SUMMER 2022 ALUMNI

EMILY LEE

How would you describe your EP to someone who has never heard of it before?

Pre-Carleton College is a program that can help you experience what it feels like to go to college at a liberal arts college. You get to take one of the courses they offer for 3 weeks and on weekends you have the chance to go to amusement parks and downtown to get ice cream. The courses are challenging and professors challenge you to think critically. You will live in dorms and there will be a PACA there to help guide you through what is going on that day.

What is a typical day like during your EP?

Being woken up by your PACA at 8 am by then blasting music. Going to breakfast with your friends at 8:30 am. Heading to class at 9 am. Going to lunch at 12 pm and sometimes earlier. Going back to the second portion from class at 1:30 to 4 pm. Attending evening activities if you want from 4:30-5:45. Eating dinner with friends at 5:45. Going back to the dorm and hanging out in the lounge to wait for evening activities to start at 8 pm. Floor meetings with PACA at 10 pm for announcements.

What was the biggest challenge of your EP?

The biggest challenge of my EP was actually class because we all come from different experiences and backgrounds so partner work needs practice. Another challenge was waking up every morning and going to bed early.

What was the biggest reward of your EP?

The biggest reward of my EP was getting to meet a bunch of friends that I am still in contact with. They are all so nice and unique in their own ways. They are very caring and accepting.

What do you wish you had known before you went on your EP?

I wish I had known to bring a swimsuit and flip flops.

What advice do you have for future SEO scholars who are considering your EP?

To put yourself out there and meet new people. If you don’t, then you won’t get the best experience. You will start feeling homesick too. Attending the activities is also very good because it’s a way to socialize and have fun. Also, arrive at the airport earlier because checking bags in and going through security checks is very time consuming.

DIVINE OBI

How would you describe your EP to someone who has never heard of it before?

If you want to know how college is before entering college then this is definitely the place for you. Bonus points if you have lived in the city all your life and want some greenery. Carleton is the place for you during your summer. You get a taste of how a liberal arts college operates. You do have to do college level work but there are so many activities the program has to offer. And if you don’t want to do the activities, you can go out to the town with your friends and explore.

What is a typical day like during your EP?

*Carleton is a hour behind*

7:00-7:40: Waking up and getting ready (I would go to breakfast around 8:15 so I can get more sleep)

7:45- 9:00: Breakfast

9:00- 11:30: MORNING CLASS

12:00- 1:15: Lunch

1:00- 3:45: AFTERNOON CLASS

4:00- 5:00: Afternoon Activities (College talks Tuesday and Thursdays)

5:45- 6:45: Dinner

7:00- 8:00: Evening Activities

Be back in the dorm floor by 11:00 (12:00 am on weekends)

What was the biggest challenge of your EP?

Chemistry class. The reason I chose the STEM course was because of how bad I was in Chemistry in 10th grade so I wanted a redo but with more complex information. Even though I was just as confused as I was in 10th grade, the Teaching Assistant helped me get through the work problems I was stuck on. As a result, I passed my chemistry course and got my college credit.

What was the biggest reward of your EP?

Since I was in the STEM course, I had to take 1 different science course each week (3 weeks = 3 courses). I took Geology, Biology and Chemistry. At the end of each week we made a poster based on the project the teacher assigned to a group of students. On the last day of the program the three posters I made with each of my groups would be put up during a symposium and parents could come and listen to what we learned about during the three weeks. Seeing my work plastered on the wall just shows how hard I worked those three weeks despite the hardships I had in class made me feel delighted.

What do you wish you had known before you went on your EP?

3 WEEKS ISN’T ENOUGH. I thought I wasn’t going to be attracted to anyone during this EP but I made so many friends from all over the world and the fact that I might never see them again made me cry during all the hugs I gave out. Not only will I miss my friends but also staff and my teachers. They were so nice and cared about our us so much it felt like a tight knit community.

What advice do you have for future SEO scholars who are considering your EP?

Take the STEM course. This is so biased because I took the stem course but we were the best course. In Geology we were on trips for the whole week and it was the best way to start the course. Then in Biology and Chemistry we were playing with chemicals and experimenting on live insects. Overall, I felt like an actual scientist.