IHA Senior Accepted To 3 Ivy League Schools

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, N.J. — A Immaculate Heart Academy senior has been accepted into three Ivy League universities: Yale, Columbia, and Cornell.

Melissa Mendizabal said she has chosen to attend Yale University. The North Haledon resident plans to study chemical engineering.

“I chose Yale over the other Ivy league schools because of the close-knit community that Yale offers,” she said. “With its twelve residential college system, Yale fosters the same community values that I so treasure from my experience at Immaculate Heart Academy.”

Her decision of what field to study was helped by an Advanced Placement chemistry course taught by Stephen Opremcak.

"After taking this course, I knew that chemical engineering was the field of study I wished to pursue for its ability to foster critical thinking to help better the world," Mendizabal said.

Mendizabal's guidance counselor spoke highly of her.

“Not only will Yale be getting a stellar student, but it will also be getting a young woman of charisma, character, and benevolence,” O’Sullivan said. “Melissa is the true representation of an IHA student, and I’m thrilled she will be bringing her individuality and intellect to Yale University.”

Melissa Mendizabal — Immaculate Heart Academy