Century alumni: where are they now?

A 2023 Century graduate, Annelise Klein was on the Century Star for three years, being an editor for a year and a half. By her senior year, she was Student Council President, Class President, and was involved in activities including Spanish Club and several choirs. Klein started her undergraduate degree at Brown University this fall. 

What advice do you have for current Century students?

Take classes that are not only challenging but also intrigue you. Don't always focus on grades. It is really important to push yourself. Century is an amazing place to make friends and build mentorships, but you have to try hard to find opportunities outside of school.

Coming from North Dakota, we have a unique insight that others from larger places might lack. Try to really appreciate it while you are here and understand the values and unique angles you can bring to schools. Prepare to have your accent made fun of. 

Stay organized and trust the process. This is essential when applying to schools to keep everything on track. Utilize Google Drive where everything can be in one spot. Make a resume now, so you can continue to build it up throughout your years. 

Is there anything you would have done differently to make this process easier for yourself?

Earlier on, I wish I wouldn’t have been afraid to ask for help more often. Going to an out-of-state school can be a very isolating process, so really building up a support network is immensely helpful. A great way to do this is to find people (students and teachers) both within and outside your school.  

What was your focus in high school?

I focused on taking Advanced Placement (AP) and honors classes that interested me. Doing a lot of extracurriculars and opportunities outside of school helped me decide what majors I am thinking about. 

Civics Unplugged is a nonprofit I was a part of. I did their Civic Innovation and Climate Innovators fellowship where I won their Climathon challenge. Through this, I was able to go to DC for their Civic Innovation Academy. This really helped structure my way of thinking to revolve around civics and a possible career. Currently, I’m working with a team to create an ambassador program to improve outreach and extend the diversity of the fellowship. I am interested in working in government to create change, especially regarding the climate. 

How would you summarize your time at Century?

There were lots of ups and downs, but overall, I look at my high school experience in a positive light. I was provided with enough opportunities to enable me to be prepared to study at an institution like Brown. I really enjoyed the Century and, honestly, think it's a great school. 

Why did you choose Brown?

Financial aid played a big role in choosing my school and narrowed my options.

A lot of the schools I was looking at were academically rigorous like Brown, but the deciding factor was ultimately the location. Providence is a smaller city but still a metro area with access to numerous resources and places---Boston and New York are feasible train rides away. Compared to how spread out North Dakota is, Providence and the North East allow me to travel easier and experience "city" life.

Do you have any advice for those seeking financial assistance regarding college?

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can be super intimidating, but when you use your resources, such as online webinars and talking with students that have graduated and school counselors. It becomes a lot easier. People have college specific counselors that helped them navigate this process, however, I did not and I know of others who were successful without a college specific counselor.. 

Also, make sure you have an understanding of the terminology that comes with applying for financial aid, and applying for schools in general. 

Don’t be ashamed whether or not you need financial aid. Postsecondary school is super expensive and wouldn’t be a possibility for most without financial help.

What is your major?

I am currently undecided, but I am thinking about environmental science and public policy. 

Did your dual credit transfer?

The credits will not transfer to prestigious schools out of state. I took more APs than dual credits, and they recently made it an option at Century to do both. The APs are important as prepwork for the level of academic rigor. Dual credit still might be helpful for me with classes like biology or putting me in a higher level of Spanish. 

Something I realized at Brown is that many “college” credits you receive during high school don’t end up transferring into credits at your enrolled institution. Some test scores have allowed me to place out of lower level classes, but they do not count as credits toward my degree. Additionally, while I didn’t get actual credit for the classes, understanding course work and being accepted into esteemed institutions would not have been possible without AP, honors, and dual credit courses. 

What are you currently involved in?

I am involved in student government through the Undergraduate Counsel of Students (UCS). I am on a three different committees: the Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI); Wellness; and Polling. I am in the Period Equity Club, and Loving Him Was Brown, a Taylor Swift club. I am also a part of the rural students at Brown committee where I am meeting people from places who have similar experiences and can relate to the lack of access to resources and opportunities both in and outside of school. 

Most of these clubs are interests of mine and have been  ways to get involved with student life and to start making a difference on campus. I have also been going to school events, such as the Harvard-Brown football game, other sporting events, and even two pipe organ concerts.