For nearly two
years, I have been a part of The Ivy League Connection. It is hard to
articulate into words how much I have grown since being part of the program. I
have become a far more confident and engaged person. I have become a more
independent learner, yet my ability to work with others has improved. I now
understand how to approach and overcome obstacles in a more efficient way. The
Ivy League Connection enabled me to expand my horizons. Because of Ivy League
Connection, I now have a clearer idea of who I am and of who I want to become.
After
participating in the Women and Leadership Program at Brown last summer, I
wanted to try out a more academic program. I applied to the Constitutional Law
Program at Columbia University in New York City. I remember the part of the
application essay prompt clearly:
Considering the influence
corporations and Super PACs had in these elections, does this Supreme Court
ruling rise to the occasion of a Constitutional Amendment? Did the Supreme
Court overstep their authority in their ruling?
After reading
the prompt a few times I still didn’t understand it. I knew that I would have
to do some research and put some serious time into writing in order to submit a
solid essay. If I had not participated in the Women and Leadership Course last
year, I may have just given up. Participating in this program, however, taught
me to persevere despite all odds.
After
several hours of writing, and even more time spent researching, I finished my
essay. Before writing this essay, I knew almost nothing about the Supreme Court
or the Constitution. After completing the essay, I couldn’t wait to learn more
about it. I found the topic extremely interesting. Even if I wasn’t accepted
into the Constitutional Law Program, I would have continued to learn more about
issues surrounding the Constitution and the Supreme Court.
I vividly
remember reading the email Don sent to inform the applicants of who made it to
the interview part of the application process. I remember scrolling down the
page to the list of names. A wave of relief flooded over me when I saw my name.
I had made it to the interview part of the selection process!
Surprisingly, I
was far more anxious for the interview this year. When I was interviewed for
the Women and Leadership Program, I didn’t care as much if I was accepted. I
had no idea that participating in the program would have such a profound
positive influence on my life. This year, I knew that being accepted into the
Constitutional Law program would ensure another life changing experience. When
Don called my name to announce that I was accepted, a feeling of pure
excitement overcame me. The smile on my face lasted for days. It was the middle
of the school year, but I could not wait until summer.
Fortunately
there were several ILC events during the school year that gave me a taste of my
summer experience. At the Columbia potluck, I met my incredible chaperone, Ms.
L, and my amazing cohort. The school board meeting enabled me to recognize the
gigantic group of remarkable people I would represent during my time back East.
I left the event knowing that I would have to consider a lot more than just
myself when making decisions. The choices I would make would reflect not just
myself, but my entire community. I felt honored to represent such an amazing
and diverse group of people. The Columbia dinner in San Francisco was a once in
a lifetime opportunity to meet and mingle with students and alumni of Columbia
University. It was a privilege to meet these remarkable people and I left the
dinner feeling even more excited to go to Columbia. By the time the orientation
came, Ivy League Connections had already provided me with so many valuable
experiences that it was hard to imagine that the bulk of my experience was
still to come.
As our departure
date grew closer, my anticipation for the trip grew larger. Arriving at El Cerrito High at 2:45 AM was
definitely the most anticipated moment of my summer. It was, however, pretty
anticlimactic due to the fact that nearly everyone except Don was half-asleep. Still,
it was one of the most exciting moments I’ve ever had while half-asleep. It was
the first step to our trip across the country.
After a
relatively uneventful plane ride, we landed in New York. Once we went outside,
I was struck by the green landscape. Unlike California where grass must be
constantly irrigated in order to stay green, the frequent thunderstorms on the
East Coast keep the landscape lush. As we drove closer to the city, the green
grass and forested areas slowly faded into an urban landscape. Eventually, the
buildings grew taller and closer together and we found ourselves in the heart
of New York City. I was blown away by
the size of the City. It was absolutely gigantic and I could not believe that I
would have an entire month to explore this vibrant place.
Our first week spent
in New York was incredibly full. Our mornings were filled with sightseeing
while our afternoons were spent on college tours. Nearly everyday was concluded
with a fancy dinner where we had the opportunity to meet with current students
and alumni of Ivy League Schools. This week really got me thinking about what I
want in a college. After seeing so many schools, I now feel much more confident
that I’ll pick a school that is truly right for me. The people I met at the
dinners are people I’ll never forget. I was so grateful to hear honest and
insightful answers to my questions. I know I’ll keep in contact with many of
these remarkable individuals.
The opportunity
to attend these dinners is something only accessible to those who are part of
Ivy League Connections. The chance to have a real conversation with students,
alumni, and admissions officers of Ivy League schools is incredibly valuable.
In just one conversation with a student, I was able to gain a sense of what
their school is really like. Having the chance to introduce myself to
admissions officers was such a privilege. Everyone I talked to taught me
something important. I received advice that I’ll carry with me not only in
college, but also throughout my entire life.
Despite an
incredible first week, I could not wait to move into the dorms at Columbia and
begin class. Waiting outside the long line outside of the Hartley dorm was one
of the most exciting lines I have ever waited in. After we received our room
keys and student IDs, the rest of the day flew by. That evening, there was a
welcome dance where I met students from all around the world. I couldn’t wait
to spend the next three weeks with these amazing people.
We dove straight
into the material on our first day of class. I remember feeling the energy in
the classroom. Despite our different values, backgrounds, and views we all
shared a common love of learning. This made for an incredible three weeks of
learning, debating, and growing.
Our first
homework assignment was several pages of very dense Supreme Court cases. Simon
and I spent hours in the library trying to decipher the text. It was the most
difficult reading assignment of my life. As the days went on, however, the
reading became much easier. I understood what to look for in each Supreme Court
case. Eventually, I was able to finish each reading assignment with good
comprehension of the material and in a timely manner. Having the challenge of
such dense reading material enabled me to grow as a reader. I now feel much
more confident in my ability to read college level material in an efficient
way.
In my opinion,
one of the most valuable aspects of the class was the essay assignment. The
assignment was very open ended. Basically, we had to write a 2000 word essay on
a topic related to the Supreme Court. I choose to write my essay the Citizens
United v. The Federal Election Commission Supreme Court ruling. We had limited
time to write the essay, so I knew that I needed to be efficient in order to
complete the task on time. I also knew that my instructor would be grading us
on a college level. After completing the essay, I became confident in my
ability to write at a high level in an efficient way.
The three weeks
I spent at Columbia University prepared me to succeed at a college level. The rigorous
course work in conjunction with the distractions of New York City forced me to
manage my time effectively. I now feel far more confident in my ability to succeed
in college. Without The Ivy League Connection, I know I would feel very
differently.
My trip to the East Coast was definitely the most valuable four
weeks of my life. Each day I learned countless lessons and met amazing people.
The best part is, though, that it doesn’t end here. I will share what I’ve
learned with those unable to experience it for themselves and give back to my
community in a positive way. Thank you Ivy League Connections for providing me
not only the best four weeks of my life, but also with the tools necessary to
go out and make my community a better place.
