It takes one blink

I can’t believe it’s finally here. I’ve been anticipating my journey to New York ever since I was accepted into the Ivy League Connections Program. The whole application process only seemed like yesterday. And now, I’m only one blink away from the Big Red. Time really does fly.

Aside from googling the 11 Hotel companies assigned for the Hotel Operations Management program pre-assignment, I found it helpful to research some other chains that were not included on the list, such as the Hyatt and the Accor. Also signing up for the free online news feed from www.hotel-online.com/News/Subs/mailme.html is an effective way to collect information regarding the present-day hotel industry. Thanks Alvin for sharing!

In addition to learning about hotels, Mrs. Heather Madland encouraged me to utilize all of the resources during my stay at Cornell. For me, writing does not come as easily as my peers and I have already made improving my writing a summer goal. Attending workshops and seeking mentoring are on my to-do list at Cornell this summer will definitely help me improve. If anyone else is interested in enhancing their writing, let me know and we can team up! Also, I am positive there are workshops for other subject areas so do use them if needed. Please spread the word!

I know that all six of the Cornell-bound Hercules High students are ready for our amazing adventure in New York. We will gather a lot of information and work as diligently as we can, but let us not forget that we will also have a great time this summer!

Being allowed an opportunity like this was something I couldn’t dream of happening two years ago. And now, I know I am extremely excited and mentally prepared for the experience. Big Red, here I come in a blink!

~Yueming W.

Only a Day Away

I am so excited! We will be leaving for Cornell the day after tomorrow. I have begun setting out all of my clothes and making the final decisions on what I will be taking with me. One of my aunts is taking me to breakfast in the morning so we can spend time together before I embark on this great journey. I will also be stopping to visit my grandmother tomorrow. I have never before been away from home for three weeks, but I know that I will be fine. I know that my family will be okay too; they are all very excited for me as well.

I also attended a group meeting with college counselor, Ms. Sue Kim today. It was primarily a personal essay workshop. We did some different writing exercises. She went over the college application essay prompts with us and emphasized how important it is to address every part of the question. She provided us with examples of both good and bad essays, and taught us how important it is "to show" what you mean in your essay rather than "to tell" it. Ms. Kim also spent some time discussing the college specific "why us" essay. All who attended are to email her a first draft of what will probably be the most important writing of our entire lives. Since I am leaving on Friday, mine is not due until July 16th. I am very grateful to be receiving the services of Ms. Kim, I would feel so lost without her. College applications was one thing I was very worried about, and although it is still a major concern, I do not feel that my parents and I are left feeling around in the dark. Ms. Kim, and the ILC for that matter, is a great guiding light. Thank you all!

*Ramiah

I Can't Believe It!

Wow! I really cannot believe I leave in just three days. It seems like only a little while ago that we were applying for the Ivy League Connection, going through the interviews, and filling out the applications. We are finally counting down the days that lead to the moment we step on that plane and fly to Ithaca; well, Detroit first, then Ithaca.

I truly apologize for my lateness to posting my thoughts on the blog. I have been scrambling to obtain everything I need for the day I leave and have found no time within these past couple days. I am happy to say I am almost done with that scramble. A couple more steps and I will be ready to say, “Here I come Cornell.”

After reading the testimonial from Ruben, a student in the Hotel Operations Management program last summer, I know that this program will definitely be challenging and rigorous. We may reach to a point where we completely burn out. However, one thing I am confident about is that we will not give up. We students from both the hotel program at the Freedom and Justice course will definitely make everyone here at home proud.

I have also been doing some extensive research on the many hotel chains that Professor Reneta McCarthy has recommended to incoming summer hotelies. I know doing this will better prepare me and lead to my success at Summer College. I find each one very similar, but then again, acquires its own charm. Each corporation’s charm appeals to its audience and its customers in a unique way, whether it be the size of the company, the social class of its customers, or the routine it follows to successfully run its corporation. I have gathered with my fellow course-mates, Stacy and Yueming, to discuss over our research. I cannot wait until I actually walk into the classroom and meet Professors Reneta and Mark McCarthy and discuss the research over as a class. I would love to hear the class’ insight about how these chains are operated.

When I arrive, I know the one thing I will want to do is meet the other students. I am ecstatic just thinking about how I will be able to meet new friends on this incredible trip to Cornell and work with them for three weeks. I love learning about new things, which includes new cultures and new perspectives. I know I will be able to do that in the program and at Cornell.

In addition, I am incredibly excited to visit Syracuse University. One of my passions and interests is journalism and I know that SU carries one of the best journalism programs in the United States. That is amazing! I am grateful to acquire such a chance to visit the institution. Unfortunately, we will not be able to visit the SI Newhouse School of Public Communications, but I hope our tour guide will provide some elaborate information about the school and its programs. Maybe we will meet a student that happens to study public communications. Hopefully, we do.

~Louisa

Finally Up and Running

Hello and good afternoon to all. (:

First and foremost, I would like to apologize for the delay in my blogging. I encountered several issues with the site and was, unfortunately, unable to access the blog. Until now! With so many individuals so ready and willing to assist me, I was soon able to log in. Hence, my first official blog. 

I would like to take another moment to thank Mr. Ramsey, Ms. Kronenberg, Mr. Gosney, all the gracious sponsors, the school board members, and everyone else unmentioned but involved in the continual success of the Ivy League Connection. It is because of people like you all who give students like me - like all of us - the opportunity to become our best possible selves. Much, much thanks.

On another note: I cannot believe our trip to Cornell will commence in a few short days. The remainder of this week, for me, will be dedicated to preparing to the best of my ability for this trip - be it packing all the essentials or doing some last minute extra reviewing on the philosophers I will be working with at Cornell. The last few months prior to the end of school, Justine, Ramiah and I (with the aid of our brilliant AP Lang teacher, Mr. Litvin) created a study group, where we met daily to read and discuss the various philosophers we will be studying with Professor Kramnick. An additional thanks to Mr. Ramsey for acquiring the texts and the syllabus for Freedom and Justice moths in advanced. It is because of his proactive behavior that the three of us are as prepared as we are for this trip. I have heard nothing but praises for Professor Kramnick, and I cannot wait to sit in his classroom, listen to his lectures, and determine the theories behind contemporary jurisprudence.

It seems like just yesterday I received news of my acceptance into the Ivy League Connection, and now we are just three days away from our plane ride over to New York. I have so many expectations for this trip. Now that I am able to access the blog site, I will be sure to blog very often. I'll give you all detailed accounts of just how above and beyond Cornell is, and how far it exceeds the expectations I possess.

- xoxo, Julia. 

Cornell, here we come

I cannot believe we will be leaving for Ithaca in only three days. I am very excited to be embarking on this adventure. The journey up to this point has been very enlightening. I feel so fortunate and so blessed to be a part of the Ivy League Connection. I know that I will not let the ILC down.
I am excited for this trip in multiple aspects. This will be my first time going to New York, and I cannot wait to see what it is like to live on a college campus. Furthermore, I truly look forward to class I am taking, Professor Kramnic's Freedom and Justice course. I, along with my peers, get to spend three weeks studying political philosophy. Thanks to Mr. Ramsey, we have already received the text books and are well prepared for this course. I cannot wait to see how Professor Kramnic brings everything together.
I know that we will be making good use of our time on the East Coast. Although most of our time will be dedicated to our studies, we will also be visiting Syracuse University the first Saturday we are there. (I can hardly believe that will be THIS Saturday.) We may also be visiting Rochester as well; and there are talks of a trip to Niagara Falls for the Fourth of July.
Truly, I am so excited about this opportunity. It has been a long time since our interviews in February, but the ILC has been there every step of the way. The ILC has not only provided me with this once in a lifetime opportunity, but also the inspiration and the means to continue with my high standards. Through this organization I have been chosen to receive the outstanding services of college counselor, Ms. Sue Kim. I have attended a formal dinner with Cornell Alumni. I have attended Exploring College Options seminars with some of the top universities in the country. I have met other high achieving students in our district. I truly appreciate the Ivy League Connection.

Cornell, here we come!

Quicker than a New York minute

I must say time has fled considerably fast.

Despite the fact that the trip seems like it has snuck up on me, I am excited to go to New York, or particularly, to Ithaca--home to the lush campus of Cornell University.

Unlike the students who will attend the Freedom and Justice course, students, like me, who will study Hotel Operations Management have not been assigned to any readings yet. Rather than viewing this situation as half empty, I'll see it as half full. The only pre-assignment I have been assigned is to study the leading hotel companies, including Marriott International, Hilton Hotels Corporation, and Four Seasons. Within these few remaining days before I depart from San Francisco, I will delve into all the trivial details on my own, such as information in regards to the business model and the strategic direction each company fosters.

This opportunity is the perfect chance for me to work closely with educated and canny figures who have experience in the business realm, or to be more specific, the dynamic hotel management industry. I am certainly more than ready to be enlightened by Professor Reneta and Mark McCarthy.

I have always set my heart on pursuing business (one of the two majors I plan to get a degree in) in college, but I strongly believe that exploring this field will help me see if this is right for me...if this is a perfect fit for me.

The other major I plan to pursue is journalism. Since Syracuse University is well-known for its paramount journalism/communications program, I could not pass up the amazing opportunity to take a live campus tour.

What I am looking forward to most is connecting with local students as well as students from neighboring countries and from afar. Listening to others' background and exchanging personal stories will only make me culturally-enriched. Most importantly, I am ready to share them my story and what my community has to offer, including, but not limited to, the ILC program.

As soon as I arrive in Ithaca, I will start posting up snapshots of the city, products of Cornell and Syracuse university, dinner outing, and so much more.

Until next time,
Stacy

9 days until our departure!

Oh, how fast the time has passed since the 6 of us were told that we would be attending Cornell University this summer! It's remarkable to think how it is a mere 9 days away. I truly can't wait, for I now feel prepared for my upcoming Freedom & Justice course.

For the past 2 months or so, my fellow Freedom & Justice students, Julia Maniquiz and Ramiah Davis, have been prepping for our class with course materials given to us in advance by Mr. Ramsey. These books included Plato's Republic, Princeton Readings in Political Thought and a hefty syllabus which included several passages and news articles regarding philosophy, freedom and justice. Between these pieces, the three of us have become familiar with the philosophies of Plato, John Stuart Mill, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Augustine, John Locke and Matthew.

Thanks to Mr. Ramsey's ability to grant us with the course several months in advance to our course, I feel so much more confident entering Professor Kramnick's intensive course. I also feel much more prepared with the help of my fellow students, whose inputs allow me to become a better philosophical thinker. This immense preparedness is make the course feel less intimidating, and will allow me to better absorb my college environment during the 3-week session.

While at Cornell University, I hope to take away the meaning of a true college experience. I also hope to take a way a better thought process in philosophy, which was planted by my amazing AP Language & Composition teacher and shall be finished by Professor Kramnick. I cannot wait to experience lectures, discussions and the harsh reality of college life. Who else can say that they've had the experience I will soon be partaking in?!

I am 100% sure that this experience will not only meet my expections, but will exceed them by miles. This experience is the best gift I have ever received, and it wouldn't be happening without the graciousness of Mr. Ramsey, Ms. Kronenberg, and the countless sponsors who keep this program thriving. This program has already opened my eyes to the endless opportunities open to me after my 2010 graduation. That alone is one of the most valuable lessons I will take away from this experience.