Gustavus Adolphus College

In high school I was involved in swimming, forensics, French Honors Society, 4-H, volunteering at the Hospital, tutoring, and study buddies. I lettered in swimming all four years and swam for our club team. I absolutely love to swim and the experiences that I had in high school strongly influenced my decision to swim in college, and I’m glad I did!

When I was looking at schools I wanted a small private school that had a lot of majors and a swim team. When I started touring I was down to Gustavus and the University of Minnesota-Moorhead. I chose Gustavus because I liked the small town feel. The first time I toured here I knew this was the place for me because I could see myself here for four years. The nice people, amazingly motivated swim team, and nice array of majors made Gustavus and easy pick.

Here at Gustavus I am a study-buddy, pledge participant, and a distant swimmer for the swim team. I knew coming from high school that I wanted to swim and swimming for Gustavus has changed me for the better. Being involved in any Gustie athletics is a truly awarding experience. Gustavus swimming and diving in particular is known for our cheering and our ability to have more fun than anyone in the conference, whether we win or lose we have FUN!

My favorite academic experience was my Greek Art and Archeology class. Classics is something that is a back-burner interest of mine. I’m not really into the myth part of it, but I LOVE the history of it. This class was taught by Prof. McHugh and went in to the history of Greece from the Trojan War forward.

My favorite food in the caf is a homemade sandwich (I know it sounds plain, but it’s SO GOOD!!!). First, I start out by toasting two pieces of bread, then I get a piece of chicken from the grill. Add American cheese, hummus, lettuce, olives, tomatoes, pickles, and bistro sauce. This is one sandwich that is so good you will never get sick of it!!

The profs at Gustavus our outstanding, not only are they excellent at asking questions inside the classroom, but outside they offer extensive amounts of help. At the beginning of the semester you’re given a syllabus and on it each prof has specific office hours, and two-three different means of contacting them. I’ve had several profs even put home phone numbers on the syllabus. If I have a question I usually stay after class and ask or visit the profs during office hours. Tutors are also set up by each department and are super helpful when profs aren’t on campus.

If I didn’t have to worry about making a living I would work at a Humane Society and play with animals all day long, but unfortunately in this economy that wouldn’t work out to well. I would love a managing position at the American Society for the prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). This is one organization that I am extremely passionate about because I know how much animals mean to humans. I absolutely love dogs and cats!!!

I would say don’t rule out a school because of the cost. I know that Gustavus is very expensive, but there are options available if payment is an issue. I think that there are a lot of prospective students that rule out a school just because of the tuition costs. There are ways you can go to a school like Gustavus if you want to. And just as a side note, Gustavus is totally worth it’s high tuition!!!

It’s not really a tradition per say, but I love our arboretum, for those who don’t know we have an arboretum shaped like the state of Minnesota with numerous trees and flowers planted in it. In the warmer months I love to go down and read or walk around and enjoy the scenery.