WHY M&T?

Growing up, I knew I wanted to pursue a STEM major. I knew technology drives growth, but to understand and capitalize on that opportunity, I also needed a business education. Although I was fascinated with business and commerce, I did not have the opportunity to take any business or economic classes in high school. I wanted to change that when I went to college. I found myself struggling between deciding to apply to the School of Engineering or to Wharton. It wasn’t until I discovered the M&T program that I knew Penn was the perfect fit for me. I had found a coordinated dual degree program that allowed me to explore both my interests. And it was at the college I dreamed of attending since I was a little girl. A few more years down the road, thanks to M&T, I will have the analytical and problem-solving skills and business acumen to pursue my career. Applying early decision to the M&T program was one of the easiest and best decisions I made.

LIFE AT PENN

Penn’s resources offer so many opportunities to engage in and beyond the classrooms. My professors and peers are incredibly accomplished and driven. Arriving on campus, I soon realized I needed to balance work, play and sleep to experience all the intensities of Penn. Whether it’s studying in my favorite place at Education Commons, my job at the Cardiovascular Lab and 3D Printing Lab, 6 am team conditioning, or simply making lifelong friends, there is always something to keep me busy and smiling.

BEING AN ATHLETE

Some say being an athlete in college is its own degree: it takes a lot of energy and passion for your sport, but it’s worth all the sweat, sacrifice, and sometimes even tears when your hard work pays off and you win as a team. I am a Varsity-gymnast at Penn, and I spend about 18-20 hours a week in the gym conditioning and flipping. People ask me how I find the time to study in the rigorous M&T program and do gymnastics all at once. It all comes down to time management and staying focused.

Having a busy schedule keeps me on track. I know I can’t afford to stay up late finishing problem sets or studying as it increases my chances of getting injured. While you may find me running to and from practice between lectures with ice saran-wrapped on my body, for the most part, gymnastics gives structure to my day. Gymnastics also gives me a mental break to just forget about school and enjoy what I love to do with my teammates. An additional benefit to being part of a sports team is it’s another tight-knit community, just like with M&T.  Even before you start your first semester of college, you already have friends reaching out to make your transition to college as smooth as possible.