The Personals: Paul Cohen '11
By Jorge Alvarado ’12, A&L Managing Editor
Where are you from? How was your transition to Amherst?

I am from Miami, Fla. I’m half Cuban, but my Spanish-speaking abilities are abysmal. In high school, a teacher of mine recommended that I go to Amherst or MIT, and I was like, “No way am I thinking about going to a school that is a total [sausage] fest (MIT), so what is Amherst?” (I never heard of the school before). I knew this was going to be a great place when I met the people on my floor freshman year. They were an interesting group to say the least.

What are you majoring in?

I am a chemistry major. I thought about Neuro, but it seems too cool for me.

What made you decide to work on a thesis your senior year?

I suppose I decided to do a thesis because it seemed like it would be a rewarding, yet extremely tedious way to spend my senior year.

How has it been doing research for the past two summers at Amherst? How did it come about?

I have been doing research at Amherst for two summers. It’s really great having Val all year round. I really like the professors in the Chemistry Department, so getting paid to work with them has been really great.

What’s the most embarrassing song on your iTunes right now?

Most embarrassing song on my iTunes is probably Lady Gaga — “Alejandro.” It sounds like a drunken knock-off of Ace of Base and it’s hilarious.

What is your most memorable experience you have at Amherst?

Not sure, but one of them would probably be waking up at 3:00 a.m. to find my roommate pissing on my desk.

What’s your favorite meal at Val? Least favorite?

Val... The food is definitely not bad for the price, but it gets old fast. My favorite meal is the salmon and my least favorite would be the scrod. What the hell is scrod anyway? It’s like a [crappier] version of cod.

Where is the best place to go eat?

The best place in town is probably Monkey Bar, in terms of quality. In terms of good food for a good price, I would go with Fresh Side.

What has been your best class?

People will probably think I’m nuts, but my best class would be a tie between Orgo and Biochem.

What are your plans after graduation from Amherst?

I plan to eventually go to medical school, but before that I would like to teach or volunteer somewhere. I don’t want to think about the real world yet.

In your preparation, how much has the MCAT consumed your life?

MCAT is definitely a pain in the ass, but it’s also not as bad as its reputation. If you take the pre-med classes here, then you will be just fine.

What’s your favorite kind of pie?

I don’t like pie.

What’s something new that you tried during your time at Amherst?

I tried many things at Amherst.

Did you read the Orientation issue of The Student during your own orientation?

I did not read the orientation issue. I usually read The Student when I am alone at Val and avoiding people, Since it was the beginning of college, I wanted to be more social.

What’s one thing you would tell the freshman version of yourself if you could?

I could not have that put into writing.

What are four adjectives that best describe you?

I suppose I’m just weird, but in a bad way.

Issue 01, Submitted 2010-09-02 16:15:13