I signed up to write for The Daily Princetonian as soon as I could my first year. Through this experience, not only have I improved as a writer, but I have also found a community to call my own.

The Daily Princetonian, or The Prince for short, is one of the longest-running college newspapers in the country. It prints daily, as the name suggests. I often see people reading The Prince at breakfast, learning about the latest news as they start their day.

I’ve written a lot of interesting articles since joining the paper. You can pitch any story you want; the opportunities are endless! The second article I wrote covered Ellie Kemper’s '02 keynote speech at the She Roars conference for female alumni in October 2018. I talked to her for several minutes and took a picture with her! I commented on her Instagram post from the event, and she followed me back on Instagram. She even likes and comments on some of my posts! When she came back for Class Day 2019, I emailed her through our alumni network about setting up an interview. I talked to her on the phone for almost a half hour to learn about how her time at Princeton prepared her for her acting career.

Ellie Kemper is not the only famous alumni I’ve talked to because of The Prince. This fall, I interviewed seven members of Congress who all graduated from Princeton, including Senator Ted Cruz '92, Congressman John Sarbanes '84 and Congresswoman Terri Sewell '86. These members of Congress came from all over the country and were members of both political parties, but they all had in common a desire to serve their country. It was an eye-opening experience and taught me about talking to people whose opinions differ from my own.

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While it’s fun to interview politicians and celebrities, I’ve also enjoyed covering student life and campus affairs. I interviewed a student who started Letters to Strangers, an international nonprofit dedicated to combating the stigma of mental health. I wrote about Tiger Treks, student-led trips to New York City and Tel Aviv that explore the burgeoning start-up industries in those cities. I talked to the founder of J-Lats, the first-ever club for students of Jewish and Latinx heritage, about the group’s first Latinx Shabbat

Over the past three semesters, I’ve learned how to develop my own pitches for stories, how to interview sources, how to structure a news article, and much, much more.  I recently became an Associate News Editor, and I'm excited to expand my role in the Prince. While the writing skills are important, so is making new friends that will stay with me long beyond my tenure on the Prince. I always look forward to my time in the newsroom. 

In the fall of my first year, I took my soccer ball to Poe Field one afternoon looking to get some practice in. A wide concourse of grass curving around one corner of campus, Poe Field is wedded between the colorful gates of Butler College’s Bloomberg Hall and the glass walls of Carl Icahn Labs.

That afternoon, I’d anticipated only some solitary practice with the all-weather-worn goal posts. But to my surprise, there were already a dozen or more people in the middle of a pickup game. I recognized none of them but took a gamble and asked if I could join. Within minutes, I was right in the thick of it.

Writing this provokes another memory: The first day of my time at Princeton, I wandered by the gentle slopes in front of Whitman College where some other first-years were playing an improvised game of soccer with their shoes marking the goals. To this day one pair of my socks are still stained faintly green.

In high school, I’d never found a soccer community. With the exception of my best friend, very few people were as invested in the game as I was, and when he moved away after sophomore year, I no longer had anyone to talk to about one of my greatest passions.

I now play games of pickup at Poe Field nearly every Saturday. With a few friends I met during these games, we also formed an intramural team called the Poe Fielders. When the weather gets too cold, I have one-on-one training sessions with one of my best friends in the squash courts of Dillon Gym, an improvised location that we’ve found highly rewarding, nonetheless.

It seems like such a small thing – people who treat soccer as more than just an after-school sport but, instead, as a lifestyle; people who I can watch games and play FIFA video games to unwind. Soccer may be big where you come from, and this may seem unremarkable to you. But I guarantee that if you have a passion that you’ve been aching to share with those around you, you’ll find that community here at Princeton. There are so many clubs here; more than that, it’s impossible not to find groups of people who share your interests.

For me, it was as simple as wandering past a soccer scrimmage, asking if I could join, and having the ball at my feet seconds later.      

One of my favorite classes at Princeton is “CWR201: Creative Writing – Poetry,” a class I’m taking with Professor Jenny Xie. As a computer science engineering student, I’m often deluged with problem sets and programming projects. However, I’ve always been a writer at heart. In high school, I was heavily involved in poetry, and I would often use writing to reflect and recoup.

I tried to continue my writing habits on campus, but, at times, I would struggle to find the time and headspace. I also wanted to push my work in new directions and challenge my writing paradigms.

CWR201, and Princeton’s Program in Creative Writing in general, is excellent in this regard. Every Tuesday afternoon, in a brightly lit classroom overlooking Maya Lin’s new earthwork installation, I participate in a three-hour seminar alongside seven other students. I know three hours seems like a long time, trust me I had my reservations! But from Professor Xie’s opening words, I was totally absorbed. Students in every section of CWR201 work with and learn from distinguished poets: as an award-winning and published poet, Professor Xie brings valuable experience and wisdom for anyone interested in the poetry community. She also has a way with words that’s incredibly refreshing after so many hours of boiled-down technical terminology experienced in computer science classes.

Everyone in the class, too, has unique voices. We all came in with varying levels of experience with poetry, making our class atmosphere diverse and relaxed. Each week, we read deeply into a poetry packet organized around different themes, in addition to devoting time to workshopping each other’s poems.

Having a class where the only assignments are to read wonderful contemporary poetry and write your own, was exactly what I needed. I’ve been writing a lot more recently, creating words that I feel proud of. In the relentless forward movement of Princeton, it’s sometimes necessary to sit down and reflect. Throughout my ten weeks in class, I’ve found new ways of expressing myself, and through thoughtful workshop feedback from my professor and classmates, I’ve delved deeper into what I’ve written. One of my proudest moments this year was when I had my work from class published in The Nassau Weekly, one of Princeton’s main campus publications.  

Because CWR201 is graded on a Pass/D-Grade/Fail basis only, it’s a class where students are encouraged to take risks and push boundaries. It doesn’t demand much of your time, but you’ll find that the time you do spend yields so much. I’ve created poetry I’m proud of, made new friends and connected with a professor I truly respect. If that’s not what Princeton is about, then I don’t know what is.

Using a wheelchair on a campus that is as old as Princeton causes unique situations that both complicate and enrich my experience at Princeton. Princeton’s Office of Disability Services (ODS) has helped me by making appropriate accommodations that promote accessibility and inclusion.

Through collaborating with ODS and Housing, I ended up with my own room that’s set up for me. My room is so big that there’s plenty of space for my wheelchair, a backup electric wheelchair and a manual wheelchair. I even have my own bathroom that’s almost the same size as the other part of my room! The bathroom has grab bars next to the toilet and a fold-down shower bench. ODS also gave me a remote that automatically opens my door. Sometimes I don’t tell my friends about the remote, and they think my door opens by magic.

While my room is perfect, the rest of the campus does present some challenges. There are some parts of campus that are not wheelchair accessible, such as my friends' dorms with multiple flights of stairs and no elevator. Over time, I’ve had to learn the best routes for me around campus to avoid stairs. However, Princeton has helped me get around many of these barriers. If a class is in a building that isn't accessible, the whole class will be moved just for me. ODS has a giant map for students with physical disabilities where they can draw the paths they take to get to class, and ODS will make sure these paths are cleared first when it snows. All of the buses are equipped with wheelchair lifts, but the campus is small enough that I don’t need to take the buses that often.

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I mostly receive physical accommodations like the ones described above, but ODS provides services to students with a wide variety of disabilities. In addition to accommodations, ODS also promotes a community for students with disabilities through the AccessAbility Center or "The Center", a “student gathering space on campus designed for universal access and intended to foster conversation about ability, access and difference,” according to their website. The Center has adjustable height desks, ergonomic computer equipment, a seasonal affective disorder light box and other cool features. The Center also holds various events throughout the year, such as therapy dog study breaks, lunch conversations and massages. It’s truly a place where students of all abilities are welcome.

I encourage prospective students with disabilities to get in touch with ODS. I met with them before I committed to Princeton, and I instantly knew after the meeting that my needs could be met. Feel free to reach out to me as well!

Service has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. During high school, I participated in a myriad of nonprofit organizations and wanted to continue my volunteering work at Princeton. 

To my surprise, I was immersed in service from the get-go. I spent a week in Philadelphia tackling hunger and homelessness through Princeton’s first-year orientation program, Community Action. I felt empowered and aware of my duty to give back to my community. Moreover, I got to form meaningful bonds with 13 other first-year students. I realized that Princeton’s informal motto, “In the Nation’s Service and the Service of Humanity,” is integral to the undergraduate experience. From the Pace Center for Civic Engagement to activist organizations, students can engage in service in many different ways. 

Once classes started, I was looking for more opportunities to engage with service. I participated in the Brooklyn College Awareness Program during fall break. The purpose of the trip was to help low-income students apply to college. I was reminded of my college application process and how much I would have benefited from a program like this. Getting to help others achieve their dreams is a feeling that can’t be put into words.  

I grew so fond of Brooklyn College Awareness that I became a trip leader. From picking the Princeton volunteers to organizing excursions in the city, it was a hectic week, to say the least. However, getting to see the smiles of all the students on the last day made it all worth it. 

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When I was little, I was afraid to go down the slide at the park, So you would think that when I became a flyer (the top girl in stunts) on Princeton Cheerleading, I would be scared for my life. But that’s not what happened; sure, I was nervous, but I wanted to hit the stunts. I wanted to go up again and again so that we could perfect our skills as a stunt group and as a team. Yet in a sport in which you’re throwing people up in the air, there’s bound to be accidents, and one day on the football field, I had mine. I fell forward, which is never a good way to fall because it’s almost impossible for anyone to catch you. I landed on my ankle, and the next week I found out that it was fractured.

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On my first day back on campus after my injury, I had so many fears. How would I get from Forbes – the residential college furthest from upper campus – to my classes on crutches? How will I get my food in the dining hall when I can’t hold a plate with my crutches? How am I supposed to find the time to ice six times a day, as the doctor instructed? These questions swam through my head as I trekked to Spanish class. I’ll admit the first day was tough. I ended up finding my own means for transportation around campus, stayed in my room when I could and had to miss cheer practice. 

This was all before I realized how supportive the Princeton community truly is and how many resources were available to me. I met someone on the elevator who was also on crutches, and he taught me how to use Tiger Transit, which is Princeton’s shuttle system. McCosh Health Center was also able to provide me with an electric mobility scooter. The scooter was amazing; it had a place to hold my crutches, a basket in the front and back for my backpack and it went decently fast. I almost didn’t want to give it up once my ankle healed! Last, no matter which dining hall I went to, the dining hall staff always offered to help me get my food or carry my plate to the table.

My team was especially supportive, still including me in their team bonding activities, practices, and games. My high school didn’t have a cheer team, but I was able to try the sport at Princeton. Now in my second year on the team, I am so thankful that Princeton lets you pursue your prior interests but also try new things on campus. During my injury, I realized what being a team on and off the field means.

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I'm finally back in my sneakers. Although it was hard in the beginning, I am grateful for this experience because it made me feel so proud to be a part of such a kind, thoughtful and genuine community. I also know where all the elevators are now on campus, and I have tons of new routes to get around that do not include stairs. It’s incredible that Princeton was founded in the 18th century, and yet it’s surprisingly very accessible. I’m excited to get back on the court once I’m fully healed.

Editor's Note: The QuestBridge National College Match helps outstanding low-income high school seniors gain admission and full four-year scholarships to some of the nation's most selective colleges. Princeton has been a proud QuestBridge partner for many years now and every year, we match with a small number of students through College Match. Hear from some of our current QuestBridge Scholars and their experiences with the match process and the University. - Kayla McDonald, Assistant Director of Admission

David Hwang '23

Major: Undecided

Email: jyhwang@princeton.edu

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Congratulations! It may be hard to believe, but as a QuestBridge Scholar, you are incredibly deserving, and you should honestly take a moment in this tumultuous and overwhelming time to breathe and commend yourself. I remember, just a year ago, that this time was filled with heaps of letters, brochures, notifications and forms that contributed to this sense of happy chaos. Thus,  I want to briefly share my experience at Princeton as a fellow QuestBridge Scholar, so that you can perhaps get a feel for what it is like here.

I was surprised by being matched with Princeton University. I remember seeing the acceptance rate and thinking to myself that it was a long shot—perhaps too long of a shot. During the commitment period, I was distraught between some amazing opportunities at other colleges, but ultimately, Princeton had my heart. To put it simply, all of the schools I was fortunately blessed to choose from offered great programs with bountiful opportunities and generous financial aid. However, the undergraduate-focused culture at Princeton and the unique and diverse student body, conjoined with the stunning campus convinced me to matriculate at Princeton. The difference is significant.

And I know that I have not made the wrong decision. Yes, school can get difficult at times, and it is a lot of work, but that is true no matter where you go! Many resources will be available to you, and it is ultimately up to you to capitalize on them. I personally have found some classes at Princeton to be challenging, but at the same time, it is rewarding to know that I have done my best and that the results reflect that. 

My advice for those scholars who matched with Princeton would be to simply cherish the present moment. Be honest with yourself, trust yourself and take it one day at a time!

Danielle Newton '20

Major: Chemistry 

Email: dnnewton@princeton.edu

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I would advise the newly matched QuestBridge students to pick a college that has a large and established community of FLI (first-generation and low-income) students so that you have other people who share a similar background. Schools that prioritize bringing FLI students to campus likely also prioritize their success once they are there. I remember how selecting a school among an impressive list is overwhelming and challenging, but I’m so thankful I ended up at Princeton, and I’d love to see you on campus too!

My first year at Princeton was more of a transition than I was expecting—I hadn’t heard of J.Crew, I thought squash was a vegetable and not a sport and I had never worn a pair of “Bean” boots. But before I even stepped on campus, I was welcomed by a community of FLI students and faculty through the Scholars Institute Fellows Program (SIFP). Throughout my first two years at Princeton, I met with a group of SIFP students each week to share and gather advice or stories through the guidance of an upperclassmen mentor. SIFP also provided me with so much support: everything from extra precepts for organic chemistry to rides to the nearby mall for Halloween costumes. I have also remained quite involved with QuestBridge throughout my four years at Princeton. I’ve been a National College Admissions Conference Group Leader, and I attended the QB25 Conference in San Francisco this summer. Additionally, I have also been a part of the Quest Scholars Network on campus.

With all of the support, guidance, companionship and mentorship I’ve received at Princeton as a FLI student, I haven’t felt that anything is off-limits. Princeton has awarded me generous financial aid for two summer study abroad programs and a summer senior thesis research grant. Joining an eating club, traveling abroad for the first time and much more were fully accessible to me.

Daniel Palleres '20

Major: Computer Science

E-mail: DanielPallares@princeton.edu

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When I started senior year of high school, I wasn’t even thinking about Princeton as an option for my undergraduate education. I didn’t think I could get in, and I knew my parents couldn’t afford it. My college and career counselor encouraged me to apply through QuestBridge, and I was left speechless when I got matched.

After visiting Princeton and several schools I was admitted to, I realized that Princeton was the best choice for me. The diversity in academic passions, the wealth of resources available to me as an undergraduate, and the support that the institution provides for first-generation and low-income students are unmatched.

Now that I’m in my final year, I have fully integrated into the University. I’m finishing my concentration in Computer Science at the School of Engineering & Applied Science, I’m president of the eating club Quadrangle and I have a job lined up for after graduation. I’m excited to come back to Princeton as an alumnus.

Marisela Neff  '20

Major: Chemistry 

Email: mneff@princeton.edu

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Being matched to Princeton through QuestBridge has truly been life changing for my family and me. Coming from a first-generation and low-income background, I was entirely convinced Princeton was not within reach. However, getting matched to Princeton has allowed me to take a step into a world of opportunities that I never could have imagined were available to me.

After visiting Princeton, I fell in love with the University’s focus on its undergrad students and its dedication to creating leaders who will change the world. I have been so grateful for resources like the Freshman Scholars Institute and Scholars Institute Fellows Program, which helped me adapt after high school and get introduced to all that the University has to offer. At Princeton, I’ve been able to travel the world, interning in India and Ecuador for two months while also visiting Peru, Chile, and Cuba through the Office of International Programs. I’ve participated in and lead a civic engagement trip on social-political issues that I am passionate about in Washington D.C. and Detroit, Michigan through the Pace Center for Civic Engagement. And finally, as a senior, I’m spending a lot of time working in an organic chemistry synthesis lab for my senior thesis. As a premedical student studying Chemistry with a certificate in Latin American Studies, Princeton has certainly been challenging. However, the support and opportunities available here are truly one of a kind.

Princeton students enjoy joking about the unique language of acronyms and slang that we have developed to communicate about different activities and aspects of life on campus. Whether you are chatting about your Zee group (advisory group), COS (computer science), or D3 (Draft 3 of the freshman writing seminar), for an outsider or anyone new to Princeton it is all quite confusing. 

When I first started Princeton, I was immediately taken by the notion of the “study break.” While the name itself is self-explanatory, the extent to which study breaks are such an integral part of Princeton culture took time to register. Study breaks are organized by clubs, groups and even classes. They represent the chance to put down your work and go eat, chat with friends or do something fun. I was dubious about this notion of “pre-organized,” seemingly artificial fun. If I wanted a break, I could just take a break, right? Why make the effort to go to the various different study breaks I was invited to each week?

After going to my first study break, I changed my mind. In an atmosphere in which everyone can be  busy with academics and activities outside the classroom, it’s great to have a culture that emphasizes taking a break. Once I embraced the idea of the study break, then I became overwhelmed by the sheer number of breaks offered – how was I supposed to choose? Once I came to see study breaks less as a break from studying and more as a social event, I relaxed and enjoyed the options.

One week, I helped to organize two study breaks. On one day, I helped host a wood-fired pizza study break as board member of the Center for Jewish Life. My responsibilities in the CJL during the semester have consisted of organizing weekly study breaks and it has been fun to get creative about what we can organize to help students relax, unwind and snack on delicious treats. Other study breaks have included make your own s’mores, waffles, fancy coffee and gelato. 

The other study break I organized was one through the vegan advocacy organization I am a part of. We served vegan hot chocolate, eggnog, muffins, donuts and more to help interested students learn about delicious vegan options. This study break was particularly enjoyable as it allowed me to both be involved with a cause I care about and share that passion with my community. 

Overall, I am grateful for the unique culture of study breaks at Princeton and know I will take the spirit of them with me wherever I go when I graduate. 

Dear Prospective Students:

Take a deep breath. I know that college application season can be a stressful time.  I’m actually going through the same process⁠—law school⁠—so I feel your pain. 

You’ll end up where you’re meant to be. You’ll be happy. You’ll be successful. Everything’s going to be okay. These are phrases we hear all the time during the application season. We hear them so often that we don’t end up paying enough attention to them. Looking back on my undergraduate applications, I’m realizing that everyone was right. You shouldn’t take it personally; your application is a very small representation of who you are, and the admission decision is not a reflection of you.

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That being said, it’s difficult to actually internalize such an ideology. There’s no trick to surviving the application season. There’s no trick to being the perfect applicant. All you can do is your best, and after that, it’s a waiting game. What I can tell you is that you should enjoy your senior year as much as possible. Next year, your slate will be wiped clean and you’ll be left to find your own path, most likely without the help of the people you’ve grown up so close to. College is unlike anything you’ve ever experienced, and that’s both scary and exciting!

Take the time to appreciate the little things. The homecooked meals, the familiar hallways of your high school or the ability to go home after a long day. Appreciate the same faces you see, day after day. Take time to be thankful for the neighborhood you grew up in, your siblings who may annoy you at times, your pet that you love more than anything in this world. The distance that comes with most college experiences tends to complicate these things.

But at the same time, look forward to meeting new people, getting to know a new place or making new friends. Look forward to becoming more independent, discovering new interests and exploring a side of academia you’ve never experienced before. Application season is so, so stressful, but it’s also momentous; the decision you make will affect you for the rest of your life! So no pressure…

Take a deep breath, and good luck.