My ILC Experience, From Start to Finish

The first time I heard about the ILC was almost three years ago when I had first moved to California. I was making the effort to learn more about the school and district I would now be attending when I came across one of the blogs from the ILC. Reading through the experiences of some of the past ILCers left me amazed at the type of incredible opportunities students were offered in this district. I desperately wanted to be a part of the program but I found very little about the application process online. 

It wasn’t until last fall, three years later, when I once again encountered the ILC. This time I was being invited to the presentation held by Don where I learned all the details about the program and how to become a part of it. Hearing more about the ILC from Don and some of the ILCers from my school furthered my interest in the program. I knew I had to be a part of it.

Shortly after attending the presentation, Don sent out details for the applications to the first program they would offer, Vanderbilt. I found great interest in the Neuroscience course offered by Vanderbilt and decided to apply. A few weeks after submitting my application, I was ecstatic to find out I had progressed to the interview stage and was one step closer to becoming an ILCer. 

After writing my Vanderbilt essays over winter break, the time finally came for the interviews. I was incredibly nervous the day of my interview. I can remember very little of what was asked and what I said, but it was not nearly as difficult as I imagined. Unfortunately, all of the effort put into the application process didn’t result in my selection in the program. Although I was momentarily discouraged, I knew that I couldn’t miss out on this opportunity so I decided I would apply again, this time to the University of Chicago. 

Once again after the submission of my application, I was chosen to interview for a position in the UChicago cohort. I was so grateful to have been given this chance again. This time around I felt a little more prepared for the interview but walking into the waiting room instantly made the interview process feel different. The competitiveness in the room was very intense. Interview after interview, students came out feeling confident in their responses which made me question how I had done since I felt nowhere near confident. When the panelists came out to read the names of the students they had chosen, I was not expecting my name to be one of them. Thankfully though, the panelists had deemed me worthy of one of the UChicago scholarships. 

The few months after the interviews were spent completing our UChicago applications and attending several meetings for the ILC. First, came the cohort meeting and tutorial where we discussed one of the most important aspects of our journey, blogging. I found blogging very difficult in the beginning and knowing once I got to Chicago I would have to do it every day intimidated me. Now, as I am here writing my last blog I realize how much I have grown since then. I no longer struggle as much with my writing, which I feel has improved since our first blogs. I also realize how cool it is that when I look back on this experience in a few years I will have my first-hand account of every milestone of this experience and everday spent in Chicago.

After the first two events, our cohort attended our first meeting including our chaperone, John, an orientation with our parents, and finally a school board meeting. Through all of these meetings, we got to further bond with each other, our chaperone, and the Vanderbilt cohort. Each event also brought us closer and closer to Departure Day. Closer to the trip where I learned to be a more independent, critical thinking, and dedicated version of myself. 

For everything I learned, I thank Don who puts so much effort into this program which has impacted my life greatly. Thank you for supporting, encouraging, and believing in me even when I found it hard to believe in myself. Thank you for giving me this incredible opportunity of being part of the Ivy League Connection because of which I grew so much.

Through the ILC, I have gained exposure to the college experience I would have otherwise never gotten. I learned the payoff of being dedicated and working hard. Being an ILCer required a lot of effort but looking back at everything, it was completely worth it. I also learned to value the struggle I faced in my course. Struggle at my high school doesn’t come from how rigorous the work is, it comes from how much of it there is. I am so thankful to have finally been exposed to the opposite of that at UChicago. 

I am so grateful for everything the ILC has taught me. This amazing program has changed my life in more ways than one. Thank you, Ivy League Connection!

[MSJ] : An Amazing Experience

The ILC experience didn't start when we stepped on the plane at six in the morning on July 5th. Rather, my journey with the ILC started last fall. I'd seen a poster above the water fountain at El Cerrito High advertising the Ivy League connection. Intrigued, I joined about 100 other ECHS students in the gym. I remember Don sharing the ILC slogan: "When opportunity knocks, some people answer the door while others complain about the noise."

I wasn't going to complain, but I didn't think it was easy to get through the door. In fact, it would end up taking a lot of work. I hadn't realized the full scope of the application procedure: multiple essays, an interview and then the application to UChicago itself. 

From the get-go, organization was key. I had to check emails, read carefully, understand essay prompts or interview questions, and respond appropriately. The essay writing, in particular, was something new. I've written argumentative essays for English class before, but I have never had to introduce myself in 500 words or less. Now I realize that this exercise will definitely help me to prepare for the college application essays next summer, after my junior year.

Our first cohort meeting at Kaleidoscope coffee – so long ago

In a similar manner, before to the ILC application interview, I had never done an interview in my life. The Ivy League Connection provided me with a way to prepare and practice my interviewing skills for the first time. I had to explain my thinking in a short amount of time, in a genuine manner but also elaborating with an example or two. I also learned how to channel my nervousness in a productive way. Those same skills really helped a few months later when I went in for my first job interview. (I got the job!)

Preparing for the trip

After the interviews, we had several group meetings to prepare us for the trip. I remember the first blog I wrote after the Chicago cohort met at Kaleidoscope coffee in Richmond. We set up our blog site, and since then, I've become a more confident writer due to the daily blogs in Chicago. I enjoyed dreaming up catchy blog titles and selecting fun and interesting pictures to show what I was experiencing. Finding the right words was harder, but daily practice paid off.

I have already written so much about the actual experience in Chicago. It was particularly exciting to be around other motivated students from all around the United States - and even from other countries - all who wanted to be there to learn. It was only three weeks, so it was just a small taste of dorm life and the fast pace of college classes, but now I'm looking forward to college in a way I never have before.

I think that the main takeaway is that for me, the ILC represented an amazing opportunity to step up and do something I wouldn't otherwise have done. I hope other students in WCCUSD have the opportunity to have a similar experience. In the future, I definitely would encourage all students to take the time and effort to put forth the best application they can to be a part of the ILC. I will definitely be recommending this to my friends and others in my classes. 

This is Goodnight and not Goodbye

My first encounter with the ILC was early on in the school year. Don came to El Cerrito High to give a presentation in the afternoon of a school day. I must admit, I was not overly enthusiastic about the idea of sitting around and listening to someone speak for an hour or two, especially when it meant having to miss class and do two days of work in the following day. Despite this, I went along with the 200+ other students giving Don a chance to tell them about something they had never heard of before. As you might have guessed, I am so glad I made this decision. I don't actually remember a lot of what Don said that day, as I didn't take notes because I was not planning on applying, but what I do remember is who else spoke. Evan and Javaria, two of the (former) juniors that I respect most, both endorsed the ILC. Now that got my attention. 

I emailed Don expressing my interest in the program and pored over the details of being an ILCer and how to get there. I decided to apply to the University of Chicago program for several reasons: a) the location seemed more interesting, b) my sister's friend is going there and loves it, and c) I liked the look of the courses offered better. I really should have spent more time on my initial essay application, but I thought that the majority of those 200+ students who were there with me that day would apply and there was no chance I would be accepted. I was horrified to hear that only twenty-one students submitted an application to the ILC for the Chicago program. I hoped that it was good enough, and apparently it was, at least just barely. Don decided to pass on an extra person to the interview stage because a few of the essays were in such close competition (though he did not say exactly whose essays these were).

I was even more nervous than the last time around for the interviews, as I am not the most charismatic nor eloquent of speakers (as you probably gathered from this blog). I was sweating bullets in the days preceding the few hours that would decide my fate. However, it was not as bad as I had expected. I had a great evening discussing school and life in general with the other applicants, and the interview clearly did not go that badly if I made it into the top four. After my name was read off, I was elated but simultaneously sad that so many others would not be able to go.

The next step was to actually apply to the University of Chicago Immersion program. The essay requirements were very limiting, but it was a cool challenge to attempt to convey everything I wanted to say about my experiences with math and what I liked about astrophysics in under 1600 characters in each of two essays. After I had submitted those essays and all of the necessary forms, it was on to the first of several meetings with Don and my Chicago cohort companions. 

We met at a cafe in Richmond to talk about what layout we wanted the blog to have and what appearance we wanted to give it. What you are seeing around and behind this text is what we came up with just that evening. 

The next event was the Tutorial, during which Don talked about what we would need for the trip, our responsibilities while away, and how to blog properly. 

The Tutorial.

Pizza to live for.

The next month, my group met (at Zachary's, and yes, it was delicious) without Don but for the first time with our chaperone, John Hillyer (also known as the Admiral), and Jahvni, who had attended the Immersion program at Chicago previously. She gave us a bit of insight into what we should expect from the dorms, the people, and the classes, while the Admiral explained what his role would be while we were all halfway across the country. 

In June, at the Orientation, we met with more people that had gone to Chicago with the ILC in previous years to learn any important pieces of information that we might want to know prior to arriving. 

At the Orientation.

Our final interaction before the day of departure was at a WCCUSD Board meeting, during which we were given a few minutes to impress upon its members the importance of continuing the ILC program into future years. With each meeting, I got to know my fellow ILCers a bit better, and I became a little less nervous about somehow managing to waste this glorious opportunity. 

After the board meeting.

During this process, I feel like I have learned a few crucial lessons. It is important to never waste an opportunity due to laziness, as taking risks like these is what makes life worth something, and sitting around wishing you felt more accomplished isn't. I almost didn't apply to the ILC out of pure laziness. I definitely had enough time, but I just felt little motivation to do so. I am so, so happy that I found that small part of myself that wanted to do something useful during the summer. Second, if you have a weakness that you'd prefer not to have, work at it. I have always had trouble starting my writing. I used to sit for hours, staring at a blank screen, with no idea how to write the beginning, middle, or end of an essay. When I had to blog every day, though, it forced me to just start. Even if I had no idea where I was heading, just writing a few sentences gave me a base to work off of.

It's been great. Thank you all for reading my blogs, it feels quite good to know that someone will listen to what I have to say. Good night!

P.S. The title is a reference to the camp song "Linger".

The Start of a New Journey

Education is the answer to some of the most pressing questions that are left unanswered. Many of the issues that threaten our long-term values of the country from capitalism to healthcare can be solved with an education. What I learned at the University of Chicago does not limit itself to only the Saieh Hall of Economics but allows us to improve businesses, government values, and our personal lives. One of the core reasons as to why I decided to study Economics was so that I could better implement these lessons into my life. 

In Mid-December, Don came over to Middle College High School to inform students about the Ivy League Connection. I remember coming out of the orientation and one of his quotes I recall is, "When opportunity knocks, some people answer the door while others just complain about the noise." I felt at this very moment that the Ivy League Connection was the next step to better my academically and socially. I knew I was going to apply to this program. This is one of the opportunities that I had to grasp. 

The ILC was soon taking in Vanderbilt applications. I remember I was in class when I received Don's email and my heartbeat gradually increased because I was very nervous from that moment forward. I spent hours and hours writing the application but unfortunately, I was not chosen for the interview process. Perseverance, however, is key! I spoke with Don on how I could improve my future essays, and implemented some of his advice onto the Chicago prompt. I was chosen as one of the 9 students for the UChicago interview, and I immediately knew after looking through the course offerings that I wanted to study Economics. While in the interview, I heavily emphasized the importance of Economics in the 21st century and how I can implement it to strengthen our community. As the interviewers announced my name for selection, I texted my family to share this moment of happiness. 

From then on, it has been one heck of a ride with the rest of the ILC'ers. We have attended the tutorial, meet and greet dinner, orientation, school board presentation and finally the University of Chicago. While at the tutorial, I further connected with many UChicago and Vanderbilt cohort. As soon as the school board presentation rolled by, I knew that it was only a matter of weeks before I would depart for the University of Chicago. 

The Board Presentation

People know me as a very energetic person but while at Chicago it was different because I started doubting my capabilities. I had never experienced this sort of rigor ever in a classroom. Economics was completely different! I remember running into some guys taking Molecular Engineering and all of them were stress-free whereas I was running circles back and forth to office hours. The majority of the students had taken Microeconomics and Macroeconomics before whereas I had no experience with Econ whatsoever. At a point, I felt very depressed because I compared myself with every student in the class, and ranked myself at the very bottom. I spent more time studying but still found it difficult to keep up with the pace of the course. As I started talking more to my mentors, they made me realize that everyone has an absolute advantage in something and for me, it was public speaking. While taking the course, I realized plenty of weaknesses whereas other students learned about their strengths. When one reflects upon his/her weaknesses and aims to improve it, that shows progress. Many of the students came to the course knowing what the teacher was going to teach, thus they did not show as much progress as I did. Moreover, from taking the course alone, I realized I should never compare myself with anyone because it is what I take away from the class, not solely my grade. As I am writing this, I can imagine the differences in my personal values as compared to three weeks ago. I have made progress by a long way. 

I, also, learned about the true value of an education in Economics. Before the start of the course, I knew very little if anything about Econ. As the course assignment, the students were assigned to read, The Why Axis, in which the book connects Microeconomics with Macroeconomics. I had always been interested in how the government makes decisions and the book gave a better insight into Macro-level econ. For instance, it gave a real-life example of the reason people discriminate, the incentive to make a profit, and ways to go about solving this on a personal and governmental level. Furthermore, I learned a great deal about how we can go about improving our educational system - which incentives students react to, how students are more focused, etc. Furthermore, the Microecon book discussed how individual agents can make better choices. The topics we discussed ranged from opportunity cost to budget constraints. These topics apply to many of our personal lifestyles and, if implemented correctly, we can make better and optimal decisions. 

Economics!!

Throughout the 3 weeks, I made a lot of friends. Many of my friends had that hunger for success but also a lot of craziness embedded in them. They wanted to be the next CEO's of Fortune 500 companies. In college, you find people that are very similar to you. While many of us were splitting apart, we all felt really sad but these memories that we created in 3 weeks always stay with us forever. Don always asks us to take a ton of pictures and he does so because these are memories we can reflect upon. Looking 10 years into the future, and we are sharing a drink with one of our friends at work or even our roommate, we can reflect upon many of these memories with just a picture in hand. Maybe our group in snapchat won't die out and will remain forever. Maybe we do decide to meet up in the years to come, we are able to reflect upon the videos and pictures we took. The relationships I made while at UChicago are surely going to last a long time.

Two of my very close friends!

I developed a lot of patience while in Chicago. My parents complain to me and tell me about how impatient I am. Everything that Generation Z demands is literally handed to them. I can only imagine the time it took when writing a paper for a class only 30 years ago - going to the library, talking to the librarians, and opening up the encyclopedias - whereas now Google is our librarian, encyclopedia, and research-hub. Relative to my peers, I have not had everything handed to me as I had to work for it from a young age, but even so I lacked a lot of patience. And while learning more about Econ, I developed the skill a lot. I spent hours and hours, something that I am not used to, figuring out a single problem in our Problem Set whereas at my traditional high school the most it took to solve a problem set was only 30 minutes. This difference in learning allowed me to develop patience and a better work ethic by a long way. 

While at UChicago, I read a chapter in the Dalai Lama's book, The Art of Happiness, after Ivan, my very close friend, recommended me to read a single chapter. It talks about the importance of compassion in our everyday lives. We must place ourselves in the shoes of one another and try to understand each other's point of view so we can lift each other up. I reflected back on the many times where Admiral and Don practiced compassion and how it has impacted all of the ILC'ers. From replying to texts near midnight all the way to lending us items, Don Gosney and John Hillyer, have made my transition to UChicago much smoother. Thank you guys! 

The Ivy League Connection has truly impacted my life. From the many skills I developed to the amazing moments I shared with my friends, the ILC has truly stood by me. I am very grateful for the sponsors, West Contra Costa Unified School District, and the people that made this possible (i.e John, Don, etc.). You all can entrust me to communicate many of my experiences and economic knowledge to my peers, family, and my community so everyone has an opportunity to learn.

This is the start of a new journey! Thank you Ivy League Connection!