Washington University in St Louis Top Questions

If I could go back in time and speak to the 18-year-old version of myself, I would tell him that he is fortunate to have a supportive and loving family. I would tell him to accept the greatness that they see in him and accept that the only thing that will ever make him happy is a life devoted to scientific endeavor. I would say that he will soon realize that his pursuits are more than just a dream; they are his definition. He may not see it now, but soon that dream will be so important to him that he will be working 40 hours a week while going to school fulltime and he’ll never be tired, because every single day he will get closer to making that dream a reality. I would tell him that it’s time to be tenacious; it’s time to dedicate himself to his dreams; it is time to get to work. I would say that he owes it to himself and his family to excel in life; his success is the best thanks he could give them for raising him to be the man that he is.

College is about developing your physical, emotional and mental well-being, which is rooted in self-worth. As we are living in an epidemic of self-doubt, college can transform self-doubt in to self-discovery! I would advise incoming college students to seek a safe space to be lifted up and have honest conversations about things that matter. Believe in the limitless possibilies, collaborate instead of compete, and contribute as much as you consume. Cultivate a culture for you and others to be seen, be heard, and belong, and you will be on the path toward a healthy college life transition.

If I could go back to talk to myself as a high school senior I would tell myself to appreciate my family and the town that I grew up in. Even though I got annoyed with my family every once in a while I missed them more than I thought I would once I got to school. I would also tell myself to learn how to enjoy spending time with myself. The hardest transition that I faced was that in college when you don't have plans you are truly by yourself, rather than just being able to hang out with your family as a default plan. I didn't realize that I wasn't comfortable with that so I had to learn how to handle spending time truly alone. I would tell myself to learn how to make myself happy and not rely on other people because its an awesome feeling to be able to be happy on your own. Learning to enjoy my own company is something that I am so glad that I learned in college but I would tell my senior self to practice doing that before going to college.

Hello young Jeremy. I say "young" not due to any significant age difference, but due to your experiences. You grew up in a cultural box, and a very small one at that. Where you come from, everyone thinks the same, acts the same, and believes the same.There is nothing wrong with this, but unfortunately, because of your upbringing, you aren't prepared for the firestorm you're about to enter. You'll be tried in ways you never could have imagined, your patience and intellect stretched thin. In addition you'll experience a level of apathy that surpasses any you've dealt with before. I know. It's so easy to give up instead of trying what seems impossible. It's not impossible. Trust me. I did it. You've accomplished great things before. You'll do it again. Stretch yourself. Study hard. Display the same tenacity that you had while working to get here. Stay true to who YOU are. Because you CAN do this. You ARE amazing. You ARE talented. You are THE Jeremy Joshua Sorel, valedictorian, pianist, and composer. Simply go forth, and be you. You might just surprise yourself.

Your life is going to change. College is different but that is what makes it great. Get excited! Nevertheless, there will be days where you are up to your neck in work, but you are capable and worry gets you nowhere. Remember to breathe. If you compare where you are to where you want to be, that leaves you where you started. Only working hard gets you ahead of schedule. Plan out your time and be organized. Leaving assignments to the last minute will not be as painless as it might have been in high school. Go to bed early when you can -- it is worth it and you will need it. But most of all do not ever doubt yourself. You got into a great school and it was no mistake. Enjoy learning and try new things. Have fun with it. Be a good friend. Meet new people and go to new places -- soak in all they have to offer. Seize all the wonderful opportunities that come your way. Appreciate every moment of it, because it only lasts four years.

Being a more practical person, I will leave the cliches such as keeping an open mind and following your dreams to others more eloquent than I. Nevertheless, here is some advice to my former self: First, make sure you get your shopping for school and dorm supplies done early! I know you think that the summer is long, but it will be over soon so don't hesitate to accomplish big tasks early and take your time with all that you need to do. Second, save your money. All of the money that you spend on food adds up and you may not be able to get a campus job right away. Make sure you keep track of your expenses and try to only splurge on treats occasionally. Lastly, take care of your health, both physical and mental. You are on your own for what is likely the first time and you can't forget the importance of your sanity. Take time each day to relax, choose a salad over a cheeseburger every now and then, and most importantly, call your family. You might be far away, but sometimes a familar voice is all you need. You can do it!

First and foremost, you'll meet many new people and will make many friends, both on you floor and off. Although you'll be lonely at first, you, like everyone else, will make the necessary adjustments and find good, reliable friends. Don't sign up for too many extracurriculars. They're good for making friends and staying active; however, this is at the expense of sleep and sometimes academics. Three committment-heavy activities are too much - try to keep it to two. Long distance relationships are definitely not easy to maintain, especially if the relationship is relatively new, meaning a couple months. Establishing a strong, trusting relationship over the internet is extremely difficult and not worth potential drama. I know that you'll insist that he's perfect and worth, but if you consider the circumstances, he's really not. You'll meet people who match your personality far better and can make you happier than anyone in high school could. Don't forget to appreciate your parents - they've sacrificed a lot for you and you're lucky that you can attend the WUSTL almost completely on their dime. Love yourself and the people supporting you. Erica <3

The platitude “just be yourself” is so ubiquitous in social advice given to those making transitions in life, especially teenagers, that most people have tried it out at some point in their lives. I know I heard it often when my parents were telling me how to make friends in a new environment, thousands of miles away, in a place I knew no one. Looking back, I would warn my high school self that this phrase is true, but not in the ways you would initially think. Realize that freshman year in college is probably the most formative year of your life and that “just be yourself” does not mean act the same as you have before. Rather, you should attempt to discover your personality, morals and interests and not be afraid if they are different from what you previously thought about yourself. More importantly, realize that you probably have many bad aspects to your personality. You are not any less genuine for trying to emphasize your positive qualities and minimizing your negatives; this is a necessary part of growth. Above all, have fun. You only get one shot at life, so make it memorable.

One of the most useful things to know as an incoming freshman is how important the first month is. There are two unique aspects about the first month that many do not fully take advantage of. The first is that people are very open in the beginning. Everyone is in a new place and in my case, being at a highly selective university, often there without anyone else they previously attended school with. Because of this you can go up to anyone and talk or quickly make friends so easily that it is almost as easy as it was to make friends when you were a small child. This would have been valuable to understand, and would have removed ample concern from my mind. The second is how important it is to get involved early. Most of the extra activities around campus recruit and begin in this first month, so they are very easy to join at this point. If you wait you may find it hard to find out when they meet, and awkward to try and join after they started up. I think my transition could have improved if I had taken better advantage of this first month.

The essence of college is to study hard and enjoy the spontaneity of this new world. Before college, I was a fool to only focus on activities I enjoyed. Upon entering WUSTL, I had a list of clubs I planned to join. Yet, today, I have surprised myself by being enrolled in five unexpected clubs including Classical Indian Dancing. In addition, I would make sure I begin making a weekly schedule. In college, the world is at your feet in terms of education, extracurricular activities, and social life. What transforms a successful high school student into a mediocre college student is a lack of direction. Prioritizing one's activities will help that individual stay involved with all aspects of college life. Above all, the advice I would tell old Shiv is to enjoy high school while it lasts. College has its own set of expectations. There are no parents-just you. To all seniors out there wondering about their college transition, I urge you to venture outside your comfort zone from now and make a schedule. However, above all, enjoy the last year you have as a child because once you enter your university's gates, you become an adult.

"Ok, Mom." I must have said that a thousand times the day my parents dropped me off at college. "Don’t forget to lock your door so that no one steals your laptop." Ok, Mom. "Don’t forget to stock up on food in case you miss one of your meals." Ok, Mom. "Don’t forget to wash out your water bottles so they don’t grow mold." Ok, Mom. With so much preparation, I thought that I was ready for anything. However, I quickly learned that it is impossible to be completely prepared for college life. Everyone’s college experience is unique, and each student will face challenges that no one ever predicted. For example, I never expected to contract mononucleosis during the final week of my first college semester, and I soon realized that I was not nearly as prepared as I thought. Nevertheless, I powered through my illness and finished my exam week with straight A’s. For this reason, my biggest advice to my high school self would be one word: “Relax.” Of course, preparing for college is important. But in most cases, you will simply have to adjust to life’s challenges as they come.

Do not worry about getting denied from colleges--no matter what happens, you will love whatever school you go to. However, if you are having trouble deciding between various schools, look at everything each one has to offer. Look at their academics, social life, campus, students, etc. Once you take all of these into account, imagine what living at each school would be like--do you fit in? Do you see yourself living there? If you truly believe you can see yourself going to a school and living there, if you feel at home, then you have found the best school. The transition is difficult and even stressful at times, but it is so exciting. You are creating a new life for yourself, with new friends and atmosphere. Hang on, because college is right in the future and you will love every moment.

Dear Young Shilpi, I know you think you're some pretty hot stuff right now, huh? You're doing well in high school, you've gotten into your dream school, and your extracurriculars are going well. You're coasting. I want you to take a quick second and think about how that's going to work for you in college. In college, schoolwork will be listed as a priority, extracurricular, and dream. It's that much work. I want you to know that you're going to have to work harder in the coming years than you have ever worked before. You can accomplish your goals, but you need to strive for more than you did before. Because of all of this, I want to let you know that everything will work out in the end. High school will end successfully, so take some time and have a little fun. Watch an extra movie and hang out with your friends a little longer. You can afford it. You won't be afforded this luxury in college all the time. I want you to know that having a balanced life is sometimes better than good grades. Hugs and Kisses! Older Shilpi

Your first year of college will be relatively straight-forward. Classes will be relatively unchallenging, and balancing work and social life will come easily. Extra-curriculars will be enjoyable rather than a burden. But by your sophomore year, your carefully-developed balance of hard work and self-care will be upended by financial, career, and extra-curricular leadership obstacles. The saddest part of this picture, however, is not the slow erosion of your optimistic spirit, which I hope will bounce back upon restoring the balance of work and play. It is that, in almost two years at this top-tier university, you have yet to find a class that truly challenges your thought process and forces you to think critically. You also have thirsted for deep, intellectual, even uncomfortable discourse about social issues and interesting theoretical ideas. While it is disappointing that you must search for engaging classes and sustainable intellectual conversation, it is imperative that you do so. Look for small seminar classes in fascinating and unfamiliar areas, parse through the vast sea of extra-curriculars and locate those who make it their goal to create impactful social change. Doing so will help you find purpose by creating change.

Dear high school me, Take some physics in high school, instead of choosing not to take it. Since we are on the pre-med track, physics is required, but since I did not have the high school background, it was extremly difficult and stressful. Got my first B, and an A would have been better, but a B is okay too. You won't always get A's and that is just something you have to get used to. Just do your best and everything will work out. Also another thing is take time to really hang out with your high school friends and enjoy yourself. After you each head off to your own colleges, it will be harder for you guys to hang out as often or keep in touch. Sure you'll make new friends in college, but they still cannot replace the 12 year bond you have created with your high school friends. Truly enjoy your time together. Also, on the other side of it, try to branch out more in college. The sheer amount of people is amazing, take time to try to meet new people and open up. Lastly, enjoy life and stay positive.

Dear senior self, There isn't much that can fully prepare you for college. Stop scrutinizing everything about college life and trying to figure out the next four years; you never know what will happen. However, don't fear those surprises; embrace them, because those define your college experience. Back in high school, most are competitive and fixated on grades. Don't follow that trend; take the classes you're interested in, not the AP classes that everyone else takes. The time you waste trying to prove yourself unnecessarily is time you could've spent on the diamond with your dad, preparing for college softball and enjoying yourself before you have to leave home. Don't expect the competitive atmosphere to disappear in college. There are students that only study. However, you should find activities you're interested in and pursue them. Go for that marrow registry leadership position. Join that Chinese cultural club. Never sell yourself short. During the summer, prepare for the classes you're taking, but don't neglect your friends and family. Have fun, but be responsible. Also, don't forget to call your parents in college; there's no better way to combat homesickness. Hera

I would definatly tell myself to go ahead and take Calc 1 since I swithced from Calc 2 to Calc one anyhow. I also would have told myself not to waste my time with music theory. I would have especially told myself to get serious about managing my time.

Absolutely do not let your parents decide on what college you will attend, or what to study. Your passion is ultimately your choice, and you have so much time to figure out exactly what it is you want to study, and eventually pursue. You are only 17; you are young enough to try many things and discover what interests you the most. Do not become obsessed with relationships or other various forms of drama that may arise at this age. Focus on you. You are the only person who can ultimately make yourself happy. Travel, try new things, meet new people, and learn as much about yourself as you can. Seek out those who encourage you to succeed and become a better person. Keep those friends very close. Do not be afraid to cut ties with a friend or acquaintance who does not make you feel motivated to grow. Before you begin your college life, research various universities and find the ones you desperately want to attend. That will increase your motivation to study through the classes that have no relation to your study of focus. As a side note to this; take calculus before you register for statistics.

*Enters time machine. Set date for September 2010.* I step out of the time machine, frantically searching for my former self. I run to my house and I find 14 year old me about to take the bus to school. "Wait! I need to tell you something" I scream. "Who are you and why do you look exac-" "No time. Just listen." I explain to him that while his interests have always mainly fallen under the scientific realm, to not get caught up and purely study science. Throughout high school, I took 11 science class in four years. I had prematurely decided to study medecine, and for one reason or another, had determmined that I needed a head start. I have always been that student who has had his whole life planned out. These were the classes I needed to take to get to where I wanted to be. However this method left me too focused on the grade and completion of the work, and the passion for learning and science I always had, was clouded. Ultimately, I would tell my former self that life does not need plan, and that it will all work out organically.

I am working on my second degree. This time around I am footing the bill. It’s not easy paying for my education and raising a family. I received my first degree in 2000 from the University of Missouri-Columbia. I took a lot of things for granted back then. This is what I would tell my high school self: 1. Be bold in pursuing your dreams. Don't let other people’s fears and your own lack of financial planning deter you from becoming a fashion designer. 2. Network, do internships and study abroad. These things would have opened up more opportunities and enriched my college experience even more. 3. Apply for even more scholarships. Mizzou was my Plan B. My first college choice—which had a fashion design program—didn’t provide enough financial aid. Neither did the second fashion college I applied to after graduation. 4. Put that extra scholarship money that you are refunded from financial aid into a savings account or invest in stocks. 5. Don’t ruin your credit. Credit card companies gave credit cards away like candy back then. Unfortunately, I applied for too many cards and messed my credit up.