is Umass Amherst good?

Yes, Umass Amherst stands as an excellent university.

Moreover, it is considered among the top 200 globally in almost every university ranking index.

Furthermore, the school offers a spectacular array of fields of study. From agriculture, to biotechnology to finance & accounting.

Furthermore, the university is a member of the Five College system. As a result, students enjoy access to Amherst College, a school that rivals Harvard & Princeton. In addition, to Smith, Mt. Holyoke & Hampshire College! (see: Five College Consortium – Wikipedia)

Rebellion Research CEO lecturing at UMass

The Claire T. Carney Library

Cumnock Hall, on North Campus

Graça Machel (DHL), First Lady of South Africa

Amherst

Wikipedia

Is Boston University good?

688 Boylston Street, the early home of the College of Liberal Arts, the precursor to the College of Arts & Sciences

Before we begin our University examination, let’s look at the story of a current BU student:

My journey at Boston University (BU) unfolded like a roller coaster ride!

Marked by dynamics of highs and lows. Ultimately forging a complex love-hate relationship with the  institution and the city of Boston. 

Boston University’s East Campus along Commonwealth Avenue

Upon my arrival at BU, I was initially excited by the anticipation of a curriculum tailored to my chosen concentrations. However, the structure of the business school led to disappointment. The  design of the curriculum demanded we undertake a multitude of courses outside our major before specializing. Thus, leading me to partake in classes in fields like philosophical logic and global health. 

While these courses were not my primary focus, they broadened my range of education and my  intellectual curiosity.  

Is the University of Delaware a good school?

Parallel to my academic journey, the city of Boston itself represented another aspect of my BU  experience. Having become raised in the chaotic natures of global metropolises like New York, Shenzhen, and Taipei. As a result, Boston’s pace and quieter winters proved a challenging transition.

The early closing hours of shops and restaurants. Coupled with the city’s serene winters, proved a difficult transition for an individual like me!

The Talbot Building located on the medical campus houses the School of Public Health

Amidst these challenges, BU has been a transformative force, profoundly shaping my personality and career aspirations. This institution introduced me to an extraordinary array of individuals. Friends, mentors, and advisors who have become an integral part of my life. Their unwavering  support and guidance have been instrumental in defining my outlook and preparing me for my  professional career. 

In retrospect, despite the rocky start and unexpected obstacles. My tenure at BU and life in Boston have been both enriching and rewarding. The downturns have become balanced by  incredible relationships and personal growth. So, while my BU experience has indeed been a  roller coaster ride. It’s been an exhilarating one that I would not trade for anything.

Inside Agganis Arena after a hockey game

Boston University offers a wide range of STEM and liberal arts programs!

Is IIM Ahmedabad good?

Martin Luther King Jr. earned a PhD from BU in 1955

History of the School?

Boston University was founded in 1839 as a Methodist seminary. However, it has since grown into a major research university with a diverse range of academic programs. Over the years, the university has undergone many changes and transformations. But it has remained committed to its mission of providing a high-quality education to students from all backgrounds.

BU Known for?

Known for its research excellence and innovation, particularly in the fields of business, communications, and the arts.

Also known for its commitment to diversity and inclusion. With a diverse student body and faculty. Additionally, BU has a beautiful campus and its location in the heart of Boston. Moreover, it is a major cultural and intellectual hub in the United States. I’ve driven through the campus one hundred times. It’s great!

Is St Andrews a good university?

Tuition and Fees?

• Tuition: $58,560 per year
• Fees: $1,188 per year

Room and Board?

• On-campus housing: $11,480-$16,190 per year, depending on the dormitory and meal plan chosen
• Off-campus housing: $10,600-$16,800 per year, depending on the location and type of housing

University of Vienna!

Let’s take a look at this school today!

University of Vienna: A Comprehensive Overview

Seal of the University of Vienna

The University of Vienna, located in Austria’s capital city, is one of the oldest and largest universities in Europe. Founded in 1365, the university has a long and rich history, contributing significantly to the academic, cultural, and intellectual life of the region.

Academics?

• The University of Vienna offers a vast array of programs spanning diverse fields of study. With over 180 courses, it offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees across the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and many other disciplines.
• Particularly renowned faculties include Law, Historical and Cultural Studies, Philological and Cultural Studies, Social Sciences, and Natural Sciences.

Admissions:

• Admissions at the University of Vienna are contingent on the field of study. Some programs have open access, while others have limited spots and require entrance exams or specific qualifications.
• For non-German speaking students, proof of proficiency in the German language might be essential as many courses are taught in German.

Tuition and Living Expenses?

Students riot at the University of Vienna after a Nazi attempt to prevent Jews from entering the university (c. 1938)

Unknown author – https://collections.ushmm.org/search/catalog/pa3596

• EU/EEA students typically have lower tuition fees compared to non-EU/EEA students. EU students might expect to pay around 20 Euros per semester as a student union fee, with tuition being free for most of the regular duration courses. In contrast, non-EU students may have to pay tuition fees of approximately 1,500 Euros per semester, but these figures can vary.
• Vienna, being a central European capital, can be moderately expensive. Living expenses, including accommodation, transportation, food, and leisure, can amount to approximately 1,000 Euros per month, but this can vary based on individual lifestyles.

Research and Reputation:

Depiction of Vienna in the Nuremberg Chronicle, 1493

• The University of Vienna has a stellar reputation in research. It has been associated with 15 Nobel Prize winners, underlining its historical and continued contribution to various academic fields.
• The institution is often ranked among the top 200 universities worldwide, showcasing its global academic significance and recognition.

Now let’s hear from a University of Vienna student!

Following my graduation from high school in Morocco, I was always determined to study abroad and accumulate more experience in Mathematics. Thus, I sent out my application to the prestigious University of Vienna and got conditional admission to a full-time bachelor’s degree.

In 2015, I started my bachelor’s degree after finishing the necessary courses to be entitled to be an ordinary student of mathematics (I became an advanced German speaker in two academics semesters without prior knowledge, as well as doing equivalence exams in English and mathematics in order to fulfill the conditions stated in the original admission offer). I was fascinated by the rich history of mathematics the University of Vienna had. For instance, many outstanding mathematicians like Kurt Gödel, and Erwin Schrödinger have been studying at the same campus as I am about to study.

As expected, we started with heavy Analysis taught by a Complex analysis expert Bernhard Lamel. It was a great joy to see a competent mathematician illustrating the subject of Calculus in a very abstract way, especially for freshman students. “Bernhard Lamel knew all proofs of his favorite mathematician Walter Rudin by heart haha”. I had a mix of very nice, competent professors in the course of my Undergraduate, to name a few “Günther Hörmann, Michael Eichmair, Jiri Cerny, and Adrian Constantin…”. Toward the end of my Undergrad studies, I had a turning point and it is best described as follows: 

They say some real-life encounters can shape the trajectory of your life and this is exactly what happened to me as a bachelor’s student. At that time, I decided to be supervised by Professor Donninger. Our few regular meetings allowed me to observe the craftsmanship it takes to be a competent mathematician, from the ability to work from first principles to making guesses and formulating hypotheses, and then working one’s way to proving them.

This was one of the most unique experiences that I have ever had. From that time on, I understood that there are other aspects to mathematics than just the mechanical recipe-based approach. Moreover, he was very simple and clear, most of the concepts looked like basic high-school math when he explained them. This experience was also unique in the sense that Professor Donninger had a teaching and research style that, as I later came to realize, was heavily influenced by the US academic one due to him doing his postdoctoral studies at the University of Chicago. This was in sharp contrast to my general experience of being a mathematics student at the University of Vienna which, although allowed me to experience the beauty of rigor, and heavy technical mathematical proofs, lacked emphasis on the creative aspects of doing mathematics as a human experience. 

Consequently, I intend to eventually apply to pursue Ph.D. studies or a research-type position in North America to become a well-rounded researcher who is not only competent and rigorous but also creative, innovative, and most importantly driven. All in all, I think the process of coming from a different country, background, and culture and yet proving myself has tremendously contributed to shaping me as a young/hungry mathematician as well as a mature human being.

Campus and Facilities:

Vienna in 1683

• The main building of the University of Vienna is a significant historical landmark, located in the heart of Vienna. The university also possesses other buildings dispersed throughout the city.
• It boasts a vast library system, including the Main Library and several specialized departmental libraries.

Student Life and Extracurriculars?

Logo of the University of Vienna, variation

University of Vienna – http://public.univie.ac.at/index.php?id=6084

• Given its urban location in Vienna, students have access to a plethora of cultural, social, and recreational activities. The city’s theaters, museums, and historical sites offer a unique blend of the old and the new.
• On campus, there are numerous student organizations, societies, and clubs catering to diverse interests, from academic research groups to arts and culture clubs.

Conclusion:

With its rich history, the University of Vienna has been at the forefront of academic and research excellence in Europe for centuries. Its location in one of Europe’s most culturally rich cities, combined with a vast range of academic programs and a vibrant student community, makes it a sought-after institution for students globally. Those looking to immerse themselves in deep academic traditions while experiencing the charm of Vienna will find the University of Vienna an excellent choice.

Wikipedia : (univie.ac.at)

Now let’s look at two of the best high schools in America! Trinity School NYC & Phillips Exeter! Moreover, through the eyes of current students and recent graduates!

A Critical Look At NYC’s Legendary Trinity School by Current Students & Recent Graduates!

Trinity’s arguably most famous alumnus, Truman Capote, photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1948.

Trinity’s Computer Science (CS) and Robotics programs need a revamp. Moreover, there is one track of CS classes so there is only one class you can take a year — not like science electives etc, and I only know one person in the whole school who got a grade below an A in the class. This is because the CS curriculum is not challenging nor rigorous. Trinity needs more CS classes, teachers, and a better curriculum if they truly want to educate their students well. 

Separately, there are only two CS classrooms and they are the most unattractive classrooms ever. The CS department office is basically a closet. This shows how unimportant the school considers the CS department.

The Trinity robotics team is also not taken seriously!

The Upper West Side and Central Park as seen from Top of the Rock observatory at Rockefeller Center. In the background to the west are the Hudson River and the George Washington Bridge.

The team meets twice a week — not enough to actually make anything good — and the coach is less of a coach and more of a chaperone.  As a former member of the team I can attest that the coach mostly sat on his laptop scrolling through Amazon. 

This meant that all the coaching and organization was left to the one senior geek kid who knew a bunch about robotics through outside of school programs. Of course, this one senior is not an equipped coach and basically spent all his time doing everything robotics related because no one else was good enough or could receive the proper education to become good at robotics. Moreover, while our school may occasionally win awards at robotics tournaments, that is because we participate in the biggest joke of a competition. Our peer institutions — Horace Mann and Dalton — all have  serious robotics and CS programs, have teams and coaches that are actually good and compete at a more advanced level.

Horace Mann Vs Trinity

Is Dalton a good school?

Trinity’s English, History, and language teaching is some of the best in the country!

Verdi Square at the intersection of Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue. The 72nd Street subway station on the 1, ​2, and ​3 trains is in the center of the square.

Furthermore, I don’t necessarily expect the school’s math, science, and CS curricula to be at that level. However, it’s undeniable that STEM, especially CS, is becoming increasingly important in a tech-driven world. I’d even go as far as to suggest that Trinity should require students to take 1-2 years of CS. Of course, they should greatly expand the CS department to accommodate that. 

For instance, the school could shift the sophomore year CS course to freshman year (I did not find the freshman year courses, Design Thinking and Digital Storytelling, to be especially meaningful) and then open up multiple electives in junior and senior years, similar to what the History and English departments offer. I think the Math curriculum could also have more advanced course offerings in senior year, such as Multivariable Calculus, a fixed Linear Algebra course, and a rigorous proof-based course (in addition to Topics in Mathematics, which is a great elective.)

With all that said, I understand that teacher retention is especially tough in STEM (as evident from the number of STEM teachers leaving this past year) and I think the school should focus on addressing that issue.

Increased salaries for teachers and more investment in STEM facilities (as above said, better CS rooms) could go a long way!

Trinity truly does a phenomenal job in the humanities — I see that especially now as I take humanities courses at Columbia — and the school could be even more impressive if its STEM department could offer a similarly formative experience for Trinity students, especially those who don’t consider themselves STEM students when they enter Trinity. I know that I was very much a math kid when I came into Trinity in seventh grade, and my high school experience truly expanded my interests into English, history, debate, journalism, and more. 

Student-teacher relations are great (one of the best benefits of a Trinity education.) I greatly appreciate all that the school has given me.

Is Elon University a good school? 

Is IIT Jodhpur good?

I think that Trinity’s STEM departments are substantially weaker than their excellent humanities counterparts. My largest issue with Trinity’s STEM classes, definitely Trinity’s problem-based math curriculum. The math department overwhelmingly supports the problem-based approach, and they only hire teachers who support the problem-based approach, leading to comparatively under qualified math teachers.

Is GGU a good university?

Is UCF Good? (rebellionresearch.com)

When my entire math class was complaining about the curriculum during our class last year, my teacher, who has been at Trinity longer than anyone else in the math department, responded with “stop complaining, it won’t change anyway,” which I find very telling!

While the problem-based curriculum is a good idea in theory, Trinity’s ‘problem packets’ became poorly crafted and often led kids to be more confused than enlightened. PBL (problem based learning) discourages students more than it creates a lifelong passion for math.

Best High Schools in NYC??

To speak from personal experience, math was my favorite subject before attending Trinity, and I proudly considered myself a ‘math kid.’ Within two years of entering Trinity, and still to date, I see math as one of my weaker subjects and have little to no interest in pursuing a career in math or even taking any math classes in college. 

PBL, predicated on students teaching themselves math with guidance from teachers. Trinity teachers assign five two-sentence questions for homework, all of which require formulas and logic not yet derived or explained in class.  Students work on the problems for hours every night, trying to achieve enlightenment.  Unfortunately, this goal, usually not achieved.

Aside from students not having hours to spend on math homework every night, students will not blindly persevere to throw different math tools at the page in the hope of getting a correct answer. 

Realistically, students will instead give up on the homework and look up answers, which is wholly detrimental to the learning process. 

PBL diminishes the responsibility of teachers to teach and instead places that responsibility on the students themselves.  Our math classes are incredibly repetitive. We enter the classroom to review the previous night’s homework, and continue by working on new problems in groups. That lesson plan does not include any time for the teacher to instruct students; rather, the vast majority of teachers’ responsibilities are moderating discussions among the class and assigning students to present certain problems. 

A significant amount of the problems with PBL could become mitigated if teachers intervened to explain concepts when the class clearly stands highly confused. However, that has largely not taken place in my experience. In place of this teaching, I have heard more iterations of ‘reconsider your givens’ and ‘try that problem again’ than any human should have to endure. 

Somewhere between one third and one half of the students in Trinity’s honors track at the beginning of high school have elected to move to the regular math track.

As my friends, assorted acquaintances, and I often say, the goal of Trinity’s math department is to decrease enrollment in honors classes and to destroy everyone’s passion for mathematics. 

Moreover, the vast majority of the students dislike the PBL curriculum. Even if I grant PBL the greatest amount of benefit of the doubt, it only works if you have phenomenal math teachers, of which Trinity has very few. 

There are only a few ways to succeed in the Trinity PBL curriculum (this especially applies to the honors curriculum): 

1. Be a math whiz compared to your peers. This is true for 10-20% of the honors classes. 
2. Get an out of school tutor. This is expensive, an unfair burden to put on families financially, and time consuming. Also, many students get tutors and see their grades stay stagnant. 
3. Spend all of your free periods in the math lab (where students can go to get help). Many students do not have the time for this because of meetings with other teachers and having full schedules. There’s also the distinct possibility that they want to hang out with their friends during their free periods, because they want to enjoy high school. Even if you do spend a ridiculous amount of time in the math lab, many of the teachers are unhelpful. My freshman year math teacher was probably the worst teacher I have ever had. Convinced that I “gave up on problems too easily.” Even when I would ask for help on problems that I had been struggling with for many minutes, sometimes hours, she would just reply “reconsider your givens.” Even worse, she would actively stop other teachers from helping me whenever she saw me talking to them, telling them “He gives up too easily, let him struggle with it.” This both painted me in a negative light to the other math department faculty and stopped me from learning. 

I’ll add some quotes I’ve heard from some students at Trinity which reflect the student body sentiment about it: 

“PBL is like taking a textbook, ripping out the explanations, ripping out the answers, then ripping out the problems and jumbling them randomly.” 

Once in sophomore year math class, we brought up some concerns about the curriculum to our math teacher. She responded, “I’ve found that Trinity students like to be spoon fed.” One of my classmates replied, “there is a big difference between being spoon fed and starving.” 

I agree with statements from people above about Trinity’s STEM departments being weak. I think there are two reasons for this: 

1. The people in the administration almost entirely come from humanities backgrounds, and they ultimately have final say in the hiring process. They need someone in the administration with more STEM expertise in order to choose better faculty. 
2. My History teacher last year, who is one of the deans, told us that they pay humanities teachers the same amount as they pay the STEM teachers. This is problematic because qualified STEM teachers are harder to come by than qualified humanities teachers. This is because the most qualified STEM major graduates have better job opportunities, whereas many of the most qualified humanities major graduates do not. The salaries for teachers should reflect supply and demand, in order to hire better stem teachers. As the teacher himself said “we humanities teachers come a dime a dozen.” 

Moreover, I also think that the whole club system needs to be revisited. A couple changes need implementation, in my opinion: 

1. They need to hire someone full-time to solely look over clubs. ‘Right now, two administrative assistants supervise the clubs. They both have many other responsibilities. As a result, clubs often become put on the back burner.  As a result, they become incentivized to put policies in place that reduce their workload but are not necessarily good for the clubs. Because the Parliamentary Debate team had some administrative issues, Trinity decided to stop the parliamentary debate team from competing for the first quarter of this academic year. Although this has certainly reduced the administration’s workload. Thus, several dozen debaters have become frustrated that they cannot attend tournaments.

Furthermore, freshmen and sophomores find themselves disincentivized from joining a team if they cannot compete for it. 

1. They need to hire someone full-time to be the director of all forensic teams (like Parliamentary Debate, Model UN, Public Forum Debate, Model Congress, etc).  For many students in the Upper School, forensic teams are as serious or more serious than a sport in terms of time-commitment. Many of Trinity’s peer institutions have such a position, yet Trinity does not. For these clubs, the responsibility largely rests on the student leaders, who have to manage organizational chaos. In some cases, the faculty advisor can help take care of some of the administrative aspects, but most of the time the faculty advisor does not have the time to do so.
2. They need to increase pay for teachers who are faculty advisors and allow forensic teams to hire coaches.
   1. Forensic teams need coaches. Almost all participants in Trinity forensic teams are either self-taught or taught by student leaders who do not have the qualifications to be educators. 
   2. Forensic teams need faculty advisors in order to have chaperones for competitions. Trinity’s current overtime pay for faculty advisors is not high enough, so many teachers reject the opportunity to be a faculty advisor. As a result, many forensic teams cannot send students to tournaments, robbing them of an amazing extracurricular opportunity. Raising the overtime pay would incentivize more teachers to be faculty advisors. 

Trinity Vs Horace Mann: Read our analysis!

1. Forensics – Trinity is lacking when it comes to support for forensics, compared to other schools like Regis with its debate team, and Dalton with its Model UN team. In its current form, Trinity essentially requires students to bear the brunt of organizational work and costs. This is an unfair burden to place on students who are already so busy, and it unfairly limits forensics to kids with the resources to do so. The burden means that a lot of time becomes wasted by Trinity students. As they have to take lots of time to organize and teach themselves as well as struggle to find faculty advisors. The cost of going to tournaments can already be financially challenging for some students, and this only further increases the cost.
2. PBL. Most of my complaints have already become sad. And it is a terrible system which disadvantages almost all Trinity students, robbing them of their time and a good STEM education. 
3. Club Support.  Trinity needs a more robust club system, because we are severely lacking compared to our peer institutions. It is an absolute organizational mess, and the administration can feel hostile and are rarely helpful when it comes to the club dynamics,  putting unnecessary burdens on club leaders.

Is Phillips Exeter worth it?

During my time at Phillips Exeter. I have become exposed to countless new cultures, religions, customs, and people from across the world. It is in stark contrast to the generally homogenous community of the public high school I attended before coming to Phillips Exeter!

I can say with certainty that never before coming to Phillips Exeter did I sit around a Harkness table. With people from up to four different continents at the same time. Furthermore, discuss the pressing issues that our society faces today.

Phililips Exeter broadened my horizons greatly. In addition, it allowed me to obtain a greater understanding of the world I live in. 

As the math problems I faced in classes became increasingly difficult throughout my highschool years, I looked for help. I sought help from teachers, textbooks, online learning services, parents, as well as peers. Having a classmate or older student explain complex problems to me almost always yielded a stronger understanding than any of the other aforementioned methods.

For this reason, when I was given the opportunity to become a math peer tutor in my freshman year of high school. I graciously accepted. It began a bit rocky! As my level of understanding in certain areas was often less than or equal to the students who I was trying to help. However, this led me to seek a deeper understanding in all the topics I learned about. As a result, I was always able to assist those who came to me. It drove me to dig deeper. Furthermore, answer the “why” of every problem I encounter. Rather than just memorizing a method to get the right answer. This skill has served me well in many facets.

The atrium inside the £38m Manchester Institute of Biotechnology.

Choosing the University of Manchester was a natural decision, as it is a highly-ranked institution!

Attending this university provided me with a wealth of knowledge and valuable experiences. Moreover, the course content offered at the university was highly appealing.

Old Medical School on Coupland Street (photographed in 1908), which now houses the School of Dentistry.

For example, my major was Mathematics with Finance, it allowed me to study both Mathematics and Finance, with a ratio of 3:1. During the first year, all courses were compulsory, which laid a strong foundation. Whereas for the  second- and third-years courses, the mandatory courses including Introduction to Financial  Mathematics, Financial Derivatives and Mathematical Modelling in Finance allowed me to learn about  quantitative finance. Students also got the opportunity to tailor studies to align with specific interests. Recognizing the increasing importance of programming, I personally chose to take courses in Python and MATLAB. 

Additionally, the university provided a diverse array of unique interdisciplinary units and language  courses for students to explore and select from.

The entrance to the Manchester Museum.

Taking an introduction to Korean course helped me to know more about Korean culture and the basic vocabulary of Korean. 

The University of Manchester is not only a prestigious institution but also a remarkably inclusive and  diverse community. There is no divide between home and international students, this multicultural  setting has broadened my horizons and exposed me to different perspectives. Furthermore, my time at  the university has instilled in me the value of independent learning.

The Whitworth Art Gallery.

Moreover, each week, we became required to engage with course materials through videos, lecture notes, and supplementary readings. Followed by  review sessions to consolidate our knowledge. Although initially challenging, I soon recognized the  immense importance of independent learning. Throughout the learning, I built my own understanding  of the whole area and decided what I want to focus on in the future. Collaborative projects with my  classmates during the semester further honed my teamwork skills, preparing me for the collaborative  nature of the professional world. 

The campus of the University of Manchester is a captivating blend of beautiful old buildings and modern architecture!

Hulme Hall, the oldest hall of residence at the university.

Abundant libraries are scattered throughout the campus, each offering an  conducive environment for studying and collaboration. My personal favorite spot was the main library,  with its various sections and divisions catering to both individual study and group meetings. I always  went there for my academic study. 

There were lots of Careers Fairs on campus as well, where we could speak directly and in-person with  local and national organizations and find out more about their opportunities. I gained a lot of  knowledge of different industries and businesses during these fairs. 

Moreover, the University of Manchester boasts excellent sports facilities, including a gym and  swimming pool. During my leisure time, I engaged in physical exercise to maintain a healthy lifestyle  and find balance among academic life. 

Reflecting on my time at the University of Manchester, I am grateful for the transformative impact it  has had on me. It has shaped me into a well-rounded individual.

Albert Square

Top 25 Colleges In The US

How hard is it to get into Phillips Exeter Academy?

View from the tower of Phillips Church in 1911, showing Alumni Hall (1903. Moreover, now Mayer Art Center), and third Academy Building (1872–1914)

View from the tower of Phillips Church, Exeter, New Hampshire. At right is the 3rd Academy Building, designed by the Boston architectural firm of Peabody & Stearns. Built to replace the 2nd Academy Building, which burned on December 20, 1870. And would itself burn on July 4, 1914. In the distance is the Squamscott River.

Phillips Exeter Academy, located in Exeter, New Hampshire, is a prestigious, highly selective, co-educational independent boarding school. Widely regarded as one of the most academically rigorous and competitive schools in the United States. Admission to Phillips Exeter Academy is a challenging process that requires dedication and effort from applicants.

Let’s explore the application process! Furthermore, the factors that the school considers when making admission decisions. Additionally, the level of difficulty of getting into Phillips Exeter Academy.

The application process for Phillips Exeter Academy is comprehensive and rigorous, involving multiple stages. The first stage of the process is the submission of the application. Moreover, which includes essays, transcripts, standardized test scores, recommendations from teachers, and an interview. Thus, the application process is highly competitive. Furthermore, with the school receiving thousands of applications every year. And as a result, only admitting a fraction of the applicants.

Abbot Hall

When making admission decisions, Phillips Exeter Academy considers a range of factors. Including academic achievement, extracurricular activities, character, and potential for leadership! The school looks for students who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement. Additionally, a commitment to intellectual curiosity and academic rigor. Additionally, the school values students who have shown leadership potential. Moreover, through their involvement in extracurricular activities, community service, and other forms of engagement.

The level of difficulty of getting into Phillips Exeter Academy is high, with an acceptance rate of around 15%. As a result, means that out of thousands of applicants, only a small fraction will become admitted. The school is highly selective! And looks for students who are not only academically strong. However, they also demonstrate leadership potential, intellectual curiosity, and a commitment to serving their communities.

Student body, Phillips Exeter Academy, ca. 1903

E. Chickering & Co. – http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/I?

The school’s high level of academic rigor and selectivity makes it an attractive option! Especially for students who are seeking a challenging and rewarding academic experience. However, it also means that the application process is highly competitive. And applicants need to become well-prepared and dedicated to their studies and extracurricular activities.

In conclusion, getting into Phillips Exeter Academy is a challenging process that requires dedication, effort, and commitment from applicants. The school is highly selective and values academic achievement, leadership potential, and character.

Letter from President Abraham Lincoln to Mary Todd Lincoln Written from Exeter, where Lincoln was visiting son Robert Todd Lincoln, then an Exeter student. March 1860. English Home (hec.gov.pk)

Abraham Lincoln – http://memory.loc.gov/mss/mal/mal3/434/4340100/001.jpg

The application process is comprehensive and rigorous, involving multiple stages and requiring applicants to demonstrate their abilities and potential. While getting into Phillips Exeter Academy is challenging. It is also a highly rewarding experience for students who are seeking an academically rigorous and stimulating environment.

Imperial College London

My first and last impression of Imperial College London is the Royal Albert Hall! Where the graduation ceremony is held. 

The first performance at the Hall. The decorated canvas awning seen beneath the dome.

It seemed like it was just an instant: from the time in my high school, I accidentally watched an online video of an Imperial senior graduating in the Hall; to the time when I worked hard with Imperial College as my dream school; and finally to the time when I was truly standing on my graduation ceremony in the grand and imposing Royal Albert Hall. It was like a dream. The ceremony has written a perfect ending for the colorful campus life of every Imperial student.

College coat of arms, recorded 1915.

Imperial College London is a place full of colorful life. Thanks to the unique location of Imperial College London, its extracurricular life is very rich: students can jog, ride a bike, and watch the swans in the Hyde Park; we can also go to nearby Museums to experience the charm of nature, history, and art; we can participate in a variety of activities held in school dormitories; we can also enjoy the authentic cuisines from around the world around Kensington and Chelsea.

Prince Albert was the main patron of the early Royal Colleges and the development of an area of culture in South Kensington

Additionally, there are also attractive seasonal activities. In Winter, there is the fantastic Winter Wonderland held in Hyde Park and the skating square in front of the Natural History Museum.

Kensington Gardens

In Summer, there is a Street food Festival and Summer Ball held in the College. You will never become bored!

Cycling in Hyde Park

There is one more thing I have to talk about is the various societies in Imperial College. There are lots of them, and I, myself, am a member of Mathematics, Finance, Dancing, Jogging and Photography Societies. At Imperial College, you can easily find your fellows, no matter where your interests are. 

Imperial College is a place full of kindness. We have the best professors in the world, who have already found great success in their research field. However, they are still patient! Furthermore, always nice and answering our “stupid” questions. Or discuss our thoughts and confusions on every proof.

Additionally, give us advice when we find ourselves confused, not only on our study, but also on our future and life. To help students adapt to the high-speed developing world, Imperial College never sticks to its past honors. Instead, it keeps updating its course structures, which could assure us students always get access to the hottest spots and the most cutting-edge fields, such as big data, machine learning and Artificial Intelligence.

Imperial College is a place full of opportunities. Most of the ways you want to improve yourself can be found here. We can learn new languages through Horizons, explore new cultures through various events, and use your skills for good globally. When I was a mathematics undergraduate in Imperial College, I could attend a lot of world trips held by the Finance Society to financial centers around the world, like New York and Hong Kong. Also, we could have opportunities to be an exchange student to other world-leading universities, such as MIT and ETH. Obviously, as long as you want, there are many platforms and opportunities for you to enhance your insights and improve yourself. 

1922 aerial view of Imperial College London

Last but not the least, Imperial College is a place full of responsibility. Besides the professors being friendly and responsible, the Career Service together with the good reputation and rankings of Imperial College will support your career path starting from your first day in Imperial College to years after you graduate. Many top Companies, not just UK ones, will come to Imperial College to hold career events. And every Imperial student can attend them for free. These events not only fully demonstrate the companies’ acknowledgement of Imperial College. In addition, also give us countless opportunities to learn more and make a more clear plan on our future career. 

So, in conclusion, life as a student at Imperial College London can become characterized by academic excellence, supportive teachers, like-minded peers, a conducive learning environment, and opportunities for personal growth and development. 

We have supportive teachers who usually encourage students to share their opinions about their teaching styles and offer understanding and support during our challenging situations. The Imperial creates a sense of camaraderie and a supportive community where us students could help each other. During my times of uncertainty about the future, like module selection and career direction, I can also always find some enthusiastic teachers, seniors or classmates, who provide me with some emotional facilitation and valuable guidance, empowering me to progress better.

The Imperial offers a wide range of modules in Mathematics, fostering intellectual curiosity and a passion for lifelong learning. And we have an online interactive forum, “edstem,” and recorded lectures and problem classes, enhancing our learning experience. In addition, our college hosts various events, including career talks, inspirational lectures, and festive celebrations, and encourages association engagement, contributing to a vibrant campus life. Through these real-world experiences, I also developed my leadership and networking skills.

How hard is it to get into Phillips Exeter Academy?

What does it mean to be an ‘Exonian’ or Phillips Exeter’s best students?

What happened at Phillips Exeter?

Culture is a complex anthropological concept. John Monaghan, in his book Social and Cultural Anthropology: a Very Short Introduction, writes that “there have probably been more anthropological definitions of ‘culture’ than there have been anthropologists.” From this, it is clear that even at the scholarly level, there is difficulty nailing down an all-encompassing definition for the term.

Evidently, there will exist similarities between different definitions of culture. Which can become used to generally characterize what is, and what is not culture.

It is through these similarities that a working definition for culture will become synthesized. And used to analyze the origins of cultural identity at Phillips Exeter Academy. 

Also in Social and Cultural Anthropology: a Very Short Introduction, Monaghan says that:

“However we define culture, most anthropologists agree that it has to do with those aspects of human cognition and activity that are derived from what we learn as members of society, keeping in mind that one learns a great deal that one is never explicitly taught.”

Here, the insinuation is that culture is a summation of thoughts and actions learned over time. And also learned indirectly, rather than taught in something akin to a classroom environment. The idea of learning culture is studied more in depth by Katherine Dettwyler. In Cultural Anthropology and Human Experience: The Feast of Life.

She says that culture can be simplified into three categories:

Firstly, what’s inside people’s heads. Secondly, what people do, and what people make!

Within the first category, she emphasizes that culture becomes learned, shared, and patterned!

Moreover, it becomes learned because culture isn’t steadfast, it is constantly changing. Culture, shared since individuals will have overlap in terms of their beliefs, knowledge. In addition, attitudes which help them identify with a particular group. Culture becomes patterned because:

“We find organized systems of thought and belief, patterns of thinking and systems of knowledge, not just a random hodgepodge of factoids and unrelated ideas.” Specifically, it is this pattern of ideas and factoids that gives culture significance. 

Comparing the two expanded definitions of culture from both Monaghan and Dettwyler, a few concepts are clear. Culture is not instantaneous.

That is to say, it takes time to develop. Also, there is no explicit teaching. However, rather ingrained into the individual by the society in which they exist. Logically, the next question is how exactly culture becomes ‘ingrained’ into an individual.

In the book The Best of The Best, the author Ruben Gatzambe-Fernandez explores the development of cultural identities at “Weston”, a pseudonym for the elite boarding school Phillips Exeter Academy, or “Exeter”. He evaluates admissions, language, and framing, in his consideration of how a student comes to identify themselves with Exeter, which is most often through the use of the term “Exonian”. 

The first step towards a student identifying themselves as an Exonian, and thus a member of the group of people which form the culture at Phillips Exeter, is the admissions process.

First Academy Building c. 1910, where the school opened in 1783

Students, not made aware of the explicit reason that they become admitted to Exeter when they receive notice of admission. The effects of this are twofold. One, it disbands the possibility of a student who did not become admitted comparing themselves to those who were with specific evidence as to why.

Secondly, “it is the initial step toward internalizing the notion that, while ‘Weston is not for everybody,’ it is certainly for them.” The offer of admission confirms this notion in the student’s mind. It is a rite of passage. Meaning it represents a passing from one world to another, in this case, the transition into Exeter from a different school environment.

Within the broad category of rites of passage, there exists a subgroup of transition rites, exemplified by the likes of betrothal, or in this case, initiation.

After students receive their admissions letter, students reflect on why they belong at Exeter. Jack Mitchell, one of Fernandez’ interviewees, attributes his acceptance to his willingness to have meaningful discussions. In his admissions interview, he recalls saying:

“I feel that I always have things to say, and if I don’t have things to say, I’m interested in what someone else has to say.”

Phillips Church in 1911

As Fernandez mentions often, discussion skills are crucial to becoming Exonian. And Jack is trying to show that he has what it takes.

When Jack is explaining why he believes he belongs at Exeter, he is legitimizing his presence there.

John Phillips, the founder of Phillips Exeter Academy

The term Legitimation, as defined in Peter Berger’s The Social Construction of Reality is “this process of ‘explaining’ and justifying.” In this instance, legitimation takes the form of spoken language, and allows Jack to rationalize his place at Exeter.

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He reasons that because he is good at discussion, one of the key parts of becoming an Exonian according to many students interviewed by Fernandez, he deserves to be at Exeter.

Post admission, and the legitimation of their own personal place in the ranks of Exeter students, individuals continue to construct their cultural identity through language. “Language might be called the domain of articulations … Language can also be compared with a sheet of paper: thought is the front and the sound the back; one cannot cut the front without cutting the back at the same time.”

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Furthermore, Language becomes connected to thoughts. Which are key to internalizing a particular cultural identity. The word that Fernandez found most intertwined to the cultural identity of Exeter students is “smart”. A good way to see this becomes through the constructing of boundaries between groups on campus. Who become considered “smart”, and those considered not. “Students use the category of PG as a way to distinguish and draw boundaries around themselves as Westonians who are smart and work hard.” The word smart becomes associated with exclusively students who are not of the PG category.

Since most students view PGs as “Weston students who are not Westonians”. As a result, distinguishing themselves from PGs thus makes a student more “Westonian”.

The Beatles exemplified changing cultural dynamics, not only in music, but fashion and lifestyle. Over a half century after their emergence, they continue to have a worldwide cultural impact.

In essence, language becomes used to reinforce their cultural identity as Westonian. As a result of separating themselves from the group considered not to be. In addition to language, there is another underlying anthropological concept in this method of cultural identification. It is framing. Frames “are mental structures that shape the way we see the world.” An example of a frame would be that Ethan is a PG, so Ethan is dumb. It allows individuals to reinforce their own ideas about culture.

Culture has no unilateral definition.

Exeter baseball team in 1881, including a student from the Chinese Educational Mission 1909 advertisement for the school

However, the case study of Phillips Exeter provides great insight into what exactly culture has manifested itself into. Additionally how it becomes constructed. Furthermore, students at Exeter begin as outsiders. Thus, begin the creation of their cultural identity as Exonians upon acceptance to the institution. From there, they legitimize their presence.

In conclusion, language structures separate themselves from those considered not Exonian. And thus, more closely associating themselves with the term. Furthermore, it is a process that takes time, as culture is not instantaneous. Lastly, through what they think, what they do, and what they make. Lastly, Exeter students slowly come to associate themselves with the cultural identity of an Exeter student, being Exonian. 

is Instituto de Estudios Bursátiles good?

is Instituto de Estudios Bursátiles good?

Madrid. — Fachadas principal (con la andamiada correspondiente al pórtico) y lateral de la nueva Bolsa de Comercio, en construcción.

IEB Opinion Article by Luis Encinas. 

Felipe II trasladó a Madrid la Corte.

The Instituto de Estudios Bursátiles. Known as IEB. A private university located in Madrid, Spain. Specializing in the finance and business administration sector, offering a very complete formation in this sector.

Stands out for its wide specialization in the financial sector. Offering real and updated knowledge of the needs and problems about business. In addition, an updated knowledge of the day-to-day needs and problems of companies. Thus, fundamental in such a global and competitive world. 

In addition to the university degrees offered by the IEB, it also offers a very favorable particularity compared to other Spanish or European universities, in 4 years you can complete your undergraduate studies plus the master’s degree and internships. The average is 5 or 6 years.

Moreover, the complementary or extracurricular training in the form of courses is very valuable for acquiring a wide range of knowledge in courses of a relatively short duration. 

Dibujo del Alcázar de Madrid en 1534 y 1535.

They are also very practical and enjoyable courses. Thanks to the extensive knowledge of the teachers! Who explains current economic trends in a clear and concise manner. As far as postgraduate or Master’s degree training is concerned, the IEB is one of the best universities at a national level. According to the awards and various recognitions it has received. 

As basic principles that characterize the University in such a privileged situation, the following should become highlighted: 

Bolsa de Comercio de Madrid. Plaza de la Lealtad 1. Construido en el solar donde estuvo el Teatro El Dorado entre 1886 y 1893 por Enrique Mª Repullés y Vargas. En su proximidad se encuentra el Monumento a los Caídos por España.

1.) The teaching staff stands highly involved with the training of students!

Furthermore, a highly qualified teaching staff, are highly qualified professors with extensive professional experience in the financial sector.

As they have professional careers in the financial sector, as they have been working in the financial sector or are still working in the sector or continue to combine it with teaching.

Many of them, in addition to their great professional experience,have a great training, with degrees and doctorates from the most prestigious universities and business schools. 

View of Calle de Alcalá in 1750 by Antonio Joli – https://barbararosillo.com/2013/02/12/los-espanoles-de-antes/antonio-joli-vista-de-la-calle-de-alcala-h-1750-fundacion-casa-de-alba-madrid/

2.) The connection with reality is a fundamental point of all teaching in these changing times, what is out of touch with reality is almost no longer valid. This is a very strong point of the IEB.

As a student who is looking for an updated education this school fits perfectly. Moreover, constantly updating itself allows this university undoubtedly to stand out as a great option.

The IEB is one of the few Spanish universities that has managed to provide its students with a formation that is at the real needs of the financial sector, this training becomes oriented to the daily practice of these great companies.

The daily practice of these large global financial companies, with which we work very closely getting to know their problems and needs first hand.

Façade of Madrid (Spain) Stock Exchange Building.

Achieved by orienting the training to the real needs of the companies, for example, teaching us operations that don’t appear in the manuals of study. However, their knowledge is very important because of its almost daily use. In such a changing sector and in which technological changes are vital, being up to date is not an option. Is an imperious necessity. 

This mix of experience, practice and academic knowledge from the hands of the leading finance professionals, place the Instituto de Estudios Bursátiles in a privileged position. 

3.) The wide academic offer, it is worth mentioning the possibility of studying for a university degree. The degree itself plus the master’s degree in the period of 4 years with the professional practices included, the normal period of degree plus master’s degree is superior in the great majority of the cases.

The Master, a key piece in the relevance of this university are its postgraduate training, supported by awards and recognitions, its Master training like: MBA, Master in Financial Markets, Master in MMFF and Portfolio Management, Master in Markets and Investment Banking… 

The extracurricular training, these are training courses and advanced courses that seek to provide complementary training to the relevant news of the markets or the changes in trends or major breakthroughs of new technologies.

Thus, an example would become the AI. Personally, these training courses remain essential.

Because here the change in the sector becomes reflected along with the knowledge of the teacher and from his perspective and with his experience he explains how this change can affect a sector so volatile and reactive to change. 

I would also highlight that it is one of the few universities in our country that has a Bloomberg classroom, it has Bloomberg terminals for practice and to know its main functions. 

The IEB, an educational institution of the first level endorsed by its professionalism, employability of its students and its level of training.

Becoming trained today. And knowing first hand what stands relevant in any sector, remains the key to success. Moreover information remains power and today more than ever. And if that information becomes reflected with a specific knowledge of the hand of great professionals.

The result ends up as a very well trained and prepared student for tomorrow.

Is Rutgers good?

Rebellion Research CEO posing with students at Rutgers University, after giving his lecture.

A Comprehensive Overview of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

Moreover, established in 1766, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is one of the oldest and most prestigious higher education institutions in the United States.

The Digital Studies Center and Johnson Park at Rutgers University.

Originally chartered as Queen’s College, Rutgers has evolved over the centuries into a leading public research university, known for its tradition of academic excellence and its commitment to public service.

Rebellion Research CEO teaching at Rutgers University.

Rutgers is a significant contributor to the educational, cultural, and economic life of the state and the nation. Its prestige extends both nationally and internationally, thanks to its extensive range of programs, diverse student body, accomplished faculty, and notable alumni.

We asked one recent graduate who went on to study for a Master’s at UC Berkeley to reflect on their experience:

“Through its proximity, Rutgers is known for offering a lot of opportunities in the nearby metropolitan areas. What’s less well known are the many global connections and opportunities afforded by Rutgers.” 

Well respected for its comprehensive offerings across various disciplines. Rutgers has particularly strong programs in Business, Engineering, Nursing, and English. Its School of Environmental and Biological Sciences is also highly regarded for its innovative research and engagement with contemporary environmental issues.

STEM!

Oil painting of Revolutionary War hero and philanthropist, Colonel Henry Rutgers (1745–1830), early benefactor and namesake of Rutgers University.

Henry Inman – New-York Historical Society https://emuseum.nyhistory.org/objects/20700/

In the realm of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), Rutgers excels with a variety of strong programs. The School of Engineering offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in several disciplines, including Biomedical Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Electrical and Computer Engineering.

The School of Arts and Sciences, on the other hand, hosts various STEM-related departments, such as Physics and Astronomy, Biological Sciences, Mathematics, and Computer Science.

The Rutgers College football team in 1882.

Furthermore, the cost of attending Rutgers varies depending on the specific school, degree level, and residency status. As a result of being a public institution, it offers lower tuition rates for New Jersey residents compared to out-of-state students. However, it provides a wide range of financial aid opportunities to assist students with their educational expenses.

Voorhees Mall, Rutgers University

The cost of living in New Jersey stands higher compared to the national average. As a result of largely becoming driven by housing costs.

However, the actual cost can vary significantly depending on the specific region of the state and the lifestyle of the individual. Nevertheless, with its proximity to major urban centers like New York City and Philadelphia, the cultural and professional opportunities available to Rutgers students are immense.

Rutgers enjoys a strong reputation as one of the leading public universities in the United States!

Senator Elizabeth Warren received her JD from Rutgers Law School on the Newark campus in 1976.

United States Senate – http://www.warren.senate.gov/?p=biography

It consistently ranks among the top universities in national and global rankings, reflecting its strength in teaching, research, and community engagement. Its faculty includes numerous distinguished scholars, and its research contributes significantly to advancements in various fields.

The admissions process at Rutgers is highly competitive!

Applicants need to submit their high school transcripts, SAT or ACT scores, and letters of recommendation. The university considers the rigor of high school coursework, grades, standardized test scores, extracurricular activities, and the personal essay in its admissions decisions. Certain competitive programs may have additional requirements or higher standards for admission.

Photograph of the Nielson Campus of Rutgers College. Viewed from Hamilton Street or in front of New Jersey Hall (Agricultural Experiment Station), circa 1919-1920. This section of campus is presently called Voorhees Mall on the College Avenue Campus of Rutgers. In addition, the State University of New Jersey in New Brunswick. Buildings (left to right):

New Jersey Hall (staircase only), Hertzog Hall and Suydam Hall (obscured by trees, New Brunswick Theological Seminary campus). Milledoler Hall, Miller Hall, and the Delta Upsilon fraternity house. Moreover, other information, this image from a book located on Google Books at: https://books.google.com/books?id=dVcZAAAAYAAJ.

Let’s hear from a recent graduate of Rutgers:

While I understand it isn’t easy to delve into details as the university is very varied, my two inputs are:

• My personal experience with the university, and I have seen the same happening with fellow students, is that the organization is exceptionally compassionate towards students. They go above and beyond. Thus, to ensure that all our needs become met. Additionally, no constraints obstruct us from focussing solely on studies. All the different teams, be it legal, medical, counseling, or even pantry, are not just there for the sake of it but are responsive and helpful when it comes to any support that the students may need. They have thought of literally everything that the students may require and have made them available for the students. Maybe all the universities do this for their students, but I think it may still be worth applauding! 

In conclusion, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, stands as a premier institution of higher learning. Lastly, its long history, comprehensive academic offerings, dedication to research, and robust community engagement make it a valuable choice for students from all walks of life. Moreover, its strong reputation, combined with the opportunities afforded by its location, solidifies its position as a leader in public higher education.

Rebellion Research CEO posing with students after giving a lecture at Rutgers University.

Lee Chapel and Museum located in Lexington, Virginia at Washington and Lee University. The chapel, built in 1867. General Robert E. Lee served as president from 1865 to 1870. Kept his office in the chapel and he chose it as his burial spot. http://lcweb2.loc.gov/pp/highsmhtml/highsmabt.html states that Highsmith has dedicated the photos in the archive to the public domain.

Yes, an excellent school! An excellent choice! Consistently among the 20 ranked liberal arts schools in the country!

Let’s take a look at the student experience via the eyes of an anonymous student who was kind enough to share his/her experience with us!

My Experience Studying at Washington and Lee 

George Washington, the institution’s first major benefactor.

This May, I completed my first year at Washington and Lee. I left campus and embarked on a 17-hour car ride home with a long road ahead of me. And ample time to reflect on all I had overcome, accomplished and new aspirations prompted by all the years brought. 

Coming to W&L, I knew of a few familiar names and faces. However, I was the only girl from Fort Worth in my class. I didn’t have any friends from home with me. I underestimated how difficult the severity of unfamiliarity would be for me.

After all, growing up in a small town that emulated a bubble. Wells are not exactly the best launchpad in an environment where most people know you at the beginning. Only so far as your first and last name, if that. The difficulty of this transition during the first couple of months, coupled with my spiraling anxiety and depression. Ultimately became the lowest point I felt I had ever reached. I worried I was not strong enough to transition and succeed in college, both academically and socially. Seeing an end in sight became harder and harder, and everything felt uncertain.

Before this transition, I had so many goals I wanted to achieve collegiately, athletically, and even career-wise.

“Washington College at Lexington,” lithograph, by Henry Howe. Courtesy of the New York Public Library Digital Collection. Henry Howe – http://digitalgallery.nypl.org/nypldigital/id?54792

Alumnus Tom Wolfe, Class of 1951. Legendary American writer of ‘The Right Stuff’, ‘Electric Kool Aid Acid Test’, ‘Bonfire of the Vanities’ and many more. White House Photo by Susan Sterner. – http://www.whitehouse.gov/firstlady/initiatives/wh-salute.html

However, now, the drive to create those goals has vanquished. By the inability to complete a task as simple as getting out of bed or eating a meal!

I had never felt so scared or unlike myself. I felt the only thing I could depend on was the hope that time would bring certainty and familiarity into my life, and even that felt uncertain. 

Needless to say, the culmination of these feelings posed a fierce competitor to my academic focus. I struggled to stay on top of my work and felt it was impossible to put forth the level of focus and effort that had earned me a spot at W&L in the first place. Each time I put this in perspective. I felt overwhelmed with frustration, aware of the many excellent academic opportunities I had right at my fingertips. But I did not know how to overcome the mental guard in the way. 

As time went on, I overcame these hardships. I frequently met with a therapist and academic coaches. With their help and my gradual adaptation to the rigorous collegiate lifestyle, I grew into myself again, into the student and person meant to be at W&L.

Moreover, with each day, my grades, focus, and depth of engagement and involvement all correlated in a positive direction!

As a result, I could see my goals through a clear lens instead of finding myself clouded from negativity.

I fostered several strong rapports with my professors and developed great friendships. I walked away from my first year with a heightened understanding of my potential as not just a student at Washington and Lee but also as an individual with an entirely new perspective.

Ruins of Liberty Hall, grounds of Washington & Lee University, Lexington, Virginia. From the Carol M. Highsmith Collection, Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D. C. Donated to the Library by Carol M. Highsmith.

Engineering hall of Washington and Lee university.

President’s House, begun in 1868 as a residence for Robert E. Lee and his wife. Carol M. Highsmith – http://memory.loc.gov/pnp/pplot/13600/13600/01181v.jpg

My college life at Georgia Tech began with an intense fascination towards computer hardware.  As a computer engineering major, I was drawn to the world of computer architecture, digital  circuit, and everything about silicon chips. The promise of understanding how computers  actually work motivated me, hoping one day I could design my own chips. My first year at Georgia Tech, a school with tremendous resources in the field of electrical and computer  engineering, was marked by courses and projects that allowed me to delve deep into computer  architecture and hardware design. 

Soon, however, my interest began to shift from the physical aspects of computers to the world  of software. This transition started when I learned about Moore’s law. Moore’s law dictated the  development process of the computer hardware field: the number of transistors on a microchip  doubles approximately every two years. However, as we approached the physical limitations (size of an atom, speed of light), it became evident that Moore’s law, as well as the progression  of hardware, has reached its limits in recent years. I realized that the future of computational  innovations lay not in the physical chips themselves, but in what we could make those chips do  – the realm of computer software.

Luckily enough, Georgia Tech also offers both great  opportunities in computer software, making this transition happen smoothly. At the start of  my second year, I was exposed to cutting-edge softwares. In addition, data science and machine learning.

President Barack Obama at Georgia Tech

Furthermore, I became fascinated by the creativity of computer science. Most importantly, at Georgia Tech, I  can always find likely-minded peers who are also passionate about computer software. 

The rigorous academic courses taken from Georgia Tech helped me secure my first internship. A software engineering intern at Amazon.

Despite having to leave the school and my  friends for one semester, the joy of entering the industry for the first time was huge, and I  looked forward to creating software that would change the world. However, my time in the  professional world offered me a different perspective. I found that the industry became structured. Such that the most impactful software became developed by large teams of hundreds or even  thousands of developers.

In such a setup, an individual’s impact within the firm finds itself limited.

Georgia Tech’s first two graduates were H.L. Smith (top row, center) and G.C. Crawford (top row, far right).

The  pace of progress seemed sluggish to me. And I found the atmosphere saturated with talk about work-life balance rather than a passion for the work itself. It seemed to me that not everyone  truly loved what they were doing. Like how I transitioned from hardware to software, I decided to make my next move. 

Through interactions with diverse individuals, I got a glimpse into the fast-paced world of  quantitative investment, where computer science knowledge like machine learning and data  science also play a vital role. The idea of employing advanced data science techniques and  statistical tools like regression and optimization to navigate the complex world of finance  excited me.

The dynamic-changing nature of the market and diverse investment ideas motivated me to come up with my own strategies.

With new aspirations, I sought opportunities that help me explore more about this field. I interned as a quant developer. Then as a quant research intern at Jiawo Asset Management. Finally as a quant developer intern at Millennium.

Each experience reaffirmed my passion for quantitative research and the world of  investment. 

However, as I transitioned to this field, I realized that Georgia Tech’s resources and support for  investment were not as robust as their offering in computer hardware or software. This compelled me to  take ownership of my own learning. I drove myself to understand more about the industry. As a reuslt, engaging in self-research and networking with experienced people in the quantitative industry. 

Looking back, I see how Georgia Tech’s culture of intellectual curiosity shaped me. The  university encouraged me to seek out new opportunities, persevere through challenges, and  stay committed to my goals. Despite the lack of extensive resources in the investment field, I’ve  learned that it’s not always about the resources but about the will to utilize what’s at hand and  show commitments to every responsibility.

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