The next generation: where are these future changemakers going for university?

Claremont McKenna College 

Why did you choose the school you enrolled in? What are you most excited to experience there?
Aside from the perfect California weather, I chose CMC’s liberal arts education as it offers the highest in academic standards. It’s also an excellent fit for me with its specialisation of studies, internships and programmes. Besides this, I’m very excited to keep learning in the sun and start my “Freshman 15” with all the good food in LA!

What was the best advice your parents/friends gave you on going to university?
Focus my studies on something specific, technical and geographically versatile that I can apply to growing industries in the Philippines. Networking is as valuable as earning the diploma itself as it paves the way to opportunity, and success cannot only be done by focusing on academics.

What are your thoughts about the future?
Much excitement, but it can also be daunting at times. I see myself pursuing a master’s degree and working a job that blends the multidisciplinary nature of my double major.

What’s your dream or wish you have for the country and the world?
During high school, I participated in extracurricular volunteer work in organisations like Project Pasayac, wherein my co-founder and I funded potable pumps for indigenous communities in Tarlac. Clean water is more than just for these Filipinos’ health; it also represents opportunities for a prosperous future. After my studies, I will return to the Philippines and give back to my community.

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Cornell University

What expectations do you have for University?
My time at university will equip me with the necessary knowledge and practical experience to excel in my chosen career path and positively impact those around me. At the same time, I want to share my Filipino heritage with others, thereby contributing to the diverse tapestry of experiences on campus. Having a support group of friends and mentors will be invaluable in facing university life’s challenges and opportunities.

Can you share a memorable high school experience with us?
One of the most remarkable experiences of my high school years was leading the collaborative efforts between Flip it Forward (my service outreach), the BSM community, alongside my family. In 2020, I spearheaded a Bicol Relief Project immediately after the country endured a devastating triple hit of typhoons. We worked productively in cooperation with one another, packing as many as three truckloads filled with 4,500 relief bags. We forged meaningful bonds and created memories while dedicating our efforts to a humanitarian cause.

What was the best advice your parents/friends gave you on going to university?
Coming from an adventure-seeking family, the best advice I received was to stay open to different opportunities.

What’s a dream/wish you have for the country and the world?
Education is the great equaliser. I have met many young Filipino teens who hunger for a better life during my outreach endeavours. They have the drive and the work ethic but need guidance and a solid education from which they can build a foundation. This would empower them to be able to reach their full potential.

Loyola Marymount University

What expectations do you have for university?
A new life, much more independence and freedom, living alone and hopefully making new friends I can lean on and trust, and growing an extensive network in the United States. Academic-wise, praying for it to be not much more complicated than IB.

Can you share a memorable high school experience with us?
It was winning the 2023 IASAS basketball championships at home, with all the students and fans going crazy and cheering us on every second of the tournament. I will never forget when the crowd stormed the court as the final buzzer sounded when we won; it was straight pandemonium.

What are your thoughts about the future?
The development of AI will start to dominate the technology industry in the future, with the infamous ChatGPT website only expanding and taking over the internet with its auto-generated human-like answers.

What’s your dream or wish for the country and the world?
I wish everyone can experience happiness together with success, as it’s one of the greatest feelings you could ever have.

Northwestern University

What course will you be taking up in university?
I’ll be double majoring in Economics and Learning and Organizational Change.

Why did you choose the school you enrolled in? What are you most excited to experience there?
Because the values I sought in my ideal university perfectly aligned with Northwestern’s strengths. Between a strong economics programme, a culture of collaboration, a pre-professional-oriented community, and a flexible quarterly curriculum, I found that Northwestern would be the perfect fit. However, I’m most excited to befriend the diverse Northwestern students and discover all the quirks and idiosyncrasies that Northwestern values in them.

What expectations do you have for university?
Simply, it allows me to grow mentally, socially, independently and academically. I am (more or less) ready to embark on my next journey and hope that at university, I’ll be able to step outside my current bubble and grow.

Can you share a memorable high school experience with us?
My most memorable high school experience would be the enormous weight lifted off not just my shoulders but the shoulders of all my fellow Battle of the Bands (BoB) committee members after we held the first in-person BoB in three years. I’ll never forget the sigh of relief we heaved and the elation, excitement and pride that comes only with months of dedication and hard work finally paying off.

What’s your dream or wish for the country and the world?
Complete and quality education for all. Millions of people in the Philippines suffer from the never-ending poverty cycle, perpetuated by being unfortunate enough to be born in a poor household. A good education would go a long way towards giving them the opportunities to fight their fate and empower themselves and their families.

University of Pennsylvania

What course will you be taking up in university?
I plan to take Systems Science and Engineering, focusing on Decision Science.

Why did you choose the school you enrolled in? What are you most excited to experience there?
I chose Penn because I want to take advantage of its premier research facilities and learn from some of the best professors in their field. I was also captivated by its one-of-a-kind school community and alums network. Speaking with current Penn students and alums, I felt right at home and knew those were the kind of people I wanted to spend the next four years with.

What are your thoughts about the future?
I am confident that the future holds plenty of uncertainty and that to thrive, we must adapt to change. Perseverance and resilience will be the key to success. Still, amidst the pressure that the future will inevitably bring, I hope we all stick to our values and remember the importance of family and friends.

What’s a dream/wish you have for the country and the world?
One wish I have for the world is that we all adopt more sustainable practices to lessen climate change’s effects on our planet. We all accept the importance of sustainability and play our part to ensure sufficient resources for sustained economic progress.

Read more: How startup internships and an enterprising cousin led this founder to build his own venture

Brown University

What course will you be taking in university?
I plan to concentrate on Applied Mathematics-Economics at Brown and am eager to explore my other interests, such as Development Studies, Statistics and Public Policy.

What expectations do you have for university?
It will be challenging yet fulfilling. Brown will be a place to experience new perspectives, new seasons, a space to grow and an opportunity to forge my path while (my twin brother) Mikael heads to Dartmouth.

Can you share a memorable high school experience with us?
I was experiencing my first IASAS competition with my soccer varsity team in Malaysia while recovering from a shoulder dislocation and playing against my doctor’s advice. It was a lesson in getting up and showing up despite our setbacks.

What was the best advice your parents/friends gave you on going to university?
My dad reminds me to take full advantage of the university’s resources, opportunities and experiences. He tells me to make the most of the next four years away but return home and make a difference. My mum says to relish the moment and independence but find time to call (and clean my room and do laundry!).

Dartmouth College

What course will you be taking up in university?
I intend to double major in Economics and Computer Science, combining my passion for economic development and technology.

Why did you choose the school you enrolled in? What are you most excited to experience there?
After a visit to the campus, taking in the rural and outdoorsy vibe, and listening to the student guide speak about how the college allows you to pursue varying interests and growing curiosities, I envisioned myself there.

What are your thoughts about the future?
I am thrilled and overwhelmed with the idea of living independently 8,000+ miles away. As daunting as it seems, I feel ready to forge my path, live apart from my twin brother, Matteo, after 17 years, and create life-long memories.

What’s your dream or wish for the country and the world?
I hope to see liberal arts, technology, and creativity play a more prominent and integral role in ending the poverty cycle and closing the gap in healthcare. Sports remains a vehicle for change, and I wish for more initiatives and investments in the country’s grassroots sports programmes. I would like to see improved access to healthcare, and that elusive cure for cancer would be a dream come true.

Cornell University

What course will you be taking up in university?
I will major in Human Development at Cornell University’s College of Human Ecology. This major focuses on human behaviour, psychology and mental health in line with social, cultural and biological factors affecting cognitive development.

Why did you choose the school you enrolled in? What are you most excited to experience there?
Cornell’s College of Human Ecology is the perfect place for me to thrive as it emphasises the broader context of human mental health. This vision aligns with my experiences advocating for underprivileged children’s mental well-being. Through its interdisciplinary teaching approach, Cornell University provides a psychology programme that tackles all the varying aspects that define one’s wellness. I am excited to learn from my professors and like-minded peers with the same passion for service.

What was the best advice your parents/friends gave you on going to university?
A friend once told me you can’t win a race while looking at the person beside you.

What are your thoughts about the future?
I have so much excitement for the future because of my many visions. With the support that I have been blessed with from my family and friends, I embrace the unknown and am thrilled to create a story worth remembering.

What’s a dream/wish you have for the country and the world?
As a person who strongly advocates for mental health, I want to make the world more empathetic and open-minded.

University of Chicago

What course will you be taking up in university?
Double Major in Computer Science and possibly Data Science, Applied Math or Economics.

Why did you choose the school you enrolled in? What are you most excited to experience there?
I was eager to be accepted to UChicago for its academic prestige, but I am also excited about the range of courses offered and the astounding city environment of Chicago. I am excited to experience all of these wonders for myself.

What expectations do you have for university?
I fully expect to be pushed out of my comfort zone when I am in university. I will be moving to another country without any of my friends or family, and bombarded with a rigorous course load. While it may sound like a difficult time for myself ahead, I also expect that in four years, when I graduate, I will come out of it having grown a lot as a person, equipped with many more meaningful connections and memories, emerging better prepared as an independent adult.

What was the best advice your parents/friends gave you on going to university?
My dad always tells me that life rewards action, not intelligence alone. Being book-smart will only help me if I am courageous enough to act.

What’s a dream/wish you have for the country and the world?
I originally got into computer science and coding because I was intrigued by the Filipino EdTech (educational technology) industry. I was inspired by its potential to revolutionise our educational system. While EdTech alone cannot solve our problems due to many Filipinos’ lack of access to computers and the internet, one of my biggest dreams for the country is a better educational system. Although at some point, implementing EdTech would be a crucial step towards a brighter future for the Filipino youth.

Stanford University

What expectations do you have for university?
Honestly, I’m trying not to have too many wild expectations. Still, some things that I’m preparing myself for (and half-hoping don’t happen...) are that I will be amazed by Stanford’s unexpected yet unique opportunities. I might also get extremely homesick for home-cooked Filipino food. I might have to resort to instant sinigang.

What was the best advice your parents/friends gave you on going to university?
Don’t lose your connection to home. No matter where I go, my parents’ most fervent advice is to remember who I am and the values rooted in my upbringing in the Philippines.

What are your thoughts about the future?
I’m probably excited about the future more than anything. After all, I’ll be at the epicentre of innovation and entrepreneurship. Being adjacent to Silicon Valley will hopefully allow me to gain a better insight into the future of growing industries like artificial intelligence and their roles in revolutionising our job market.

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Boston College

Why did you choose the school you enrolled in? What are you most excited to experience there?
I have always been a fervent advocate of education. Engaging in numerous internships, I came to acknowledge the prevalent issues in our nation. The Jesuit vision of “Man for Others” and Boston College’s Foundations in Education Minor within the Lynch School resonated with my aspiration to engage in politics to safeguard the rights of minority populations.

What advice did your parents and friends give you on going to university?
As cliché as it sounds, everyone has told me to do what I genuinely enjoy. Although choosing a university or course useful for one’s future is imperative, neglecting personal enjoyment may result in remorse throughout one’s four-year college experience.

What are your thoughts about the future?
The prospect of the future can be undeniably daunting. It lies before us, shrouded in uncertainty. Yet, amidst this, the best thing to do is to live every day as if it’s your last and constantly work toward a better you.

What’s your dream or wish for the country and the world?
Generally, my dream for the Philippines and the world is to witness societies characterised by social justice, political integrity and environmental sustainability. I envision a future where everyone, regardless of background, gender, race or socioeconomic status, is treated with dignity. By striving for these ideals, we can create a brighter and more equitable future for generations to come.

University of Southern California

Why did you choose the school you enrolled in? What are you most excited to experience there?
I didn’t think I would end up on the West Coast, but I chose USC because of its internship opportunities and its school spirit. I’m looking forward to game day, meeting new people and living on a great campus.

Can you share a memorable high school experience with us?
Batch Bora was one of my most memorable high school experiences. As my batch missed two years of being together due to the pandemic, we missed many opportunities to get close, so this trip was an excellent time to bond with everyone. I intend to keep in touch with them in the future.

What was the best advice your parents/friends gave you on going to university?
The best academic advice I received was to find an area on campus where I am most productive as soon as I arrive and figure out how I like to study. Regarding my social life, I will remember that it is okay to do things alone and learn how to navigate events with the friends I have already made.

What are your thoughts about the future?
In terms of the future, I believe AI will continue to embed itself in our society, and while technology may grow faster than we can keep up with it, we will have to find a way to work alongside it.

What’s your dream or wish for the country and the world?
I hope that the Philippine economy continues to improve and that we can better utilise our resources to keep up with countries in our economic tier. Furthermore, I hope the world continues to prioritise equitable access to education because it is the foundation for addressing disparities.

Harvard University

What course will you be taking up in university?
I intend to double major in Mathematics and Japanese History.

Why did you choose the school you enrolled in? What are you most excited to experience there?
Harvard can attract a significant share of the top STEM and humanities students. Being equally fascinated with STEM and the humanities, this was a dealbreaker for me, as it meant I could be exposed to the best of both worlds. On another note, Harvard has a ton of Japanese restaurants nearby. Big plus!

What expectations do you have for university?
It will be very humbling for the first few months (or maybe the next four years!), but it will soon also be a time for some of the silliest, most interesting, most uncomfortable and most formative experiences of my life.

Can you share a memorable high school experience with us?
I was giving the welcome remarks for my class’ graduation last month when I felt something tug at my hair. I tried to tilt my head down to compensate. Still, it was to no avail: slowly and steadily, my graduation cap began to slip until finally, resigning myself, I let it fall and continued with my speech in what was now amazingly pronounced bed hair (I would’ve liked to insert an “allegedly” to the description, but I’ve seen the YouTube video of it...). This turned out to be quite fitting to my central message that the ever-present possibility of mishaps makes life precious and a lot of fun. 

What are your thoughts about the future?
The other day, I came across an interview with Airbnb co-founder Brian Chesky. He claimed that people, especially teenagers, have become alarmingly more lonely in this modern world. Perhaps society must collectively slow down at some point so that people are given time first to catch up and find their place in the world.

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