Hi!
My
name is Austin Long. I am a Pinole Valley High School graduate, and I'm
currently a sophomore at Yale University, prospectively majoring in Chemistry!
I'd
first like to apologize to Mr. Ramsey for my extremely long delay in sending
this. Being home for the holidays and spending time with family and friends has
a habit of making me absentminded, and I'm sorry for my forgetfulness. Thanks
to the ILC and the WCCUSD School Board, your work keeps our students
competitive in higher education and in the workforce, and you often don't
receive enough credit for all that you do for us, so thank you!
Contrary
to popular belief, college is cool! Especially here at Yale University. Yale is
an amazing place. I know everyone says this about their own college, but Yale
truly is a paragon of education. We have unparalleled faculty, resources,
classes, and opportunities.
Last
semester I took four classes, Chinese (Level 5), Introductory Physics,
Multivariable Calculus, and a class on Science and Public Policy. I had a
relatively light course load because I had to focus on finishing a couple
prerequisites for my upper level chemistry classes next year. Of all my
classes, the class I enjoyed the most was my Science and Public Policy class,
not just because of the content, but because we had a large number of renowned
professors and experts in their fields come to our class to share their
experiences and knowledge with us!
Like
in high school, I really enjoy extracurricular activities, so I've been trying
to be as involved as possible here at Yale. In the clubs I spend most of my
time at, I am treasurer of the Yale Undergraduate Aerospace Association,
Co-Chair of the Asian American Student Association's Political Action and
Education Committee, and the External Relations Director of the Yale Global
China Connections Chapter. In addition, I also work at a local high school as a
Public School Intern, where I help tutor students and link the school with Yale
resources. By doing so many activities, I feel that I've really broadened my
skill set, and I'm learning to multitask better and more efficiently.
I
think the best thing about college though is the immense wealth of
opportunities that it provides you with. Last summer I was able to study
Mandarin in Beijing, China entirely on Yale's dime, and next week I will be
able to attend the 2013 Presidential Inauguration of President Barack Obama
because of Yale.
This
next semester, I'm taking quite a few more courses than last semester, because
I'm working attempting a double major of Chemistry and Political Science, but
the feasibility of that remains to be seen.
Good
luck to all the high school seniors as you go through college interviews and to
all the others as you apply for ILC! I wish you all the best, and I hope that
if you have any questions at all, feel free to contact me at austin.long@yale.edu!
Happy
New Years!
Best
wishes,
Austin
Long
(510)
260-7730
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