HHS 2012 Valedictorian Chooses Yale
Juliana Coraor had her pick of many of the best universities in the United States and after giving the decision the consideration it deserves, Huntington High School's Class of 2012 valedictorian has announced she is headed to Yale University in the fall.
Ms. Coraor, Huntington's first Intel Science Talent Search finalist since 1950, hopes to double major in physics and molecular biophysics and biochemistry at the Ivy League school, which is located in New Haven, Connecticut.
"Picking the best college for me was a difficult decision, but ultimately I chose based upon the availability of a specialized interdisciplinary major at Yale called 'molecular biophysics and biochemistry,' the existence of a medical school at Yale, the high level of research undergraduates can pursue, the location of Yale being close to home and the availability of math courses suited for science majors," Ms. Coraor said.
Among the final group of colleges the Huntington teenager was weighing was Stony Brook, Northwestern, Princeton, Cornell and the University of Chicago. "Ultimately, I hope to be successfully prepared for graduate school by the time I graduate from Yale, as I plan on being accepted into an MD/Ph.D. program," Ms. Coraor said. "One of my plans at Yale is to become a member of the Yale Outdoors Club so that I can be involved in hiking, backpacking and canoeing trips in New England."
After the high school senior graduates June 22, she will spend time during the summer in the Stony Brook University science lab that has become her second home. "I will continue the research in ferroelectrics that I conducted last summer at Stony Brook," Ms. Coraor said. She will also engage in kayaking and canoeing trips, two pursuits that are among the loves of her life. The teenager hopes to spend time on the water even after she moves into her Yale dorm.
Mr. Coraor will leave Huntington on August 18 for Yale University's pre-orientation program. She will be part of a group of 8-10 freshmen that will backpack in mountains around the New England area, including the Catskills, the Berkshires and the White Mountains. Billed as a "get to know each other" experience, the incoming scholars will camp and hike for six days.
"Juli is an outstanding and well-rounded young person with a tremendously bright future ahead," Superintendent James W. Polasky said. "Her talent and interest in the sciences will open many doors for her. She will surely continue to make us proud at Yale."