What makes us stand out
Meet a few members of the class and see how much more they truly have in common.
SURREY, UNITED KINGDOM
MAJOR: Mechanical Engineering
FAMILY: My dad is from New York, and my mom is from Boston. I was born in Delaware and then moved to Texas. But I have not lived in the U.S. since I was 4 years old. I grew up in Italy, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, and the United Kingdom.
CLUBS: TedX, ACM (Association of Computing Machinery), AIME (American Institute of Mechanical Engineers)
ADMISSIONS ESSAY: Having grown up abroad, I wrote about various social issues I have witnessed, like the mistreatment of foreign workers and gender identity issues in Thailand and Singapore.
LIVE/COMMONS: Gates Hall
WHY LAFAYETTE: I wanted a good engineering school with a small student body and liberal arts focus. I applied Early Decision. I visited on accepted student days–it is so beautiful here. I love it; it’s a place where I feel at home.
SURREY, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA
MAJOR: Chemical Engineering
FAMILY: My parents immigrated to Canada from Shanghai. My mom is in Canada, and my dad is often in Shanghai still on business. They came to Canada for me. They wanted me to get an education where I could make choices and not be forced into certain paths.
CLUBS: Rugby, Tennis Club, AIChE (American Institute of Chemical Engineers), journalist for the College paper, International Students Association
ADMISSIONS ESSAY: I wrote about overcoming my fear to speak in public at a model U.N. national conference.
LIVE/COMMONS: Ruef Hall
WHY LAFAYETTE: I visited last year for a tour. During that visit, I spoke to a senior recruiter who inspired me to come. That’s why I applied to become a tour guide.
RIO GRANDE VALLEY, BROWNSVILLE, TX
MAJOR: Chemical Engineering
CLUBS: Hispanic Society, Women Association of Color, Soccer Club
ADMISSIONS ESSAY: How vulnerable you are during an immigrant experience. Your life is not your own. My parents risked everything for me when they came to the U.S. when I was 3 years old.
LIVE/COMMONS: Watson Hall
ADVICE TO ADMISSIONS STUDENTS: This is the place to be. It’s an inclusive community, and they have your best interest in mind.
WHY LAFAYETTE: Texas is dear to my heart, but I have to overcome the stereotype of what an immigrant is. How can I Flourish as a woman and immigrant there? I decided that coming here could help me grow beyond the stereotypes.
RIO GRANDE ROAD, RICHMOND, VA
MAJOR: Studio Art, Math and English
CLUBS: Crew team, outdoor society, swing dance, Young Life
ADMISSIONS ESSAY: My mom had cancer during my junior year and how this caused me to see the world differently and be thankful for the small things.
LIVE/COMMONS: Marquis Hall
ADVICE TO ADMISSIONS STUDENTS: I thought I wanted a big brand-name college with a big student body, but at a small liberal arts school I have more opportunities readily available. The small size is a big advantage.
WHY LAFAYETTE: My sister applied here. I sat in the library for a full day while she interviewed. In Skillman Cafe, I overheard students’ conversation and just thought how smart they sounded. I wanted to come here since that day.
ANTANANARIVO, MADAGASCAR
MAJOR: International Affairs and Economics
DISTANCE: I grew up 8,717 miles away. While my two older siblings went to university, I am the first to go to a U.S. college. It is new, which makes it exciting, but I am a bit scared to challenge myself this much. Still, I want to be here and seek a better life.
LIVE/COMMONS: Alliance Ruef Hall, same floor
ADVICE TO ADMISSIONS STUDENTS: Look deeper than the surface. Look beyond the beauty and the facilities and talk to someone.
WHY LAFAYETTE: I was motivated to attend Lafayette, having learned about American colleges. Ultimately, I want to build an orphanage to help children back home.
EASTON, PA
MAJOR: Biochemistry
DISTANCE: I grew up eight blocks away. I was nervous at first to come here, knowing I lived so close. But I don’t feel close to home. It’s a whole new world but feels familiar at the same time.
LIVE/COMMONS: Alliance Ruef Hall, same floor
ADVICE TO ADMISSIONS STUDENTS: You will work hard and not be disappointed because it will challenge you and change your life.
WHY LAFAYETTE: Since I was a little girl, I wanted to go to Lafayette. This was a lifelong decision, and I am growing to love it even more.
DALLAS, PENNSYLVANIA
MAJOR: Economics
ADVICE TO ADMISSIONS STUDENTS: Work hard and make sure it is the right fit for you. Remember to keep life in perspective: There are bigger things than college admissions.
INSPIRATION: I have always been interested in money, which is why I am in a First-Year Seminar called “Money Is the Root of All Evil.” I hope eventually to have a career in government and international affairs.
ADMISSIONS ESSAY: I was diagnosed with IgA nephropathy during my sophomore year. During my junior year, I was often in the hospital and had to change my schedule and stop playing sports. My kidneys shut down. I was on dialysis until I had a kidney transplant. My friends named my new kidney Sid the Kid.
WHY LAFAYETTE: I like the size and really liked the feel of the campus when I came to tour.
DALLAS, TEXAS
MAJOR: Chemical Engineering
INSPIRATION: I had a great relationship with my calculus teacher in high school. In that class, I wanted to go in depth with the concepts and break things down. That teacher helped me see how engineering could feed my desire to understand how things work.
ADVICE TO ADMISSIONS STUDENTS: Get out of your comfort zone, and apply to schools you might not otherwise apply to. Make new opportunities available to you.
ADMISSIONS ESSAY: I grew up in the Webb Chapel neighborhood in Dallas. There were horrible gang issues. I wrote about an incident when my uncle viciously attacked, how my parents did so much and tried so hard to get out, and how I serve as a role model to my younger sisters.
WHY LAFAYETTE: My high school has a partnership with Lafayette, so I met with an admissions counselor, built a relationship, and Lafayette did so much to make this possible for me. I know this is where I should be.
NEW BOSTON, NEW HAMPSHIRE
MAJOR: Chemical Engineering
CLUBS: American Institute of Chemical Engineers, Society of Women Engineers, radio station, Music Appreciation Club, Arts Society, Outdoors Club, PAW (Promotion of Animal Welfare), STEM Initiative
ADMISSIONS ESSAY: During a medical mission trip to Panama, we stayed one night with a Catholic organization. They had a room full of instruments, so I started playing guitar. Others on the trip joined in. We only knew each other a few days and were facing the depressing circumstances of kids with illnesses, but the music united us. We all shared this amazing moment.
ADVICE TO ADMISSIONS STUDENTS: Don’t visit 22 schools! Get applications done sooner rather than later. And talk to as many people as you can for different perspectives.
WHY LAFAYETTE: I too wanted engineering, but I visited 22 schools! I loved the Lafayette WHY LAFAYETTE community, the small size, close student-professor relationships, and undergraduate focus. Being selected as a Marquis Fellow helped make it clear.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS (Suburb of West Roxberry)
MAJOR: Chemical Engineering
CLUBS: American Institute of Chemical Engineers, Comedy Club, Ultimate Frisbee
ADMISSIONS ESSAY: While I too play guitar, my essay was about my friend’s journey with cancer. He was diagnosed with leukemia. After seeing his struggle, I knew I wanted to help people and felt like a career in biology or chemistry would be a good start.
ADVICE TO ADMISSIONS STUDENTS: Get stuff done early … take that from someone who didn’t. Waiting only adds to the stress. And don’t be fake at the interview. Be honest about who you are—there are so many other good students here that you really should show how you will contribute to the campus.
WHY LAFAYETTE: I wanted a really good engineering school.
