MONDAY, MAY 3, 1999

Scholar heads to Yale

By Nicole Martinez

Daily Forty-Niner

Yale University, Harvard University, University of California or Indiana University?

This question has been running through the mind of Cal State Long Beach student John Philips ever since he was offered a range of scholarships from some of the most prestigious schools in the nation.

Phillips is a graduating senior and a President's Scholar with a 4.0 grade point average.

Out of the four universities, he accepted full tuition and a $7,000 fellowship from the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society to enroll in the political science department doctoral program at Yale University.

The 21-year-old senior chose Yale over full scholarships from UCLA and Indiana University.

Phillips also turned down Harvard because they initially failed to offer him financial aid.

Yale will pay Phillips' full tuition for four years, as well as provide an extra $11,000 a year as long as he remains in good standing.

Phillips will study American politics, especially the sociological aspects of politics, race and inequality.

After Yale, Phillips said he plans to return to CSULB to teach political science.

"[CSULB] has the best poly sci program of all the CSU campuses and in the nation, actually.

"One of the things that really impressed me about this campus was how accessible the professors were and how willing they are to help mentor students," Phillips said.

Overall, Phillips says he has enjoyed his stay at CSULB.

"I love it because I've been involved in sporting events and Kaleidoscope. I was on the intramural volleyball team which won last year's tournament," he said.

In 1997, Phillips, along with others from the CSULB political science department, was invited to attend the Student Conference of Academic Affairs, an international conference at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

"Our department was invited to attend because of the national notoriety of our professors and their work," Phillips said.

Phillips began his studies at CSULB in the fall of 1995. He will graduate this May with the other nine original President's Scholars. Phillips is an alumnus of Long Beach Polytechnic High School, where he was valedictorian of the class of 1995.

"I'm going to New York with my parents to meet my brothers-in-law, then visit Yale," Phillips said.

Over the summer he plans to work for Congressman Steve Horn's office in Washington. Horn is a former president of CSULB.

Phillips had some words of advice for his fellow students at CSULB: "Don't be afraid to ask other people, friends, professors, janitors and administrators for advice. You can learn something from anyone."