When Danielle Geathers was elected Student Body President of MIT, she made history by being the first black woman to hold the role since the university was founded in 1861.
But her achievement still shouldn't come as a surprise as Danielle has long been involved in student action and giving back to the community around her.
In this episode, Danielle chats about her journey to becoming the Student Body President, how the experience has changed her views on leadership, her tips for students to get into top US colleges and why she isn't letting school get in the way of a great education!
**Download the Ultimate Resource Bank for Science Students with the favourite resources from Danielle and other young scientists featured on the Top of the Class**
The Top of the Class podcast is powered by Crimson Education. If you want to learn more about your path through high school to top US, UK or European universities, click here to request a free and private meeting with an Academic Advisor in your area.
Do you want to be part of the podcast or do you want to nominate someone to be interviewed? Contact the hosts at podcast@crimsoneducation.org or on Twitter.
When Danielle Geathers was elected Student Body President of MIT, she made history by being the first black woman to hold the role since the university was founded in 1861.
But her achievement still shouldn't come as a surprise as Danielle has long been involved in student action and giving back to the community around her.
In this episode, Danielle chats about her journey to becoming the Student Body President, how the experience has changed her views on leadership, her tips for students to get into top US colleges and why she isn't letting school get in the way of a great education!
**Download the Ultimate Resource Bank for Science Students with the favourite resources from Danielle and other young scientists featured on the Top of the Class**
The Top of the Class podcast is powered by Crimson Education. If you want to learn more about your path through high school to top US, UK or European universities, click here to request a free and private meeting with an Academic Advisor in your area.
Do you want to be part of the podcast or do you want to nominate someone to be interviewed? Contact the hosts at podcast@crimsoneducation.org or on Twitter.
Podcast Host 00:34
Hi, Danielle. Welcome to the top of the class podcast. It's fantastic to have you on today. Can you tell our listeners a little bit about yourself?
Danielle 03:47
Yeah, definitely. First, thank you for having me. My name is Danielle Geathers. I'm a junior at MIT studying mechanical engineering. And I was elected the student body president. I'm the first black woman to serve in this role.
Podcast Host 04:00
Amazing. And how old is MIT?
Danielle 04:06
Good question. It's about 159 years.
Podcast Host 04:10
It's about 159 years that sounds rather about a rather exact about number. But obviously like MIT, for those of you who don't know, the way I tend to explain MIT is it's the university that Peter Parker and Iron Man, you know, talk about a lot. So it's like science to the max it is I actually visited MIT in January, as Yeah, totally as a tourist. But I loved it. We took a photo in that, like, the see through man with the numbers and stuff is like crouched on the ground.
Danielle 04:45
Yeah. Right in front of our students centre.
Podcast Host 04:47
Yeah. So we took a photo in that and we we went to their tour. And one thing I found interesting about MIT is that they were like, "We are unabashedly nerdy. 100% unabashedly nerdy." So I throw to you, are you a proud nerd?
Danielle 05:07
Yes, definitely. In terms of like academic nerdiness I think I'm definitely on the lower tier of MIT students. Right. I think I am nerdy in terms of the fact of appreciating certain nuances of life. So I definitely do identifies it MIT nerd.
Podcast Host 05:23
Oh, fantastic. So give me those areas of life that you appreciate to the max. Like, what are some of those things that you like to get nerdy about?
Danielle 05:32
You want me to expose myself?
Podcast Host 05:34
You know, just as much as you're comfortable with? No, yeah, yeah.
Danielle 05:39
I think I've always loved fun facts. I think just knowing random things. I think that's pretty nerdy. I think the way my nerdiness has manifested itself at MIT is I'm very much like I love MIT culture now. So one like nerdy thing we all do is like we call our majors course numbers. So like mechanical engineering, it was really tough for me to say it in my intro because it's like course to anyone else at MIT asked me I'll tell them course to Computer Sciences courses. So I think I love the little like coded language. What does it mean? Something really nerdy. I did when I was little though, was I would connect collect my mom's old contact lenses and I would rehydrate and dehydrate.
Podcast Host 06:20
For fun.
Danielle 06:21
Yeah, cuz I like seeing the polymers come alive. very nerdy.
Podcast Host 06:26
Okay. Did you mention that in your application at all?
Danielle 06:30
No, I didn't. No, no. Didn't go into that.
Podcast Host 06:35
Yeah, I mean, I think like MIT if there was any admission officer that would appreciate someone who hydrates in dehydrates contact lenses, it could well be them, especially if it's to see the polymers. But yeah, what what did you kind of laid within your application? Because you had a lot of different things going on in high school? You One was that during high school that you won the three different scholars, the Burger King, coke and footlocker scholars. So you did a lot of cool things. But what was your like, main gist of your application?
Danielle 07:07
Yeah, so one big thing I did in high school was I played soccer. I played soccer my whole life. But it's actually interested in playing soccer at MIT. But at the same time, I kind of was kind of to try and figure out how I would integrate my love for STEM and soccer. I didn't want it to be like, Oh, I'm a nerd, but also play sports and like, have it be like two separate thing I really wanted to be like, this is my personality, and how it all ties together. So actually, summer before my senior year of high school, I started a service project. And I went to a local park, where football is really big Miami's like the biggest city in the world for football or not. In America, for American football, you know, there's a lot of children from like, a marginalized backgrounds who love football. So actually, what I did was I would show ESPN sports science videos, where they would show like football scenes, and they would connect physics and math and nutrition. And then I would kind of explain the topics to them and do worksheets for them. So as my main service project, so how I lead my application is very much like describing my motivation for creating that project and the impact. And I think that kind of tied in, like, all the things that MIT typically wants to see in terms of seeing someone who like, loves them, first of all, like has their own passion and can figure out how to use that passion to help other people. So then also giving back
Podcast Host 08:27
Awesome, so they No, that's, that's for sure, like a great way to pitch yourself along with the sport, right? It's about combining passions and interests and those kinds of things, which is always a good tip. But did you think you know that you would get into MIT? Was that like a? Something that you were confident about? Or was it like, you know, a hail mary type situation applying for MIT?
Danielle 08:51
Yeah. So since I didn't play soccer, and I knew I wanted to play soccer in college. Um, I started really early on looking at schools looking at what schools are right for me what the LSAT scores would be. Um, so pretty early on, I decided that, oh, I want to do engineering, MIT's the best. I need to go to MIT. Um, so I contacted the coach, I think at the freshman year of high school, he had seen me play by sophomore year and said, like, he wanted me on the team. And mighty though is very different since we are a division three school. So it's not like you can just get in for athletics, though. Yes. Ah, but then I also did a summer program after my junior year, and it was a very inclusive summer program. So it definitely wasn't a hail mary. I felt like it was definitely my dream school and like my dream. Um, but I was pretty confident that I would get in but I did get deferred. So that definitely took a hit. I applied early got deferred, but then I got it in March with regular decision.
Podcast Host 09:44
Oh, awesome. That's fantastic. And when you first got to MIT, what was your first impression, though? I mean, I know you're, there is all these other lovely nerds, you know, running around and I've met a couple of them actually, I when I was over there. We had dinner with an Australian guy. Who lives at MIT and studies there? But you know, it's a it's a funny kind of campus culture. I think they're quite proud of the pranks and all these other bits and pieces that really make MIT unique. What was your first impressions on campus?
Danielle 10:16
Yeah. That's a good question. So I've gone to campus a couple times, at least four or five times before I went, actually, um, for recruiting to through soccer and summer program I mentioned and for like the admitted students weekend, um, I think one of my first impressions honestly was how nice people were, I think it was very much one of those environments where you step around and like, even if your face just like, even if you don't express or state a question, if your face is kind of confused, like someone would come to you and be like, Hey, are you lost? And I think like, it's continued, that I've been so fascinated by how willing to help people are at MIT chokes me with all the things, they're dealing with their busy lives. There hasn't been a time where I'd be like, Why isn't anyone helping me? Where can I get help? So I think I remember that as a first year, like something basic, with my suitcase, kind of like, where do I go? Like, oh, let me walk you there, things like that. So I think definitely, like the friendliness of the campus. I think people don't give like stem people credit in terms of like the soft skills. Yes, I want MIT ourselves to be and nice. And that's really like understated.
Podcast Host 11:26
Oh, that's really lovely. And I think that initial impression, right? Because it's so positive, enabled you to, I guess, get to where you are now in some respects, because you wouldn't be giving your all to a university, where you didn't particularly like the people do, which is great. And so now you've become student body president, which is an awesome thing. But to be honest, I'm not exactly sure what a student body, you know, what a student body president does. So can you walk us through what your day to day, you know, obligations and tasks look like as a student body president?
Danielle 12:02
Yeah, definitely. Um, and I will say that the role, one thing I've learned is that the role looks very different at different schools as well like depending on size and different things. But speaking more to my role at MIT, we're really blessed to have a set of school administrators and like a president who really want to include student voice. So my role is even more important as kind of the voice for students. So we do a lot of like town halls, and obviously students could speak for themselves, but just kind of on a day to day basis. I'm in a lot of meetings I serve on like, several Institute committees, I serve on the Alumni Board of Directors as like ex officio member. So I kind of go around to a lot of places, and I represent the student voice. Um, so because of that, I have a lot of freedom for how I gauge the student voice. But traditionally, that takes up most of my time to make sure I'm actually representing what students want. Um, additionally, our student government runs like fun events, we have to do recruitment for our student government, we actually fund all the like student groups on campus as well. Um, so the money goes through us to like that funding cycle. But overall, most of my day to day rules, like planning, the long term what MIT should look like for students, so really trying to influence those decisions, and just like meet where students gauge how they're feeling and really communicate when issues come up.
Podcast Host 13:24
Yeah, sounds like a pretty full on kind of role. How does that affect your studies? At the same time? You're doing mechanical engineering? No, you know, no, kind of walk in the park there. That's a really intense courseload. And you're now student body president? Do you get much sleep? Um,
13:40
yeah,
Danielle 13:41
I used to get a lot of sleep. Oh, it's
13:43
good. Yeah.
Danielle 13:45
Anyway, studies might be affected, but I do get sleep. Um, I think I think growing up always playing soccer and playing soccer my first year at MIT. And just doing a bunch of other activities. I always have loved like a very packed schedule. Like whenever I have times, I'm like, oh, Netflix all day and sleep. Yeah, you do a day that's not packed. So I think I function better that way naturally. And I think also just mechanical engineering at MIT in terms of like, your four year courseload. Like, it's easy to like, figure out a good way to like, section it off. So you're not doing a lot of heavy semesters. So right now I have like one technical class. I'm in like this leadership developing development program. And then I have like a writing class. So it's really not bad, and actually the leadership development program, and so playing into a lot of my role as President. So definitely busy days, but it's not overwhelming. You know, that's
Podcast Host 14:38
good. That's good. That's good. Well, I was going to ask you about leadership because I think that's such a, an abstract concept for a lot of students in particular, when they speak about student leadership, it seems to be more of a mindset thing than a skill set thing. So what are your views on leadership? Do you see it more as a skill or a mindset or a mindset first, then a skill set Because you've got like the skill of, you know, Public Speaking of presenting different portfolios or prisoner presenting different, what will you call them? Like proposals, right? or doing different things as a leader that you have to do convening meetings, etc, etc. And then you have the mindset side of things. Now, you obviously like a fantastic personality, you are great, like really friendly and a great character. Is that, like, Did you bring all that already into the leadership role? And then it was just the skillset side that needed work? Or what do you what are your views on leadership in general?
Danielle 15:34
Yeah, that's a super good question that I haven't gotten before, either. I think that, um, my even understanding of leadership has completely transformed since like being elected office in May. But, um, to answer the question, I think it's definitely a mindset thing. And I think that a lot of people think that the mindset thing kind of is tied to like, what you would call like, extrovert trait, but I don't even think it's that, um, in the leadership program, we talked about, like, we have these like skill sets of leaders, or characteristics. And I think, like, one big thing is initiative, like, well to deliver. And I think that can express itself and like many different personality types, but I think overall, at your foundation, you have to like walk, you know, I think they sometimes even when I'm in a room, yeah, I'll sit back, like, versus like really wanting to take that initiative, wanting to drive the conversation, wanting to always like, look out for others and be like, how can I help? And so I think that that definitely is like a mindset and then you build out the skills. So in terms of like, the skills, I definitely thought before, like, being captain of soccer teams, like in school projects, like in high school is very much like, leadership is being like, the loud one, right? You tell you what you're like no other people skills, you can assign them to things like that was kind of what leadership was like taking initiative. I think, like, now being president with like, 200 other students in my student government with like, 1000 things always on the agenda, I really had to learn how important like, delegation is, but like, actually making sure that when you delegate to someone they have buy in, and they want to do something, and really just understanding how leadership is more focusing on developing other people as leaders versus like, focusing on tasks per se. But I definitely think just it's mindset, and then there's just so many skills you can build. And it's like a whole life journey.
Podcast Host 17:27
Yeah, absolutely. I mean, it's going to be a huge year for you as the student body president. Do you think when you finished your time at MIT, what will be more valuable will abate the experience as a student body president, or will it be the mechanical engineering degree?
Danielle 17:44
Yeah, definitely. Student Body President,
17:47
um, oh, this Yeah,
Danielle 17:48
I just had this little slogan that, like, I'm not trying to let school get in the way of my education. I think that's a quote that I love. So I think that is very much my slogan. And I think like, even if I was like, ranking things, like mechanical engineering would not even be number two, or maybe number three, I think, really? Yeah. I think just like, learn being around people, like getting comfortable being around people who are just so much smarter than you. And like, understanding how to communicate with people like that. And then just like dealing with imposter syndrome, learning how to overcome that, I think there's just so many challenges that just come up with being at a place MIT that, like, you're, you have a lot of support to like, get over those obstacles that like learning how to deal with that just sets you up for life in a different way. I think mechanical engineering is great, but I actually like have zero passion.
Podcast Host 18:47
Wow, okay, well, fine, I guess like as long as you're still enjoying the experience for everything else. And obviously, you are like, you wouldn't be student body president if you were heading your time there. So obviously, like you're still it's interesting that someone could go to a university like MIT, which is celebrated for nerdiness, as we covered earlier, yet, it's fine, the joy of MIT in things other than the coursework? That's what I find interesting in that situation. So is that something that you expected going in? Or did you feel like the coursework would pull you in and you would be a mechanical engineer to the bone? Or did you always think that you would get the joy of college from things other than your classwork?
Danielle 19:28
Yeah, I think I think I knew what I was getting into. So just for some context, like my mom's a lawyer, she's a single mother. I was like, always around her always in the courthouse. And I think very early on, I was like, oh, law litigation that's up my alley. So I did go to MIT thinking I wanted to do like intellectual property law. And so in a way mechanical engineering was like a means to an end in terms of needing to have a technical background to become an intellectual property lawyer. So although I did love inventions that I did love like the technical side I love like math. I don't know if I love physics. But I think just coming in knowing that, and knowing that I chose MIT predominately because of its collaborative environment and the warmth of its people that like, that's why I was going there to be surrounded by like, people who go to MIT versus like, oh, the mechi department. Right, right. Right,
Podcast Host 20:21
right. Okay, I get you, I get you. So you do see like, your next step is potentially post grad law or something like that. Okay. All right, definitely. Okay. Awesome. Awesome. And where would you study that if you've got any ideas? Or is it early days yet?
20:35
Yeah.
Danielle 20:36
I've been looking at Harvard Law. They do have a junior deferral program. So I'd be able to apply like over the summer and get in and then work for two years and then go back. But as a Miami, Florida, born and raised Cambridge for seven years, sounds weird and cold. Yeah, I completely sold but I'm still looking at Harvard laws. Definitely at the top of the list right now. By the way,
Podcast Host 20:59
I just need to help our listeners out here. I always feel like when someone from Cambridge, Massachusetts, says Cambridge, our listeners automatically think Cambridge is in Oxford, Cambridge. Cambridge in a good No, no, this is Massachusetts, Cambridge, Massachusetts. And yes, it is. It's cold out there. You know, I was there in January, and it wasn't too bad. Actually, this year was actually not too bad at all. It didn't snow or anything whilst we were there, but I know that it can get like, darn cold. what's what's the coldest you've ever been on campus at MIT?
Danielle 21:34
Yeah, probably just also. So we actually we have a nice thing where it's called independence activities period for January. So you don't have to be on campus in January. But my freshman year I decided to be on campus. And we were working on our project in like a design lab, which is like a 20 minute walk away from our dorm. Lauer working that 2am Wyatt 2am don't ask, but a snow Blizzard or Blizzard or whatever happens in Massachusetts. We had a walk home and like, like negative TED or something. Like with cars, like with 80 layers, it's like trying to run back. So I was in that for 20 minutes. But other than that, I try to stay inside.
Podcast Host 22:16
Yeah, yeah, I think a lot of people, particularly from Australia, you know, they want to study at places like Harvard and MIT. I don't think they really know what cold it is. Because we don't have that kind of cold here in Australia. Like we don't know, that cold, you know, negative, many, many degrees type of thing. And I think it comes as quite a shock to some students when they do get to places like that. And like, oh, wow, this is cold. I've my mum gave me one jacket when I really needed like, 10 glad you survived that experience. But yeah, let's let's go through the journey of student body president and how you, you know, as a freshman coming into MIT kind of worked their way up into a position to be elected as student body president. And kind of like, if there's students out there who want to do the same within their school, for instance, or when they go to university within the university? What advice would you give them for that journey? So yeah, take me through, like how you started to get involved in campus life? And then how you started to kind of, you know, was it something that you were planning for to be student body president? Were you crafting all the time, like your campaign and your message or that kind of thing? Or were you as surprised as anybody, when you like came upon the opportunity to be student body president, and that, you know, was a reality for you?
Danielle 23:33
Yeah, definitely wasn't a plan. I did not know what city government was at MIT year, even the name of our student government until like, December, October, freshman year, so definitely wasn't a plan. Um, I knew I wanted to have an impact. I knew I came from a predominantly white like private high school, and I actually created the boxing evening there. And I had a lot of fun doing that I like got a lot of fulfillment in terms of helping people being an actually outspoken person, I realized that like, that was a gift in terms of being able to help other people who might be dealing with things in silence. Um, so coming from that background, I remember being in high school and like, seeing all the schools that I've you all these people, Ivy League schools, like doing all this advocacy, I think it was like 10th grade when like the blacks union and our Princeton was like, doing citizens and happy admit, it was on the news. And I was like, wow, this is like colleges, and then going back to I was in it for the experience more. Yes. Um, so when I got into MIT, it was like, okay, the Black Student Union like that is for sure. My first stop, that's where I'm going to join a committee. I'm gonna learn what college activism is, it's gonna be great. Um, so I joined the boxing union. We have like five operating committees, I was on like three of those. I was running the Instagram page. I was on the political action committee like being Secretary taking notes, like doing basically everything I could as a first year. Um, Then actually, the Vice President, like the person who was political action committee chair, ended up running for vice president of our student government the next year. I'm a complete, like, fluke, honestly, he wasn't involved in student government, but the person who was involved, knew him and said, you'd be perfect. So at that point, he won. And then he was like, oh, you'd be great being officer on diversity. And I was like, Office of Diversity for a while, like this guidance, Student Government, kind of just described the impact that they can have at MIT. So at that point, I accepted the role. And I was one of seven officers like leading the Student Government. Um, I don't like MIT. So I think at that point, I was like, the top of diversity, equity inclusion after just being like super involved first year, yes. And I was in speaking with all these administrators really learning about the impact or student government can have. And then I think after COVID-19, everything changed in terms of the actual need to represent students after the summer the need to like put Diversity, Equity and Inclusion issues at the forefront. So I think that was very much like the intersection of what I was passionate about in terms of making our student government more visible, more inclusive. So I think it like all lined up for me to run it was very much not like a plan. I didn't do any student government anything and I school, but very much as following my passions, and like really wanting to drive impact and figuring out how I can do that. And I thought running would be the way to do that.
Podcast Host 26:28
yet. So is it like a campaign or something that you have to put together? Or like what are you presenting to the MIT student body to be like, nominate or vote for Danielle and make me student body president? Like, what's the kind of process there? Is it like a US style election? Or is it a little bit more chill?
Danielle 26:46
Yeah, it is. It's more chill than the US election, but pretty similar. Um, so you run with a running mate. Um, so you and your running mate, um, file the forms. And then you usually have like a week, a week and a half a week of planning. And then like a week where you can start campaigning, we give campaigning, and then voting starts in a week of voting. It might have been a little different because we were virtual. So not at home because of COVID. In March, I decided to run in April. And then though, all right, yeah, I decided to run late March. And the elections were the last week of April. So all virtual campaigning Instagram pages, Facebook pages, websites, constant zoom calls, I think I was literally on zoom am midnight. But just really like you have a platform. We ran on values, because we thought we have no idea if we'll be on campus in the fall. But what will matter is like the values of the person who's your president and vice president, so you ran on unity, equity and authenticity, and lots of campaign fires. Oh,
Podcast Host 27:51
wow. So it sounds like Yeah, really strong campaign that you have put forward and you got elected, which is awesome. What was that week like where you get the nomination or not just the nomination, you got elected student body president and the first black woman to be student body president MIT's 159 year history. What was that week? like for you? How crazy was it? I mean, you were doing media. I'm sure the student body was like, getting behind you. And you're getting messages all over the place. Like That must have been crazy way.
Danielle 28:24
Yeah, it was a crazy week. And it was a crazy campaign week. So I actually ran against someone who was also an officer the year before, um, and I'm trying to get this number, right. But we definitely won by less than 50 votes.
28:39
Wow.
Danielle 28:40
Yeah. So it's kind of that like, nobody knows who's gonna win. Um, the president before me, endorsed the other ticket. Our school newspaper endorsed the other ticket, she was holding your breath until well. Yeah, so I think it was very stressful. But then also, our student government was like four weeks behind because of it. Um, so I was very much I had to have a quick turnaround where I picked everyone who was in my officers. We did like student represents on representatives on different committees. So I had to pick all those within like two weeks, like a process that's usually done over like, four weeks. I did in two weeks, it was very much like, we got elected and then we're like, Okay, great. I'm two hours from now, what a zoom call, again, to figure out this email we're gonna send to people. Yeah, I forget to say it was kind of immediately like, Okay, time to get to work. Um, so it wasn't a lot of like, celebration immediately. And honestly, a lot of the media attention didn't come for like a couple weeks. So it was very much like, over your head, like, just focus, focus, focus, yes. Fine. Living to where like the next week, like working more so than like celebratory, unfortunately. Well,
Podcast Host 29:55
yeah. I mean, you're getting there now to kind of celebrate and feel more comfortable in the role and Is it something that you would recommend at this point? I mean, early days, but you know, for students who are in school and like looking at school leadership, or who are about to go into university, and potentially looking at student leadership in student government? Is it something that you would say, Yeah, 100% go for it? Or is it something you were like, you got to know your priorities? Like, what do you want to get out of the unique experience? Like you did? Like, I love that whole idea that, you know, mechanical engineering is not even second on the list. It's like third or fourth, perhaps. Right? So it is like, what kind of advice would you give for students who are potentially considering it, but not too sure if it's for them?
Danielle 30:36
Yeah, definitely, like the latter part of what you were saying. Like, I think just so right now, like, I just have so many other student body presidents because why there's a lot of black student body presidents right now. So we have our own cute little group chat, but also just from meeting different people. And I think one thing I've learned is you have to, like want it and like not like once a title or what the role or the authority, nothing like that, you have to genuinely want to help students. Because yes, it's so much work that if you don't like do the work like you are going to have a horrible time. So I think it's definitely like, definitely not focusing on the role at hand. I think if there was another role I could have had, in which I felt like I could have had the same impact I would have been in that role. It wasn't about being president for me was about wanting to set the agenda because I felt like I knew what resonated with people more so than I wanted to do what I wanted to do. And this was the position to do it. So I think in terms of advice for other people, it's really about figuring out what's right for you, in terms of how you want to spend your time in college. And what you want to do. I have a bunch of other friends who stayed on the athletics team. And like, that's their journey, their captain, and they love that and they're getting fulfillment from them, they would hate student government, I have other friends who like run the engineering robotics team, and they love that. And they get fulfillment from that. And they also hate seeing government. So I think it's really just trying out things your first few years seeing what feels right for you, and not going like title chasing or anything, because people who end up chasing and getting the role, they just have a horrible time. And usually they're like, a mess.
Podcast Host 32:13
I love that. I love that advice. Because I think that's particularly a problem in high school, I think maybe potentially due to a lack of maturity, or whatever it might be right where the title chasing is real. And I think it's become even more real for students wanting to get into top universities, right? Because they're like, you know, it's kind of a form of resume padding in some way, where it's not about what you do with the role. It's just about having the row next to your name. And once you get it, you're done, right, where like a lot of people feel like that's the achievement just getting the title, when actual fact it's what you do with the title that matters. So yeah, 100% do not title Chase, that's very bad, because you will end up having a horrible year. Yeah, very bad, you will end up having a horrible year. So I really, really love that advice. And I think that's totally a real thing for high school students to really consider and as you said, like, you know, you can get as much fulfillment, or even more Fulfillment by being the, you know, member or president of everybody's club or member of a president of a or captain of a sports team. You know, you don't need to necessarily, actually, you could probably do more with a title that you're comfortable with and that you really want, then with like the head title, that you don't really want it you just wanted it next to your name, like a good philosophy to live by. I love that. I love that. Well, let's let's shift gears a little bit. I want to chat about your your scholars, your various scholarships that you want. And if you have any kind of general advice for how to approach an application, right, so you've got these three different scholars, the footlocker Burger King Coke, Coke, Bane, as you said, before the podcast started technically, it is like the main one. And I know it's like super competitive. I'm following them on Instagram. I think it's only for American students. Am I right in saying that?
34:04
Yeah,
Podcast Host 34:05
I think so. Yeah. But for all the American students out there. Talk to us about like, what it means to get a coke scholarship and versus the other ones like, did you have to alter your application? Or were you just like, copy, paste? send off again? Like, how do you approach all these different opportunities?
Danielle 34:23
Yeah, I think growing up you hear like, Oh, this person got a full ride or this and this. And I think I definitely thought like, initially, my understanding of scholarships was like, oh, what you get when a school wants you for either academics or athletics? I think then I learned that no, what a lot of people are looking for is people who want to have an impact and people who want to give back. So one thing I can say about like meeting my scholar cohort, from Coke scholars, and all the other scholarships and other scholarships in general is everyone has a thing, right? Yeah. And it's not a thing that they do with it. They're amazing. Like we have people who are Like great cheer test champions, right, but they don't have the Coke scholarship because they're test champions, they have the Coke scholarship, maybe because they help teach ability How To Play Chess, or because they use chest to somehow enrich somebody else's life. So I think very much at your core, it has to be about giving back. And I also think that you shouldn't give up because I'm saying to give back or because somebody is telling you to get back, I think it has to be something that comes from within. And then if it truly does, like, it kind of shines. Um, so I think just being really intentional about it, when you're in high school, it doesn't have to be like first year, or second year, even I think just being like, Who am I? And how can I uniquely give back. And I think that's one way that like, really sets you apart, I think like to be that young, and to know what you're passionate about, and care about giving back and figuring out how to merge the two, it can really make you stand out and scholarship application. So that was the main thing I did. So for code scholarship, I really like shifted around the service project with like sports science, and soccer, and really kind of talked about that passion. Same for footlocker, they were looking for someone who played a sport, so it was really helpful shaving soccer. Yeah. And then same with Burger King. So I think just in terms of how to go about filling out the application is really about being able to tell your story. But your story also shouldn't be just about you, right? Your story is about how you gave back and how you plan to give back in the future. So I think that's the key. I mean, in general, I think like, although it was the same story, every time, I think depending on your audience, you should shift in and change it. So I think it was a copy and paste for base. But then it was definitely like the essays are not identical at all. And you need to read the questions that they're asking, because a lot of the scholarships are looking for different types of people. Right, right.
Podcast Host 36:49
Right, for sure. For sure. No, that's fantastic advice. One thing that I am interested in is, how do you I'm going to sound like a bad person here. I know I am. But how do you come across as a genuine person who has a passion and who wants to make a difference? When in the back of your mind? you kind of know, in part, that you're doing this? Because it will look good? Or an application? like yeah, is that ever come? You know, in mind when you were doing these kinds of things that you were like, Oh, you know, I'm going to do this thing with the ESPN sports science and soccer, etc. And of course, like it comes from a very genuine place. And I can see that with you that it does come from a genuine place. But did there ever creep in that kind of little voice at the back being like, this will look awesome on your application type of thing? And how do you I guess, balance those two?
Danielle 37:42
Yeah. And I do think it's a balance. Because I think one thing I learned also is from like doing service projects, and I think something that people don't really tell you is like, if you do a service project, and you don't take a picture the whole time, like Oh,
Podcast Host 37:57
really happened, right?
Danielle 37:58
Yeah, I think also it is, it definitely is that like balance, because also when you're doing your service project in doing these great things, you have to document it. And you have to gain these contacts who are gonna vouch for you, I think this like, idea that it all comes about naturally, right? You do something great, like you don't naturally come out. And that's like not true at all. I think like one thing that's really important is like, the black presidents like people when they get a role, like people don't understand that, like, you actually have to tell people you have to like reach out and do press releases. People don't just know information about like, government. So I think that's just kind of something you learn in terms of claiming space, I think, especially for underrepresented communities, a lot of it is like claiming space and being comfortable, like achieving things, but then also claiming that achievement and knowing how to publicize that achievement. So I think for me, overall, I knew what I was doing was helping people. I knew I enjoyed doing it. So I think I didn't have as much guilt. But I do know what your say, um, and I think that as long as most of it is to help others, yes. There's no negative in it. Right? Like you're not doing it for bad reason. So I think that's how you sew up those differences.
Podcast Host 39:16
Yeah, no, no, it's just interesting to kind of think that I think I still, you know, I sometimes have in the back of my mind, like when I want to go and you know, volunteer or plant trees, whatever I'm like, this will be like, this will look good on Instagram or something, you know, like, there's always that kind of, you know, what does this show? Or what does this tell about me, rather than just my internal compass, just telling me to do the right thing, right? And it's what like social media is kind of created, I guess it's based off of that outer awareness of what it looks like to other people versus like, what it means to you. And I guess that's a very interesting balance. And I know that some students are just out there going, being like, you know, what, what servers project will get me into Harvard. Just level with me. And you're like, No, no, no, it's it's not about that. It's like, it's like, What? What do you want to do? And what do you want to give back to? And how do you get joy out of giving? Right? Yeah.
Danielle 40:11
And I think that's why it's so important that it's related to your passion. Because if not, then like you are, then you might just be doing Yeah, yeah,
Podcast Host 40:20
exactly. And then it will get very tiresome very, very quickly. If that's the case. Yeah. No, it's been a really extraordinary year for student voice. And for young black student voice as well. You know, everything that's been going on in the US has been crazy to watch from the perspective of an Australian here. And the election, BLM protests of Black Lives Matter protests. And just like the whole COVID situation, student body president in that COVID situation with all these different things, like, must have been a crazy year for student voice in general. Have you been surprised by how important student voice is? Or is it something that you already knew? And just wanted to elevate?
Danielle 41:04
Yeah, I think I have been surprised, more moreso with how receptive people have you been to listening to soup voice then, like vital, and like poignant student voice can be, um, I think one thing that was like, really big for me was kind of coming into the presidency and being like, Oh, I'm gonna have to, like, tell these administrators, I'm gonna have to get into a meeting, I'm gonna have to all this and having them invite me in having them be like, No, we want you here. What do you think? What do you think about this? What should we do? I hate like just being like COVID-19. And BLM really created that environment. And I hope moving forward to really adopt that kind of mentality. But from my perspective, people have just been so eager to hear what students have to say. And that's very refreshing. And I think at the same time, students are really educating themselves and preparing for what to say and what comes next and really shaping up to be the future. So I think I was very surprised to see how many people are willing to listen to students. I was also doing an internship. So I was like a student, but I was like on a team. And I think they were like, Danielle, what do you think like, what do you think about this? What can we do? And I said, No. Okay. I think I think it's very important. I hope moving forward, we keep the same mentality.
Podcast Host 42:22
Yeah, 100%, I think the student voice and I said, like, in recent years, I think America has been, you know, in many different circumstances in terms of like a global reputation. And it's been, it's not so good in some points. But in any case, I think one thing that has been a shining light for America over the past couple of years, his students, his student voice, the people, you know, from Florida, who were protesting about guns, and leading the March that they did, which was like the power that they spoke with, and then through the Black Lives Matter movement, as well, like the number of students who are involved, it just seems to be, you know, like, I look at America sometimes. And sometimes the, you know, the 50 plus age group isn't really doing their part in many respects. But certainly the younger people have that hope. And is that something that you feel like across at least the MIT campus and maybe even broader with, you know, other black student body presidents? Do you feel like, there is hope for America more broadly, I know, that's like a kind of broad topic to speak on. But like, from where I stand, I look at America, and I see students have hope, probably more hope than many other people or many other age groups. And do you feel that way?
Danielle 43:42
Yeah, I think like, one thing that's super interesting, is kind of the role that social media has played into everything. I know, you meant mentioned, like the Douglass tragedy. And actually, when I was seeing it, it was my senior year of high school. And I had a girl My team, my actual fellow Captain went to that school. Um, and I know that on our soccer team, we knew people who went to that school more so from social media than anything, and I think like that kind of interconnectedness, vibe, um, the Yale had their first black student body president last year, and he, like, I got elected, and he reached out to me like, over Instagram dm. So I think the fact that our generation can be so interconnected, and different when I was talking to my mom the other day, because I think I posted something on my Instagram story, something that took me like, five minutes to take a picture of, um, and then to see 1000 people thought 24 hours later, or did you have anything like this when you were a student? Yeah, no, nobody listened to me nothing like that. Um, so I think it's very big. And I think just getting the platform to have people listen to your ideas, the platform to amplify other people's like educational resources and stories. This is really encouraged our generation to like, take grasp of the moment and be really kind of poignant, and like very Much more serious and I think what a lot of people think we focus on. Um, so I do think there is hope in terms of confronting the history of the United States. For a long time, we've had a lot of hush, hush. Let's continue on Ford, Ford Ford. Um, I think I just wrote an essay. Yesterday I kind of about the history of ghettos in the United States. And like, kind of understanding that, like, de facto segregation is a myth in terms of No, there were laws made by the government. That's why things are segregated, not like, Oh, this is a naturally occurring phenomenon. I think those like realistic histories and like confronting that history, it's so important to come up with solutions. So I think the myth that we can just move forward without really confronting the truth of the past is just a myth that our generation wants to get to the bottom of interest, knowing what actually happened knowing the truth about Christopher Columbus and indigenous people, um, and figuring out how to come up with solutions moving
Podcast Host 46:02
forward. So I think that's what gives me hope the most, it's like the, the kind of desire to have those tough conversations and not to ignore them anymore. And just be like, hey, let's just hash this out for once. Can we just talk about it? Because I do think that for, you know, throughout the 60s and 70s, and 80s, it was just like, oh, Christopher Columbus Day like, yeah, you probably call it a damn thing. You're like, No, no, that's, and there will always be that small, dissenting voice. But I think, you know, as he said, like, social media has this power to amplify that small dissenting voice, and really get it out to a much, much wider audience. would you encourage young student leaders to be very active on social media? You're very active on social media.
Danielle 46:47
Yeah, very active. I think I've become more active. But I also think my social media has been a little bit corrupted in terms of like, being student body president, and whatever that entails, for what my social media should be from.
Podcast Host 47:03
Representative now you gotta like, you gotta you gotta manage what you put up. Yeah, yeah, for sure. Yeah,
Danielle 47:07
I but I think in general, I don't think like if you're naturally not a social media person, and you're naturally not like, really drawn to reposting other people's stuff, or even posting things about your life, I don't think I would push anybody to be like, Oh, no, use this. But I think if you are holding yourself back, because you're afraid of judgment, or because you're afraid of whatever it might be, maybe feel like right now you don't have the following. I think definitely always just if you're a creator, and you want to create things and put it up. This is such a like, actually, industry for influencing now. I think that's amazing. So I think that definitely, if somebody wants to, I would definitely say to explore social media explore its benefits, explore what's out there. There's just so many sources of education on it. Like, how much have I learned from Instagram in the past year, like in comparison to like, even like high school history? Yeah, I think crazy. So I think it's definitely a powerful tool.
Podcast Host 48:06
Yeah. And for our listeners, if they wanted to check out your socials, what would be your recommended list of Danielle socials, or Tick Tock or an Instagram or LinkedIn? Oh, what would be your ones that you would encourage our listeners to check out your posts on?
Danielle 48:25
Yeah, so I'm not on Tick Tock.
Podcast Host 48:27
I'm on Tik Tok now. I've never posted but Crimson Education has a new Tik Tok channel. So I, I follow. I joined Tik Tok for that purpose. So now I follow Crimson Education and, and I've seen some like it's really interesting platform like there's so many back to two years ago, when it first started, it was just like people doing random dances. And now it's like, all kinds of things going on there people giving stock tips and like a Korean dad sharing his life story and an old grandma sharing like, it's crazy how like diverse it's become. The spectrum is insane. So I think tik tok is a really interesting platform. But I think you always got to be you got to take like, some of the political statements with a bit of a grain of salt. Sometimes some people might be, you know, obviously, with a bit of bias, putting content out there. So you got to double check your facts in some respects. But you want to tick taco What's your favorite social platform?
Danielle 49:24
I do like Instagram. I think that's my main one. I'm Danielle.g_ on Instagram. I like that. I really like the the story feature and the Explore page and kind of games see that and then repost. Um, I think that has been big for me, but I think that the Tik Tok algorithm is very interesting and also very addictive. I think that's why I've stayed off I think a couple times, my friends like school and be like, oh, wow, like you really don't stop scrolling like they purposely do that like long and lists feed you can scroll on for forever. I think Instagram is also addictive, but little less And I also I just started the social dilemma. I think I fell asleep the first few minutes. But that I think it talks about like the how all these things are created to be addictive and kind of the trappings that can come with that. So I hope
Podcast Host 50:11
I hope you went tired because you were like on Instagram too much, and you're just like, fell asleep? No, I've seen social dilemma, it's well worth a watch. You know, again, like, you got to kind of take some of it with a grain of salt, but certainly did make me delete a few apps at the end of watching the social dilemma. So I hope you enjoy that. But yeah, let's, uh, let's get your final advice for students going forward, whether they be in high school or whether they be in university. Now, in terms of like, I think, you know, you might come from a different angle, but I think, generally speaking, how to make the most of that high school to university time or even that time at university. Like how do you make it? I'm just really, I really love that idea that you're not making it about the coursework too much, and that you're making it about the experiences and the people. And what was that quote, don't let your classwork given the way of good education or something like that.
Danielle 51:13
Cool. get in the way of your education.
Podcast Host 51:15
Right. Right. Right. I think that's such an interesting thought. Yeah, I'd like to just get your final thoughts on how that's played out in your life?
Danielle 51:24
Yeah, I think definitely, um, that growth mindset thing is very important. So I think always be willing and open to change, I think that can be very hard. I know, I have anxiety. And sometimes I'm in a room and I'm like, I just want to stay in my shell. But I think just always being willing to be open and learning things as well. I think there's things that like I, in high school never tell you that I liked or was passionate about. But then just having that growth mindset and being open, I found out about things. And because I was open, I was able to pivot to them. And really, like get submerged in Everest, I feel like I even know people. And some of my best friends are kind of like, on the straight path, people had told them what was a great profession to be in what was a great school to go to. So they felt like, Okay, I'm gonna do that. And they just stay on that path. And it was much more structured. And I think that that can work for some people. But I also think that sometimes when you're just on a mission to go somewhere, you don't like stop and look around at the surrounding. So I think just always being open, and not being afraid if your path isn't linear. I think we're taught that like, this happens, this happens, this happens. And it's all in a straight line if you want to be successful, but I think it's not like that. And not to be afraid of failure. It comes with the territory. And I think for all the scholarships, we talked about getting like any scholarship, I won, there was actually 20 applications 20 no's as well, right? It's a story of success. Also, it's a story of failure.
Podcast Host 52:53
I love that I'm actually going to ask you about the failures that you're most proud of, I think is an interesting way to think about failure. Sometimes we think we need to reframe the conversation. So yeah, I'm going to ask that question, because I've almost forgot to ask it. I've never asked that question before. But like, what are the failures that you're most proud of like putting yourself out there, you may not have got the result that you wanted, but God damn it, you put yourself out there, right?
Danielle 53:18
Yeah, I think I'm very, like, happy that I got deferred. Um, I think that was like a whole like, moment for me emotionally. And being a very stressed out senior in high school. It wasn't like a positive emotional moment. But I think now being in the position, I wouldn't be in the position I am now I think I was regularly admitted to MIT. I think that's kind of what it became more of an experience for me more so than just an academic pursue. And so I think being deferred, it was crushing at the time. I definitely cried a lot. So it was in my room Jagger cried for a couple days, and then oh, no, we're
Podcast Host 53:57
Okay. Those emotional scars have healed.
Danielle 54:01
They have no, they've definitely healed and I can say, Look, I'm better for it. And I'm grateful for it. Because I think it's very easy to get bogged down into what's the best school, what's the school for you versus being able to adopt that? I'll be okay, no matter where I go. And I think everyone here listening, you can have a dream school, and that's great. But also you'll be okay, no matter what. And I think that's important.
Podcast Host 54:23
Awesome, awesome. Well, Danielle, it's been an absolute pleasure having you on the top of the class. I know, our listeners are going to really enjoy the chat and your advice. And hopefully, they'll follow you on Instagram, and can stay in touch with whatever's going on, as the student body president for the 2021 year at MIT, which is an awesome achievement. So yeah, thanks so much for coming on the show.
Danielle 54:43
Yeah, thank you for having me.