Dear Freshman Taylor,
College turned out to be everything you imagined and so much more. So many things you were worried about turned out to be blessings in disguise.
I know you didn’t get your first, second, or even third choice for housing, but that little loft in McCarthy was the perfect fit for your freshman year. And who would’ve thought you’d end up in one of the most spacious apartments on campus the very next year with a view of downtown and the Hollywood Sign from your bedroom window?
Freshman Year Dorm
Taylor and her Parents’ first day on campus
Those girls you met in that random GroupMe chat? They became sisters for life. Not only did you live with them freshman year, but you continued to live with them every year after. You’ve traveled with them to multiple states and even out of the country. They’ve become a core part of your journey.
Taylor’s Roommates 2021
Taylor’s Roommates in 2025
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The dining hall food tasted surprisingly good. There were many options, so you could always find a good meal, and carrying a mini Larry’s seasoning salt in your bag never hurt anyone. Coming from someone living off campus right now, I miss the immediate access to food.
You did not get homesick, but honestly, I did not expect you to. You have always embraced new connections, and with the EngageSC app downloaded on your phone, you could always find something to do.
I am proud of you and your college journey. Since starting college, you’ve crossed so many things off your bucket list. You got your passport, conducted research, opened your first credit card, signed your first lease, traveled abroad, went to concerts, met celebrities, and so much more! Along the way, you discovered new sides of yourself. You joined a choir, embraced new cultures, danced your heart out, and realized you have a rare, beautiful gift for connecting with people.
Professionally, you’ve opened doors for yourself that you never imagined, and you were right; the opportunities here are endless. During your freshman year, you won the ASBME Make-athon without even realizing there was a cash prize until the $500 hit your Venmo! Also, a seemingly “random” hackathon that you attended your sophomore year earned you trips to New York with a fintech company. For the past two years, you have been working in big tech and this past month, you were invited to speak at the Viterbi Scholarship gala due to all your accomplishments! (THE Ming Hsieh came by to compliment your speech!)
Taylor’s First Day at Microsoft
2025 Viterbi Scholarship Dinner
Of course, not everything went according to plan. You changed your major three times. You took a summer class. Some things were way harder than you expected. But that’s the thing—there’s no such thing as a “perfect” college experience. What you had was real; it was yours and full of growth, joy, and impact. You touched more lives than you’ll ever know and you found your village of people to support you.
I wish I could give you advice or tell you to do something differently, but the truth is, just keep being you. Don’t let self-doubt hold you back. You were brought here for a reason. You belong.
Stay loving, stay curious, and most importantly, Fight On!
With love,
Senior Taylor
Class of 2025
