Admissions Director Tom Susanka is particularly pleased with the Freshman class. Thirteen students received recognition for exceptional academic merit from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation and other scholarship agencies. While about half came from private schools, the other half came divided between public schools and homeschools. Three have bachelor of science degrees and one, a masters of science degree. While each of the Freshmen deserves a separate profile, the stories of the following four students show the varied circumstances under which young men and women are drawn to the College.
Culture is the basis of everything.
I've been growing up in China for 20 years, but now I want to enrich my mind, to absorb the thinking of Western Culture. I could see that this College was one of the best places to do it. He became a top student, having received many awards in English, computer programming, and painting. He was admitted to Shanghai International Studies University without having to take the entrance examination, one of the most highly-coveted waivers in the Chinese educational system. He excelled there also, receiving academic scholarships and serving as chief editor of the university's magazine.