Gustavus Adolphus College

Before Gustavus I went to Maple Grove Senior High and was a part of the Swim and Dive team for four years. I was also very involved in the art department and was consistently on the A honor roll. I was able to be in AP classes and it has really contributed to how well I’ve been doing at Gustavus so far.

I chose Gustavus because it is a Lutheran school and a prestigious one too. It was always talked about at my church as an excellent school and our youth pastor went to Gustavus so I learned a lot about it during my high school years. It also has a really good swim program which pretty much sealed the deal. I always planned on swimming in college but not at a D1 school so that was one of my must-haves and so when I came here for an overnight, me and a friend stayed with a swimmer and it was just an amazing experience. The swimmers and coaches were so inviting and really just made us a part of the team. The swimmers are really a great example of the community factor that is so emphasized here at Gustavus.

Here at Gustavus I’m taking Bio, Greek, a religion class and my first term seminar based on children’s books. I really was just looking for a variety of classes this try and then I’m also going to be on the swim team which I am super excited about. I’ve been swimming pretty much all my life and so it was only natural to want to get involved with the swimming here. I’m not sure what other extra-curriculars I’ll end up doing yet but hopefully some volunteer stuff.

I’m only a Freshman so I haven’t had very many experiences yet but I’m reading a book called Ordinary Resurrections by Jonathan Kozol and it’s really just an amazing book. I would definitely recommend it.

I’ve really been enjoying the wraps and deli sandwiches at the Caf but if I’m going for something a little more filling I’ll eat like a burrito or something which are really good...they’re really similar to Chipotle.

Well, since this is only my second week of classes I haven’t needed to go talk to the professors outside of classes yet. When I eventually do have questions or need help outside of class I plan on going in and personally talking to them...I’ve heard they’re really nice and always do their best to answer your questions and solve any problems.

I really want to work with wildlife as a job, through like a zoo, aquarium or wildlife preserve, or maybe even being a wildlife photographer would be really cool. I’m not sure yet but so far I’m taking Bio and I think a lot of the classes here will help me through everyday things so that really opened up the possibilities for me.

What really helped me decide was to come in for a campus tour and an overnight. Although, for me at least, the instant I walked onto the Gustavus campus, I knew this was the place for me. It had that feel of a home away from home.

My favorite tradition is definitely the square dance that all the incoming freshmen do during orientation. It was one of the most fun things I’ve ever done and even though I thought it sounded kinda lame, it totally wasn’t and you meet a lot of cool people there. (those who don’t care how stupid they look) So during orientation don’t pass up the Square Dance! :)