No two colleges are exactly alike--regardless of their proximity in location, mission, demographics, academic programs, or available opportunities. For this reason, the college search process is undoubtedly difficult and important.
Currently, college-bound high school seniors are in the midst of hearing back from institutions and making these crucial decisions. At the same time, college freshmen are reflecting on their first quarter or semester experiences and thinking back on the decisions they made at the end of their senior year.
Since it is impossible for any one person to visit and get a taste of every single school, I've reached out to my friends and former classmates at colleges across the United States and Canada and asked them to share their insight and experiences*. Interviews are arranged alphabetically by college name. This article is a continuation of Comparative College Experiences: West Coast Edition and Comparative College Experiences: East Coast Edition, and provides a first-hand account from freshmen at eight distinct colleges.
*Please note that interviewees were given the option to answer all or some of the interview questions, which is why some have more responses than others.
Harper Smith - Bowling Green State University (Bowling Green, OH)
“There are over 200 student organizations that do great things on campus and I’d say that is the most impactful thing I’ve chosen to do at BGSU"
Why she chose BGSU: "I chose BGSU because I was looking for a school with an accredited Gerontology program as well as scholarships available. I was lucky to get a full-tuition scholarship program called the President’s Leadership Academy which has made my experience here incredible.”
What she likes most about BGSU: “My favorite part about going to BGSU is the friendliness of students on campus. Everyone holds doors for each other and there’s a strong feeling of trust in peers. I already feel that I have a network of upperclassmen friends who can help me along the way.”
Major: “I am majoring in Gerontology with a specialization in Long-Term Care Administration. I plan to become a nursing home administrator with this degree.”
Extracurricular activities: "In addition to the President’s Leadership Academy, I am involved in CHAARG which is a girl’s workout club and am rushing a service-based sorority called Omega Phi Alpha."
Favorite class she's taken so far: "My favorite class I’ve taken would be my Introduction to Gerontology course because my teacher was passionate about informing her students of the challenges which older adults face and the problems the nursing home industry is currently facing. It inspired me to pursue nursing home administration and make a difference in the lives of the elderly.”
Her dorm/housing situation at BGSU: "I am in a double room with a private bathroom. There are three suite-style dorms similar to mine on campus. Overall the housing options here are pretty good."
The food and dining at BGSU: "We have two all-you-can-eat dining halls and two food courts on campus. There’s a pretty wide variety of food choices and none of them are bad. The best part is that we have a Starbucks that accepts meal plan dollars."
The social scene at BGSU: "College is what you make of it. If you’re looking to party, you can find parties. If you’re looking to participate in greek life, they’re more than willing to welcome you into their chapters. At BGSU, everyone is very welcoming and will accept you if you come to them. There are over 200 student organizations that do great things on campus and I’d say that is the most impactful thing I’ve chosen to do at BGSU."
The surrounding area at BGSU: "BGSU is in Northwest Ohio, which is absolutely gorgeous and everyone is super friendly. Toledo isn’t a fardrive but there’s plenty of nightlife on Main Street in Bowling Green.”
Her most memorable college experience so far: "My most memorable experience at BGSU would be the summer program for the President’s Leadership Academy which took place the whole month of July. Along with 21 other leaders from around the country, I took part in a college bridge program which gave me a knowledge base of leadership theory. It also allowed our cohort to bond into a family and they are my closest friends on campus.”
What she misses most from home/life before college: "I miss my dog and my parents the most. It’s very different to go from having someone home to greet you and care about you every day to now having a roommate who you may or may not see some days. I’ve found it kind of isolating but in the end I know my parents are just a phone call away.”
Her advice for graduating high school seniors: "I would say not to be afraid to go far from home. There are tons of other people in your shoes and many who have done it before you. You’ll find your way and make a new family wherever you’re at."
Hanna Harrison - McGill University (Montréal, QC, Canada)
"Given McGill’s diverse student body, there really is a group of friends out there for everyone, which I think is awesome."
Why she chose McGill: "I chose to go to McGill for a handful of reasons. It’s located in Montréal, a bilingual city, which I found interesting and very appealing. Going to school in Canada allowed me to go abroad for school without leaving the continent. Additionally, McGill is known for being one of Canada’s best universities and is more affordable than American schools."
What she likes most about McGill: “I absolutely love the diversity of people here. Over 24% of McGill students come from over 140 countries, which means you’re constantly meeting people not only from across North America, but from around the world.”
Major: "I can’t declare my major until the end of the semester, but I’m planning to major in International Development and minor in Communication Studies."
Extracurricular Activities: "I’ve been involved with Democrats Abroad, a club dedicated to discussing and promoting American politics, and I’m also a swim instructor for Making Waves Montréal, an organization that provides swim lessons to children with disabilities. I also recently worked as a committee director for the United Nations Development Programme General Assembly at McGill’s Model United Nations Conference (McMUN)."
Favorite class she's taken so far: "I really enjoyed Intro to Feminist Theory. It was fascinating to learn about the history of the feminist movement and to learn how many different types of feminist philosophy exist."
Current Courses: "I’m currently taking two political science classes, one geography class, one atmospheric science class, and a Canadian studies class. I selected my classes based on things that would count towards my intended major (International Development), as well as classes that just generally interested me."
Her dorm/housing situation at McGill: "I live in a dorm called La Citadelle, which is a converted hotel building located a few blocks from campus. My building houses 288 students. I live in a double room with my roommate."
The food and dining at McGill: "The food at McGill is pretty good in my opinion! Our dining halls receive a lot of the fresh produce from McGill’s other campus, MacDonald Campus, which has a farm."
The social scene at McGill: "Unlike a lot of American universities, McGill has very little Greek life (fraternities and sororities are just generally less prevalent in Canada). Additionally, the drinking age in Quebec is 18, so the social scene is different from American universities in that sense too. Given McGill’s diverse student body, there really is a group of friends out there for everyone, which I think is awesome."
The surrounding area at McGill: "McGill is located in downtown Montréal, a major metropolitan city. The surrounding area is very urban and has lots of restaurants, museums, stores, etc., as well as several other universities."
Her most memorable college experience so far: "I attended a conference where I got to hear several female former members of Parliament (similar to Congress members) speak. Two of them ran for Parliament (and won) while they were still undergraduate students at McGill, at age 20. It was truly inspirational to listen to young women speak about the incredible things they accomplished at a very young age."
What she misses most from home/life before college: "Probably the comfort of being surrounded by familiar things all the time. College forces you to adapt to brand new surroundings in a very short period of time, which can be a bit overwhelming sometimes."
Where she sees herself in four years: "Graduating (I hope!) Then either trying to get a job or going to grad school to get my Master’s."
"Take advantage of any (and all) opportunities that come your way. It can be scary to put yourself outside your comfort zone, but I promise it will be worth it in the end."
Drew Bosset - Northwestern University (Evanston, IL)
"We took a bus out to Michigan and despite the savage beat down, it was still hype."
Why he chose Northwestern: "Honestly a gut feeling, I loved the campus and when I visited they upset Wisconsin. I got a good vibe from the whole place. Also Chicago is tight."
What he likes most about Northwestern: “I really like the people here, the proximity to Chicago, the professor keenness towards meeting their students and the fact that we had a great football season.”
Major: "I’m majoring in Cognitive Science with an emphasis in Artificial Intelligence."
Extracurricular Activities: "I’m on the ski team and rushed a fraternity."
Favorite class he's taken so far: "I had a seminar about the dinosaurs called The Death of Dinosaurs."
His dorm/housing situation at Northwestern: "I feel like it’s the classic dorm experience. Some dorms are super nice but they are generally less social."
The food and dining at Northwestern: "It’s no home cooked meal, but I don’t mind it."
The social scene at Northwestern: "Social scene is what you make of it. If you want to party or drink you can find something to do most nights. But if that is not your scene plenty people hang out and do fun stuff around Evanston and Chicago. There are dorms known for being significantly more social than others."
The surrounding area at Northwestern: "Really nice suburbs."
His most memorable college experience so far: "Our welcome week was awesome. Also, we took a bus out to Michigan and despite the savage beat down, it was still hype."
What he misses most from home/life before college: "The food mostly, like taco trucks. I thought it would be weather, but it is definitely the food."
Where he sees himself in four years: "I want to live in a foreign country for a year or so directly out of college."
Elissa Temme and Britta Weber - St. Olaf College (Northfield, MN)
"Campus is like a petri dish for close relationships – we bond over the weather, the food, our living quarters – pretty much any of our shared experiences.”
Why they chose St. Olaf:
ELISSA: "In a way, I feel like St. Olaf chose me. I first heard about it as a Sophomore in high school from a friend who was a senior at the time. During a talk about plans for the future, he suggested that St. Olaf would be perfect for me. I researched it and discovered that it had great options for both of the career paths I was considering (Biology and Advertising.) Though I was apprehensive about moving to one of the coldest states in the country after living in California for my whole life, I decided to give it a chance and booked a visit. After seeing the school for the first time, I fell head over heels in love with it. In the end, I didn't apply anywhere else."
BRITTA: "I chose to go to St. Olaf because it was the perfect fit for all of my interests, both academically and musically, as well as faith wise. In high school, my involvement in musical organizations was very important to me, and I wanted to continue that in college. I also had the amazing opportunity to live in Norway for some years in middle school, and my love for the Norwegian language and culture was something I knew could only be shared and further cultivated at St. Olaf (the Norwegian and Lutheran identity is an important part of the school's identity.) I was also kind of born at St. Olaf: my parents met in the St. Olaf Choir, and my grandparents and aunt and uncle are alumni as well. It felt like the perfect fit on my first visit, and that feeling has definitely been affirmed by the several months I now have spent there.”
What they like most about St Olaf:
ELISSA: "Wow, it's so hard to choose. I could talk about the incredible natural beauty, or the architecture, or the great food...there are so many things that I love about my school. I really love the tight-knit community at St. Olaf, and the feeling of belonging that comes with being a part of such a community. I feel like the size of the college allows for the perfect ratio of anonymity to companionship. Otherwise, I enjoy a lot of the different quirks of the campus – Oles (St. Olaf students) are known for being super trustworthy and responsible, so the PO boxes don't have locks and everyone just leaves their stuff lying around. We have few to no problems with theft. Also, if someone leaves their student ID somewhere by mistake, it will be returned to their PO within the day. It's things like that that really stick out to me."
BRITTA: “That is a tough one…there are so many amazing aspects of the school, ranging from the yummy chocolate smell (from the near by Malt-O-Meal factory) to the easy access to at least twenty baby-grand pianos in the downstairs of one of the music buildings (yes, there are multiple.) Whether you are a music lover, biology geek, math nerd, language enthusiast, St. Olaf has it all. There is a feeling of real community atop the hill on which St. Olaf stands, and this really makes it a great place to make friends, join activities and clubs, and simply thrive in a really supportive, safe and unique environment.”
Major:
ELISSA: "I know that I want to end up studying something along the lines of advertising or graphic design/ creative marketing, since I am interested in both studio art/ new media and business. Though St. Olaf doesn't have a full Advertising major, I am working through off-campus study and something called the CIS (center for integrative studies) to create my own custom major and supplement it with classes from universities abroad. Also, I plan on having a concentration (like a minor) in Media Studies. Though this might seem like a lot to do, it's pretty normal relative to everyone else on campus. A large number of students, maybe even a majority, double major or have concentrations."
BRITTA: "I am currently a Norwegian major (yup, that’s a real thing at St. Olaf), and I am in the process of figuring out a second major to pair with that. I am super interested in people in general – I love to listen to people stories, encourage their dreams and pursuits, and help with their struggles – and am therefore probably going to end up with my second major in the humanities, either Religion or Sociology. And if that isn’t enough, I might even add a concentration to that concoction as well, I guess time will only tell. I am also super excited to take advantage of St. Olaf’s amazing study abroad programs, and I am starting out my adventures in Oslo, Norway this summer with a six week long, two course program."
Extracurricular activities:
ELISSA: "I am in the Manitou Singers (the first year women's choir on campus) so that takes up a fair amount of time. I'm also in swing dance club and pursuing a bible study."
BRITTA: "I sing in Manitou with Elissa, as well as play clarinet in the Norseman Band, attend swing club on Tuesdays (more often than not), and am also in search of a bible study. I also have jobs in both the Norwegian department and Music organizations office, as well as tutor Norwegian to students on campus."
Favorite classes they've taken so far:
ELISSA: "So far, my favorite class has been Introduction to 2D Media, which is basically a drawing class. I learned to use all different types of media, like collage, charcoal, graphite, gouache, ink and pastel. It was a lot of work (about three hours in the studio per day, or as much as it took to finish whatever project we were working on) but it was extremely satisfying. The teacher was really eager to challenge us, but also help us succeed and broaden our horizons. It was also a huge honor to see my work recognized at the end of the course – I get to exhibit my final project in April."
BRITTA: "My favorite class so far has been Norwegian-American History, something I took during what we call “Interim”, or January term. This is an experience which I think is really unique to St. Olaf, and it offers a chance to really delve into a class for a brief amount of time (one month), but still cover lots of material. I really enjoyed the unique content of this class, and I found it to be kind of like studying my own family history being as my ancestors emigrated from Norway in 1840’s. I read a lot of books, gained a lot of insight, took a lot of naps, and spent a lot of time with friends, things that made the whole experience of Interim very enjoyable."
Current Courses:
ELISSA: "I'm currently taking Introduction to 3D Media, Spanish, Statistics, a really intense combined religion/history/writing/classical literature program called The Great Conversation, and Choir. I chose some of these classes because they fulfill my GE requirements (Spanish) some because they'll help me in my future career (Statistics, 3D Media) and some because I really enjoy their content (Choir, GreatCon, also 3D Media). St. Olaf encourages students to explore lots of different areas of study before they declare a major."
BRITTA: "The classes that I’m currently taking are Norwegian Literature (studying the works of playwright Henrik Ibsen), a sociology course on marriage and the family, Art History, and a religion course focused on women in the bible. At St. Olaf, students are required to take two religion courses during their years at the school, a tradition implemented to honor the Lutheran roots of the school."
The social scene at St. Olaf:
ELISSA: "In my experience, it's been extremely easy to make new friends in all sorts of social circles on campus. Everyone has been very friendly and welcoming, I’ve definitely experienced the alleged 'Minnesota Nice.' Campus is like a petri dish for close relationships – we bond over the weather, the food, our living quarters – pretty much any of our shared experiences. I think I've developed more close friendships since moving here than I had in my whole life before college. Another thing to note is that though St. Olaf is a completely 'dry campus' (some students are fighting to change that because of the safety issues it presents) it's extremely easy to party and/or access substances at any time, especially Thursday-Saturday nights. However, as a person who doesn't drink or smoke, I feel completely comfortable, accepted and not pressured by anyone who does partake."
BRITTA: "There are so many unique people at St. Olaf, and they are all so friendly and genuinely interested in you as a person. Everyone is so accepting, and really driven in whatever academics or interests they are pursuing on campus – it’s pretty inspiring! I’ve made some really close friends, and felt really at home in the short amount of time that I have been on campus so far."
The surrounding area at St. Olaf:
BOTH: "St. Olaf is in Northfield, Minnesota. It sounds like the middle of nowhere, but it's actually a really cute little college town shared by our rival and across-the-river neighbor, Carleton College. (Believe it or not, Forbes actually listed Northfield as the No. 1 best place to retire in the US.) Outside of Northfield, it's pretty much forty minutes of cows and cornfields until the Twin Cities. The cities themselves are easy to access from St. Olaf, and have an amazing art, food, and music/ concert scene. It's been really fun to explore some of the different aspects of Minnesota – it's funny to think that if I didn't go to school here, I never would have discovered all of the hidden gems it has to offer.
In Northfield, there is a cute main-street filled with boutiques, an assortment of restaurants, a to-die-for cupcake store and a super productivity-evoking coffee-shop. There is a bus that loops from St. Olaf to Carleton with stops in town that helps students to easily get off campus. The Twin Cities (Minneapolis/St. Paul) are less than an hour away as well, and there is a plethora of things to do there including shopping at the Mall of America (said to be the largest mall in North America), concerts at First Avenue or the State Theater, theatrical productions at The Guthrie, hiking trails, Minnehaha falls, and much more. Though St. Olaf is nestled among the cornfields, it’s close proximity to downtown Northfield as well as the Twin Cities make it a perfect fit for those who enjoy rural life, but want quick access to the excitement of city life. ”
Their most memorable college experiences so far:
ELISSA: "My experience at Olaf has been one long string of memorable experiences. If I had to choose one, I would probably say this year's Christmasfest. Christmasfest is three day long festival featuring about 500 student musicians, including all of the choirs and the St. Olaf orchestra. The choral music program at St. Olaf is one of the best in the country, and it has been for many years. Thus, the history of the event is absolutely amazing, and it was incredible to be a part of. The festival always sells out, and attracts over 12,000 people each year. My favorite part was when the lights went up after each night's performance, and we got to see everyone's faces – a lot of people were crying and it was humbling to see the emotion caused by the music. The standing ovations from thousands of people didn't hurt either."
BRITTA: "I agree with Elissa on this one! Christmasfest was such a unique experience, and truly an opportunity to be apart of something bigger and greater than myself. I felt so honored to be apart of such a long-lasting, beautiful tradition that was so centered around music and faith."
What they miss most from home/life before college:
ELISSA: "I miss my family and best friends from home, and having the ocean, mountains and redwoods easily accessible. Otherwise, the transition was virtually seamless and Minnesota felt like home right away."
BRITTA: "I miss the familiarity and routine of high school and all of the friends and activities that came with it. The friend group that I had made in and through band became like my family, and I miss not being able to run to the band room between classes and be greeted by my best friends. I miss the amount of extracurricular involvement that I was able to juggle alongside of my classes (church group, jazz band, soccer, and volunteering), and being with and around my family when I needed support, in both good and bad times. I am so thankful for the family of friends that I have made at Olaf, and my new schedule has become routine, but college has really made be grateful for the wonderful memories that I have from high school."
Their advice for graduating high school seniors:
ELISSA: " The number one thing I have to say is, don't ever let a desire for prestige overshadow what you know is the right decision for you. Finding the right college is a match to be made, never a prize to be won. Secondly, don't be afraid to follow your gut and jump, even if your gut points to somewhere like rural Minnesota. Choosing to move to some random place out of state could turn out to be the best decision you ever made (I know it was for me.)"
BRITTA: "I would say to take advantage of your last year of high school if you have already had an overall positive high school experience – it will fly by! If you have been ready for college since the first day of freshman year, then you are in for a treat! College is a blast, and definitely a fresh start if that is something you feel like you need. Find a campus that is supportive of who you are as a person, your interests, and your values, and you will have great and fulfilling experience. Stay true to who you are, even in a completely new place, and you will be surprised at how many wonderful friends you will make."
Maya Jain - University of Chicago (Chicago, IL)
"I’ve met really great friends from doing theatre first quarter. It’s so easy to make friends no matter what you’re involved in at UChicago because you spend a lot of time with your peers and they’re usually something to bond over."
Why she chose UChicago: "I chose to go to UChicago because I wanted to be in a big city for school, I wanted to go somewhere that would really challenge me academically, and I also really liked the theatre program there."
What she likes most about UChicago: "The challenge and rigor that comes along with some of our classes has really brought me closer to other students. I was in a really challenging astrophysics class last quarter and I ended up making some great friends by forming a study group to struggle through all our problem sets with. I’ve also met really great friends from doing theatre first quarter. It’s so easy to make friends no matter what you’re involved in at UChicago because you spend a lot of time with your peers and they’re usually something to bond over."
Major: "I’m majoring in Theatre and Performance Studies and will possibly adding a double major or minor in Gender and Sexuality Studies."
Extracurricular activities: "I’ve been doing shows with University Theatre in my first two quarters so far. That takes up a fair amount of my time (but I’m totally ok with that). I’m also involved with a few of the LGBTQ+ student groups and the South Asian Student Association."
Favorite class she's taken so far: "My favorite class I’ve taken so far is my Hindi class. My class is really small (about 8 students) and we have a great professor, so I’ve been able to get really close with all my classmates."
Current Courses: "Right now my classes are Hindi, Media Aesthetics (one of our Humanities core classes), Astrophysics, and Statistics. Most of my current classes are for fulfilling my core requirements, since first years are mostly in core classes. I do have time in my schedule still for electives. Hindi is my elective this quarter and next quarter I may be able to add on another."
Her dorm/housing situation at UChicago: "I live in a single room in an off campus satellite dorm. Dorm situations are pretty diverse here, and it mostly depends on which residence hall you’re in. My dorm is far from campus, but it is primarily single rooms (with private bathrooms) because it’s an old hotel converted into a dorm. It is a bit old, and sometimes it shows, but I’m enjoying living here."
The food and dining at UChicago: "If I’m being honest, it’s not fabulous. I’m a little spoiled probably coming from the Bay Area where there’s a lot of variety in terms of food, but our dining hall food I would say is decent but gets really boring after a while. Our contract with our current provider is ending though, so students are lobbying to get a better provider."
The social scene at UChicago: "The social scene can pretty much be anything you want it to be. The UChicago stereotype is that people study all the time and never have fun (hence the saying “where fun comes to die”), but that’s really not the case. If you’re someone who likes to go to bigger parties, that’s definitely an option, but there’s also plenty of more low key social events. I usually like to go into downtown Chicago with friends and also go to theatre parties when they’re happening."
The surrounding area at UChicago: "UChicago is in Hyde Park, which is on the south side of Chicago. This particular neighborhood feels less busy than being downtown, but it’s really easy to get downtown either by bus or on the L (our subway). Hyde Park itself also has nice restaurants and shops that make a fun night out without going downtown."
Her most memorable college experience so far: "During orientation week, we had an opening convocation to welcome us to the college and then all of us processed through the quad. This was the point when we all had to say goodbye to our parents, so everyone was a little emotional. However, as we processed past our parents and crossed Hull Gate, we were suddenly greeted by lots of upperclassmen all holding signs, wearing costumes, cheering and waving and just giving us a huge warm welcome."
What she misses most from home/life before college: "Besides the obvious like my friends and family, I honestly really miss home cooked food. Dining hall food gets really tiring after a while. Also the California weather – it’s pretty cold here in Chicago."
Where she sees herself in four years: "After 4 years here, I’d like to go to grad school sometime in the near future to get my MFA in Theatre.
Her advice for graduating high school seniors: "Put yourself out of your comfort zone as much you can, because when you start college, you’re constantly out of your comfort zone. Whether this is trying a new activity in high school or choosing to go somewhere completely unknown for college, it can be a lot of fun even if it’s scary."
Tommy Wilbur - University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI)
"It’s a fantastic social scene, if you like to party, there’s quite a bit of that. Especially during football season. But like a cliche advertisement, I will advocate that we play hard and work hard.”
Why he chose UMich: "That’s a great question. As I was applying to colleges, I was set on staying in California, but my sister, who had been at University of Michigan for two years, told me to send in an application. Their Mechanical Engineering program was top three in the country, so I was happy to apply. I chose UMich finally over UC Davis and UCLA because of a few reasons. The campus was very accepting, and the school had a good sense of spirit. I did not like what little school spirit my high school had, but now it is an energy that connects all of the students together under the block M and the 'Go Blue!' tagline. As a side note, I did not like football until I came here, so it was not a really a reason until after the decision. One other thing that played an important part in my decision was, of course, my sister. She has helped me transition very smoothly into the experience of college, and I don’t think I could’ve been so successful first semester without her."
What he likes most about UMich: “My favorite part is that there are so many groups and activities to join, I am currently swing dancing on Tuesdays, participating in research seminars on Wednesdays, and whenever I find free time, going to the metalworking shop to help build a steam engine. There are so many groups to join, it’s hard to remember to allocate some free time for studying and homework.”
Major: "I am in the College of Engineering at U of M, and I am stuck trying to decide between Mechanical Engineering and Data Science, which is like computer science plus a whole lot of statistics. It’s a tough decision, and the majors are both very different and very difficult. I know I want to solve problems somehow, but I don’t know if I like virtual or physical problems more. I guess I have to figure that out."
Extracurricular activities: "Like I mentioned before, I am involved in MSwing, a swing dancing club, and I am doing research. I also hang out with friends a lot, and I love going out on weekends to great restaurants in Ann Arbor. I also joined a fraternity this semester, and I’m excited to see what happens with that."
Favorite class he's taken so far: "Like the math nerd I am, I loved taking Calculus III, it was just amazing how much I learned during that class. It was a very cool class for me, and it’s easy for me to look back and see how great it was. I’m currently taking an American Culture class on the role of humor in society, and that is pretty cool so far. We are learning to identify not what is funny, but why it is funny. It sure is different than Calc III, but maybe I’ll have a different answer by the end of this semester.”
The food and dining at UMich: "I like the food, but I’m not a connoisseur, as any of my friends will tell you. I had to use spellcheck to write that correctly. I like the dining hall food, though it can get boring. I just don’t want to cook for myself! My laziness outweighs my pickiness with the dining halls. And they always have pizza or cereal as a backup, so I’m always happy."
The social scene at UMich: "It’s a fantastic social scene, if you like to party, there’s quite a bit of that. Especially during football season. But like a cliche advertisement, I will advocate that we play hard and work hard. At least, some people do. I work hard. I party, medium, maybe? But the scene is there, and especially alive on weekends and football game days. Just make sure you know when you’re gonna do your homework."
The surrounding area at UMich: "Ann Arbor is a great little town, with excellent restaurants, a thrift shop, some comic book stores, and probably a lot more that I’m missing. Having only been here for a few months, I don’t have a comprehensive list of everything there, but I do know they have great food. There’s also a small arboretum, a forested area, which is incredibly beautiful in the summer and fall, but in winter it’s a bit colder than I’d like."
His most memorable college experience so far: "My most memorable experience? I mean, the football is amazing, and I could give detail on how mortifying our loss to MSU was this year, but I’ll focus on a positive experience. My most memorable experience was seeing snow fall for the first time in Ann Arbor. I’ve been skiing since I was little, but I’ve never lived in snow for more than a week or two. It was cool actually building a snowman with my friends, and attempting to sled down a half snow, half grass hill. Regardless, it was a great experience to have my first semester.
"What he misses most from home/life before college: "I miss my parents and my dog a lot, and most of my friends. It’s tough starting over in college, but you just gotta put yourself out there and the right people will show themselves to you. Also laundry is a much bigger problem than you anticipate!"
His advice for graduating high school seniors: "Don’t be afraid. I was fearful in the beginning, how people would judge me, if I would be accepted. But you will find people who accept you. There’s a Quidditch team at this school. There is a niche for everyone. Whether it’s improv comedy, dance, musical theatre, engineering projects, running, or playing sports with friends, there’s an organization for you. My other piece of advice is that there’s not only one college for you. I don’t believe there is one perfect college. So don’t sweat on finding it. University of Michigan has been good to me, but I could’ve probably had as much fun at UCLA. Sure, some fit a lot better than others, like a LOT better, but the most important part is that you get out what you put in. So I try to put in my best. Also, last piece of advice, it’s not all good. You may struggle in some aspects, but keep going. I was bored and, to be honest, kinda sad earlier this semester, and I wanted to just walk around the city, but before I left my dorm, I walked through one of the lounges. There were people wearing Harry Potter garb and playing a card game about math, and that might have made my semester. These are the people who I now swing dance with. So, don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to others. They may be just the right kind of weird for you."
Stefano Scotti - Vanderbilt University (Nashville, TN)
"The social scene does partially revolve around the frats, but there's plenty to do if you aren't interested in that – the music scene is amazing, and downtown Nashville always has something.”
Why he chose Vanderbilt: "I chose to go to Vanderbilt for the Peabody School of Education (I'm interested in going to education policy, and it seemed like the best option). I also figured you couldn't go wrong with the happiest students in the nation."
What he likes most about Vanderbilt: “My favorite part about Vanderbilt so far is that there is always something going on campus – events are always being put on by clubs, and there's always an opportunity to get free food, see an interesting movie screening, or have an intellectual conversation.”
Major: "I'm currently majoring in Human and Organizational Development, intending to go into Education Policy."
Extracurricular activities: "I'm currently involved in the NAACP, SEED (Students Engaged in Education Dialogue), and WRVU (the indie radio station). I've also applied to be an RA and to work on some other committees."
Favorite class he's taken so far: "My favorite class was short works in Russian literature because I love Russian literature."
Current courses: "I'm currently taking Oceanography, Italian, Small Group Behavior, and Calc. This semester is mostly dedicated to getting required classes out of the way."
The social scene at Vanderbilt: "The social scene does partially revolve around the frats, but there's plenty to do if you aren't interested in that – the music scene is amazing, and downtown Nashville always has something."
His most memorable college experience so far: "One of my most memorable experiences was going to a Death Grips concert with WRVU."
What he misses most from home/life before college: "I miss having a car and being familiar with all the little food and hang out spots back home."
His advice for graduating high school seniors: "My advice would be to make a bucket list of things you want to do before you leave, and to thank the teachers that helped you get to where you are."
Jeanette Freiberg - Washington University in St. Louis (St. Louis, MO)
"Here is a picture of me after getting pied in the face to fundraise for Relay For Life."
Why she chose WashU: "I was definitely nervous when I decided to come to WashU because it’s so out of my comfort zone in so many ways, but that’s ultimately why I pushed myself to come. I really wanted to experience change and independence in a place that would challenge me to work hard, both academically and in being open-minded about learning from the people around me."
What she likes most about WashU: "There is an incredible amount of positivity and support here, from professors to counselors to people smiling at you on your way to class. That makes for a really amazing space to be confident and pursue my interests."
Major: "I am undeclared, but I’m considering a major in Sociology or International Studies, and maybe minoring in Spanish. But I’m definitely still figuring it out!"
Extracurricular activities: "I’m in an a cappella group and the people are so much fun. I’m also involved with Relay For Life, a music service program, and I’m training to become a peer counselor on campus."
Favorite class she's taken so far: "I took a sociology class last semester called Order and Change in Society. Everyone needs to go read Malcolm Gladwell’s The Tipping Point and Privilege by Shamus Khan. You will not regret it."
Current Courses: "I’m in a sociology class called Social Movements, an East Asian politics class, Spanish, College Writing (required for all freshmen), Intro to Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies, and a freshman seminar called Bad Leadership. I can’t say I know what I’m doing with my life, so my approach to choosing courses was to take a variety of classes that seemed interesting to me so that I can get a feel for my interests early on, rather than narrow my scope and later get stuck not knowing whether I would have liked another discipline."
Her dorm/housing situation at WashU: "I live on a co-ed freshmen floor with about 40 other people, but we’re all relatively close and we hang out in our common room and get dinner with each other all the time. I had a wonderful roommate last semester, but she actually transferred to a university in Korea (where she’s originally from), so now I’m in a dingle (double-single) and it’s great, not gonna lie."
The food and dining at WashU: "Really, really amazing. You’re obviously going to get 'sick' of dining hall food once in a while, but that honestly doesn’t happen much at WashU because there are so many fresh options for sit-down or grab-and-go meals. The set-up of all the dining areas on campus (location and the actual design) also make it super easy to get food with friends or just study in a booth, and there’s a downtown area (a little smaller than University Avenue) that’s a 10-minute walk from campus too."
The social scene at WashU: "I’ve heard WashU described as 'work hard, play hard,' which is very vague and applicable to so many campuses, but I actually think it’s a good description. People do go out Thursday-Saturday night and frat parties can get a little crazy (from what I’ve heard), but everyone here balances that with taking school work very seriously. Besides partying, though, it’s generally just a very friendly and energized campus, with a million student-organized events and an awesome residential college set-up (the 'South 40' is basically a neighborhood of res colleges, so all freshmen and some sophomores all live in one part of campus that’s separate from academic campus, which makes it easy to see your friends!)."
The surrounding area at WashU: "There’s a lot to do off-campus -- we have Forest Park (which is four times bigger than Central Park and has museums, a botanical garden, and a zoo), lots of restaurants, shops, and a movie theater, and a really great metro system that can take you to Target or Ikea in 15 minutes. That being said, WashU is in a very privileged area of St. Louis, and it’s certainly not representative of the city as a whole. There’s a big, big wealth gap here, and that’s something that WashU students frequently talk about in terms of recognizing our privilege (breaking out of the 'WashU Bubble,' especially mentally)."
Her most memorable college experience so far: "We had a three-day weekend in October, so my a cappella group went on a mini-retreat and stayed at someone’s apartment. It was a 5 minute drive from campus but we pretended we were nowhere near school, and we went apple picking and baked pies and hiked and just generally got a lot closer. Definitely a highlight."
What she misses most from home/life before college: "I miss people knowing who I am. I think the hardest thing for me in transitioning to college was having to re-establish myself and feel like I have a place on campus with all these new people who don’t know anything about me. A lot of people say that’s what they like most about leaving home because you can 'start fresh'; but I think it was, and still is, hard for me to re-create myself after feeling like I had already figured out who I was back home.”
Her advice for graduating high school seniors: "Something that was told to me in my first week of college is that 'You don’t owe your freshman experience to anyone but yourself.' That’s really stuck with me. There are a lot ways to 'do college,' and what might work well for your best friend doesn’t have to be (and probably isn’t) what works best for you. So when you get to college (if that’s the path you choose), explore activities and subjects that make your eyes light up when you talk about them. When you feel yourself getting worked up about 'not doing college right,' take a deep breath and focus on you and what makes you happy"
This is the third of three articles in a series about first quarter and semester college experiences across North America. Read the first and second articles here and here.
