Amanda Hampton
Major: Biology
Sophomore
amandah6@umbc.edu
Where did you go to high school?
Leonardtown High School
When and why did you decide you wanted to attend UMBC?
I didn’t fully decide to go to UMBC until I was accepted. I started taking tours of the campus and saw how beautiful the campus was. I knew that UMBC offered pre-pharmacy, which was my initial motivation to attend UMBC, but it wasn’t until I was accepted and looked further into UMBC that I realized what a unique school it is.
How did you hear about the Discovery Scholars & Interdisciplinary Studies Living-Learning Communities (DS/INDS LLC)?
I got a letter in the mail saying to apply to be in the Discovery Scholar/INDS LLC.
Why did you decide to participate in the DS/INDS LLC?
I figured there would be nicer dorms and I was hoping that if I was in an LLC that I might be able to make friends easier or at least form a study group on the floor.
Did you know anyone else in LLC when you started? Have you made friends through the program?
I did not know anyone in the LLC when I started. A few days into the program I started making friends and now I know most of the floor and have a close-knit group of friends in the LLC.
What was the most interesting thing that happened during your first year at UMBC?
It was when there was a fire alarm in Patapsco at 4:00 in the morning and a few of us on the floor went to Denny’s instead of staying in Susquehanna. Later when we were finally allowed in the building, our alarm was off but
What was your favorite aspect of participating in the LLC?
My favorite aspect was that I was able to hang out with friends I made on the floor and study for classes all at once.
In what ways did the LLC experience help you at UMBC?
It helped my experience by allowing me to get to know students in either similar or different fields than I am majoring in. It allowed me to have a social life, while also maintaining an academic life.
Would you recommend LLC to other new UMBC students?
I would strongly recommend the LLC experience to new UMBC students. Not only is it a way to help you succeed academically, but it helps you with your social life in college, especially those that are a little less outgoing than others.
Tell us a few interesting things about yourself…?
- I play seven different instruments.
- I’m a part of the UMBC Mock Trial Team.
- I’m an SI PASS Leader and have been deemed by them the SI PASS Resident Word Puzzle Master.
- I am currently doing research in Dr. Miller’s lab with volvox.
- I have a dog.
- I love to participate in plays and musicals.
Kate Kadji
Major: Biology
Sophomore
Kkadjit1@umbc.edu
Where did you go to high school?
I went to Walter Johnson High School, located in Montgomery County.
When and why did you decide you wanted to attend UMBC?
I decided I wanted to attend UMBC around April last year. I chose UMBC because it is an honors university and I knew I would be receiving the best education, especially concerning my major.
How did you hear about the Discovery Scholars & Interdisciplinary Studies Living-Learning Communities (DS/INDS LLC)?
I saw an email about living in an LLC and applying for one. I thought being a part of a community would be a great way to transition into my first year at UMBC. Weirdly, I actually didn’t know much about the Discovery Scholars & Interdisciplinary Studies LLC, but I read about it and it sounded interesting to me.
Why did you decide to participate in the DS/INDS LLC?
I applied to the INDS LLC because I think the whole concept of potentially creating an individualized interdisciplinary degree is really cool to me. I like that it showed that we aren’t limited to just a traditional degree but that we can be creative and incorporate different components!
Did you know anyone else in LLC when you started? Have you made friends through the program?
I did not know anyone in the LLC prior to the school year, but I became friends with some nice people on the floor.
What was the most interesting thing that happened during your first year at UMBC?
The most interesting thing that happened during my first year at UMBC was being able to meet so many different personalities on campus. I was exposed to groups of people I didn’t really get the opportunity to meet in high school. I got closer to my culture because I became friends with people who shared the same culture as me, which is something I never had. Throughout the year, I met some incredible people in my classes, and again, really enjoyed getting to know others.
What was your favorite aspect of participating in the LLC?
My favorite aspect was having the DS/INDS LLC advisors. The first year of college can be stressful and a lot to process, but having advisors here to purely help you succeed is very beneficial. I enjoyed knowing that if I had questions about something or needed to talk to someone, I had a support system that I could trust.
In what ways did the LLC experience help you at UMBC?
The LLC experiences gave me knowledge about different aspects of the university, how to gain access to certain resources, and overall allowed me to be in an environment with my peers. A lot of the information I was given about resources on campus is because of the DS/INDS LLC. It was wonderful to be a part of this experience because I knew I was never alone, and it almost served as a security blanket.
Would you recommend LLC to other new UMBC students?
I would definitely reccomend living in an LLC for the first year, it makes the whole process of transitioning a lot easier.
Tell us a few interesting things about yourself…?
- I cheered in high school and participated on UMBC’s club cheer team.
- I am a part of the African Student Association and Black Student Union.
- I enjoy watching YouTube videos, and if I have a good series, Netflix as well.
- I aspire to be a Pediatrician when I’m older. I have always wanted to work in the medical field and I happen to love children.
- I am a Godmother, which is a big first for me!
- I enjoy going out with friends but sometimes I am kind of a homebody!
Thalia Zotikos
Major: Biology/English
Sophomore
thaliaz1@umbc.edu
Where did you go to high school?
Wootton High School (Montgomery County, MD)
When and why did you decide you wanted to attend UMBC?
I decided at the last minute–I concluded that I liked where it was (just the right distance from home) since I wanted to stay in-state, and I liked the campus and figured that whatever I chose to major in, they would probably have it here.
How did you hear about the Discovery Scholars & Interdisciplinary Studies Living-Learning Communities (DS/INDS LLC)?
I saw Jill (Randles) speak about the IHU program on Admitted Student Day, and she talked about the LLC. I then remembered it when filling my housing application.
Why did you decide to participate in the DS/INDS LLC?
I wanted to find a place where I could have a lot of people to connect with, and I also couldn’t decide on a major. The LLC sounded like the perfect opportunity!
Did you know anyone else in LLC when you started? Have you made friends through the program?
I knew a few people who went to my high school, but most of my friends—all made on the floor—were people I met here.
What was the most interesting thing that happened during your first year at UMBC?
Seeing a bright green fireball meteor on an evening walk!
What was your favorite aspect of participating in the LLC?
It was great to take a class with people I lived with. We all had each others’ backs, especially with the inevitable times when half the floor was working on the same assigned essay at the last minute!
In what ways did the LLC experience help you at UMBC?
There were a lot of nitty-gritty things I didn’t have the ability to foresee about my first year; the LLC helped with workshops about things I hadn’t thought about, and being on the floor let me share the experience of getting used to college.
Would you recommend LLC to other new UMBC students?
I would! The opportunity to live on a floor where everyone actually talks to each other is a valuable one—it’s an easier way to find a place amid a new environment, as long as everyone respects each others’ boundaries.
Tell us a few interesting things about yourself…?
I read, knit, do wire-work and other jewelry, and write calligraphy. I’ve also got two cats.
1/23/2023