (SPACE). As both an administrator and staff member of the project, I literally had an obligation to do every single day, including going to Belmont High School every Thursday to work with the students. As a result, I learned how to manage my time more efficiently. Using a planner and writing all my responsibilities became a weekly routine for me. Part of becoming a strong leader is learning how to balance multiple responsibilities, and from my experience in SPACE, I feel that I have refined this essential skill.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Also, I encourage each and every single one of you to constantly reflect on what you want out of your college experience, and to reflect on what you want to do in the future. Never let anybody else make those decisions for you. Just recently, I changed my major from Political Science to Asian American Studies. In Winter Quarter, I began to reflect on what I wanted out of my college experience and my future aspirations, and felt that Political Science was no longer helping me to achieve my goals. As I've stated earlier, I now hold aspirations to become a professor in Asian American Studies and engage in the process of research to improve the Pilipin@ community; the classes offered in the Political Science department, however, were insensitive to the experiences of Pilipin@s, and Asian Americans, in this country. Therefore, I chose to switch to Asian American Studies in order to immerse myself in a relevant education that not only helps me to better understand myself, but to direct me toward my dreams.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">In the Fall, I plan on applying for independent research cohorts such as the McNair Fellows and Mellon Mays - research programs that aim to increase representation of students of color into PhD programs. In preparation, I have networked with a number of Pilipin@ professors and graduate students in the LA area to mentor me in the process, as well as working to join research projects. In addition, I was also elected to serve as Access Coordinator for Samahang Pilipino, the official voice of the Pilipin@ community on the UCLA campus. My vision in this role is to help others better understand the issues Pilipin@ students encounter in entering institutions of higher education. As Access Coordinator, part of my role is to supervise the project SPACE and represent the Pilipin@ community the Student Initiated Access Committee (SIAC) - the official committee that represents all access issues for all 26,000 and more undergraduate students on campus. For the summer, I am a current intern for the Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas of the Los Angeles County's Second District. As an intern under the Education Deputy, I assist in the work he does, staffing special education events and undertaking specific research projects.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">I hope this email has provided a brief glimpse of my college experience and the advice my mentors, predecessors and role models have shared with me. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email me. Good luck on all your college endeavors!</span></div>
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Yours truly,</div>
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Gabriel Augusto Jomdos Sanchez</div>
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UCLA Undergraduate | Class of 2014</div>
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Asian American Studies Major, Education Minor</div>
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Samahang Pilipino Access Coordinator</div>
</div>Madeline Kronenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00809038721402994691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861270559547287035.post-77373408506368210172012-08-05T09:46:00.005-07:002012-08-05T09:53:59.842-07:00Lucina Parada<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dear Mr. Ramsey and fellow ILC Members,<o:p></o:p></span></span>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My name is Lucina Parada and I am currently a senior at UC
Berkeley. Four years ago, I was fortunate enough to experience three wonderful
and rigorous weeks at Cornell University for the Freedom and Justice Program.
Fast forward to the present and I find myself facing the start of my senior
year of college in three weeks. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a name='more'></a>As I reflect upon the last three years, I’m
proud to say I have no regrets in my college career, which entailed living at
home and commuting to Berkeley. Some may say I missed out on the “full college
experience,” but when you’re picking your home for the next four years, it’s
important to take into consideration how much you truly like the environment of
that particular school and all it has to offer. For me, it was a world-renowned
public university 30 minutes away from home with an invigorating school spirit
and amazing professors. I’ll be the first to admit commuting is tough when I
get home late and I still have to study when all I want to do is sleep.
However, it comes down to making the best of the situation; luckily, the
experiences I’ve had at UC Berkeley surpass the rigors of commuting.
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Academically, I’ve opened my mind to a new level of thinking but I’ve also
experienced the hardships that come along with it. In those situations, be
strong and persevere. Remember that you are just as intelligent as the people
around you and don’t be afraid to speak your mind. It will make you feel better
and you’ll do much better in your classes. In order to counter the stress that
comes with a full course load, I turn to the Cal Band where I can be around my
friends and find comfort in knowing that everyone else is just as overwhelmed.
What makes it more special is that we voluntarily take part in this organization
and dedicate 10 hours each week to perfecting our single field show for a
football game. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For me, there’s nothing like marching into the stadium and
having 70,000 fans cheering at the top of their lungs. In that moment, I forget
everything and take it all in. When I really think about it, those are some of
the best memories I’ll take away from Berkeley. Find something that brings joy
to your life and makes you forget about the stress of classes for an instant.
For me, it was the Cal Band and for you, it may differ but in the end, that’s
how you’ll be able to truly enjoy college.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Best of luck to all you ILC students and Go Bears!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lucina Parada<br />
University of California, Berkeley <br />
B.A., Political Science, May 2013<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>Madeline Kronenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00809038721402994691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861270559547287035.post-61678471959102193782012-08-05T09:31:00.005-07:002012-08-05T09:55:28.915-07:00Adriana RamirezTo the ILC students who may not know me, <br />
My name is Adriana Ramirez, and I participated in the Ivy League Connection my Junior-Senior year, I attended the Brown program summer of 2008. I am now going to be a senior at UCLA and I have a full schedule for my senior year. The Ivy League Connection has opened many opportunities within my college career,not only did it prepare me by experiencing the college life at Brown but it also allowed me to come out of my shell. The experience at Brown was one of the things that encouraged me to do travel study in Puerto Rico this past month of July. <br />
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My career at UCLA so far has been very successful next year I will have an internship with JusticeCorps a branch of AmeriCorps, I am working at Payment Solutions & Compliance (Cashier's office) where I am a cashier, and I process scholarships and EFM checks, I will be finishing my psychology degree by the end of next quarter and doubling with Political Science. I'm really excited to start the new year although it will be very busy with a job, internship and 3 classes. Regardless of how full my plate may be I know that it will be worth it, UCLA is preparing me for the "grown up" life and I'm ready for it. </div>
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For incoming freshman, everything in college may seem overwhelming, but take a second to breath, and you'll realize that nothing is impossible. Take advantages of the many opportunities your school has to offer, mentorships, fellowships, scholarships, internships and work study because sometimes these are the things that prepare you for the work force and make you look good to those looking to hire you once you graduate. Grades aren't everything, what matters the most is how well rounded you are, so if your grades aren't the same as when in high school, make sure to make it up with other things that define you. </div>
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Adriana Ramirez<br />
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</div>Madeline Kronenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00809038721402994691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861270559547287035.post-35058652887214320862012-08-02T16:27:00.000-07:002012-08-02T16:27:13.127-07:00Justine BetschartHello ILC!<br />
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My name is Justine Betschart, and I am a rising junior at UCLA. I have written a few emails regarding my experience at UCLA, so I hope I don't sound too repetitive! During my first 2 years, I lived on-campus in residential dorms. This experience was invaluable. In the dorms, I met some of my best friends and gained a lot of independence. If I can recommend anything to young ILC students, it is to experience dorming! <br />
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As for student life, UCLA's campus is filled with thousands of determined, sociable people. It's a wonderful balance that I feel I have also achieved by prioritizing my academics and social life. Of course you are at school to obtain a valuable degree and obtain important networking skills, but without essential social skills, you can't get too far post-graduation. So make sure you strike a healthy balance between your academics and social life.<br />
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Lastly, academics. During my first year, I changed my major from Environmental Science to Chemical Engineering. My workload is at times unbearable, but I knew what I was getting into when I submitted my change of major paperwork. My classes have exposed me to real-life engineering problems that I may experience in the workfield. I am 100% sure that I will be fully prepared for industry jobs in two years, thanks to the thorough, applicable teaching style of UCLA Engineering. <br />
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I hope my testimony has given you all a little insight into the life of a Bruin. I have absolutely no regrets with my decision to attend UCLA. The past two years have been the best years of my life, and I completely expect my last 2 years to be even greater. If anyone has questions regarding UCLA, engineering or anything at all, feel free to email me at <a href="mailto:jmbetschart@gmail.com">jmbetschart@gmail.com</a>.<br />
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Best,<br />Justine Betschart<br />University of California, Los Angeles<br />Class of 2014<br />Chemical Engineering, B.S.Madeline Kronenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00809038721402994691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861270559547287035.post-58527719271353703482012-08-02T15:00:00.001-07:002012-08-02T15:00:08.312-07:00Best regards from a Brownie, Guadalupe MoralesDear ILC members,<br /><br />Now nearing the end of a great and relaxing summer, I can still say that my memories and experiences of my first year in college are still as vivid as if they happened yesterday. They've filed away as chapter one of my college experience, and the best part is: I still have three more to go. <br /><br />From the day I arrived on campus to the day I left, Brown has been great to me. There are moments every now and then that I stop and stand in awe of how grateful I am to be going to Brown University. No, it's not so much the prestige or the ranking that I love Brown so dearly for; it has never really been like that. It is that Brown really does encourage its students to <b><i>learn and grow</i></b>. I've always been that person to try many different things growing up: swimming, badminton, volunteering, knitting, taekwondo, filming, cooking, etc. Brown is the place to continue that curiosity. And that is what makes Brown the way it is. <br /><br />I could go on and on about how great it is (because it is, there's no doubt about it) but for the incoming college students (and the ones to be) it is inevitable for college students to hit low points in the year. That is what I want to share with you. <br /><br />One of my mistakes last year was not managing my time correctly. That is probably going to be the biggest red flag of most college students' mistakes. <b>Time management is anything and everything about college</b>. Let me repeat: <b>Manage</b>. <b>Your</b>. <b>Time</b>. Drill that into your head, folks. Everyone will probably warn you about it (like I am now), but most of us make that mistake anyway, and that's okay. I was involved with both taekwondo and a dance troupe (both of which require a bit more time than a regular club) among other things (including a job) and it became difficult for me to try and make all of that fit into 24 hours of the day when you also have to study for classes. I was ready to quit certain things. Fortunately, I stuck it through. I made a mental list this summer of what I needed to do last year that I will do for this upcoming semester. So from experience, these are some of my <b><u>tips for time management</u></b>.<br /><br /><b>#1</b>: Do not join 147,182,341 clubs your first year. Especially being so new at attending school differently than high school, I regret not taking it slowly so it does not become overwhelming.<br /><b><br />#2:</b> Plan out your day (or even the whole week) in your head. Know what you have to get done now, later and what you can possibly get ahead in. It's easier to get things done when you make everything a task. Agendas come handy for this! Or, if you're like me, you can use your calendar on Gmail to organize your day. It's kind of fun, too. <br /><br /><b>#3: </b>Ask or observe your peers on their study habits. One of my fellow peers had almost all A's for his first year. It was very impressive. It was intimidating, yes, but realizing what his study habits were (and having two parents in education as well) made sense to me. He would wake up early on the weekends to study for most of the day, which brings me to...<div>
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<b>#4: </b>Study on the <b>weekends. </b>Yes, it hurts me too. I love to spend my weekends relaxing from lectures but it should definitely become a habit. It becomes a lot easier to do work during the week (and attend your club meetings and dance practices too!) so it's not as stressful. Don't leave off what you can do Saturday or even Friday afternoon until Sunday night. That's the biggest high school habit to break and it definitely took me a while to get into that habit (I still need to as well). Great suggestion for this is to tell yourself to spend a set numbers of hours to study and then get to do something fun.<br /><br /><b>#5:</b> Get ahead in your work when you can. Normally, for a humanities course, in example, you'll have reading to do before a class. But instead of reading only 50 pages, do the reading for next week's class too (this can be where weekend studying comes in handy). Maybe do readings for two more classes as well. This is really, really useful because sometimes you urgently have to do something else, whatever it may be, and studying ahead of time can save you (it saved me on several occasions). My suggestion: do this a week before spring break. It'll make your week more enjoyable knowing that you did your work for your classes already. <br /><br />And finally...<br /><br /><b>#6: Prioritize your classes, </b>above all else<b>.</b> Maybe it'll be hard for some of you to do this, but remember that you're in college to <b><i><u>learn</u></i></b>. When there are conflicting events, remember that your studying must be the most important, because it's what you're there for. Everything else matters too, but this is of the utmost concern. <br /><br />I hope this helped for those of you anxiously awaiting the time to pack your bags and leave for college. There are many things that happened my first year that I wish I could go back and erase and try again. I'm sure you will too. However, when you really think about it, how else would you learn? It's not about how well you did in comparison to your peers. There's definitely a lot to learn about each other, but at the end of the day, it's about how well <b>YOU</b> did. Do the best that you can. Challenge yourself. Become a better person. <br /><br />I learned from my mistakes, and all of my advice comes from my own experience. I'm learning. I'm forming my own identity and who I am and where I come from. I think that's the most beautiful part of the college experience. I stray far from being a perfect college student, but I pride myself most on trying hard and doing the best that I can and not letting a bad grade or a mistake get to me. I hope that you all do the same (my fingers are crossed!)<br /><br />I wish you all the best and I'm here for anything. I'm sorry if some of you have been messaging me and I haven't replied back yet (I will!). <br /><a name='more'></a><br />Best regards from a Brownie,<br />Guadalupe Morales<br /></div>
</div>Madeline Kronenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00809038721402994691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861270559547287035.post-75521244918938253512012-07-18T10:58:00.001-07:002012-08-02T16:32:52.606-07:00Chris HabashHello Mr. Ramsey and fellow ILC cohorts,
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My name is Chris Habash and I am preparing to enter my second year at UC Berkeley. Even two years after my experience at Cornell in the Hotel Management course, I still hold in my mind the great memories I carved out for myself, the people I met, and the friends I made.
As my freshman year in college came to a close a few months ago, I was absolutely overwhelmed that already 25% of my undergraduate career has passed. I would just like to share a few things that I had realized are important to do in my future time in college, and hopefully they will prove to be useful for you, the incoming freshmen as you soon begin your own college experiences.
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I admit that during my first two semesters, I dedicated my time almost 24/7 to my classes and to my grades. If there was any opportunity for me to do something outside of studying, like join a club or even go to an introductory meeting about joining a club, I completely blocked that out of my mind, with the dominating thought: “that would mean wasted time I could have used to study.” There will, hopefully, come a time in your college experience when you realize that grades and classes are not the most important thing in the world, and how detrimental that thought is for your college experience and as a growing person. <br />
I learned that what is also important is making memories and lasting connections with people that you like, because that’s what you will carry with you years after you graduate. I think you start making friends and meeting new people when you make the effort to do something that you like. I guess that’s what being in the ILC also taught me.
The change of heart came after realizing that a whole year of college has passed and that I could not think of a memorable moment or experience that I had because I made an effort to. In my mind, I had accomplished my goal of getting really good grades, but a few months later, I wasn’t as happy as I imagined I would be. I could have joined a club I was thinking about and made new friends. <br />
Don't get me wrong, I wholeheartedly encourage you to challenge yourselves by taking a rigorous course load and exercising your mind in the process, while at the same time opening up to new experiences. However, I believe that if you don’t engage in something that you like or want to do for the fear of wasting your time, or failing at it, then you have already failed. Your time in college and onward will go faster than you think, whether because of work or personal circumstances, that you owe it to yourself to explore your interests.
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As a final word, take a breather before you enter college. It can be overwhelming, but always try your best, and always put things in perspective. Putting things in perspective is such an important lesson that I learned. When something went wrong, my method was to think of being in a worse situation, something silly like being on the Titanic as it sank or losing an arm; something that would remind me that things aren’t that bad. That worked, but I also learned that you should not underestimate your own misfortune just because something else seems worse relative to your situation.
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Lastly, I want to say congratulations again to the incoming freshmen this fall. I personally know some of my friends (that I made via the ILC, of course), who are entering amazing universities this fall, and always, thank you Mr. Ramsey, Don, Ms. Kronenberg, and the rest of the ILC team.
If anyone has any questions about Cal or college in general, don’t hesitate to ask.
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Sincerely,<br />
Chris Habash
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Hercules High School 2011
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<a name='more'></a>UC Berkeley 2015Madeline Kronenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00809038721402994691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861270559547287035.post-81713763356121520222012-07-16T09:47:00.003-07:002012-07-16T09:47:34.346-07:00Tayler WardWithin a person’s life, there are few events that can make a major impact. These events can change you for the worst, or for the better. My time with the Ivy League Connection has definitely been one of those events. And I can truly say I have grown and changed for the better. From my first orientation at my high school, Middle College High School, where they talked about the value of the Ivy League Connection, I knew it was something I wanted to be apart of. Throughout my high school career, I have heard the testimonies of all the previous ILC alumni who have gone to my school and been through the program. As a freshman I couldn’t wait until my opportunity to join. During my sophomore year the time came when it was finally my chance to apply to this program. When Don came to my school and spoke there were a lot of students who were also there to learn about the program. I had always known that I would have to compete against many students to get in, but I don’t think I ever realized just how competitive it would be until that moment. For not only was I competing against the students at my school, but also with students all over the district. I wrote my essays over winter break and the whole time I couldn’t help but wonder who else was writing their essays. Did they want this opportunity as badly as I did? On the fateful day when I received the email confirming that I had been selected for the interview, I was overjoyed. My hard work had actually paid off.
Going to the interview I was a nervous wreck. If they asked me this question what should I say? How should I hold my hands? How often do I smile? My whole interview process was a blur. I felt like it was so quick and as I sat back down in the holding room I was almost sure I hadn’t made it. But when we were all called back into the room for the final verdict, I was thrilled to have heard my name. This opportunity that had seemed so far off before was now just a couple of months away for me.
When the time finally came for my cohort and I to embark on this journey, so much anticipation had built up that I was ready to explode. During our first week in Providence, I felt that as a cohort, we were becoming inseparable. We got a chance to tour 4 different colleges during that first week. We spoke to alumni, students, and admission officers about their respective schools. We got an opportunity that many people would die for. And during that time I learned so much about colleges that I hadn’t known before. I learned what I truly wanted and didn’t want in a school. It was a wonderful experience for me. After the first week of growing so close to my cohort and chaperone, Mrs. Kaplan, it was time to head to our final destination at Brown University.
At Brown, I met so many people from literally all over the world. They were from all different backgrounds, which made everything very interesting. Dorm life was amazing but taking my Macroeconomics class was even more amazing. Within those three weeks, I learned so much. My instructor was perfect in explaining all of the topics and everyone in my class was genuinely interested in the topic, which made the learning environment so much better. My experience on the East Coast was with out a shadow of doubt one of the best things that has ever happened to me. And I have the ILC to thank for that.
This trip has helped me improve myself academically, socially, and personally. Academically, I have learned many different study techniques and the value of study groups. My cohort and I often met up to discuss the day’s topics and homework. These sessions greatly benefited me and helped with learning the course material. This is something I will definitely bring back to school as continue on with my high school career. I also learned my strengths socially. I learned how easily I could make friends. How at any moment I could find some one to eat a meal with or just have a conversation with. The friends I’ve made aren’t just one-time friends, they are life long companions. Personally I have grown so much as a person through this experience. I feel so much more independent. From doing my own laundry, to taking control of my own time management. These are skills that will always benefit me.
There were many “Ah ha” moments on this trip for me. One of them was touring Dartmouth and Wesleyan. These two colleges really helped me determined what I want in a university. Before being accepted to the Ivy League Connection I, like so many others, only consider California schools. But now after being shown the other side of the country and what’s out there my eyes are now open to new possibilities. Another event that had a great impact on me was meeting the great people at Summer@Brown who really made my experience brighter. Lastly, the dinner at Mistral made a significant impact on me. Meeting the students and a dean from Dartmouth had to be one of the most amazing events. Dartmouth had already been one of my favorite colleges but having this dinner really sealed the deal for me. I will definitely be applying to Dartmouth when the time comes. I feel so blessed to have had my eyes open to all the possibilities available to me.
The ILC has definitely changed me for the better. I only wish everyone had an opportunity to go on this journey like I did. That is why I feel that it is my duty to share with anyone I encounter just how many options we have available to us besides California schools. And how with a little exploration, a whole new world can be opened to you. The bottom line is we all should be open and not limit ourselves. If we get to know our own strengths and weaknesses, the world is our oyster.
I am so grateful for everyone who had a hand in allowing me to have this experience. So to Don, Mrs. Kronenberg, Mr. Ramsey, and all of the sponsors who had a hand in the ILC process, thank you. Thank you so much for being apart of one of the most life-changing events in my life. Thank you to Mr. Crosby for being wonderful our first week and to everyone on the East Coast who took the time out to come and speak and inspire us. Thank you to my cohort who made my experience all the more memorable. And thank you to the amazing Mrs. Kaplan who will always have a place in my heart. I am so grateful to have gone through the program and proudly say that I have changed for the better.
Tayler WardMadeline Kronenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00809038721402994691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861270559547287035.post-54581492870877940752012-07-16T09:45:00.001-07:002012-07-16T09:52:59.310-07:00Andrew WooHi Mr. Ramsey,
I guess the best way to begin is impart the best piece of advice I can offer after completing my first year at UC Berkeley as an intended Political Science focus. The lesson I have for future freshmen is to boldy enroll courses outside of whatever your core field may be, and not be intimidated in taking them for a grade versus pass/no pass. After this past spring semester, I realized that some of the most profound educational experiences as well as professors I met were outside of my major, such as Environmental Economics and City Planning. In both these courses, the professors, graduate student instructors, and fellow classmates all have great insights that taught me a lot about the specifics of other focused majors outside of my own, and whether or not I should pursue them in the future. In addition to the microeconomics and city planning, I ended up decided to pursue a minor in public policy with the Goldman School of Public Policy after taking Prof. Robert Reich's Public Policy C103 Wealth & Poverty course. This course has certainly changed a lot of my views, and made me develop that interest in public policy as a future avenue to broaden my years as hopefully a graduate student. Through these varying course subjects, I am extremely satisfied with what I have been able to achieve this past year.
I am currently enrolled in summer courses here at UC Berkeley which include ECON 100B and Music 26AC. So far, the pace of these six to eight week courses have been unforgiving, with every other day being another lecture on often a completely new subject. There are midterms quickly approaching as well as assignments due at the end of the week, leaving little time for myself to really escape the Berkeley campus since this past May. Despite the busy schedule, I will be candid in saying I make sure to maintain pleasurable exercise without formal faclilities, walking and biking to the campus, swimming in a shared pool, and playing sports on the Memorial Glade. I have been able to enjoy my summer while continuing to advance my educational opportunities.
So I hope that the future freshmen enjoy their first years at their universities and future institutions as I look forward to reading their own college stories.
-Andrew WMadeline Kronenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00809038721402994691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861270559547287035.post-38721354695813925902012-07-16T09:42:00.001-07:002012-07-16T09:53:36.969-07:00Beulah AgbabiakaHey ILC Family,
Everybody tells you that college is really fun and that you should go, but they don't tell you so much about the less-than-fun parts so I want to give you a bit of advice on those parts so that you don't go in expecting what I did, a mix of "High School Musical IV-College Fun" and "Stomp the Yard" [Which if you can't imagine b/c you haven't seen either HSM or Stomp the Yard is literally an insane expectation of Columbia University.]
My name is Beulah Agbabiaka and I'll be a sophomore at Columbia University in the fall. I'm so grateful to be there and I really appreciate the experience. There are many facets to Columbia and I got to explore a few this year. I'll start by telling you guys about dorm life. Dorm life is going to be what you make it. Fortunately this year, I got to have a single room as per my request because of my instruments and it was the perfect fit for me! My room was featured on Columbia's blog the Bwog http://bwog.com/2011/10/01/roomhop-fairytales-edition/ but I didn't (and don't LoL) watch "The Princess and the Frog" as much as it says on the article. I got involved in a ton of extra curriculars and one of them was a pilot program geared towards making dorm life fun and I certainly did my best when I was involved in event planning in the events for my Residence Hall, John Jay, like the Halloween Dance, and the Finals Review Study Sessions where Professors came in to various first-year residence hall lounges to teach abridged lectures for finals prep and we (Residence Hall Leadership Organization/RHLO) provided milk and cookies. While the dynamics of my floor weren't always my favorite and I had to learn how to navigate situations like a gross communal bathroom, micro-aggressions from students on my floor, and extreme homesickness (think crying on the phone to your mom to come and get you right now), I did navigate them and so can you. Don't give up!
Facet #2 Stresses of Classes:
Stresses of classes can be really intense so managing your time is essential. I'm sure you've been well prepared by your WCCUSD education for rigorous academics, but when you've got 30 pages of college level writing (throw your notions of the 5-paragraph-essay as well as your ego out of the window right now) due on Thursday, it's Tuesday night, and roughly 5 pages are done, you've got a sticky situation on your hands. If you plan your time realistically, which means understanding that almost nothing really takes 30 minutes whether that's laundry or an outline for a paper, you'll be fine. It's so important to remember not to overload your schedule since you have nothing to prove to anyone but yourself--you already made it to a great school that's a good fit for you. Stack your deck for success by taking challenging courses but not more than two extremely rigorous courses per semester if you can help it, try to get GE requirements (for us those requirements are the Core) out of the way early on, and remember to have fun and put your health first. Do your best, ask for extensions if it comes down to it, and keep a study first play later attitude and you'll be successful.
Facet #3 change in majors or academic interest:
Was a very difficult challenge for me, since I had been telling myself I was a Poli-Sci major born and bred since the 8th grade and I just didn't quite mesh with the Poli-Sci program at Columbia. I was positive that I wasn't going to be the student who changes majors in college, and I was right about not changing from my Jazz Studies Concentration but I had to let Poli-Sci go. I had to come to terms with the fact that learning about myself in college meant that I would learn/explore other interests that I had. I am now a proud African-American studies major with a Political Science focus, and I'm still getting the Poli-Sci I came for but now it's more culturally grounded. I had to learn that it's all right to change majors in college for the right reason and that may be something you all learn as well.
Facet #4 student body dynamics:
This may be the hardest or the easiest challenge to overcome in college depending on the student. I love to talk and I'm pretty friendly, but it's really hard for me to make new friends so this challenge was harder for me. One thing I had to learn was that not everybody is going to want to be your friend or even know how to talk to you since people come from so many different backgrounds, so it's important to find your niche while being open to the whole of the student body. To find my niche I joined pretty much every club they had :-). Not really, but I did join several: the Double Discovery Center (where I tutored youth from local schools), John Jay RHLO, Students Against Mass Incarceration, the Black Student's Organization, the Black History Month Planning Committee, I took part in the Student's of Color Leadership Retreat, I'm a tour guide for the Undergraduate Recruitment Committee, I'm a member of the Multicultural Recruitment Committee, I took an extra poetry class, I was the bassist for two Jazz Bands, and I played bass for a couple of musicals. After all of those extracurriculars I found my place at Columbia and really started to have fun but it definitely took a while. I had a really hard time adjusting to being so far away from my family, but it was a good experience as were a lot of things I encountered at Columbia--hard to deal with, but very fruitful.
I wish every body the best on their college journeys!
Beulah Agbabiaka
Columbia University 2015Madeline Kronenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00809038721402994691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861270559547287035.post-92218406022571246862012-07-12T08:49:00.001-07:002012-07-16T09:54:11.457-07:00Megan RobbDear Charles Ramsey and ILC members,
I have recently completed my first year at Denison University. This past year I have learned and experienced so many new things. One of the reasons that I decided to go out of state for college was so that I would become a stronger person.
My first semester, I spent a lot of time finding which study spaces and methods worked best for me. I tried a lot of different places like my dorm room, the library, and a few different academic buildings. Once I found a study space that was best for me, studying became a lot less tedious and stressful. Along with finding a space, I was also honing in my studying skills. College turned out to be a lot harder than high school, so I needed to learn which study habits worked best for me.
During my second semester I joined Kappa Kappa Gamma. When I first arrived at Denison I had no intention of joining a sorority, but after talking to a few of my friends, I decided to rush in the spring. I am extremely happy that I joined KKG because it allowed me to befriend so many great women that I would have otherwise not have had the opportunity to befriend. I have also been more involved with the school events, which I would have otherwise not participated in. Joining a Greek organization provides you with a family while in college and numerous connections once you are out of college.
I also volunteered for Big Brothers Big Sisters. Volunteering gave me the satisfaction that I was making my lunch buddy’s day better. It is also a good idea to make sure that you do something that you enjoy for at least an hour a week. I really enjoy helping others, so this is the one thing that I set time aside for. I plan to continue to volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters in the coming semesters.
You have probably heard this a million times, but time management is extremely important. Don’t take on more than you can handle. Take one thing at a time and be patient with yourself. It is not going to be as easy to get the good grades in college that you got in high school. With each semester you become more familiar with your study habits and therefore better able to handle your workload. I have heard from many that freshman year of college is often the hardest, so when the going gets tough, just remember that it will only get easier with each semester. Also never be afraid to talk to your professor. If you get work back that you aren’t happy with and want to know what you can do differently, go talk to your professor. This past semester I took a philosophy class with a professor that I was nervous to meet with, but once I met with him I got the feedback that I needed and I felt more comfortable talking with him. College can be stressful at times, but it is also filled with moments that you will hold on to and cherish for the rest of your lives. Good luck to those of you going off to college!
Megan Robb
De Anza Class of 2011
Denison Class of 2015Madeline Kronenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00809038721402994691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861270559547287035.post-12226248088296571832012-07-12T08:47:00.001-07:002012-07-16T09:54:38.606-07:00Dennis ShemDear ILC Cohorts,
I recognize that I am specifically addressing the new cohorts, but I can't help but also acknowledge the rest of the ILC who will also be reading my email. I hope that what I write is worth your time.
Nonetheless, to the new cohorts who have no idea who I am: My name's Dennis Shem, and I just wrapped up my Sophomore year at UC Berkeley. I am (finally) a declared Psychology major, on the pre-medical track (which you will find is not a major, but a set of required classes), with the prospect of possibly pursuing a double major in Molecular and Cell Biology.
Now that I've introduced myself by what I study, let me tell you that I'm an avid musician, I've been getting into photography, and I have almost 100 stamps at a local boba shop. Why am I telling you this? Because college classes are easy, college life is what's hard. There's more to life than just what you will be studying, or what you're hoping to have a career in.
By no means am I downplaying how utterly destructive some classes can be, and many of you will have to figure out how find a way of studying that works for you at college. But that stuff is easy. You've been going to school your whole lives, and you will have shown that you have the skills to make it into a good University. I look back to high school, and despite it's faults, I feel that it DID prepare me well enough to get a foothold on the academics of college. Put in the the time towards your classes and you will be fine.
I say this, because this past school year, I had a good system of how to study for my classes. What made sophomore year difficult was life. Be prepared to question everything. What makes college challenging is having to finally answer Life's questions. "Why am I studying this?" "How am I gonna survive after college?" "What am I doing this all for?". While it may be too soon for you to be thinking about it, you will be challenged by these questions and thoughts as you progress your way. Hopefully by the time I graduate, I will be able to have a good answer to those questions myself.
Classes are easy, life is hard. Find friends who you can see as being life-long, and make sure to put aside time to invest in them. It's been said that at Berkeley, many students evaluate everything by asking "Is it worth my time?" and "How much time is it gonna take?". I'm imploring you to say 'yes, it is worth my time' to go have dinner with a friend, because friendships are some of the only things that will matter 4 years AFTER college.
Also, pursue your interests outside of the classroom. Your interests are what real people care about. You now have the ability to pick what you want to do. I would suggest they be things that fall outside the category of "activities that will help me get a job".
To keep from going too long, I'll stop there. As with everyone else, I'm available to talk about admissions, my major, or any other questions about college. Thank you for reading what this slightly jaded college student has to say about figuring yourself out in college.
Yours,
Dennis ShemMadeline Kronenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00809038721402994691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861270559547287035.post-48350141154608255602012-07-12T08:45:00.001-07:002012-07-16T09:55:29.614-07:00Stephanie ChanHello Mr. Ramsey and fellow ILC students,
My name is Stephanie Chan and I can finally say that I survived my first year of college! I attend UC Davis as a Managerial Economics major and am very happy with my decision. (Currently, I am in Paris, the city of love, studying abroad for seven weeks!) It feels as if I just moved into my dorm yesterday, and now I have moved out of the dorm already. While time flies, it is important to find a balance between your social life, health, and academics. It is definitely a struggle to balance all three, especially during midterm and finals week, but it will definitely be rewarding in the end.
If there was one thing I could re-do, I would have without a doubt, taken advantage of my local community college courses and take as many AP tests as possible. Why? Freshmen that come in with units are granted an earlier pass time, which gives them the advantage to ensure a spot for the classes they need/want. I'm not a science major, but I know for a fact that it is not fun when you can't take the classes you absolutely need. Not only does it give you one step ahead of your peers, but often times, most courses transfer over for General Education(GE) requirements, or simply just add to your needed number of units to graduate. The same goes for AP credits. The best part of it is that you have a good chance of graduating early--- and who wouldn't want to do that?
Secondly, I would have taken up a job in high school. During that time, I thought high school was enough already, but the truth is, college is ten times more rigorous and demanding. My parents never pushed me to find a job either because they wanted me to focus on my academics and I partly agree. Personally, I have been looking for jobs on our school's job search engine, and I discovered that some minimum wage jobs require cash handling experience from one to two years. That definitely hindered me from applying to a handful of job openings. If I had taken a job at a coffee shop or the mall, it would have allowed me to be 'eligible' to apply.
Nevertheless, I've also made very smart decisions that had great turnouts.
1) I chose to room with random roommates. Yes, it's a hit or a miss. However, rooming with complete strangers allow you to be more open-minded to the different opinions/values of others. It also enables you to learn how to share a common space and be flexible to others preferences.
2) As I mentioned above, I am currently in Paris, France studying abroad. I had the privilege to apply to the same program as my older sister, Stacy, who attends UC Berkeley. We are studying French 1 and 2, and also Paris as Palimpsest which is a history/culture course. In the beginning, I was hesitant whether studying abroad as a first-year is a good idea. I can say that it is probably the most rewarding decision I have made for myself. Not only does it give me a chance to learn about the people and culture of Paris, but also to learn through a different and much smaller setting. While a typical UC lecture hall seats around 300+, my French class has only 18 students, and my Palimpsest class has about 20 students. It's an entirely different scene because the professor has the time and ability to give attention to every student and knows each student by name rather than by their ID number. I've finally adjusted to the differences here after two weeks, and I had my difficulties, yet traveling abroad really opened my mind to new people, ideas, classes, food, architecture, and history. The ILC is all about opening your mind, and this experience certainly does that. I strongly encourage everyone to study abroad if you have the chance to do so, and it is never too early to start. I look forward to studying abroad again in the near future.
Warm Regards,
Stephanie Chan
Hercules High School 2011
UC Davis 2015Madeline Kronenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00809038721402994691noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5861270559547287035.post-79159451031645546062012-07-12T08:44:00.001-07:002012-07-16T09:55:58.626-07:00Brandon Aaron AmargoDear Ivy League Connection,
I’ve just finished my first year at Cal and surprisingly am entering my final year. I’ve just finished my first summer course on the American Legal System (Political Science 150) in which we analyzed Supreme Court cases and just started my second summer course on analyzing American Public Problems (Political Science 186). This coming May I will be graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with an emphasis in Political Theory.
In addition to school, I have continued working at the Vice Chancellor for Research Office as an Administrative Assistant and recently received a raise after working for six committed months. I truly love the office and have built strong professional relationships with the staff in the office, the Vice Chancellor and Associate/Assistant Vice Chancellors in Research. While completing my studies and working I am no longer living in the dorms and am instead living in a single apartment in beautiful downtown Berkeley (thanks Mom and Dad!) close to Trader Joe’s, campus, Yoga to the People (die-hard Yogi) and Bart for trips to San Francisco.
Recapitulating my last email to ILC, I advise everyone to highly consider Cal when applying to universities. Despite budget cuts, it truly is an amazing place that provides an unbelievable amount of services and resources to its students. Remember, you can make a big school small, but you can't make a small school big. Here at Cal, every student finds his or her niche whether it is a club, organization or association. Another myth is about financial aid at Cal. We see in the news rising UC tuition, but just recently Chancellor Birgeneau announced that UC Berkeley would be the first public university to provide its middle class students a financial aid plan. An unknown yet remarkable fact about Cal is that it serves more students on financial aid than all Ivy League schools combined, giving the opportunity of higher education to as many students as possible regardless of their socioeconomic background.
To all future Golden Bears congratulations on being accepted, your experience at Cal will certainly be like no other.
If you have any questions feel free to email me. Best of luck to the ILC.
Go Bears!
Brandon Aaron AmargoMadeline Kronenberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00809038721402994691noreply@blogger.com0