When Senior Natalie Jin began her college search, a liberal arts education wasn’t exactly on the top of her list, especially at an all girls’ school. It wasn’t until after obtaining a travel grant, an all-expense paid trip to the Admitted Students’ Day, that she found her new home at Wellesley College in Massachusetts.
Jin’s college education costs $63,000 for tuition and board per year; however, she is receiving financial aid of $60,000 per year and $2,500 as a National Merit Scholar finalist from Wellesley. Additionally, through applying for different scholarships on Naviance and other organizations, Jin is able to cover the remaining cost.
“I had toured other colleges,” Jin said. “However, Wellesley spoke to me. Upon visiting, I knew that there was nowhere else I would rather be. There, I felt empowered and capable and completely true to myself, so I applied.”
Jin visited the campus for their Diversity Weekend, an overnight program in the fall of 2013 for prospective students, and another time for the Admitted Students’ Day. She remembers the application process being very hectic because she did not decide to apply for Wellesley’s Early Decision option until after Diversity Weekend.
“Wellesley made me feel so true to myself and so inspired to strive for my ambitions and aspirations,” Jin said. “The girls I met there really felt like women who were going to change the world.”
At Wellesley, Jin is enrolled in a 3-2 Program with MIT. So actually, she will take Economics at Wellesley for the first three years for her B.A. and then onto MIT for two years to receive her B.S. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. Jin wants to major in Economics at Wellesley and aspires to work at a major consulting firm or large bank, such as Goldman Sachs, Ernst and Young, Bank of America Merrill Lynch like many alumni have.
Jin has always had an affinity for science, but her interest for electrical engineering and computer science sparked when she first learned Python, a computer coding language, during her sophomore year. However, she not only wants to concentrate on science but also hopes to integrate business for a future career.
Jin will head over to Boston a week before her move-in day to explore the city with her family just before freshman orientation. She is ecstatic to connect with new people and join a new environment on the first day of school, Sept. 1.
“I’m excited about experiencing actual ‘learning’ and the true definition of a higher education,” Jin said. “I know that sounds really cliché and probably very trite, but Wellesley’s small classrooms and supportive teachers really enhance the learning experience. I really want to learn how to actually ‘think’.”