Eddie Chi is a freshman at Cornell University. He reflects on how he got accepted to Cornell, details how his freshman year has gone so far, and gives advice on how to get accepted to an Ivy League school. (Baltimore Sun)
By: Gabe Kamins, Co-Editor-in-Chief
12%. That was the number of applicants to Cornell University that were admitted in 2020 (according to Naviance). One of those students was Eddie Chi, a graduate of River Hill High School who always dreamt of attending an Ivy League school. While it certainly required hours upon hours of studying, doing homework, attending events and meetings for various clubs, and much more, Eddie’s hard work paid off in the form of an acceptance letter to one of the top universities in the country. So how did he do it?
Howard County Youth Orchestra. Maryland All-State Orchestra. Columbia Aquatics Association. Howard County Special Olympics. Those were just a few of the many activities and associations Eddie was involved with outside of school. He also worked as a swim lesson instructor and lifeguard for Columbia Association, and as a barista at Jumbo Jumbo Cafe and Gong Cha. In school, Eddie was a member of the Varsity football team, cross country and track team (freshman year), Science Olympiad, FBLA, NHS, Tri-M, DECA, and Man in The Mirror. When combined with his numerous AP classes and loads of homework that he would carry home each night, it is easy to assume that Eddie was stressed and overwhelmed throughout his high school career. That, however, is far from the case. He explained that “not everything in life is a constant grind” and that “well-being comes first and foremost.” He never once challenged himself with something that he didn’t think he could handle mentally, or signed up for something that he didn’t think would interest him. While it may seem like Eddie participated in an impossible amount of clubs and activities, he was simply doing things that he was either good at, or just interested him.
It is important to understand that just because one doesn’t attend an Ivy League school does not mean that they are any less intelligent or qualified than someone who does. However, many students at River Hill understandably strive to attend one of the eight prestigious universities in the Ivy League due to their incredible academic resources, as well the lifelong knowledge and connections that can be gained from them. Eddie advises these students to “find a good balance between all facets of life” and to “make sure to budget time and plan ahead in order to accommodate for everything that you need to do.” While it may seem like an Ivy League hopeful has to sign up for every club at their school and study all night to even stand a chance at admission, Eddie believes that the most successful students are actually the ones who can limit stress as much as possible and make time for everything they have to do – whether that is for three clubs or for thirty clubs. “Happiness is key,” he explained.
Located in Ithaca, New York, Cornell University was founded in 1865 and is regarded as one of the most prestigious universities in the world. Eddie was attracted to Cornell due to its “diverse curriculum that it offered” and the fact that he thought that it offered a strong “balance of coursework, extracurriculars, and fun.” While his freshman year has certainly not gone the way he thought it would go when he committed – most of his classes are virtual – Eddie is still having a “great” first year at Cornell. “I have in-person labs, discussions, and music courses,” he explained. He is also currently “part of the pre-health club and the Cornell Special Olympics.” Even though the majority of his day is spent virtual, his favorite part about Cornell so far has been the opportunity to meet so many new people from around the world.
It’s not easy to get accepted into an Ivy League school. While students may feel pressured to push themselves to their breaking point in high school with difficult classes, heavy-workload clubs, and various sports, students should instead find a healthy balance between work and their actual life. Regardless of what university someone attends, a healthy mind is the most valuable thing they can have. For students who are aiming for the Ivy League, remember to never stress yourself out too much and take care of your mental health. There are only four years of high school, and it is important to enjoy them as much as possible.