Wesleyan Pre-College Program: Quinn Devita

Quinn Devita spent part of her summer in the Pre-College Program at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Conn.

Why did you choose to participate in a summer program?

I knew it would be really important to understand the wholeness of the college experience before officially leaving for college myself. I wanted to see what it would be like to live in a dorm with a stranger, without my parents, while taking college classes. Bottom line, I wanted to spend my summer doing something I wasn’t getting from my day-to-day high school life. A summer program at a prestigious institution sounded intimidating of course, but it held a new level of rigor that I felt ready for.

How did you decide which program was right for you?

I think what drew me most to Wesleyan was the authenticity of the experience. Most programs have hundreds of students, but at Wesleyan I would be spending the summer with less than 20. In my opinion, this allowed for an incredibly focused learning environment while giving us the opportunity to create a family (which we definitely did). Furthermore, I chose a school that had an academic strength in my area of interest: English. Wesleyan is known for its English program and I wanted to take every opportunity to craft my work there.

What was a typical day in the Wesleyan Pre-College Program?

Days consisted of two intensive classes that brought enlightening discussions to the table while nights were filled with movie marathons in the rec room. I was never bored and felt my character and intellect growing everyday, but most importantly I got to spend time with my friends. We would explore campus, make food and mess around. We’d all stay up way later than we should have … but a Red Bull the next day always made for the perfect cure. I only hope college turns out like my typical days at Wesleyan.

What was the most memorable moment of your summer?

It would definitely be hard to pick just one… but I’d say my favorite memories were made walking around downtown Middletown with my friends. We were always playing our music loud, talking, and dancing down the street. I made some really good friends at Wesleyan and my memories would be nothing without them. There was never a dull moment.

What advice do you have for teens looking at summer programs or camps?

Be honest with yourself. Spend your summer at a place where you can really envision yourself in the future. When I visited Wesleyan the summer before, the environment sparked a genuine interest in me and I wanted to return as soon as I could. Go to a place, a college, or a university that speaks to you. Don’t worry about what anyone else will think.