Alumni Close-Up - Rachel Lymch '14
Name: Rachel Lynch
Hometown: Brookfield, CT
Graduation Year: 2014
Where are you now? I currently am a second semester senior preparing to graduate in May. I have been applying to law school all of last semester, and I am currently waiting for decisions due to the rolling admissions nature of the application process. I will be graduating from Fordham College of Rose Hill with a double major in Sociology and Political Science on the Pre-Law Track come May 2018.
What are you doing? Living in NYC I find myself being able to experience many different things. Throughout my undergrad career I have been lucky enough to participate in internships while still going to class full time. That being said I believe it's been a blessing having the ability to work, go to museums, take 18 credits and also have time for socializing. NYC has become an important part of who I am and I love the ability to experience new food, museums and different cultural experiences all within my backyard.
What is your favorite Wooster memory? One of my favorite Wooster memories is the guidance I received from my mentor and advisor Mr. David Newman. My senior year I was very torn about where I should go to school, I was down to two choices and it was a very difficult decision for me. I was not sure whether to go with a safer, more comfortable choice versus Fordham which really was outside my comfort zone. In the end Mr. Newman explained to me that this is the time to take a chance, and even though Fordham would be very different from what I was used to, that I was prepared for the challenge. I was very nervous, and out of my comfort zone, but attending Fordham was the best decision I could have made for myself and my career.
What impact did your Wooster education have on you? Wooster is a very special place, and I don't think I truly understood or valued that until I was reflecting on my first year of college. I noticed immediately that I was prepared for collegiate level work in a completely different way than my peers. I was one of the only students willing to go to professors office hours or even comfortable enough to converse with professors. Wooster showed me personally, that teachers want you to interact and ask for help if need be, and communication is key. Another aspect I learned from Wooster was time management. With sports, and jobs, along with a full class load, Woo students always had to use their time wisely. The first couple weeks of college I realized how many people did not understand this skill, and were in the library at 4am. I can say successfully I have never pulled an all nighter, not because I did not study enough, but because I was proactive and knew how to prepare for finals without going crazy.
What advice would you like to share with current Wooster students? I would assure them that they are prepared for the challenge ahead. All of the exercises, and studying has made Wooster students better prepared than many others going into college. Making great impressions with your teachers, is key, showing interest, and ALWAYS go to office hours!! Teachers really love that. Another important thing to realize is that your high school teachers at Wooster want to keep up with you when you're in college. I still stay in contact with some of my beloved teachers, and I love being able to be active within the Wooster Community as an Alumni!