Help Me Study At Cornell This Summer!

Experiences like these fueled my intellect to think of nature; the beauty and mystique of it all. From then on my favorite movies were from National Geographic Society rather than The Disney Channel. Since my childhood years I have continued my fascination with the world and its natural splendor; along with human history, the  interactions of the globalized world, and the horrible inequalities throughout the countries. I have not learned most of these topics in school; instead, on my own from documentaries and books. Commonly, my school has focused on teaching a subject only to its epidermal surface, rarely would I be able to learn in-depth information.

Curious, I have always been; a thirst for knowledge has always pulsed through my blood. Unfortunately, high school has proven to be a barrier I struggle to overcome. However, I do not believe it is due to my lack of intellect, rather, due to the system of public education in our  country where resources are continually strained.

Yes, I have had amazing teachers, but they are the exception. Most teachers to whom I have been assigned are unable to respect their students’ individuality. I mean this as, with large class sizes, and rambunctious students, the teacher does not trust any student with much sense of responsibility. They have set instructions and lectures for the whole class. I am not claiming lectures are always detrimental, however, an incorporation of students’ ideas and perspectives would improve the classroom environment while engaging and uniting the class.

In the classroom, I feel stuck. I have no way to project my individuality in the one-size-fits-all curriculum. Consequently, my grades have suffered, and I admit, I had started to loathe education. My disdain was only temporary as I came to the conclusion that I cherished knowledge, but knowledge was struggling to seep through the concrete walls of our deficient educational system. I have a new determination, a determination to enrich and educate myself beyond what the system has predetermined for me, and that will never be extinguished.

My freshman and sophomore years, I was an active member of Invisible Children, a humanitarian club offered in schools across the US with the mission free child soldiers of the LRA. My jr and sr years, I became highly involved in my school’s Government Club. Jr year is when I took an interest in enrichment programs. January 2011, I gained a full day Page internship at the NH House of Representatives in Concord, NH. I gained so much insight from this opportunity, I have applied for the internship again. I continued my passion for politics with Close-Up Washington D.C., an immersion program in U.S. politics with tours of famous sites every day of the week. The program only increased my curiosity in the subject of politics. I continued my studies with a two-week course, The U.S in World Politics, at Brown University through their Summer@Brown Pre-College Program. That summer, I also took two courses at Phillips Exeter Academy Summer Session.These classes included The Art of Being Human, and Topics in Advanced Biology.

These enrichment programs allowed me to meet and become friends with students from all around the world. My community  is predominantly populated by white, suburban, middle-upper class families. In my school there is a total of four African-Americans, three Indians, and four hispanic students, including myself. I have always been aware of my obvious difference but never let this impact me negatively. Instead, I was drawn to studying my own heritage and other heritages foreign to my school. From there I created a broad knowledge of the races found over the entire globe. Summer Enrichment programs catalyzed my interest in different cultures. I met Saudi Arabians, Greeks, Puerto Ricans, and countless more. Each individual had their own customs and religions which fascinated me. To have an intelligent debate with someone from the Middle East about American democracy and military power was a rare and priceless opportunity.

Not only have I been fortunate enough to understand a myriad of cultures through it’s people, I have also been able to mature my mind to be open and never be quick to judge. To me, a clear result of being exposed to a plethora of ideologies. The most important piece of advice I have ever received came from interacting with students who have different opinions and ideas. 

To expand beyond my academic achievements, since visiting the New Hampshire House of Representatives, I have become increasingly politically involved, volunteering for the Obama/Biden Organizing for America Campaign, Exeter. I also took an immersion course at Exeter High School, Close-Up, Washington D.C, which involved an extremely educational and informative week at our nation's capital, meeting with our State Representatives, and having a mock trial and debate with various former and/or current politicians each evening. Over the summer, interested by not only domestic politics, I took the course ‘U.S in World Politics’ at Brown University forming a background knowledge for the International Relations course at Exeter High School.This Spring, I am fortunate to be taking MIT ESP courses including the following; Introduction to Linguistics, Neuroscience of Perception, and The Power of Persuasion. This involvement in politics has sparked a strong interest inside me and I

To study a generic, government-structured lesson plan in an average suburban public high school is all well and good for the average classmate. However, I crave an environment that truly fosters intellectual and individual thinking with classrooms structured for mature and determined students from all over the country, no, the world, each bringing their unique view influenced by diverse backgrounds. To study on a  campus containing the brightest minds of the youth, come together, exchange their ideas and beliefs, where faculty, who are truly invested in their field, that, is rare but found on Cornell’s campus. For myself to be emerged in such an environment would be a life changing, unforgettable experience.

My mother is a single parent of two loving daughters. Getting laid off from her pre-school job in the year 2000, she was fortunate enough to find a job with Massachusetts Early Intervention, however, she is no longer making as much as she use to. November of 2012, my mother had to take off around two months from work because she had to have knee surgery. The cost of the knee surgery along with the lack of income created a more strenuous situation for my family. In the current state of economy, we are thankful she is employed, however, like many families hit by the loss of jobs and underemployment, we try to strain every penny. I am hopeful that you could donate any amount of funding you can. I would be forever grateful, and, when I am adult, I vow to use the knowledge that I learned in the courses to better the United States, its foreign affairs and international relations and domestic politics.

I thank you for your consideration,

Emily N. Le Ray, February 2013