Background

1. What was high school like? What were your favorite activities? Who inspired you?

I went to a very big public high school. I loved my high school because there were so many different types of people. About 30% of my high school speaks a first language other than English and 20% is low-income. I also had a lot of great classes to choose from. I particularly loved my math and biology classes because I had such great teachers. They helped me really love learning and I’m now considering becoming a teacher myself.  

2. How did you discover Hamilton?

I was looking through a guidebook at liberal arts colleges and Hamilton stuck out even though the importance of writing scared me a bit. About a week later I went to a college fair and spoke to the Hamilton representative who convinced me I must visit. I fell in love after my first visit.

3. What were your first impressions of the College? Do you find they’re still true today?

My first impression is that there is a very strong sense of community at Hamilton and that people like helping each other succeed. I still find that true, especially when I do my math homework. Last year my whole math class would get together to help each other do the homework and study for exams.

4. Have you volunteered as a student? If yes, what did you find most rewarding about the experience?

Yes, I do a lot of volunteering. I’ve gone on trips with Habitat for Humanity every year for the last 6 years. One day this summer, while working at a summer camp, I was wearing one of my many free Habitat t-shirts. One of the girls in my bunk saw the shirt and told me she lives in a Habitat house and that her mom helped build it. Seeing how happy she was and how proud she was of her mother made me feel like all the work I’ve done really was worth it.

5. What are your plans after Hamilton? Where do you want to live?

I’m thinking about being a math teacher at an economically disadvantaged school. I’d really like to apply for Teach for America. I don’t know where I want to live for sure but I really like Massachusetts.