First Year Archives | Admissions Blog

What Being a D’Lion at URochester Actually Means

By: Miki Chiu, Class of 2028 Publicity Chair of the D’Lion Organization 2025 – 2026 Hi! I’m Miki Chiu. I’m part of the Class of 2028 majoring in Business –…

Many Possibilities But Only One Choice for Me

February 23, 2026

In March 2020, the world came to a halt, except for the college admissions process. As a sophomore in high school, this served as an amazing opportunity to visit and…

Students sharing a Thanksgiving dinner together at the University of Rochester.

Finding Your Community at the University of Rochester

December 1, 2025

One of the most important parts of the college experience and one that many students underestimate, is finding your community. At the University of Rochester, your community often ends…

What the Dining Hall has Taught Me About Choosing for Myself

November 20, 2025

The first week of college, I found myself standing in the middle of the dining hall, plates in hand, and overwhelmed by abundance – at that time, I mislabeled it…

A Campus of Borrowed Moments

November 11, 2025

Gratitude is rarely ever spoken loud. More often than others, it settles quietly into ordinary moments, such as a walk back from class, a shared meal, a familiar face…

Extracurriculars

Your Guide to Networking at URochester

October 27, 2025

Finding a job, figuring out postgrad, or even finding a career path may seem daunting. I am here to tell you, you are not alone in this! At the University…

The Resources You Never Knew You Needed as a First-Year

October 20, 2025

A new school. A new city. New people. Everything is new as a first-year, and it can be scary. However, everyone on campus is willing to help you. So… how…

Finding Home: My First Ramadan Away from Family

Ramadan has always been a special time for me because it brings my family together. At home, we would gather to break our fast, pray, and share stories late into…

Saying Goodbye to My Favorite Places on Campus (Part 1)

As I reckon with the reality of my upcoming graduation, I’ve taken the time to wander down memory lane and reflect on my time at the University. There have been…

Extracurriculars

A First-Year’s Guide to Getting Involved on Campus

Extracurriculars are a huge part of college life. Outside of classes, they’re where you meet people, try new things, and just have fun! At the University of Rochester, there are…

7 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting College

Are you starting college this upcoming fall? Or beginning the college process? Or maybe you know you want to go to college but the idea still makes you nervous? Or…

What to Do with Your Newly Found Independence

You got into college, now what??? If you’re like me, you’re probably going to a school not in your hometown and have to adjust to a new environment. Or simply…