College of the Holy Cross Top Questions

Be more focused accademically when you arrive on campus. Freshman year was easy, but have an idea of where you want to be when you compelte the 4 years because GPA is a very important tool for medical school admission officers to judge your application.

In life, when we see others who are not making the same sacrifices as ourselves, we have a tendency to reject and rebuke them: judging them in order to justify and secure our state of control and relative happiness. However, we have no right to judge others based on the assumptions we make about them. The basis of our judgement stems from a irrational fear of the unknown, which we have the ability to overcome. If I could give my high school self one piece of advice, I would tell him to fear not what you do not understand, for one day you will, and then you will regret your mistakes. I made the mistake of judging others in college because I was afraid of potentially being negatively influenced by them and changing into the antithesis of my ideal self. So, I erected my mental shields and tried to stand isolated and unwavering in the face of the unknown as a symbol of higher morality and maturity. Ironically, my extremist actions proved that I was neither. For it is reasonable to be steadfast in one's beliefs, but it is ignorant to shun others based on their different ideologies.

My experience at Boston Latin Academy has been the most rewarding in my life. During that period I spent too much time trying to hang out with friends and too little time hanging out with my books. As you can imagine this decision had the predictable consequence of lower grades, grades that kept me away from my aspirations. Yet, the experience was not totally self-defeating. Though I struggled with my school work, I learned the power of being an individual, and not letting the forces around me direct my life, as I did sophomore year. After my failure in high school, I decided that it was about time to stop living a life of mediocrity and to start living a life of fulfillment. Refusing to let the prior experience be a prologue to my future, I began visiting the libraries of Boston, reading anything I could that would help me in my quest of enlightenment. With each book I read, I was presented with a different window through which to see the world from. Of all the windows, the one with the clearest image was the one through which I live my life today—spectacular preparation precedes spectacular success.

If I had the chance to go back and talk with my high school self I would tell myself to give up my pride. It was my pride and my desire to fulfill a certain image of having everything together that held me back from my potential. It was my pride that kept me from asking for help when I could have used it and my pride that kept me from taking chances or joining clubs alone. I restricted myself because I feared what my peers would think. So much of high school is spent worried over an appearance which ultimately prevents making the most of high school. If I had relaxed and not worried about what others would think I believe I would be more confident and more experienced in how to deal with life; not to mention I probably would have enjoyed the overall experience more. Looking back I regret having fears because I missed out on opportunities to improve myself and grow as a person. In the end I realized that I was only hurting myself. In fact had I shown weakness or stepped outside of my comfort zone I actually would have built a better image.

Take advantage of all of the AP Classes, they will really help you transition into college. Start to work independently and set goals for yourself. Take advantage of classes given at other colleges, having them as part of your college transcript will make it easier for you to try other classes and will allow you to have more college credits.Don't try to take hard classes on your first semester; you don't need to start with your major right away. Try the random classes first or go by the ones that interest you, not what you think you need. Give it your all don’t rely on thinking that you know the material. If the professor assigns it, do it. If you bought your books even if rented you better read them, they are there for a reason. You will get to where you want to be as long as you work hard so don't try to rush things, enjoy them.

Pick a school where YOU feel at home, not the school that someone tells you to go to. Make sure you time manage well and go to see your professors in office hours! Don't be afraid to take risks and say your opinions- people will respect you more and you will make more friends. Be yourself, not who you think others think you are. School work is important and do well, but don't sacrifice a social life either- you will not always remember that exam in Biostats you had, but you will remember Senior Ball. Set goals for yourself and work your hardest to achieve them, but remember life does not always follow a straight path.

"Okay, Jhonnyboy, just relax" is what I'd say to my past self. All the worrying, constant trips to teacher's offices for recommendations, and the everlasting fear of rejection. I remember having all those emotions and the feeling of everything closing in on me. The funny part was that I was all worried for nothing. I'd continue saying to my past self that even if you don't get accepted to your 1st choice school, it doesn't matter because getting into college is a huge accomplishment, so be proud of that. Just pay attention to the deadlines and you'll be just fine. Once you get accepted you'll realize, "oh that wasn't hard," but then you'll come to tackle you're next fear, leaving home. It's hard to say good-bye to your home, after all you lived there for 18 years. That's why you should always bring something from home. Also the first couple days of school might seem overwheling, you've always been told to get involved, but first take a few weeks to see how your classes work. You should get a feel of balancing work and free time.

Dear Matt, This ability to write to you in the past is a strange and wonderful opportunity. I hope this letter finds you well, albeit stressed. I write now advice I wish I had in my high school years. First, you must never lose your work ethic. I think you may begin to realize this but you don't know how important it is. That alone sets you apart from a number of students and will propel you far in life. Second, know who you are and who you want to be and don't stray from that. Always allow room for the criticism of others but you must always make your own decisions. Do what is best for you. Finally, never lose sight of what you really want. Always strive towards those goals. People will try to tell you what you want all through your high school years. Stay your course because only you know what will (in the long run) make you a truly content and successful person. Have faith in God, in your family, and in your closest friends and they will shape who you want to become. Do good kid, Matt Portu

I once heard the quote, “I always wanted to be somebody until I realized I had to be more specific.” Stephanie, you don’t have to walk into college being specific of what you would like to study or want to be. Challenge yourself in taking time to explore the curriculum and taking courses that seem interesting or that catch your attention. Who knows? You may discover a newfound passion. Take advantage of all the opportunities the college has to offer whether they extend to immersion trips, research projects or volunteering. Remember to be yourself! Educating yourself is more than just pursuing excellence in what you are learning. It is about educating the whole person. That means engaging in dialogues that require you to challenge and encounter new ideas, discovering where your talent meets the world’s needs and finding our common humanity. Lastly, the thief of joy in college is eagerly wanting to fit in that sometimes it requires losing ourselves. Don’t try to fit in. Try to standout by being your best self! As the first person in your family to go to college, I couldn’t be more proud of you. Congratulations!

If I could go back in time and talk to the high school me, I would tell him to not give up. Sure, dropping out after Junior year and getting my GED was an easy thing to do back then, but now I look around, and I see all the people that have passed me by education wise. People my age and younger have been done with college for years, and they have a career that they hopefully love that can provide for them. Meanwhile I’ve had to fight and claw my way from job to job only to find myself coming full circle, and here I am 12 years later finally getting the opportunity to go to college, when I could have been done had I started earlier. I would warn myself that what starts off easy, quickly becomes harder without an education, and with a couple years of hard work and determination to get things done, life would be a whole lot easier in the long run. Don’t give up, stick with it, and everything will work out just fine.

Dear High School Senior, You think you are very young-and you are- but you can take some time to think critically about your future while still having fun and relaxing. These decisions include your college major, and the type of friends you would like to have for the next four years. The courses you take and who you surround yourself with are the two biggest factors that will shape your undergraduate life. Moreover, it's never to early to think about what kind of career you want after you graduate. These ideas will put your entire college years into perspective, and will make the transition from high school much smoother. Knowing your values, what you stand for, and what you will not stand for, are essential before entering college. It will decrease anxiety and create a sense of optimism and confidence in yourself. Having said that, feel free to explore acitivities beyond your comfort zone, and befriend at least one person with a different set of opinions than your own. It will broaden your mind and open up a whole new outlook on life. Don't hesitate reaching out for help when you need it- good luck!

First, I will have to be smart about it high school kids are not easy to approach. The most important thing is I would have to place myself in a student's place I will start with, what do you want to be when you get out of high school. I know back in High School I didn't have a clue on what I wanted to do. My dream was art being an actess was on my head all the time. I will offer a tour to college and give her an explanation on what steps and the process they have to go through in order to be in college. Second, I will sit with her, and give her a survey that match her personality with the type of career she wants to pursue. I will explain that college is not like high school that is a very serious process and that it involves a lot of responsibility to take her time before she makes that change in her life. I can share a lot of my experience about choosing a major, and later on changing it because I wasn't prepare enough.

There is so much to do in college and it is important to love the mystery, the opportunity of being able to do anything that you want to do. College will be a place of academic, personal, and spiritual nourishment. You will continuously grow into someone with wisdom and courage. And you will see other students at grow in these ways, too. You will realize that although you may struggle differently from other people, you are connected to your peers with your struggles. What’s important is the readiness, the openness to try new things, make a difference, whether that difference is to create a campus group, stick-up for what is right, pray every day, plant a flower or two, effect social change, write a novel, find a cure, or score the winning points for a team. Try your best and have fun!

When I was in high school I got assigned two college courses my junior year, which was English 1301 and Histyory 1301. As a teenager I did not want to take college courses because of the fact that i would have to study while all my other friends would go out and not have to worry about their classes. The only reason why I never dropped my classes was because my mom kept urging me to take these classes so instead I failed both. This was the biggest mistake i have done and I now regret it. If i knew what I know now i would convince myself to try my junior year and take more college classes my senior year, but of course i can not go back. I have learned from my mistakes so I now advise my younger sister to not follow in the same footsteps I did and to take college courses so she can further her education and so she can get scholarships and she will not have to struggle in the future.

I would advise myself to do more research of not only the school, but also where it's located. I would also advise myself not to attend a school solely based on the positive/negative experience I had during a visit because the visit only shows how the college is during that ONE time. It is not a full view of the reality of the college.

I would tell myself not to worry so much. You can handle the work and succeed very well if you relax and take it a step at a time. I would also tell myself not to worry so much about the social aspect of school; people are generally very friendly and if you act true to yourself, people will befriend you and accept you. I wasted so much energy on stressing out about work and making friends that I could have been using to explore new opportunities and hobbies. I would also reassure myself that leaving for college does not mean leaving your previous life and friends behind; your friends from high school will be there to give you a big hug when you get home. Now you have the opportunity to make life-long friends who come from different backgrounds and life experiences and who can teach you a lot. Let go of all preconceptions and enjoy the experiencec before it's gone.

Holy Cross has enabled me to take classes that have made me a more well-rounded student and is preparing me for my future career as a research biologist in the field of marine science. I am currently conducting research with a professor at school and we are in the process of writing a manuscript to be published regarding manatee migrations. One of the most important things I have gotten out of college so far is the ability to network with other scientists and aspiring scientists as well as learning about myself and what I want to do in my future. Attending this academic-focused college will help me become a competitive applicant for graduate school to further my passion in the biological field. By attending Holy Cross, I know that I love biology and conducting research and I have some of the necessary background needed to conduct my own research in my own lab after receiving my PhD. The professors who I am networking with and seeking out advice have opened doors for me regarding internships and career path advice, which is invaluable.

When I was a little girl I have a dream of becoming a scientist. I use to be curious about the earth and the solar system. I use go outside and look at the moon and the stars in the sky. I use to ask myself is there life on the other planets? I studied astronomy when I was in the third grade . After I done my research about the solar system I discovered that planet saturn have six rings instead of one ring around the planet. Recently the scientist discovered that there are planets on the other side of the milky way. Science is an interesting subject. Every year science and technology are always evolving. When I studied physics at Central New Mexico Community College last year, I read in my physics book that the astronomers discovered that pluto is not a planet. The scientist discovered that pluto is an astroid that is made out of gas. NASA sent a satallite to study the atmosphere on pluto last year. Albert Einstein life story has inspired me to go to college and study earth science. Albert Einstein has ADHD. He became a scientist despite the odds that was against him.

Although I believed when entering college that I knew exactly what to expect, I quickly realized that I was utterly clueless. Not only were my courses based on more specific and challenging material, but I was now entirely on my own. With no parents or over-bearing high school teachers constantly looming over my shoulder, I knew that it was up to me to make the best of my college experience. So far, this has been the most valuable lesson I have learned. My success is no longer contingent on the adults in my life constantly begging me to keep working. Instead, my academic achievement is born of my own motivation. Where some of my peers saw their grades slowly begin to slip as they took advantage of their newfound freedom, I recognized immediately that the decisions I made would directly impact the rest of my life. The independence I found in college, then, allowed me to grow as a person, to find my own voice, and to begin to shape myself into the successful and driven person I know that I will one day become.

I do not know what compelled me to accept my admittance into the College of the Holy Cross in April of 2007, but I am very glad that I did. I have never been happier than I am when I am at the College. I have learned a great deal in my classes and labs, and I have had the opportunity to truly form lasting relationships with people whom I have met at Holy Cross. There is a great feeling of community at this university, and I would encourage anyone interested in pursuing a college education to look into Holy Cross. Although I cannot say what it was that drove me to attend Holy Cross, I could not see myself having a better college experience anywhere else.