Following five reviews were sent yesterday. If anyone wants to add a new point is requested to send a follow-up Review. I am NOT including the respective reviewer's name for the purpose of maintaining anonymity. I have done slight additions and corrections WITHOUT putting in any additional observation.
Review 1
I loved the meeting today especially because the insight I have gained from Prachy’s unconventional major choices. It’s important to note what our interests lead us to, even if at first they don’t make sense and thereafter, follow them. Another important point she shared is to keep attached to our Bengali identity because no matter where we go it’s a part of us that we should be proud of.
My Comment:
As a rule we make sure that our Main CA Essay exposes our Cultural Roots. And then if possible, we try to address at least one Cultural aspect in one of the following – (1) General Research Paper, (2) Technical Research Paper, (3) Creative Arts Supplement. This comments makes no mention of extensive reading and writing that Prachy specifically suggested.
Review 2
Today, I got the opportunity to talk with Ms. Prachy Mahbub, a Research Data Specialist working under Harvard Medical School. She was very enthusiastic overall, and would get even more excited when asked about her undergrad experience at Mount Holyoke College and her job at Harvard. She was open to all sorts of questions, even ones which were not involved in either her work, or her college life. Her speech today made me realize one thing, which is the importance of having more than one major. She said her second major, Islamic Theology would help her think out of the box, and would let her interpret thing in many ways. She also talked about the importance of grades, and how it would affect student applying this year especially. She enjoyed spending her time painting, which would allow her to take the stress away from her job.
My Comment:
Since 2010, every Logophiles students are highly discouraged to think of Single Major. If the realization comes after Prachy’s talk, I would say, it came too late. This comments makes no mention of extensive reading and writing that Prachy specifically suggested.
Review 3
Q. How did you decide you major?
A.
I had Math, physics, chemistry and biology in A’ levels. I liked biology the
most so I decided to pursue neuroscience.
Further comment from the student:
Sir, I really need to think about
it more. She told me ask questions to a lot of different people before I decide
and not to shift majors frequently. I am confused. But then again, what else
can be done with Math and Physics other than Engineering? E.E and Aerospace is
appealing though. I might switch to Aerospace but that would mean all my
research till now is wasted.
My Comment:
Physics and Math is required in EVERY SINGLE subject in STEM. Since you are ok with both Physics and Math, go for Engineering (no need to be specific because first 2 Years SAME Course work). And then add Mathematics - you can go to Any Profession after having Math in UG. This comments makes no mention of extensive reading and writing that Prachy specifically suggested.
Review 4
Summary of today’s meeting (29/7/21): Prachy apu advised us to read more books and in doing so we will find a book that truly inspires us. She also states that even a simple movie or song can also help us get inspired. She says although her two majors seem different they are quite well linked up. Moreover, she mentions that her religion major now helps her think out of the box at Harvard. She teaches us to be proud as a Bangladeshi and to include that love for Bangladesh in our characters and essays. Through her love for painting we know that we should also perform some kind of activity in between our works that helps us relax. Prachy Apu also informed us that the A level grades are quite important at top universities.
My Comment:
Regarding reading books: Prachy did NOT say that you
should read UNTIL you get your favourite book and then stop reading. I am sure
the writer does not mean it here.
Review 5
Meeting with Prachy
Mahbub
(Double
Major in Neuroscience and Islamic Theology from Mount Holyoke College, MS. Currently
placed in Harvard Medical School as Research Data Specialist.)
Today, we
were joined by a former Logophiles student today morning where she talked about
a lot of important aspects of undergraduate applications and university life. Her
academic background include a Double Major at Mount Holyoke College in Neuroscience and Islamic Theology. She talked
about how important it was for her to be immersed in literature, films, and art during the time of application. There were some books she didn't
necessarily want to read, and some books she connected with and found
inspiration in.
There
was talk of how much reading and writing she had to do as an undergraduate. It
is important that we go prepared and showcase our ability to read at the level
that will be required to complete our undergrad at a good US college.
She
talked about the importance of standing out as a candidate for her
undergraduate admissions and listed a few things that made her application
stand out. For example, the Technical
Research Paper that she sent to universities really helped her stand out to
admissions officers. She emphasized the importance of having our own opinion,
our own views, and our own perspectives. She encouraged us to embrace our
Bangladeshi background and heritage. Impeccable grades are really important for
the very top universities, but for other liberal arts colleges, what's
important is that we show in other ways that we are competent candidates. What
matters is that we can present ourselves as a competent candidate who has
strong and differentiated view that will notably improve the diversity of the
university. It is important that we do not only expect to take something from
the overall undergraduate experience in the college, but also expect to
contribute something meaningful there as well.
Currently,
she's a Research Data Specialist at Harvard Medical School, and she elaborated
on the importance of interpretation of big data in today's world. Harvard Medical School is one of the
first ever to use a large research database for over 10,000 patients. The
database is just two years old, and is growing at an exponential rate. This
just shows already how huge the applications and investment in big data is
right now, and how fast the whole world expects the market to grow. As a
neuroscience major, she talks about how important programming and data science
is to all fields across STEM. When talking about choosing a major, she brings
in her own experience of talking many courses from diverse fields during her
freshman year. She encourages us to talk to anyone and everyone and tells us
her own experience of meeting people from fields very different from her own,
like bumping into and striking conversations with Anthropology Professors,
which occurred at one on-campus conference.
Ultimately,
from just starting our applications and all the way to her sophomore year, it’s
important for us to constantly search for what areas and intellectual issues
and concepts appeal to us. In that search for our interests and cravings, we
find our ideal major and end up with lots of meaningful life experiences and
meet people that one day we might call our family.
My
Comment:
Very extensive and well-rounded commentary.
Review 6
It was nice to talk to a senior who beautifully summed up the journey that we are facing right now. Unfortunately, I joined at the last moment and I'm guessing I missed a lot of good parts of it. Though at the last part of the session the thought of her getting a course on ‘Islamic Theology’ was amazing. Just because I'm in science or she is in a STEM subject doesn’t mean we cannot get the taste of a different subject other than science. Hope to get more great sessions like this.
My Comment:
Great brief report.
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