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JAIMEN SANDERS
Diamond Ranch High School,
Pomona, Los Angeles County
12th grade

UC Irvine COSMOS 2004
Participated in Cluster on Energy and Environment

am currently starting the 12th grade. I have participated in Varsity Football at Diamond Ranch High School. I also throw track shot put and discus. I would have to describe myself as the kid in the class who seems to do no work, but manages to get decent grades. Throughout my high school career I never seemed to really challenge myself. COSMOS helped to show me why I never challenged myself- it was fear. The fear of failure is why I never challenged myself.

COSMOS was the experience of a lifetime, and I almost missed it. My high school football coach demanded that we attend all summer practices, but COSMOS would prevent that. I love football so much, but I had to think of my future and I chose to attend COSMOS with the backing of my parents and some of my teachers. My first day of COSMOS all I could think about was football, but then I met some of the people in my dormitory suite and we all just clicked. My course cluster was also very interesting, Energy and the Environment; I especially enjoyed the engineering part of my cluster.

In truth the best part of COSMOS is just the atmosphere of the people. The course clusters are great and help you make some decisions for your college future, but the environment is what makes COSMOS so memorable. You wake up in the morning and there is your roommate talking to you about whatever. Then you see everyone else in your suite. You go to classes and see even more interesting people. And that is just the beginning, all of the action happens after class. It is just the fact that there is always someone to talk to because there are so many people in such a small area.

If you are in a situation similar to mine, take the opportunity to go to COSMOS, you won't regret it. Although my football coach is letting me play, I would still choose to attend COSMOS at the drop of a hat. COSMOS is a great way to spend the summer learning, but basically just having fun.