Stacey Simmons
Class: 2009
[profile]

When I started my college search, I eliminated every school in Texas. I wanted to go away. To me, the college experience means you need to throw yourself out into the world.

After enrolling in the Prospects for America program, which sent my profile to colleges throughout the country, I started receiving mail—at least 20 letters from colleges a day. Then my dad said, "We need to start narrowing it down.”

Because I was adamant about leaving Texas, my father asked me to choose a state where we had relatives. He suggested New York, Florida, Missouri and Maryland.

Finding the right fit

"I’m not doing Florida because I hate hurricanes,” I told him. One school in Buffalo, N.Y., seemed like a possibility until a college visit gave me a taste of upstate New York weather: They’re like, "It’s negative 11. This is warm for this time of year.”

A school in Missouri wasn’t right for me, either, but I thought it was perfect for my friend, who took my recommendation and eventually enrolled. I set two of my friends up with the schools they go to.

I chose College of Notre Dame partly because of its strong study abroad program, and I am now preparing to spend the first semester of my senior year at University of Newcastle in Australia.

Not here to learn fluff

I was also pleased with Notre Dame’s business department. I love Deborah Calhoun; she is my favorite business professor and advisor. She just knows her stuff. She’s strictly facts, no fluff. I like her classes so much. I’m not here to learn fluff.

As “the creative one” in my group of friends, I want to pursue a career in advertising. It’s so much fun.

This year, as a junior, I decided to share an apartment with some Notre Dame seniors off-campus in Baltimore. By living off campus, I was able to bring my five-month-old Yorkie puppy, Otto, along for the semester.

Otto is popular with my friends, whether during a visit to campus, making an appearance on WBAL-TV or at a “Sloppy Jo Hoe-Down” at my apartment.

Otto is a cuddler. But he also loves to run. He’s getting faster. I can’t catch him anymore.