How did Wesleyan prepare you for college?
Wesleyan prepared me for college by providing me with a strong academic background that allowed me to face college with confidence. While beginning my first classes at Vanderbilt, I felt completely prepared and ready to tackle any academic challenges that came my way. In Wesleyan's small, supportive community, I cultivated valuable interpersonal and leadership skills that I continued to develop and hone throughout my undergraduate years. It was this foundation-- comprised of rigorous academics and strong interpersonal skills-- that I formed while at Wesleyan that allowed me to become the independent thinker and the determined individual that I am today.

How did Wesleyan prepare you for your profession?
Aside from equipping me with a strong academic and interpersonal foundation, Wesleyan prepared me for my profession by providing me with an environment in which I was exposed to peers and faculty who were great models of professionalism. These intangible skills are ones that undoubtedly have led to my professional success thus far. More significant, however, is the way in which Wesleyan has strongly shaped my professional goals. Although I am currently working as an intern for a healthcare consulting company, my ultimate professional goal is to become a dentist and work with under-served populations. It was during my years at Wesleyan that I was able to explore my passion for service and helping others through the many experiences with which it provided me. The mission trips that I took through Wesleyan to Peru and Brazil generated my strong desire and current professional goal of working with the under-served Spanish-speaking population in the medical arena.

Why are you a better leader because of Wesleyan?
By providing me with leadership opportunities in several different arenas, Wesleyan not only taught me but placed me in situations in which I was able to discover what is required of a good leader. These important lessons of humility, patience, and respect for yourself and others are ones that have made me better equipped to seek out and assume leadership positions upon leaving Wesleyan. While at Vanderbilt, I felt confident in my leadership skills and easily transitioned into undertaking leadership positions, including those of Philanthropy Benefit Chair and Music Chair for my sorority and of VUceptor (peer leadership). Whether through its teachers and coaches, mission trip, Bible study leaders, or faculty and student body at large, Wesleyan provided exemplary models of leadership, from which I am grateful to have learned how to be a stronger leader.

Was a challenging academic Wesleyan education worth it? Why or why not?
Definitely! By experiencing challenging academics at Wesleyan, I felt confident and prepared for the next level of academics that I met at Vanderbilt. Because of Wesleyan's high standard of education, I had already developed a strong work ethic, which made the demands of a college curriculum much easier. As a science major, I remember how prepared I felt when taking science courses in college, for I felt that I had already mastered a lot of the material. I even used my AP Biology notes a few times, so thank you, Mrs. Fedas! There's really no way to explain how well Wesleyan prepared me academically.

Was the struggle worth it?
Yes! Working hard at Wesleyan certainly pays off. It has opened many doors for me, including receiving a full scholarship to the college of my choice. Although my high school experience was challenging at times, I will always look back at the people that I met, the lessons that I learned, and the memories that I made there with great joy. Wesleyan was an important part of the journey that has led me to where and who I am today, and I couldn't be more grateful.