As freshmen arrived on campus on August 24, Tech Talk assistant editor Alice Waugh asked some of them what they expected their MIT experience to be like. Their answers follow:
Genya and Mila Zemlyakova (18)Home town: MoscowCareer plans: biomedical engineeringGenya: "I think it's going to be tough. but this was our first choice."Mila: "We have a lot of friends here. They love MIT and I hope we'll love it, too."
Rielyn Sarabia (18)Home town: San Diego, CACareer plans: computer science"I'm from the West Coast so it'll be an adjustment. I think classes will be really challenging and a lot harder than high school, even with AP classes. Right how I'm just looking forward to finding a dorm."
Kyle Ingols (18)Home town: Conneautville, PACareer plans: computer science"My Dad read a magazine article quoting MIT students as saying `it's hell, but we like it,' so that's sort of what I'm expecting."
Manju Madhavan (17)Home town: Pittsburgh, PACareer plans: medicine"It'll be fun-a lot of hard work, a big change from high school, more responsibility, more freedom to investigate what you think is interesting, better facilities. all around, a better experience."
Dan McGuire (18)Home town: Atlanta, GACareer plans: electrical engineering"It strikes me as so big. I'm going to have all the opportunities that come with having a lot of bright people around. There'll be a period of adjustment, but it should be fun-I'm looking forward to it."
Debra Whitbourne (18)Home town: Coral Springs, FLCareer plans: mechanical/biomedical engineering"I think it's going to be challenging but also a great opportunity because where I'm from, people have the same culture and lifestyle. I'll be open to new people and ideas."
Kuo-Hsiung Wong (18)Home town: St. Louis, MOCareer plans: electrical engineering"It's going to be different, a new experience, the next step of my life. I was a little bit nervous, but the fact that [freshman] classes are pass/fail is a little calming. I'm just hoping to learn, have fun and avoid talking to strange people from newspapers."
A version of this article appeared in MIT Tech Talk on August 30, 1995.
