Five months after becoming Woodhaven High School’s valedictorian for the class of 2024, Samarah Saggers is now attending Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut studying psychology and computer science. When asked why she chose to attend Yale, Saggers stated “I really admire the emphasis placed on learning new things and exploring your passions, even if they are outside of your academic interests. While I am studying computer science and psychology, I also get to partake in extracurriculars from different fields.”
Leaving home for college is tough, especially being states away from family and not just a few hours. Saggers said, “I definitely miss my family! I call my family quite frequently, and I am excited to see them again soon.”
There is a general stereotype that Ivy League schools have these competitive atmospheres. When asked if Yale is competitive Saggers said “From my perspective, people like to work together and help each other out.”
All colleges have either good or bad dorms and different living conditions or arrangements. When asked what the dorms are like, Saggers stated, “Yale has 14 residential colleges, and students are assigned to a residential college before the start of their first year. Students live with other people in their residential college, and sometimes there are events held in each college. This year I am living in housing with other first-years, but as of next year I will live in a residential college.”
College can be hard for some people the first year so some people might join clubs that correlate with their interests to have things to do. For other people, it might be a way for them to make friends that have the same interests as them. When asked if she was in any clubs/sports at Yale, Saggers said, “I am a part of the Yale Mock Trial Team, Code Haven, and TEDxYale. I am also a Gallery Guide for the Yale University Art Gallery.”
While in college, people may think back to high school and the memories and miss it. When asked if she missed high school, Saggers said, “I made many fun memories while I was in high school, and it was really a great time!”
With Saggers being valedictorian in high school and top of her class there is the wonder if she would try and be top of her class at Yale or just relax and enjoy college life. When asked Saggers said, “Right now, I am just focused on learning new things, participating in events around campus, and making memories!” Every university environment is different, some may be bigger than others or quieter than others. Some people might focus on this when applying to colleges. When asked what Yale’s environment is like, Saggers said, “There is always so much to do on campus, and I have met so many amazing people.”
While in college people will attend school events and football games to get involved and have a great college experience. People might even get involved if they weren’t as involved as they would have liked to be in high school. When asked if she partakes in school events Saggers said “I try to go to school events as frequently as I can, and I am looking forward to going to more as time goes on!”
