We had the privilege of interviewing Mathew Lin,
a student at Ivy League university, Cornell in New York
an alum of NCSSM
And asked advice on: Attending to NCSSM.
Here's a main point he stresses:
"I did everything with my friends, and that social interaction helped my mental health."
Q: What motivated you to go to NCSSM?
A: To be honest, it was simply just my friends applying. I had little idea of what NCSSM really was.
Q: Even if you didn’t like math or science, would you recommend going to NCSSM?
A: Yes! There are so many opportunities and interesting people to meet.
Q: Do you think the workload was a lot more difficult and the courses more rigorous at NCSSM?
A: Much, much more difficult.
Q: How did you practice responsibility and self-control at NCSSM without your parents there?
A: I surrounded myself with a good friend who had the same values as I did; they kept me in check.
Q: Was it your choice or your parent’s choice for you to attend?
A: Both my parents and I wanted me to attend NCSSM.
Q: Did NCSSM help you through the process of applying for colleges?
A: Yes, I do not believe I would’ve gotten into the colleges that I did had it not been for NCSSM.
Q: How did you balance your social life, health, and workload?
A: I did everything with my friends so these three things blended together. Work was made more fun by being with my friends, and that social interaction helped my mental health.
Q: Did you ever regret going to NCSSM? If so, why?
A: There are small regrets I have while I was there, but looking back I appreciate the experience.
Fun question: how’s the food at NCSSM?
A: Extremely mediocre.
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