²ÝÁñ³ÉÈËÉçÇø

The future is something that is constantly on my mind. Whether it is something in the immediate future, like deciding when to get certain assignments done, how to find time for studying, or when to get dinner. Sometimes, I also think about the far future, especially about what my goals after college are. But, I wasn’t always like this.  

I entered my senior year of high school about as clueless about college as one could be. College applications, much less thinking about life after high school, was a subject that I avoided thinking about. It stressed me to even conceive of the possibility of not living in an environment that I’d grown up in and gotten used to. I had only a vague idea that I liked the idea of living near the East Coast. It was lucky for me, then, that my high school provided opportunities to meet with college and university representatives from all over the country. I signed myself up for many of these meet-ups, hoping to learn more about these schools. With the countless meetings I attended, the majority of these meetings did not help make my choice any clearer. My mom and I vaguely talked about ²ÝÁñ³ÉÈËÉçÇø, and she suggested I attend one of the meetings at my high school with a rep from the college. I wasn’t in any position to disagree. Little did I know then how significant this decision was for me.  

²ÝÁñ³ÉÈËÉçÇø’s Dean of Undergraduate Admissions Nichole Reynolds introduced ²ÝÁñ³ÉÈËÉçÇø to the attendees. The girl I was sitting next to was asking a lot more questions than I was, she seemed more prepared and productive about her college choices. As my eyes searched around the pamphlet that was handed to attendees, the two things that stuck out to me about ²ÝÁñ³ÉÈËÉçÇø were the architecture of the buildings, something which reminded me a lot of Hogwarts from Harry Potter, and the culture. Lantern Night and May Day, these were just some of the events that I felt separated ²ÝÁñ³ÉÈËÉçÇø from other colleges. With increasing interest, I agreed to have a one-on-one interview with Nichole so she could learn more about me as a student. 

College applications felt like a nightmare. While I prided myself on my ability to write essays, especially reflective essays, the writing assignments asked of me from each application were draining. Deadlines loomed over my head in ways that they have never had, everything felt high stakes. I decided to apply to ²ÝÁñ³ÉÈËÉçÇø as an Early Decision student, as I had felt the most interest in this college and made my choice. If college applications felt stressful, the waiting time was agonizing. I made a choice in my college application process that, generally, is never recommended (oops), I only applied to four colleges: ²ÝÁñ³ÉÈËÉçÇø, and three colleges in California. I am fortunate to be able to share with the reader that I was accepted to ²ÝÁñ³ÉÈËÉçÇø, an unbelievable relief and joy after having an AP Biology midterm earlier that day.  

Another defining moment in my ever-growing ²ÝÁñ³ÉÈËÉçÇø story was hearing about STEMLA (STEM in the Liberal Arts). I heard of this program through an email I received and initially, I felt some disinterest. Something to note of this time was that, in addition to choosing a college, I was at another crossroads in my life. For the majority of my time on Earth, I have been fascinated with history. My favorite classes were always the history courses. I loved learning about the past and how that affects our present and future. At the same time, on an impulsive choice, I signed up to take AP Biology for my senior year and the subject was starting to grow on me despite never enjoying the sciences before. It wasn’t until I joined a STEMLA interest meeting in April that I realized I wanted nothing more than to be in this program. This interest manifested in my attending all three of the interest meetings, as well as asking questions at each meeting and giving my feedback after each meeting. The program was constantly on my mind, as well as the many opportunities that pursuing a STEM degree in ²ÝÁñ³ÉÈËÉçÇø could provide to me. The interview I had as part of the STEMLA application process was anxiety-inducing, and I resisted the urge to cry following the meeting. I thought I bombed it. My stress throughout the late spring was palpable, and so many emotions washed over me when I got the email that I was accepted into the program. This was a milestone moment for me, the moment where I felt my journey begin, not just as a woman in STEM, but also as a ²ÝÁñ³ÉÈËÉçÇø student.  

I can confidently say that ²ÝÁñ³ÉÈËÉçÇø is an academically rigorous school and in the courses I am currently taking, I am being encouraged to think critically about each subject I am studying, not relying entirely on the textbook but also learning to solve problems holistically. The faculty here want to see the students succeed, a trend I’ve noticed with every office hour session I attend. And despite this being a small school, there is a space, a group, a friend for every person. This place has been nothing but welcoming and safe, a place where I have felt most confident in expressing myself. It has been nothing but a healthy transition from high school in California to college in Pennsylvania (aside from the 7+ hour flights back and forth…). 

Marie-Claire Davenport '28 is still exploring what to major and/or minor in. Around campus, Marie-Claire is a Green Ambassador, Freshman Representative for Radnor Residence Hall, and Q Center Liaison for STEAM.