Seniors: Next Steps
While I could not ask every senior at Comp Sci High about their college journeys, they still deserve a shoutout. Each one of them has worked hard to get to where they are now, and regardless of where they end up, they all have something to be proud of right now.
It’s finally June, and us seniors have a lot on our minds when it comes to the end of this school year. Our senior trip, Prom, and graduation are all very important, but I’d like to focus on where some of us are going in life after we receive that diploma.
Skidmore College
I wanted to start with Skidmore first, since I knew that at least 4 seniors decided to commit to this school. Most seniors would be going to different schools across the country, so it felt right to start with what seems like the more popular choice. I decided to interview both Shane and Madyson, since I wanted to hear their different perspectives on the same school.
I interviewed Shane first, asking him how he knew Skidmore was “the one,” and this is what he had to say: “I don't know if I knew, but I was shown it was the one for me. My top choice was Bard, but after I saw what Skidmore had to offer, I realized it was the one.” He also said that he looks forward to being independent, having fun, developing who he is, and focusing on what he wants to.
Shane plans on staying on campus. He suggests visiting the Janet Kinghorn Bernhard Theater, since he’s “all about performing and art.”
“I feel like theater is a place for expression and anyone can benefit from it” - Shane Forbes
Next, I interviewed Madyson, and how she knew Skidmore was “the one” for her. She said that since she applied for an early decision for Skidmore, she had to pick a school that she really liked.
“I had a checklist of things I was looking for,” she said, “and I would look through my top choices and see what would fit for me. When I had 2 schools left, I had to really imagine myself going there, and how much I was attracted to the school.”
“I feel like with college, you can see who you really are, and how you work with others. I really want to know what career I get into, since I’m undecided right now. I wonder if it's going to be any of my top 3 interests, and if I will achieve the lifestyle that I want.” - Madyson Jacobs
Madyson also plans on staying on campus. The most interesting area that she really wants to see is Jonsson Tower. According to her, they have a lot of different floors, with community and quiet rooms, and different experiences per floor. “You’d really get the chance to meet people there.”
Princeton University
One of the first acceptances that I heard of this year was from Safi, since he applied for an early decision. I asked him how he knew Princeton was the school for him and he also said it wasn’t his original first choice. He consulted Mr. Meyers, who said that Princeton would be a good choice for him.
“I originally didn't want to go there,” Safi said, “as I wasn't sure of the long commute, and having to stay away from family. However, I have been to Princeton campus numerous times, once for a hackathon, and once as a college visit, and it was gorgeous.”
When asked what he looks forward to about college life, he talked about independence. “Having school 8 hours a day is killing me mentally,” he said, “Can't remember the last time I had a good sleep schedule. I'd rather have lectures 12 hours a week, and learn by myself with few guidance.”
Safi plans on visiting his family in NYC biweekly, but will be staying on campus. According to him, the most interesting place to check out at least once is the Princeton Chapel.
John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Next on my list was Emilie Davis. Unlike the others so far, Emilie knew John Jay was “the one.” “It was my dream school,” she said, “because I knew what I wanted to do since sophomore year. I looked into the school and the opportunities they had, and I knew I was dead set on it.”
I asked her about what she looks forward to about college, to which she said “I need a fresh start honestly, I feel like high school brings out the worst in me.” She feels that she can make it her own experience, and that the college environment and its independence is what she needs. However, when I asked her about if there was anything she looks forward to about adulthood, she said:
“Nothing. I don’t even want to pay taxes!” - Emilie Davis
Emilie plans on commuting to John Jay. She said that John Jay had a center for clubs that was really fun to see, as well as a sorority board.
St. Francis College
The 4th person on my list is Mahogany Hodge, who knew St. Francis was “the one” for her when she explored all the majors that college had to offer in the medical field. “When I visited the campus for Accepted Students Day,” she said, “I instantly fell in love with the medical labs. They have so much that they offer you if you do decide to enter that field. While studying you also have the opportunity to work in a real hospital alongside nurses.”
When I asked Mahogany about what she looks forward to about college and adulthood, she said that she looks forward to being independent, in charge of her own learning, and living on her own. She described this as the most anticipated moment of her life, being able to make decisions for herself and to overall be an adult.
Mahogany plans on commuting this year, and then living on campus in her sophomore year.
“I recommend visiting the main staircase and especially the nursing lab. They are so beautiful and the lab includes real life animatronics” - Mahogany Hodge
Cornell University
Destiny, who will soon be going to Cornell University, shared this with me: “When I first visited Cornell on the college trip, it wasn’t my #1 choice.” She actually liked Vassar more, but as time went on she realized Cornell eventually became her dream school. The potential she had to go there made the idea more appealing to her. When I asked her about college and adulthood, she said she looks forward to living on her own, being able to experience life on her own, being more independent, being outside of the city, more experiences, and feeling like she has more control.
“I feel like when you're in high school it's more limiting because you see the same people everyday.” - Destiny Calderon
Destiny plans on staying on campus. She told me about this bridge with a waterfall and really nice scenery, which would be great for anyone who plans on visiting.
WashU
Avery didn’t think WashU would be “the one” for him, since it’s really out of range. He said “I didn’t even think about this school at first, but after Mr. Meyers showed it to me, it really became interesting for me. I was even able to get a full ride, and that finally convinced me.” I also asked him about what he looks forward to about college and adulthood. Here’s what he said:
“I look forward to working on myself, as I’m growing older and entering the adult life. I think it's a big thing for me since I’m dorming, and I’ll be away from my family. It's like my first step to being independent. I look forward to reaching my goals, making my dreams into a reality, and taking in all the responsibility.”
As Avery just said, he plans on staying on campus. He recommends visiting the school gym, the South 40 Fitness Center.
UChicago
Omolola wasn’t very picky about the school she wanted to attend. “Just whichever one provided the least financial stress, she said.” Like many others, she was helped by Mr. Meyers through the application process. I asked her what she looked forward to about college life and adulthood, and she said she looks forward to “having more peace,” due to a very hectic household. UChicago is far from where she lives, so she feels that this is an opportunity to focus more on school life and personal freedoms.
Omolola plans on staying on campus.
Fordham University
As for me, I didn’t know Fordham was the one for me until I visited the campus for their Spring Preview. I could actually imagine myself going to that school, and I could tell that there was a strong sense of community there. I also liked what the Rose Hill Campus had to offer, both in academics and many of its locations.
I personally look forward to the opportunities that become available at college. There is only so much that a high school environment can provide, and I hope to take advantage of these new opportunities at Fordham. Keating Hall is a beautiful building, both on the outside and inside, that I would recommend seeing if you visit Rose Hill.
CSH Seniors
While I could not ask every senior at Comp Sci High about their college journeys, they still deserve a shoutout. Each one of them has worked hard to get to where they are now, and regardless of where they end up, they all have something to be proud of right now. Seniors that have committed as of June 5th are:
Shane Forbes - Skidmore College
MadysonLove Jacobs - Skidmore College
Md “Safi” Momen - Princeton University
Emilie Davis - John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Mahogany Hodge - St. Francis College
Destiny Calderon - Cornell University
Avery Ramos - WashU
Omolola Ayedun - University of Chicago
Jasmine Jean Baptiste - Fordham University
Hammond Gyamfi - University of Chicago
Jaria Fofona - Skidmore College
Jaderlye Hernnadez - Skidmore College
Crystal Cabreja - Williams College
Briana Chavez - Vaughn College
Jeniffer Cruz Dabrowska - City College
Javel Elestin - City College
Jaden Gonzalez - City College
Adyel Lantigua - Lehman College
Jaden Arias - Lehman College
Samuel Garcia - Clarkson University
David Cardoso - Middlebury
Laila Ayala - Dartmouth College
Shannakay - New York University
Evelyn Kedelina - Brooklyn College
Morlaye Bangoura - Pace University
Christopher Rojas - Hostos Community College
John Korsah - Cornell University
Isaac Estrella - Cornell University
Joel Owusu - SUNY Albany
Jeremiah Padial - Hobart and William Smith
Alex Narvaez - Hobart and William Smith
Mahamadou Sylla - Hobart and William Smith
Cris Vargas Marte - Baruch
Jeremy Gualpa - Ithaca College
Djenabou Diallo - Penn State University
Elaysia Middleton - SUNY Delhi
Madison Ruiz - Boston College
Yahillyah Shiam - Boston College
Jaiden Figueroa - Iona University
Siysha Forbes - Mercy University