Remember Your First Day at Washington College?

Alumni, do you remember the first day you stepped onto the campus as a freshman? Venturing away from all of your high school friends, you no doubt worried about the first night alone with your roommate. Surely the anxiety of moving and leaving home caused some strain between you and your parents, and you felt lost navigating even the short route between the dining hall and your mailbox.

Believe it or not, some things in life never do change. I met the freshmen of the Class of 2014 today, and it was like a time warp back to my first day at WAC, seeing all of the nervous new students with enthusiasm in their eyes and teary-eyed parents at their heels.

I joined a few staff members in welcoming the newest class during Freshmen Move-In Day. We distributed their IDs and room keys, told them how to find their Peer Mentor group, and gave them tips for moving in. It was a sunny, not-so-hot morning, perfect weather for hiking all their belongings up those dorm stairs.

Even before beginning their first semester, the Class of 2014 has made their mark. They were given the choice to participate in one of six different pre-orientation experiences, from a land and sea adventure to a filmmaking and photography boot camp. Many in the class have benefited from the College's 18 million dollars in scholarship and financial aid- its largest in history. And, to top it off, this class is already setting records!

Facts about the Class of 2014:

- They are the largest class in the College's history- 420 members!
- They boast the highest high school GPA and best SAT/ACT profile in a decade.
- 13% are students of color- the largest percentage of minorities to date!
- 57% of the class is female and 43% is male.
- While over half of the class originates from Maryland, 21 states plus Argentina, China, Ethiopia, Korea, New Zealand and the territory of Guam are represented.
- 40% were members of the National Honor Society.
- A quarter of the in-state students were Maryland Distinguished scholars.
- 8% of the class are WAC legacies, meaning a family member is a student or alumnus/na of the College

This class will experience an orientation weekend packed with activities, including the first-year book, which I'm sure many of you alums remember! Students will convene in small groups facilitated by faculty and staff members to discuss their impressions of the book, Junot Díaz's The Brief, Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, this coming weekend.

Alumni Relations and The Recent Alumni and Student Involvement Committee of the Alumni Board will welcome the students with an insulated WAC mug filled with candy supplied by Career Services. After all of the welcome activities and gifts, including an all-campus picnic with fireworks the night before classes begin, the Class of 2014 should be well-prepared to start their first year.


When you think back to your first days at Washington College, do you wish you could go back in time and give your freshmen-self some advice? Peer Mentors have already shared their tips. Give your advice to the Class of 2014 on the comment fields below, and we'll make sure to pass along your messages to the newest members of our WAC family!