Interviews by Aakanksha Sinha, Caitlin Kaliski and Penelope King
Interviews have been edited for concision and clarity.
Samantha Kennedy
Chapman University (Business)
When did you know you wanted to go to Chapman, and do you have any specific memories?
I had a Zoom call with the softball coaches and one of the girls on the team. They were all super nice and supportive, [which] made me want to go there, but it’s such a big decision so I [kept] my options open for a while. Once I got in, I realized that’s where I want to go most. [When] I went there to visit, I fell in love with the area and realized that’s where I belong.
Did you get recruited for softball, and what are you looking to accomplish being on the Chapman softball team?
It’s a [Division 3 team], so there’s no scholarships like how they recruit in [Division 1 or 2]. I emailed the coach saying I’m interested in going there, and she invited me to play there if I got in. But I had to apply regularly like everyone else. I’m hoping to improve and [to] keep growing in softball and to keep getting better … also to meet new people and learn new things with new coaches and new teammates.
How has Aragon helped shape your decision?
Aragon has really taught me the importance of academics. Freshman year, I didn’t really care much or know much, but once I got to sophomore year, I realized the importance of getting a good education in college. I also found that I was more interested in the math side of things through math teachers that I had at Aragon who have been super helpful, and I enjoyed those classes more. I realized … I wanted to major more in business and finance.
Emily Kiefer
College of San Mateo (Undecided)
Why CSM?
Because of COVID and … [with] everything still being up in the air … it made a lot of sense [to me] to stick around for a bit [instead of going to a four year]. Also financially, it made sense. And not having much of a junior and senior year, I didn’t really feel as prepared for a four-year [university].
Was there a specific influence that helped you with your decision to go to CSM?
I’m on the cheer team and I remember talking with a senior last year when I was a junior, and she was talking about how she chose to go to CSM. It made a lot of sense for her, and she told me kind of the reasons why she chose CSM. And I think that sort of gave me an incentive to because I was hearing someone’s personal experience where they chose to go. And … just hearing that others were going that I knew kind of helped.
How has Aragon helped shape the decision of going to CSM?
Hearing about others that chose to go to CSM helped me choose. It was also a little bit difficult considering there’s … stigma of going to community college … but overall I felt comfortable in my decision, and Aragon definitely supported me.
Do you have any advice for students who are considering CSM? Especially those who are playing into the stigma community colleges hold.
I’d say I definitely played into that stigma for a bit because I have two older siblings that both went to four-year [universities] right away, and … it was kind of ingrained in me that I should go to a four-year right after high school. I think if it makes sense for you like it did for me, I think you should go [to a community college]… You can still get the same education, and it’ll save you money.
Matthew Ko
UC Berkeley (Nuclear Engineering)
How did Aragon shape your decision to do engineering?
A bunch of my friends started taking Eng Tech and so I was like, “I don’t really know what EngTech is, but this seems like a cool class.” I always walked in my chemistry class in sophomore year and saw the EngTech people just under me like building things. I was like, “what is this?” So [that convinced me to] take Eng Tech. … I [also] took a couple engineering programs over the summer, online … and started to like engineering even more.
What are you looking forward to the most at college?
Definitely the independence and meeting new people. Living with my parents for a very long time, there are certain restrictions that get tiring, so independence will definitely be a welcome change. Living in a dorm room could be really fun.
Do you have any advice for students that may want to follow a similar path to you?
I would say GPA isn’t really everything. I know that mine wasn’t perfect, nor was it extremely better than other students at Aragon, but I did a good amount of extracurriculars leading up to my senior year. I tried different things like Boy Scouts, music, sports. … I decided to start a new project in my garage. … I would say… don’t be afraid to try a bunch of things and only stick with one or two of them.
Sophia Subramanian
Reed College (Biology)
What are your plans for fall 2021 after you graduate high school?
[I’m going to Reed College, but over the summer], I’ll be travelling … domestically … going to different horse riding places. … Right now I’m a riding instructor at a therapeutic riding barn that also teaches dressage to off-the-track race horses, so it would be a continuation of that, working with kids with autism.
Was there a certain moment when you decided you want to travel after high school? The first three years of high school were pretty intense, and I felt a little burnt out [during] those years]. I knew going directly into college would be a little hard. Especially during [the pandemic] when I started my job, I started realizing I have these cool opportunities outside of what I was doing now, and I want to take advantage of them. This year was a
progression of me realizing that I could [travel]. I want to start domestically and then go to [a] barn in Colorado [that] works with veterans. After that, there are places in Taiwan, Ireland and Germany where I [am thinking of] go[ing] as a working student. These are big dreams, but [they] could happen.
Has Middle College impacted your decision of what you wanted to do after graduating from high school?
Yeah, for sure. The two years at CSM and then transferring to a UC [option] is a really cool opportunity which I was considering before [deciding to do] Middle College. After doing Middle College, [my time] gave me a little bit of college experience to want to go to a four-year university, and it gave me the time to do other things.
Do you have any advice for students who might be interested in a pathway similar to yours?
My advice is to work with your parents and the people around you, [and] also [to] plan earlier than I had. If you [want to go to into] a program you like, plan that in advance. Even if your parents are opposed to it, you [should] make a good case and I recommend finding mentors in the field you’re interested in for a gap year, so you know what you’re getting into.
Pritish Das
University of Wisconsin — Madison (Computer Science)
Why a college out of state?
I think [going] out of state is a good experience because it really helps enforce that independent, college experience that you get. … Personally, I want to try [to] get used to adulthood and [learn to] take care of myself. … Also a new environment, a new setting … is perfect for a totally fresh experience that college should be.
Why computer science?
[Computer science is a] … big field and an important part of tomorrow’s world. It gives me a clear idea [of] … what kind of job I’m going to be doing in life. I … value having that straight, direct vision of what I’ll be doing, and it’s a fun, cool field to work in … with how every day there [are] different kinds of problems you need to [solve]. I think it’s [going to] be a positive experience.
Can you explain your major and your future career in more detail?
Computer science is a broad field. It’s kind of like math: there [are] a bunch of different subsections that all are loosely tied together based on the idea of how computers operate. Personally … I want to get into … computer security. I want to work in that subset field because I feel it’s very important in today’s world. I feel like every couple months … “X” has a database breach or “Y’s” passwords have been leaked. Because of its importance, I want to participate in that and help it become a better place in the world.
Do you have any advice for students who want to follow a similar path as yours?
Get started early or try to interact with the field as much as possible. If you can, get experience. I think that’s the big thing. Just try to … find out and have an idea of what you want to do and pursue. Then … see all the different strengths and weaknesses of different colleges and how they tailor to yourself. Specifically in what you want to do … which is a big question when you’re still a teenager, but a general outline never hurts.
Is there a specific event or memory you have at Aragon which you’re going to miss?
I really enjoyed the lip dubs were well-worth the filming days. While… [it] could be a little bit tedious, because … you might have to retake a shot or whatever and get the shot over, I still like the energy and then the final put together [lip dub] video [was] fantastic.
Dasha Herrera
UC Merced (Cellular Biology)
Do you have any advice for students who might want to follow a similar path as you?
Work hard. This applies for any major, really, but just try to find what you’re passionate about. Sometimes people go into careers or [a] job that they think that they’ll like, but they don’t really realize the realities of that job. So I’d say do your research, try to figure out if that’s really what you want to do and then go for it.
How does it feel to be a first generation student?
It’s a bit scary. … I couldn’t really ask my parents for help when it comes to the college process, but AVID really did help me with that. … I’m also … setting an example for my younger sister who’ll probably end up going to college too.
How has taking AVID all four years impacted you? Do you think it’s something that you recommend to other students?
Yes, definitely. AVID doesn’t just help you with going to college. It also helps you with preparing for it, [like with] refining your note-taking skills. They also help with learning how to … improve your [public speaking] skills and also gain more confidence. I feel like [AVID has] given me a support system. If it weren’t for AVID, I probably would be having a really hard time right now getting to college.
Do you have any advice for students who may also be first generation students?
It might seem a bit challenging, or it might seem out of reach. … Honestly I feel like if it’s difficult figuring out what sort of career you want to go towards; explore your passions [and] explore your interests and what your hobbies are. … If you feel like you might struggle financially, definitely start applying for scholarships early.
Emily Tsao
New York University (Music Education)
How do you plan on doing music in college?
I’m planning to immerse myself as much as possible, but since I don’t know what the college workload is yet, I figure I’ll do whatever is required for my major. I also want to join this a cappella group which I really like [at NYU].
How has Aragon shaped your college decision?
Joining choir freshman year was a really good choice because I got to know people who went to my middle school better. … I got to make a lot of connections and the community in choir helped me [grow into] a more confident person. … It really helped me become more comfortable with my voice and my talent.
When did you know you wanted to go to NYU?
Being in New York brings back a lot of memories, and it’s fun there, with an atmosphere I like. … I bought a sweatshirt and that was the only sweatshirt I bought from a college I visited. When I was applying there, I went to a school counselor, and she told me it was a “reach school” based on my stats. … Weeks leading up to the decision coming out, I wore my sweatshirt [from NYU] as a good luck charm. When I opened the [acceptance] letter, I was like “No way, are you kidding me?!”
Is there any advice you’d give to students who want to go to NYU or into music education?
Once you know you want to go into music, start right away. There are a few things I wish I had started when I was younger like piano lessons and music theory. … I think keeping track of your studies is important. Making sure you’re a well-rounded person on your resume to show leadership potential because that’s a redeemable quality. As well as … being yourself in interviews.
Nour Alaoui
CalPoly SLO (Communications)
Why did you choose communications?
When I first came [to Aragon] I really thought I was going to go the science route. At first I wanted to be a doctor, so I was taking all the science courses. Then after I took those I realized that I wasn’t [a fit] for that, and I didn’t … [like] such an intensive, technical [field]. I didn’t love aspects that everything had to be like spot on [with] perfect results. [I wanted] … more wiggle room, and so I took more English classes and stuff like that. I think that was what really drew me away [to a] more … [a] more liberal arts [path].
Do you have a dream job?
My dream job would be working abroad in Europe, in London or Paris, working for some luxury fashion brand. That’s my biggest dream. I just think it’d be so much fun and I really like the style of it … [and the idea of] working for campaigns and setting up for fashion week and stuff like that.
What fashion brand would CalPoly SLO be?
[Jacquemus] does a lot of his shows in rural France and in these beautiful fields. And his work is really inspired by that. and CalPoly is … surrounded by these beautiful hills. And all this lush greenery that looks so amazing. It’s something you would never find anywhere else.
Lorenzo Vasquez
Santa Clara University (Business Management)
Why business management?
The first [real] job my dad got in the U.S. was a car salesman, … so he became a general manager and that was about the time
when I was in elementary school. I started working a summer job over at Putnam Automotive and being the general manager’s son, I’d be able to go into the meetings with him. … I’ve just grown up around [business]. I really do want to get to know more about it.
Do you have any advice for students who want to focus on business management?
Take a class over at CSM. Take Business 100. This basically goes for any major. If you’re thinking of going into law, if you’re thinking of going into biology, you should probably take a class at CSM because it’ll give you a taste for the major, and if you don’t like it then pick a different one.
How does it feel to be a first generation student?
Pretty cool. My dad came here from Nicaragua. … Everything I do, I do it knowing that I’m doing it for the Vasquez name. I’m doing it for [my dad], I’m doing it for my mom, doing it for the people that are still over in Nicaragua
What will you miss the most?
The friends that are going East Coast, even though I’ll see them during the winter and [other school holidays].
Carson Convery
Columbia University (Physics)
Why Columbia?
There are two main qualities I was looking for in schools when I was searching: they have a good physics department and [have] an environment I could never get bored in. I think a lot of me choosing Columbia had to do also with being quarantined for so long. I think I was so bored I felt like I was wasting a lot of time, so I want[ed] to be in a place where there’s always stuff going on [so] that I couldn’t possibly be bored. Columbia is in New York, so that’s a good place to kind of have that. I’m kind of compensating for lost time [in a way].
Why do you want to major in physics?
I wasn’t too sure up until this year. I had experiences in it. I’ve always been kind of into math, and I want to figure out a way to apply that. I think being a physics major also offers a lot of opportunities [outside] physics because I think once you understand how the world works, there’s not a lot you can’t do, right? I like understanding how the world works, and there’s so many different career paths you can go into.
What is your favorite memory you made at Aragon?
I was on the improv team for three years. My favorite moment probably [is] … my first show. I really loved that experience of getting on stage and having fun with [some of my] friends. … Also the camaraderie of all my teammates and everything.
What is one thing you will miss at Aragon?
I feel very at home in Aragon, everyone’s very supportive. I think moving across the country is a little nerve wracking. I think that Aragon has always been, especially the past four years, really homey. All the teachers have been great, all my friends [too].
Do you have any advice for underclassmen who want to major in physics?
For majoring in physics [I’d] say don’t be intimidated by the obstacles. … It’s a very confusing subject, so I think it can turn people away. But if you’re really into it, I would say, really just go for it. Just do things that you’re interested in. During COVID, I didn’t really know what to do, so I kind of was bored. I was just kind of reading some stuff, and I started making some YouTube videos about some stuff I was interested in for physics. [I would recommend to] keep staying curious, always [look] for new stuff [that is] interesting, because there’s a lot of stuff out there.
What sub-category of physics would Columbia be?
I would say thermodynamics because … the law of thermodynamics is all about how in a system, there’s always going to be more disorder, and I think in a big city like New York there’s always so much going on and so much chaos. It kind of resembles how … systems dissolve into chaos.
Lucy Yin
UCLA (Computational Biology, Pre-Med)
Do you have a specific memory where you realized that you really wanted to do something in computational biology?
In my sophomore year in AP Biology we did a group project where we researched a disease, and we researched the prognosis of it — the diagnosis and treatments for it and the biological mechanism behind that disease. How to tackle biological
mechanisms behind a disease really interest me. Medicine is a very long path, but you’re constantly learning every day.
Women are underrepresented in computational biology. How do you feel about potentially pursuing such a career?
I’m confident that whichever school I go to, I will be supported in those fields, with both my peers as well as the faculty in the school in general. The structure that [these schools] have and the opportunities they give to women and people of color make me feel excited to pursue something in this field, even though we may be historically underrepresented.
