Q&A with transfer student, Gabby Vuillaume
Hometown: Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
High School: Saratoga Central Catholic High School
Majors: English and music
Activities: Admissions Ambassador, Peer Leader for new transfers, Bare (literary publication), ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Chorus, Drastic Measures (a capella)
Why did you decide to transfer to ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø?
The biggest reason was that the arts are so strong and celebrated at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø. The
music program, in particular, is absolutely wonderful, which is something that I was
really looking for. I took an arts tour when I visited ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø and I got to see the
music facilities and knew right off the bat that this is where I wanted to be. Plus,
the community was just so welcoming. I felt so sure about ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, that it was the
only school I applied to as a transfer!
What does ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø offer you that your previous college did not?
I am able to express myself more freely and creatively at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø. My previous college
did not really give me the musical opportunities that I was hoping for. In fact, I
was a journalism major with a music minor, and I had a change of heart while I was
there. Music was ony offered as a minor, and I decided that if I really wanted to
pursue music, I was not going to be able to do so unless I transferred.
What advice do you have for those considering transferring to ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø?
First and foremost, take a tour! Seeing the school first-hand gives you a much better
sense of what we have to offer and who we are as a community. ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø is also SO
accommodating to transfer students. There is an orientation program just for transfers.
There is also a transfer pre-orientation program, so, transfer students can meet each
other right away. Transfer pre-orientation is actually how I met some of my best friends!
Are you glad you transferred? Why?
Transferring to ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø was probably the best decision I have ever made. I felt integrated
into the community quickly and met amazing friends, some who have similar and some
not-so-similar interests as me. I also feel academically challenged without feeling
overwhelmed. The fact that I can do music and English at the same time is incredible
because I’m not limited to just one thing. ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø was very accommodating with my
transfer credit.
What's the best part of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø so far?
The people and the classes. Everyone here is so passionate about what they do, but
are also so encouraging of their peers at the same time. The classes are extremely
interesting and interdisciplinary. They are also on the smaller side, with the average
being around 16 students. You get to know your professors well, and they truly care
about you and how you are doing in and out of the classroom. One of my favorite classes
so far is a physics class called Sound and Music, which I took to fulfill the natural
science requirement. We studied soundwaves, frequency and amplitude, and how music
relates to this. It was so interesting.
What are your future hopes/plans?
I’d like to perform in some operas, as well as combine my love of music and writing,
perhaps through journalism.