I was told I was probably the first '08 to declare a Political Science major. I was eager because having a major was required to declare study abroad, which I was convinced I'd do as early as sophomore year. I also tend to add majors in my free time for no logical reason.
Besides academic pursuits, what do you do with your life?
I wouldn't say I do academics, really. I just think about them, plan out my life to an excessively detailed extent and forget to do homework. You can usually find me in the basement of Keefe either stalking La Causa alumni from the Jose Marti room or working at the Community Outreach office. I also fail to solve seventh grade math problems twice a week when tutoring at El Arco Iris in Holyoke.
What are your plans for junior year?
Life happened and I postponed abroad-ness until junior year. I'm so eager to go because I was born in the Dominican Republic, which for half the year is in the [Eastern Standard Time] zone (in which I have remained my whole life). So, my plans abroad are: China in the fall, Italy in the spring and hopefully working in Argentina this summer.
Why not Fiji?
Because it can't be identified on certain map quizzes and I have the Caribbean if I want a beach.
Where are you from?
Born in Santo Domingo, lived in Boston since I was three.
How many times have you gone home this school year?
Four? Five? I had to go back to attend my little sister's First Communion (which I, at 19, am in the process of working towards), see my girlfriend play violin at a wedding and become a US citizen, inter alia [among other things].
If you could add anything from your hometown to Amherst, what would it be?
Lights. And taller buildings. Also maybe civilization? Not that Puritan Boston is much better ...
Conversely, what do we have here in Western Massachusetts that you wish your hometown had?
Free buses that are (usually) on time.
In as few words as possible: What character in fiction, historical figure or creative work has had an influence on you, and why?
I skipped that question on the common app for a reason.
If you could be any kind of shoe, what would you be?
I don't believe in shoes. I'm happiest when de'calzo [going barefoot].
In your opinion, why do we fail in life?
We fail in life because we don't send $5 checks to AC box #1367. It would be highly awkward to do otherwise.
What was on your mind (what where you thinking about) right before this interview took place?
Let's see, I was forced into/gladly agreed to do this while attempting to write a history paper. So, Lenin's Bolshevik propaganda actually.
I know what an important decision picking a screen name can be. What is yours and why did you choose it?
I've had my screen name-Bosoxfanatik-since eighth grade and don't ever plan on changing it. In Boston, I live 10 minutes away from Fenway Park, and being Dominican, a passion for baseball is basically in my blood. Last year, I skipped three days of classes just to be in Boston when we won the World Series. The week before I had spent nearly all of my summer savings for a 10-hour trip to New York City to go to game seven of the AL Championship Series against the Yanks. Last year was incredible, and even though different Sox are champions this year, I'm still a proud Bosox fan.