[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.