Why UC Merced?
I had a lot of peers and family members who recommended UC Merced for various reasons, and after spending almost 4 years here, I can confidently say I have made the right choice. Initially, I was attracted to the modern campus look and the smaller classroom sizes. Over time, what I have come to value most is the supportive and friendly community that UC Merced fosters and the opportunities available for personal and career growth.
Why Your Major?
As a kid, I was always fascinated with logic puzzles, so when I was introduced to programming in middle school, I was hooked. I enjoyed the problem-solving aspects of coding and the ability to make something out of nothing. Computer Science is such a versatile field with countless practical applications, so when it came time to choose my major, the decision was clear.
Inspiration and Mentors:
My biggest inspiration has to be my mother, who has always been incredibly supportive and my bastion during difficult times. I'd also like to thank my friends for always being there and pushing me to go outside and grow.
Memorable Academic Experience:
While it's difficult to choose just one most memorable academic experience, from staying up late at night with friends racing to meet a hackathon deadline or the high of steadily building the academic comeback, I feel the most rewarding experience I had was doing research in Dr. Rusu's lab. It felt immensely gratifying learning how to use the necessary tools and libraries for data analysis and getting real experience with real results.
What's Next?
After graduation, I'd love to get some career experience and then return for a master's or PhD.
