The Cornell Cohort is Selected

On Monday the 27th of March three panelists gathered at El Cerrito High School to interview seven highly qualified applicants to determine the 2017 Cornell cohort.

Applicants are asked no more than 10 questions—of which there are no right or wrong answers.  The panelists look for applicants that can think on their feet and sell their point.  They look for students who can show a true interest in the school they’re applying for and the classes offered.

Most importantly, the panelists look for applicants that embrace that the Ivy League Connection is all about giving back and can be expected to share what they’ve learned once they return home.

Applicants are expected to serve as ambassadors for their schools, their community and the ILC as they meet up with students from around the world.

Sometimes the questions asked are not all that difficult but since several of the applicants had interviewed for other programs, these questions were new and significantly more complex.  Most were a minimum of two parts and some were three part.

All seven applicants rose to the higher level of the questions which made the selection process even more difficult for the panelists.

Nonetheless, three truly outstanding new ILCers were selected:  Javaria Khan of El Cerrito HS, Noor Ul Ain Ali of El Cerrito HS and Robson Swift of De Anza HS.

Since the selection process has concluded, the cohort has buckled down to start their applications to Cornell.  Earning an ILC scholarship is only the beginning of the process.  ILCers must apply to and be accepted to the schools and then get into their classes—not necessarily an easy feat.  But ILCers are selected because of their abilities and the ILC has every expectation that the highly selective schools they apply to will welcome them.