WHICH UNIVERSITY ARE YOU PLANNING TO ATTEND AND WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR CHOICE?
I am very excited to study computer science at Harvard's class of '22! While Harvard has a great CS department, the main reason I chose Harvard was because of the institution's awareness of the role of technology in the evolution and development of society. I think this aligns both with Concordia's strength in STEM and its focus on service. (Tbh, one thing that did not help was the school color of crimson. I like Concordia's school colors of blue and yellow much better :D.)
WAS THERE A PARTICULAR PROGRAM THAT INTERESTED YOU WHEN CHOOSING WHERE TO APPLY?
I am currently interested in computer science, though this might change. I chose Harvard as opposed to a dedicated computer science department like at Carnegie Mellon because of Harvard's holistic undergraduate experience that would expose me to a variety of different fields and activities. Recently, CS enrollment at Harvard has suddenly spiked and is their second most popular major (after economics as of 2017). I think it will be fun to learn alongside all of these future computer scientists and develop the technical skills to use technology for social change.
IN YOUR TIME AT CONCORDIA WHICH CLASSES, PROGRAMS OR SCHOOL RELATED ACTIVITIES HELPED TO SUPPORT YOUR INTEREST IN YOUR MAJOR?
Concordia helped me grow so much, especially Mr. Klammer (and all of his classes/clubs including robotics, computer science, engineering, and physics). These things really got me interested in the sciences and planted an excitement for engineering and creation. Concordia has so many opportunities in STEM -- the teachers are devoted to our education and will often take time out after school and even during vacations to hold math competitions, supervise in the makers space, help out with any projects, or even travel internationally with us for sports or STEM events and competitions.
Personally, Concordia really helped me come out of my shell. When I first came, I literally barely talked. However, Concordia's nurturing environment taught me that people really don't bite (for the most part at least).
IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT MADE YOUR APPLICATION(S) STAND OUT?
Extraordinary is the norm nowadays both at Concordia and within the entire college process-- I'm not really sure if or how I stood out! I am just super thankful to my teachers, family and friends for a great education and an awesome high school experience, as well as everything I could ask for in terms of opportunities and resources.
WHAT EXCITES YOU MOST ABOUT COLLEGE LIFE?
My classmates will be awesome-- among the most brilliant minds in the world-- and I think the experience will be both humbling and eye-opening. Just being in such an environment will inspire me so much simply through osmosis! I have so much to learn from my future classmates/friends.
I am also really looking forward to the vibrant college life in general-- the orchestras, clubs, and residential system. Harvard is one of the only colleges that sorts roommates for compatibility by hand!
Also, there are so many cool resources. For example, when I visited, I went unsupervised to the very bottom (underground section) of Widener Library and pressed random buttons on the movable book cases, and that was a lot of fun. I also got to see a rare copy of the Gutenberg Bible on display (with hand-drawn decorations and everything!) as well as some of Emily Dickinson's handwritten poems (which were interesting because we recently learned about Dickinson's eccentric dashes in my literature class!). The observatory was also really cool and students who take a specific course have open access to the room (I got see the moon through a professional telescope!). It is amazing how many cool things I will be able to do even without professor supervision. SEAS similarly has amazing facilities and great clubs and activities. Also, the engineering department has a gigantic expansion planned for 2020 in Allston with more great maker spaces, and all sorts of cool stuff. There is so much to be excited about.
