The ability to change, adapt and, most importantly, redirect is vital for students aiming to navigate academic institutions and the real world. For senior Cate Whang, redirection has been paramount to her time here at Colgate University.
Whang, originally from Long Island, N.Y., applied to a variety of liberal arts schools during her college application process. While she knew the type of academic institute she wished to attend, it was only when a classmate came to school wearing a Colgate softball hoodie that Whang became aware of Colgate’s existence.
After an early decision deferral and a couple of waitlists, Whang struggled to accept a world in which the schools she was familiar with and wished to attend were no longer a part of her reality. When it came time to open her decision letter from Colgate, Whang had mixed emotions.
“I wish I had filmed it because I was with my mom. She was telling me to open it, and I just thought it was so stupid and that I was going to be waitlisted again,” Whang said. “And then the email opened, and the confetti came on the screen.”
It was not long before Whang found herself enrolled in the incoming class and debating whether to purchase a plastic or mesh shower caddy. Yet, there was a bit more on Whang’s mind, specifically concerning her plans to major in math.
While she was originally confident in a focus in mathematics in college, after a year on campus, Whang realized this concentration might not be the right path for her.
“I was trying to keep an open mind about it, but by my sophomore year, I was like, ‘I don’t think math is for me. I need to keep trying a bunch of new things,’” Whang said.
Whang did exactly that and, surprisingly, found a keen interest in a department that had very little to do with her preliminary academic interests.
“I remember my first political science class with Professor [Nina] Moore. She’s an incredible lecturer, and I thought it was really interesting,” Whang said. “That’s kind of where I decided that was what I wanted to do.”
Now, as a soon-to-be-graduated political science major, Whang reflected on her decision to attend a liberal arts college and why that choice allowed her to reap the rewards of her academic redirection at Colgate.
“I knew I didn’t want to go some place that had different schools I’d have to transfer into if I decided to change my major,” Whang said. “I found Colgate’s Core classes to be really helpful too, because even though I didn’t want to be a math major, I’d still have to take a class like Statistics in Real Life, which I also found beneficial.”
Whang not only took advantage of her ability to take a variety of classes during her time at Colgate, but she also applied her major’s focus to opportunities beyond Colgate’s campus.
“I spent my spring semester junior year in Washington, D.C., with the Colgate study group and took all political science classes,” Whang said. “I also had an internship there, which I found really helpful in deciding what I might want to do with my degree after graduation.”
Whang emphasized that her ability to take part in a variety of internships and jobs provided a glimpse into her potential career avenues that align with her political science major. It is safe to say that Whang’s insistence on a liberal arts education paid off greatly in the long run.
Aside from allowing her to explore a variety of academic opportunities and subjects, Whang also shared the specific elements of Colgate that she found invaluable.
“One of the things that I really appreciate about Colgate was when I was first coming in, [my first] year. I got very lucky, which I know is not true for all people,” Whang said. “I love the random roommate assignments because I didn’t know anyone else coming to Colgate from my high school when I was coming in. I found some of my best friends through the random process, and I’m still so close with all my roommates from my [first] year.”
In addition to her friendships forged in her first year at Colgate, Whang has found other unexpected avenues on campus that have provided her even closer connections — specifically with regards to her sorority.
“I wasn’t sure [about Greek life] when I was applying to schools. I was looking at a lot of places that didn’t have it because I thought it wasn’t for me,” Whang said. “But I decided to rush sophomore year, and I can’t imagine a Colgate experience without knowing and living with all the people who I do now.”
As a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority, Whang wished to emphasize the importance of social groups when it comes to finding a home away from home on a college campus.
“I think there’s something for everybody here. I think there are a lot of different groups and activities at Colgate where you can find your place, no matter what,” Whang said.
Whang shared her parting thoughts on her time here at Colgate as her senior year winds to an end.
“I wouldn’t change the past four years for anything, and I truly think you end up where you’re supposed to be,” Whang said. “I thought that not getting into my first choice early decision meant I wasn’t going to find anywhere else that I really liked. But now, I can’t imagine having gone to that school because I think this was genuinely the perfect place for me.”
Whang’s academic journey is a testament to her adaptability. Her experience with redirection not only exemplifies what it means to find what you are passionate about in the classroom but also emphasizes that trusting the process can lead to connections and lifelong friendships. Whether it’s a change in major or an unexpected acceptance, Whang said some of the best destinations aren’t part of the original plan.
