Office of Admissions

I am from the small town of Flora, Indiana. I grew up on a farm right in the heart of a very agricultural-focused area and valued my small community. During my senior year, I visited IU on a whim with my older brother (an IU alum). I can remember my mom asking me a few weeks later if I had any thoughts about what my college choice would be and without giving it too much thought, I said, “I’ve decided I’m going to IU.” No hesitation, no qualms--just confidence. The way I saw it, IU felt like home from the first moment I came. Here is what I love about IU:

My Best of IU and B-town Links

• Favorite Place on Campus: Herman B Wells statue and Rose Well House on a summer evening
• Favorite Story from IU’s History: The Dunn family donated the land that the campus sits on, but said that a certain tree could not be cut down because one of their daughters and her sweetheart carved their initials in it. The Chemistry Building was built around the tree and you can still see their original initials.
• Best Bloomington Restaurant: I can’t pick just one! A few of my favorites are the Runcible Spoon, Scholars Inn Bakehouse, Falafels, and Village Deli.
• IU Bucket List Must-do’s: Lie down at the Art Museum, put your feet up, and watch the lights change; sing the fight song at Traditions and Spirit during Welcome Week; buy fresh produce at the Farmer’s Market; and sing along at a Straight No Chaser concert.
• Best way to use meal points: Ice cream sundae from the Crimson Creamery at Foster Residence Center

Something about me that has made my life unique is that I am a quadruplet. I have a sister and two brothers, and, growing up, we have been known as the “Zook Quads.” At IU, I have been able to embrace what is unique about me and make college my own experience. For me, this experience has been greatly shaped by my involvement in the School of Informatics and Computing. My involvement has helped me make a “big” campus feel “small” by allowing me to be part of a school with a strong sense of community, while also feeling connected to the opportunities provided by the larger campus.

For as long as I can remember, I have had a passion for technology and have been able to embrace my “nerdiness.” The breadth of skills I am developing as an informatics major is really exciting, and I have found that technology is quickly becoming intertwined with nearly every field of study. I have taken classes in human-computer interaction, database development, and digital multimedia. I have been taught to not only focus on the development and capabilities of a technology, but to also consider human motivations and behaviors as a way to take a deeper look at the problem at hand. I am proud to know that my degree will allow me to be part of a new wave of problem solvers!