Kabir G.
About Me
Hey! I'm a full-time senior from Easton, Pennsylvania in my 6th (and final, sob) year at Stanford OHS. I love learning in general, and exploring the intersections of disciplines like computer science, neuroscience, linguistics, philosophy, ethics, law, and religion. (I also like to dabble in the occasional Russian literature, history, classics, and music theory.) Don't worry, though, I'm not some dry academician (no shade); probably my favorite thing to do when I'm not in class is talking to people! (Well, also when I *am* in class...) That brought me into Stanford OHS' Student Government, where I served a bunch of different positions between 9th-11th grade culminating in Student Body President last year. Obviously, that made me a big Student Government supporter, but don't be too quick to dismiss me as an emblem of the establishment! Whatever it is you're looking for from Stanford OHS or from me, I'd love to help out or just be a friend to chat!! :)
Why I Chose Stanford OHS
I have absolutely loved every moment of my time here at Stanford OHS, mainly due to the uniquely vibrant community at the core of this school. Stanford OHS is an amazing blend of unparalleled academic rigor and a supportive, like-minded social environment. Academically, Stanford OHS stands out for me, every single course takes a "uniquely Stanford OHS" approach to normal high school topics, such as researching the history of Calculus and not just learning the math behind it in Single Variable Calculus, or viewing biology through a statistical lens in the Methodology of Science: Biology. Stanford OHS English courses have taught me to write college-level essays and papers, and every single class is so engaging and informative due to Stanford OHS' outstanding teachers. Every instructor at Stanford OHS is truly amazing; many have doctorates and are experts in their fields, and each instructor knows how to mold their class content to make it engaging and appealing to students. History at Stanford OHS is not about memorizing dates, and English is not about reading stories, instructors in both divisions push students to engage in discussion with each other and pick apart every sentence of the text in an attempt to dig much deeper, the equivalent of a college seminar.
Stanford OHS' academic excellence already sets it apart from other schools for me, but I love Stanford OHS because it's not just an academic-focused, highly competitive school. Social lives and student support are very much a thing at this school! Stanford OHS has amazing resources that I would never think of finding at other brick-and-mortar schools, such as the Writing and Tutoring Center through which instructors and peer tutors help students with any essays or assignments. Instructors and teaching assistants also hold weekly office hours, which I have found to be an invaluable resource for help with classes. Additionally, Skype group chats unite all the Stanford OHS students, they connect us outside of classes to create a sense of community, even of family, in a way that would not be possible if the school was in person. Clubs, circles, and Student Government activities, to name a few, are prevalent throughout the school; but even without them, the global community of talented young people that Stanford OHS fosters would still make me feel extremely lucky to be here amongst them.
What I Love About Stanford OHS
I had been homeschooled through 6th grade when I decided to apply to Stanford OHS. I grew up in a part of rural Mississippi where public education is not the best, and homeschooling in elementary school provided me with the intellectual push that I needed to learn more than I could in a brick-and-mortar school. However, for middle and high school I wanted a more academically-challenging experience, and I found this at Stanford OHS. Applying to Stanford OHS was one of the best decisions I made in my life because I quickly found that the academic experience was perfect for me and exactly what I needed to continue my education. In addition, while I did not miss having classmates and friends in elementary school as I had never been to an actual brick-and-mortar school, the experience of making friends with people in my classes was something I really enjoyed, which was only possible for me at Stanford OHS.
I joined as a full-time 7th grader in 2018, and I'll find myself graduating from Stanford OHS this June. Stanford OHS classes have brought me tremendously forward academically, as I could never get this level of education in the schools in my area. Stanford OHS' flexible schedule also helps me make time for my extracurriculars and other interests. For instance, I love to travel and get to travel as much as I want, without it taking a toll on my education, due to the online nature of this school. In addition, Stanford OHS has helped me find myself in a way, and figure out what I am interested in (a process that isn't complete yet!), especially by meeting people who thought like me or gave me new ideas. Even outside of classes, Stanford OHS has given me so many opportunities to practice what I love through clubs and circles: I've led the History Club for the last two years (and co-leading it with a friend and loyal club member this year!), and being a part of Student Government has shown me how much I enjoy leadership and giving back to the community that has given me so much.