In further (happy) evidence that life has returned to normal on College Hill, the first influx of accepted members of the Class of 2025 has arrived. The 42 students, who are part of the College’s Opportunity Programs, are spending five jam-packed weeks getting introduced to Hamilton’s academic rigor and, with support, building a personalized foundation for success. We caught up with six of them recently at McEwen Dining Hall to learn a bit about their perspectives on beginning their first year at Hamilton.
Bayley Dickinson
Los Angeles
What are you looking forward to most this year?
“I know it’s sort of cheesy to say, but I know Hamilton’s motto is ‘Know Thyself,’ and I think that’s definitely something I’m looking forward to doing and figuring out. Most of the time throughout high school, I wasn’t sure entirely what I wanted to do, and even now, I’m not entirely sure. Going through Hamilton’s curriculum, I’m looking forward to learning more about what I love and what I’m passionate about, and what I want to do in the future, and l how I want to make change. So that’s, I guess, what I’m looking forward to most — understanding myself and my role.”
Delbert Gonzales
Lafayette, La.
When you look back, what would you like to say you’ve accomplished this year?
“I’d like to be able to say that I’m more confident in what I’m doing and what I want to do. I want to discover more interests and an interest that aligns with my previous interests — maybe a direction I can go for the upcoming years.”
Alexandra Kropaneva
Brooklyn, N.Y.
What are you most excited about this year?
“I think that, first of all, meeting all the wonderful people here was so amazing, and I really look forward to making more connections. Also, I’m hoping to be on the rowing team, hopefully, to walk on. There are so many clubs at Hamilton and so many great opportunities. Community service here is amazing, too, so just taking advantage of all the resources that Hamilton provides.”
Ryley McGovern
Columbus, Ind.
What’s the last bit of advice you got before you came here?
“The one that stuck with me the most was never tell yourself, ‘No.’ Always try to do something; don’t ever be the one person that says, ‘No, you can’t do this,’ or ‘No, you didn’t do the best at this.’ Just do what you want to do, and let that be how it is.”
Lillyana Sanchez
Bronx, N.Y.
By the end of the academic year, what do you hope you can say about the year?
“I hope I could say that I at least had some fun while exploring my freshman year. I know that it can be difficult for some people transitioning from high school to college, because it is hard. But I want to have fun moments in my freshman year and party sometimes, study sometimes. Make new friends. I haven’t made new friends in so long because I’ve been in the same middle school and high school. So, I’m excited to have a new beginning, and, I hope, by the end I can say that I had a lot of fun doing it.”
Lindsay Son
Utica, N.Y.
What’s the advice that has really stuck with you that you’ve heard from your family or friends about coming to college?
“I would say that choosing the major that you truly want to do was one tip that I got from one of my relatives. Because you are going to be taking classes that relate to that course, and if you’re not interested in it, then there’s no point in trying to learn it. If you aren’t passionate about it, then there’s no point in trying to do it in the future.”
