Washington and Lee University
Hometown: Monterey Park, Ca.
Major: Biology
Extracurricular Involvement:
Off-Campus Experiences:
Post-Graduation Plans: For now, I am planning to spend a year as research assistant or technician in the sciences before applying to medical school.
Favorite W&L Memory: My first snow day.
Favorite Class: Biology 250 Endocrinology with Dr. Wielgus
Favorite W&L Activity/Event: Evening Abroad by SAIL
Favorite Campus Landmark: The Science Center! It’s a great buidling that I’ve been discovering new things about every year I’ve been at W&L.
Why W&L? My answer to that question has changed over the last four years. Growing up in Los Angeles, in a predominantly Asian American community, my first introduction to W&L was during my senior year of high school, when I got a glossy piece of mail. And my first answer to this question was, “Why not?” I was ready to take on anything. W&L impressed me with its columns, its honor code, its speaking tradition and its history. But while I applied, I did not seriously consider attending W&L until my father passed away and I got a call from the University's Financial Aid Office, asking me if I needed anything. I was so touched that I decided to reconsider.
I remember three things about my visit: being underdressed in Lee Chapel in my jeans (the only time I ever wore jeans to Lee Chapel), sitting in my first-ever class with only 10 students and going to a pre-med orientation. Having attended similar orientations at universities in California, I was accustomed to finding a seat in a huge auditorium. To my mother’s and my surprise, we had coffee and cookies with three (I soon found out to be amazing) professors. That was the next answer to “Why W&L?” for me.
Still, W&L would be a big change. I worried about culture shock and homesickness (including my mom’s home cooking). Though my concerns proved real, their resolution couldn’t have been more unexpected or simple: my friends, my clubs, and my professors.
I don’t think I would have been able to make a more diverse group of friends geographically, culturally, and socioeconomically had I attended any other university.
I really love the clubs I’m in. The Student Association of International Learning has allowed me to explore the world without studying abroad or taking another course (although after being an active member of SAIL you probably would want to do both, as I did). The Pan-Asian Association for Cultural Exchange provided a welcoming niche and opportunity. SAIL and PAACE helped me feel like I belonged at W&L. That’s why I have spent the last three years helping both organizations grow and mature so that they can help other students like me.
I also couldn’t have asked for better professors to help me get an advanced education. I have made friends back home envious with the stories and memories I have of my professors, whether it be in the lab, in the class or in a completely different country.
So Why W&L? I guess my answer as of now is: Because college should be about stretching the limits of who you believe you are, and expanding opportunities for what you can be.
