In this section, we’re spotlighting some of our Pre-College alumni: sharing their experiences, memories, and the paths they’ve taken since their time in our programs. From pursuing majors inspired by summer courses to leading campus organizations and conducting groundbreaking research, these students continue to make their mark at WashU and beyond.

Read their stories below.

Dayana Villasano 
Current Status: Junior at WashU
Major: Neuroscience
Program Year: 2022
        Hi! My name is Dayana, and I’m currently a junior studying Neuroscience at Washington University in St. Louis. I was in the Arts & Sciences Pre-College Program in the summer after my junior year of high school.
        I got a real sense of college life — from living in the dorms to attending classes. It also helped me develop important skills like staying organized and learning how to study effectively. I also had a chance to explore the beautiful city of St. Louis by visiting iconic places like the Gateway Arch and the City Museum. This made the experience even more memorable.

Margaret Beltrami
Current Status: Junior at WashU
Major: Educational Studies and Environmental Analysis
Minor: French
Program Year: 2022
        In the fall, I will be a junior at WashU studying Educational Studies and Environmental Analysis with a minor in French. I’m the president of the triathlon club and enjoy running and biking around St. Louis! This summer, I’m studying abroad in Copenhagen, exploring the city and taking education and sustainability classes.
        During my five weeks with the program, I was able to experience college life for the first time, develop skills related to independence, and really grow as an individual academically and personally! Looking back, it helped me make a very smooth transition to WashU and college, which I am so appreciative of.

Ketan Tamirisa
Current Status: Sophomore at WashU, Pre-Med track
Program Year: 2022

        I took the Summer Writing Program with Dr. Kate Bloomquist in 2022, right after my sophomore year of high school. I’m now a rising sophomore at WashU on the pre-med track. I’m particularly passionate about clinical research and editorial writing, especially commentary that explores intersections between health, narrative, and equity. 
        The summer writing course helped me find my voice as a writer and gave me the confidence to explore ideas more freely, which has been invaluable in both my academic and creative pursuits. One of my favorite memories from the program was writing our final creative essay, which didn’t follow a strict structure. I wrote about seashells - how each one carries a different sound, a different story, shaped by time and tide. I centered the piece on a reflection of memory and legacy, and it taught me that storytelling doesn’t have to follow convention to be meaningful. That lesson continues to influence how I think, write, and reflect today.
 

Shalini Vlcan
Current Status: Junior at WashU
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Program Year: 2022
        I’m currently a junior at WashU majoring in Biomedical Engineering.
        The Pre-College Program was such an incredible opportunity to explore my passions and meet new people. I was able to figure out more what I was interested in, while also exploring the St. Louis area and WashU as a whole. In fact, I met my future freshman year roommate at the program!

Yoonho Cho
Current Status: Senior at WashU
Major: Neuroscience
Minor: Computer Science
Program Year: 2021
        I am a rising senior at WashU. I was in the pre-college program during the summer of 2021. I am currently applying to MD/PhD programs. I like to exercise, especially running, weightlifting, and any racket sports. 
        During the program, I took the course biology of the brain. This course was very influential in helping me choose my neuroscience major early into my undergraduate (I picked my major during the fall of my freshman year). The instructor of the course, Dr. Mitch Kundel, is now my major advisor, and I have taken many courses with him throughout my undergraduate. 
 

Yael Smith

Current Status: Junior at WashU
Major: Biology
Minor: Psychology and Hebrew
Program Year: 2020
       I am currently an incoming Junior at WashU studying Biology with minors in Psychology and Hebrew. This Summer, I am living in St. Louis working in my current research lab on the Med Campus as part of the Pediatric Student Research Program at WashU. 
       My WashU pre-college program experience was in 2020 and over Zoom, but I enjoyed having the opportunity to learn more about the healthcare field especially when it was so critical during that time.
 

Abagale Berger
Current Status: Senior at WashU
Major: Psychological & Brain Sciences
Minor: Legal Studies and Writing
Program Year: 2020
       I am currently a senior at WashU majoring in Psychological & Brain Sciences with minors in Legal Studies and Writing. As a St. Louis native, I love watching hockey games and rooting for the St. Louis Blues.
       Due to COVID, my Pre-College program was completely online, and I did not take any pictures at the time, so I have attached a picture from WashU's annual WILD concert with Flo Rida that happened this spring. Since I can remember, I knew that I wanted to attend WashU and participating in the Pre-College Program eased me into the life of a WashU student. Although I had my heart set on WashU, I was not sure what I wanted to major in or what classes I wanted to take. This program helped me make my decision and ultimately led to me choosing my current major. I did not know what to expect from college life, but the Pre-College Program gave me a little taste of what was to come.