Nina BudaevaBerkeley, Calif.Theoretical physics What aspect of CPW are you most excited about?Just meeting the people here, sitting in on classes, comparing what I see here to Caltech.Are there any events that particularly interest you?Sitting in on classes, especially the physics classes. I was really happy because we saw junior labs in physics today, and I saw setups that I only saw in textbooks. I’m just excited about the whole combination of events.Anything else you’d like to add?It’s cold! I’m wearing a ski jacket! Hannah SieberWayland, Mass.Brain and Cognitive SciencesAre there any events that particularly interest you?I’m pretty excited about a cappella and barbecue on the rooftop. Are there any student activities that you’d like to do?I’m going to do crew next year, so that will take all my time!What initially attracted you to MIT?I really like math and science, and it had the perfect program for what I wanted to do. My dad went here, so I’ve grown up knowing about it. Jonathan TrevinoLa Feria, TexasEECSWhat aspect of CPW are you most excited about?Meeting new people. I’m planning on coming to MIT, so I’m networking.What initially attracted you to MIT?The fact that it’s pretty prestigious, but it backs up that prestige. It really is the premier engineering school, which is what I’m interested in.Are there any student activities that you’d like to do?I’m Hispanic, and I’m particularly interested in joining something that deals with my heritage. Manyu BelaniPalo Alto, Calif.Mechanical EngineeringWhat aspect of CPW are you most excited about?Breaking with Immobilare. I’ve been break dancing for a little while. I’m also excited to come to MIT and start studying.Are there any events that particularly interest you?The Bouncy Ball Drop. I just like bouncy balls! I mean, who doesn’t like bouncy balls, you know?What initially attracted you to MIT?Just a community of really enthusiastic people who like building stuff and learning about science. I build stuff all the time. I destroy stuff all the time, though. Kuljot AnandToronto, CanadaBiomedical Engineering and BusinessAre there any student activities that you’d like to do?I want to learn how to dance, doesn’t really matter what kind. I’m also interested in environmental groups.What initially attracted you to MIT?I randomly applied, and I got in and actually liked it. Kim Hunter from Admissions came to Toronto for an info session, and that’s really where I got the motivation to apply.Anything else you’d like to add?I’m not going to sleep, even though I’m sleepy. Julia ZimmermanHouston, TexasBiologyWhat aspect of CPW are you most excited about?I really like how excited everybody got about what they do. I was really worried that I wouldn’t be able to do anything interdisciplinary, because other people tell you when you say you’re going to MIT that “oh, you’re only going to major in one thing,” but it sounds like there is a lot of time to do interdisciplinary things, and any separation between disciplines is a false dichotomy. I think the problem is going to be narrowing it down, because everything sounds so fascinating.Are there any events that particularly interest you?Biology stuff sounds cool. Oh, and all the FIREHOSE events. All of the topics sound really good. I don’t know if I can stay up until 3 a.m., though. Andres RodriguezCaguas, Puerto RicoMechanical EngineeringAre there any events that particularly interest you?Right now? I have no idea.Are there any student activities that you’d like to do?Research, playing chess, listening to music.What initially attracted you to MIT?Reputation. I met a lot of Puerto Ricans at the admitted students’ meeting, and I went to MITES last year. Emily ZhangWayland, Mass.ArchitectureWhat aspect of CPW are you most excited about?Seeing dorms, meeting people, and partying!Are there any student activities that you’d like to do?I’m thinking about being a coxswain for [men’s crew], or maybe I’ll just watch.What initially attracted you to MIT?It’s really famous, and I like the creative aspects of MIT, that there is a quirkiness that no other school really has. I also liked the MIT admissions propaganda that they sent out. Rae MillikanMinneapolis, Minn.Mechanical EngineeringWhat aspect of CPW are you most excited about?Just getting a chance to see Caltech … I mean MIT. I was just talking about Caltech. I’m excited to get to learn more about MIT, and find out more what it’s like during the school year.Are there any student activities that you’d like to do?I’m not really sure, but I could see myself playing either tennis or ultimate frisbee.What initially attracted you to MIT?It seems like the student body is into a lot of different things, and there’s a lot going on. Boston’s a really cool city, Sam HeilbronerNew York City, N.Y.Math and PhysicsWhat aspect of CPW are you most excited about?The kids. I sat down at a frat for a couple hours and just talked about physics and math. Are there any events that particularly interest you?Just going to see some of the lectures, and playing Capture the Flag.What initially attracted you to MIT?It’s the best math and science school in the universe. I don’t think you’re going to find anywhere else where the students really love math and science. My dad went to Harvard and he said that if I went there I would have a very different experience.
Interviews compiled by Claire Nieman ’13. Photos by Andrew T. Lukmann G.
