University Bound: Highlighting Benjamin B.

Each year, our graduating students are accepted to universities all around the world. The College Counseling Office works closely with each student to find universities that best fit his or her goals and interests to ensure that s/he continues to excel. With the University Bound series, we highlight some of their stories. This week's interview showcases Benjamin B., a senior in the IB program, who will be attending TU Eindhoven in the Netherlands next year.

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Congratulations on your acceptance to TU Eindhoven! Can you share with us what made it your top choice? 

Initially, TU Eindhoven wasn’t on my radar, even though my brother studies there and it is located in my home country. I was more inclined toward business but after researching, I discovered the applied physics program which perfectly combines math and physics—subjects I love. From that moment, I knew it was the right fit!

Eindhoven is a rather small city, but incredibly proud and vibrant. It is one of the most innovative cities in the Netherlands and offers many opportunities to engineers, which is why the mayor gave it the nickname “Brainport” about 20 years ago. And I can't forget the soccer team, PSV, which might have the best fans in the Netherlands and has a crazy atmosphere—with the stadium right outside of the university!

Do you already know what you plan to study? What types of clubs and activities are you excited to participate in on campus? 

Yes, applied physics is the best program to prepare me for any fields I want to pursue later in life, more specifically nuclear engineering or possibly astronomy. I am also looking forward to joining tryouts for the Tantalus TU Eindhoven basketball team, and hopefully I can make the men's first team rotation. I also look forward to going out in the city with my friends and enjoying the restaurants, arts, and culture. 

How do you think your time at LFC has prepared you for success in college?

I think that the LFC and the IB were the best preparation I could have possibly had. By having a very helpful cohort of ambitious students and teachers, I learned how to strive for excellence. The IB also helped me by having multiple ways of teaching. For example, the IA’s and the Extended Essay were great preparation. We also had long term projects that connected with tests throughout the year. I got used to developing good study habits and preparing for the challenges that I will face in the coming years.

How did you approach your college admissions journey? Create a balanced list? Take advantage of global opportunities? Utilize the resources available to you at school and at home?

To start off the college admissions journey, I made sure to understand how the process worked and tried my best to follow the guidelines our College Counselors set up for us. I started making a list of universities I had initial interest in, without thinking too much about it. I tried to align those with my academic interest and thought about my personal preferences. I also took advantage of the resources I had and tried to look at schools around Europe, as I knew that was my primary interest. 

Do you have any advice for future LFC students going through the college application process?

Start early and be both ambitious and realistic. Slowly expand your horizons and be open-minded. Explore options in Europe as well as the US, even if you certainly know you won't go there. Throughout high school, participate in activities and extracurriculars. Clubs and activities are great for your applications and help you develop and focus your interests. 

At the end of the day, you should find something that clicks and resonates with you. Expand your horizons and explore all types of colleges. Eventually, you will find something that you relate to and like. Whether it's the values of the people attending the college or the local sports team, there is definitely something that will resonate with you, and you'll know which college is right for you.