Michael Cook
Major: Information Systems
Sophomore
mcook5@umbc.edu
Where did you go to high school?
Howard High School
When and why did you decide you wanted to attend UMBC?
I visited my older brother, and liked the school; it is close to home, has a nice campus/food options, and has great academics.
How did you hear about the Discovery Scholars Living Learning Community (DS LLC)?
I met with Josh in Undergraduate Admissions.
Why did you decide to participate in the DS LLC?
I was very undecided about my major.
Did you know anyone else in Discovery Scholars when you started? Have you made friends through the program?
I knew Ivan about a week before school started, and we had mutual friends. I have definitely made friends through the program!
What was the most interesting thing that happened during your first year at UMBC?
I made Dog-Collar comedy improv team and performed in improv shows on campus!
What was your favorite part of being part of Discovery Scholars?
Having a common community of people I know and can ask anything.
In what ways did the DS LLC experience help you at UMBC?
In gave me a social life and people to interact with right off the bat, which many people find it difficult to do.
Would you recommend DS LLC to other new UMBC students?
YES!!!
Tell us a few interesting things about yourself…?
I have a twin brother, I wanted to be a magician when I was younger, I work at Cindy’s Soft Serve about 10 minutes away from campus, in Elkridge!
Aryn Dougherty
Major: Biology and Psychology
Sophomore
arynd1@umbc.edu
Where did you go to high school?
I went to the Institute of Notre Dame, located in Baltimore City.
When and why did you decide you wanted to attend UMBC?
During my junior year of high school, I had no idea where I wanted to go to college. One day in class, I found a UMBC “Just for Juniors Day” flyer in my desk. I thought to myself, “Why not?” It worked out for the best because I love UMBC. It was the first college I visited, and I instantly felt welcomed by everyone. I was impressed with the school diversity, vast traditions, and rigorous academics. With its many resources and friendly faculty and staff, I knew I would succeed here.
How did you hear about the Discovery Scholars Living Learning Community (DS LLC)?
I heard about the DS LLC when I was applying for housing. I looked at the different LLCs at UMBC and thought that the Discovery Scholars would be best for me.
Why did you decide to participate in the DS LLC?
I wanted to be in the DS LLC because I have a wide variety of interests. I’ve always been interested in medicine, but I also enjoy history, art, and comic books. I knew the DS LLC would help guide me in choosing a career path as well as supporting me through my freshman year.
Did you know anyone else in Discovery Scholars when you started? Have you made friends through the program?
I met my roommate, Morgan, during the Freshman Excursion a few months before move-in day last fall. I have become friends with many other members of the LLC, including members of the floor in general.
What was the most interesting thing that happened during your first year at UMBC?
During finals week of the spring semester, my friends and I were really stressed out about exams, summer work, and finding jobs. So, we went to Walmart, bought a bunch of fruit, and I grabbed my softball bat. We spent an hour smashing fruit to relieve stress, and it worked pretty well.
What was your favorite part of being part of Discovery Scholars?
One of my favorite parts about being part of Discovery Scholars was Study Day. During Study Day, all of the Discovery Scholars met in the basement and found ways to destress. There were so many things to do: coloring, massages, tie-dying, acupuncture, games, making stress balls, etc. And there was free food. It was nice to spend a couple of hours with everyone before Winter/Summer Break.
In what ways did the DS LLC experience help you at UMBC?
I learned more about resources on campus, it was easy to make friends with people on the floor, and the Peer Mentors were available for questions because they were your neighbors.
Would you recommend DS LLC to other new UMBC students?
I would recommend the DS LLC to new UMBC students because it was nice to have support during the first year. Everything is new, and you usually don’t know too many people on campus. Just having people there to help guide you made it easier for me to adjust to a college lifestyle.
Tell us a few interesting things about yourself…?
- I really like comic books
- I have never had root beer
- I went to the National Scrabble Tournament in Orlando twice
- My favorite bands are Panic! At The Disco and R5
- My favorite movie is Revenge of the Nerds
- My favorite TV show is The Office
Morgan Hull
Major: Psychology
Sophomore
humor1@umbc.edu
Where did you go to high school?
Good Counsel
When and why did you decide you wanted to attend UMBC?
I decided my senior year in high school and came because of location and price.
How did you hear about the Discovery Scholars Living Learning Community (DS LLC)?
When I applied for housing.
Why did you decide to participate in the DS LLC?
I figured that living in an LLC would give me a better opportunity to learn inside tips about UMBC and have an automatic friend group during the beginning of the semester. I also was not sure about psychology as my major and I thought this program would help me to figure out what I wanted to do.
Did you know anyone else in Discovery Scholars when you started? Have you made friends through the program?
I did not know anyone else in the Discovery Scholars program when I started and I have made 2 good friends through the program.
What was the most interesting thing that happened during your first year at UMBC?
Staying up really late talking and playing games to bond with friends.
What was your favorite part of being part of Discovery Scholars?
For the beginning of the semester, it was nice to have a group of people to hang out with. I also found the workshops to be very informative.
In what ways did the DS LLC experience help you at UMBC?
It helped me to become more familiar with resources on campus that I probably would have never seen or gone to without the DS LLC.
Would you recommend DS LLC to other new UMBC students?
Yes.
Tell us a few interesting things about yourself…?
- I was a Girl Scout for 12 years
- I love to color
- Kickboxing is my favorite type of exercise
Elisabeth Kan
Major: Biology and Emergency Health Services
Sophomore
ekan1@umbc.edu
Where did you go to high school?
Winston Churchill High School
When and why did you decide you wanted to attend UMBC?
I decided to go to UMBC very close to the end of my senior year of high school. I decided I wanted to attend UMBC because I received a scholarship and I wanted to go to a smaller school.
How did you hear about the Discovery Scholars Living Learning Community (DS LLC)?
I heard about DS LLC through my welcome packet and emails from the school.
Why did you decide to participate in the DS LLC?
I actually randomly chose DS LLC because it sounded like an interesting LLC. I did not know a whole lot about the program coming into UMBC.
Did you know anyone else in Discovery Scholars when you started? Have you made friends through the program?
I did not know anyone else in Discovery Scholars when I started, bt I have definitely made a lot of really good friends through the program.
What was the most interesting thing that happened during your first year at UMBC?
The most interesting thing that had happened to me during my first year at UMBC would be during Welcome Week. We all had to go to this DJ dance party event and the DJ told us to create a secret handshake and take a picture with the person across from us. He then said, “meet your first college buddy.” Turns out, that person across from me became one of my best friends at UMBC and we are going to be peer mentors together this upcoming semester!
What was your favorite part of being part of Discovery Scholars?
I think my favorite part of being part of DS is making connections with the people on the floor and going to the same classes with them. It made living in a dorm feel like home when everybody had their doors open on the floor and you could just walk in and say “Hi“.
In what ways did the DS LLC experience help you at UMBC?
DS LLC provided me with a lot of knowledge of UMBC especially during our first semester seminar class. I learned about all the different resources that UMBC has and I found that especially helpful in navigating my first year.
Would you recommend DS LLC to other new UMBC students?
I would absolutely recommend DS LLC to other new UMBC students. Especially if you do not know what you want to major in, I have seen how helpful the program is in helping guide students towards a major and career path. It is a great way to get connected to UMBC early and really feel part of a community.
Tell us a few interesting things about yourself…?
I love to rock climb during the summer. I also am on the track and field team here at UMBC, I long jump and triple jump. I joined a Pre-Medical fraternity and was Community Council President of Patapsco during my freshman year. I also have two siblings an older sister and a younger brother.
Jimmy McDermott
Major: Biological Science
Sophomore
mcde1@umbc.edu
Where did you go to high school?
I went to Clarksburg High School.
When and why did you decide you wanted to attend UMBC?
I decided to go to UMBC in my senior year of high school because it was close to my house and I like size of the school because it makes me feel like I am part of a community not a city.
How did you hear about the Discovery Scholars Living Learning Community (DS LLC)?
I first noted the LLC through the housing process. From there I tried research more into the LLC.
Why did you decide to participate in the DS LLC?
I joined Discovery Scholars because I wanted to be a part of a community that I could make lasting relationships with; while I adapt to the new environment around me.
Did you know anyone else in Discovery Scholars when you started? Have you made friends through the program?
I did not know anyone else coming into the floor. Now I have made a couple of friends that I trust highly.
What was the most interesting thing that happened during your first year at UMBC?
It is hard to say the most interesting thing that happened since so much happened. However, even though so much happened, I feel like it is interesting how entertaining it can be to stay up all night talking to friends in the Patapsco lobby.
What was your favorite part of being part of Discovery Scholars?
My favorite part is being a part of a friendly community that supports each other whenever possible.
In what ways did the DS LLC experience help you at UMBC?
The LLC allowed for me to adapt faster to college life. It mainly allowed me to feel less stressed when approaching my social life. The required classes also helped me learn about things I need to look out for around the campus.
Would you recommend DS LLC to other new UMBC students?
I believe that other new students should look into the LLC itself to determine if it fits what they want to do in college. Overall, I believe that it is a great environment for anyone who wants to make friends and be a part of a community.
Tell us a few interesting things about yourself…?
- I enjoy hanging out with friends and messing around.
- I partake in both boy scouts, soccer, and karate in late elementary school through high school.
- My favorite types of food are Italian and Mexican.
- I play a lot of games (both online and tabletop).
- I enjoy watching animal in general (except geese).
- I am slightly competitive when it comes to things I care about.
Ivan Ose
Major: Physics
Sophomore
ivanose1@umbc.edu
Where did you go to high school?
Oakland Mills High School
When and why did you decide you wanted to attend UMBC?
I decided to go to UMBC in April 2016 because the atmosphere is very nerdy and that fits me!
How did you hear about the Discovery Scholars Living Learning Community (DS LLC)?
I saw the floor on a tour of the school.
Why did you decide to participate in the DS LLC?
Because I was very unsure about what I wanted to study and do with my life.
Did you know anyone else in Discovery Scholars when you started? Have you made friends through the program?
I knew one other person in the program because we went to high school together and I feel comfortable saying that I am friends with everyone in the program now.
What was the most interesting thing that happened during your first year at UMBC?
Declaring a major! I was very excited to see a bit more light at the end of the tunnel for what my career may be.
What was your favorite part of being part of Discovery Scholars?
The constant support of the peer mentors and making lots of friends!!
In what ways did the DS LLC experience help you at UMBC?
I learned a lot from the peer mentors!
Would you recommend DS LLC to other new UMBC students?
Yes, even if the student has a major declared,, it is helpful to have Discovery Scholars as a backup.
Tell us a few interesting things about yourself…?
I grew up in Britain, I was a state finalist for swimming, and I play in competitive Smash Bros Tournaments.
Drew Vozzella
Major: Information Systems
Sophomore
Dv4@umbc.edu
Where did you go to high school?
Westminster Senior High School, Westminster, Maryland
When and why did you decide you wanted to attend UMBC?
I applied to UMBC in november of 2015 because of the amazing opportunities that I had heard of from other graduates. UMBC offers the major and similar majors to what I wanted.
How did you hear about the Discovery Scholars Living Learning Community (DS LLC)?
I originally applied to the STEM LLC and after reading about the other LLCs while doing my housing application I decided it would not be a bad alternative.
Why did you decide to participate in the DS LLC?
I decided to participate to get me out of my comfort zone, and learn a bit about myself. DS LLC offers the chances to really find what you are passionate about, and gives you the resources to pursue it.
Did you know anyone else in Discovery Scholars when you started? Have you made friends through the program?
I knew no one in the DS LLC. I have absolutely made friends in the LLC, not just with other students but, also with mentors.
What was the most interesting thing that happened during your first year at UMBC?
About ten of us watched the election during election night until six in the morning.
What was your favorite part of being part of Discovery Scholars?
The connections with the people. Connecting with people that I would have previously never had the chance to because of where I lived.
In what ways did the DS LLC experience help you at UMBC?
DS LLC helped me get antiquated to college life and living with other students.
Would you recommend DS LLC to other new UMBC students?
I would recommend DS LLC to new UMBC students.
Tell us a few interesting things about yourself…?
- I’ve snowboarded since I was six years old.
- I’ve built my own computer and build them for my friends.
- I played rugby for five years.
Savannah Windley
Major: Biology
Sophomore
skwindley@gmail.com
Where did you go to high school?
Centennial High School
When and why did you decide you wanted to attend UMBC?
I applied fall of Junior year of High School because I was interested in the highly praised STEM program.
How did you hear about the Discovery Scholars Living Learning Community (DS LLC)?
I saw the option for the LLC on the housing form and chose it.
Why did you decide to participate in the DS LLC?
I wanted to get to know the people of UMBC and the ins and outs of the campus.
Did you know anyone else in Discovery Scholars when you started? Have you made friends through the program?
I knew Ivan when I started, we were both on the same swim team for many years. I have made a couple really good friends through this program.
What was the most interesting thing that happened during your first year at UMBC?
Getting snowed in on campus and adventuring through the blizzard.
What was your favorite part of being part of Discovery Scholars?
My favorite part about being a Discovery Scholar was the proximity of all the other scholars, and doing normal things like getting meals and going to class.
In what ways did the DS LLC experience help you at UMBC?
The DS LLC has made it way less stressful to go to a 400 person lecture because someone else in the LLC is also in that class and I can sit with them.
Would you recommend DS LLC to other new UMBC students?
YES
Tell us a few interesting things about yourself…?
- I do all kinds of sports; swimming, soccer, basketball, volleyball
- I own many animals, large and small; such as chickens, cows, dogs, and pigs
- My favorite color is Blue
- Fall is my favorite season
- I love snowboarding
- I hate chocolate candy and soda, but love chocolate cake and cookies
01/23/2023