In our Alumni Spotlight series, we introduce you to some of the exceptional students that have participated in our programs as they share insights and advice for future pre-college program participants.
What was your favorite part of the High School Summer Institute Program?
My favorite part of the High School Summer Institute Program was having independence and freedom that I had never experienced before. From getting myself to class, finding food, sleeping, and completing projects, so much of my time was unstructured. Learning how to best manage my time, while also being able to explore WashU and St. Louis with my peers was so exciting and something I came to really look forward to experiencing again in college.
What was your biggest take away from your time in the program?
My biggest take away from the program was a newfound confidence in myself both academically and personally. Entering the program, I was nervous about achieving at a collegiate level for the first time but was able to develop new learning strategies with the support of the staff, instructors, and my peers in the program. Beyond feeling better prepared academically, I also left the program having made numerous friends, something which I was nervous about before the program. Being able to flourish in a new community and environment made me feel adaptable and agile in new ways and allowed me to feel more comfortable with the prospect of attending college.
"Being able to flourish in a new community and environment made me feel adaptable and agile in new ways and allowed me to feel more comfortable with the prospect of attending college."
What factors did attending a High School Summer Institute play into your decision to attend WashU?
After attending the High School Summer Institute, I felt assured that I could succeed at WashU academically, but also that I would be supported along my collegiate journey. I relished my success in the biology course I took but felt an immense sense of belonging throughout the pressure points of the program. My interactions with professors and staff alike were always positive and made me feel connected to WashU as a whole. A large part of the residential program is getting to experience WashU first-hand, like a student. Simply navigating around campus every day allowed me to visualize myself at WashU in a profoundly real way that I don’t think you can experience elsewhere.
"After attending the High School Summer Institute, I felt assured that I could succeed at WashU academically, but also that I would be supported along my collegiate journey."
What would you like potential students to know about attending our programs?
Potential students should know that this program is a great way to test the waters and see what being in college is like. Living in a dorm, studying new materials, and meeting a completely new set of people is very similar to the initial months that a student will experience as a first year at any college. Being in this program gives you that experience with a high level of support to not only grow individually but also to discover what you want out of a college experience. This program foundationally allows high school students to be better educated regarding their future education and to ultimately be better prepared to achieve anything they set out to after graduating high school.
