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I believe that I value the opportunities that the Smittcamp Family Honors College gave to
me. I feel that I had some expectations of what college would like, but I had no idea
of what I would be able to accomplish with the support that the Smittcamp Family Honors
College gave to me. I really think it was one of the greatest experiences I've had and
I really feel like it was something that everyone should have the opportunity to experience.
The Smittcamp Program here has a great reputation within the community, so local business leaders
already understand that the scholars are hardworking and dedicated; so in an interview setting
they already understand your work ethic, oh I certainly did. It's a very competitive market
and coming out of a school with I would say dozens and dozens of engineers, it was really
nice to say that I was one of two Smittcamp scholars. Actually I didn't think that Fresno
would be where I am without considering that I'm from the valley. I think my top choices
were UCLA and Berkley and UC Davis with Fresno and Smittcamp being fourth. I was actually
accepted at all the colleges I applied to which made the decision very difficult. I
think what really brought me to Fresno state was I missed the shadow days and preview days
so unfortunately I didn't get to see what Smittcamp had prepared for its incoming students;
so I made a trip up here by myself and kind of walked around on campus and went into the
Honors Office on a normal day and still felt so welcome and immediately at home that I
just knew right away that I didn't want to go to a giant school and be a number. I really
wanted to be in a place that you feel at home, you feel supported, you're encouraged to seek
out the endeavors and goals that you have, and after that point the scholarship and all
that they do to just make your transition from a high school kid living at home to now
going to college and being on your own and figuring out your own life path. All those
things just were made so much easier that it was a really easy decision in the end that
Fresno State was the right choice for me. One thing that I guess now I've kind of missed
since I'm in the working world and have less communication with other scholars and individuals
from different aspects of life, whether it's just a different major or different background,
or even someone who's from a different country, those are things now that I kind of take for
granted because in my day to day life I'm working with the same engineers in my office;
and I miss some of that conversation and just knowledge that you can gain from speaking
to other students as well as professors. One thing again the Honors professors that were
selected to teach their courses really care about the material and really care about the
students, and I always felt that they're there for you. They want to help you learn as much
as I can so if I look back I'm like, "Man I could have sat down and spent more time
with them just to kind of pull as much information from them as I could have," would have definitely
been an interest to me then and certainly later in life just in general knowledge. Going
into it I think I think the most enticing aspect of course coming from I guess not enough
money to where I didn't have a college fund save up, was the scholarship aspect that was
helpful in knowing that I would be taken care of in terms of tuition and parking and books
and so many other things that a lot of college students have to deal with; but what I quickly
found was just a cohort of students, it was so enjoyable to spend my classes and even
my off time just being in the Honors Office hanging out with these individuals who were
very motivated, very dedicated, interested in a variety of activities and very outgoing.
It just seemed like there was always something going on; and when you go to college you don't
quite know where you'll fit in or what goals and endeavors you'll have but it seems as
if just the more you're speaking with these people someone is always or already involved
in this club; whether it's community service or it's sports or if it's student government.
There was always kind of a foot in the door that you could speak to someone and have a
real life perspective of what to expect. And it just was great and I think that was the
best experience for me was to be surrounded by these individuals who are doing their best
and striving to pursue their own goals. I would recommend that they spend as much time
as they have on the application because it's probably going to be the greatest investment
they ever make. Just going through the effort of putting everything together and assembling
your application helped me with every other application for all my other schools and scholarships;
and really taking a chance to reflect and really prepare yourself for these entrance
essays. I think if anything it gave me a better direction on really where I wanted to go and
if anything else pointed out what I wasn't certain of yet. And that I hope to proceed
and follow while in college. I don't know if I have this epiphany that I can recall
or some true transforming moment but I think what for me at least just because I like to
have goals and I like to plan things out of course and think ahead, it was really nice
for me to always know that I had Dr. Rodemeier [assumed spelling] and the Honors Office just
to help encourage you planning your schedule, looking ahead, really giving your direction
in life. And of course taking on and listening to what you want to do and what you want to
pursue, but always sticking to that path and knowing that you were going to be reaching
your goals in this many semesters or in this many years or however you want to look at
it. And then of course prepare you for graduate school if that's where you were going or the
working world if that's your next step or even a teaching credential whatever it was
going to be, that I just always felt that I was going in the right direction. I knew
that I wasn't going to be an English and art and history major so I chose Engineering and
I stuck with it. It was really in line with who I was as an individual and I think played
off of my science and math strengths. Once working within the College of Engineering
along with the Smittcamp students that were fellow engineers, it was really nice to see
that that was my place and it was a great experience for me. I think the strongest compelling
reason I can come up with was just that it really provided an opportunity for me to do
so many other things. I did a lot of things in high school; I did sports and student government;
community service and theater and all these different aspects. When you come to college,
you feel like you've got to tighten up a little bit and get more focused maybe in one avenue,
your career path; and I found that by utilizing all the resources that Smittcamp provides
you're really able to explore whatever you want; and I was able to do sports and student
government and community service and still do all these activities that I love to enjoy;
and still maintain a good GPA and stay involved and have a social life and meet people and
enjoy college as you should.