We Are Wake Forest

Meet Jacob

Every student can make a contribution

I grew up in Winston-Salem and have been a Wake Forest sports fan my entire life. During my college search, Wake Forest remained my top pick. In my own backyard was one of the top schools in the nation, with great academic opportunities and top-tier athletics. Although small in size, Wake Forest doesn’t feel crowded or limited. The student body’s talents and accomplishments are inspiring, the organizations on campus are dynamic and fulfilling, and frankly, the dining options are outstanding. The small student body is ideal for an active campus, and almost everyone is involved in one or more organizations. Every student can make real contributions to a group or organization as opposed to being ‘just a member’ on an e-mail list-serve. Students here actually experience their campus as evolving and changing and feel personally responsible.

Have an idea? Professors are eager to help

I have benefited from personal interactions with my professors, as well as the research opportunities that stemmed from those relationships. I’ve collaborated with my professors to produce two major research papers: One I presented in a regional symposium, and the other is currently under review for publication. Both of these opportunities, as well as the research that lead to them, were made available to me, not because I edged out my peers in a competitive atmosphere, but because I expressed an interest to professors who eager to help. This is an advantage that the small size of Wake Forest can offer that other schools cannot.

Finding my purpose

Wake Forest has helped me find a sense of confidence, drive, and purpose. Giving tours to prospective students, presenting papers at symposiums, and interviewing for leadership positions has given me confidence in public speaking and self-presentation. The busy pace of my Wake Forest experience has helped me grow accustomed to an energized, active lifestyle that definitely required improvements to my time management skills. Insightful classes have helped turn my interests into passions, and helped me to decide what I want to pursue after college. This purpose has allowed me to approach what lies after college with confidence and zeal, as opposed to apprehension and uncertainty.

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Favorite class:

Race and Ethnic Relations. Not only did the open atmosphere allow me to discuss many issues I was already passionate about, but it also exposed me to many aspects of race-relations in daily interactions that I was previously overlooking.

Favorite Wake Forest tradition:

Everything before tip-off at basketball games.

Don’t miss these movies:

“The Royal Tenenbaums,” “Good Will Hunting,” and “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.”

My Wake Forest 5: Top Experiences

1. Enjoying a Steak N Shake milkshake with President and Mrs. Hatch at midnight while driving them home from the airport as part of my job at Graylyn during the summer of 2008. (The president’s treat!)
2. The 2007-08 men’s soccer team’s national championship win.
3. Rolling the quad after winning the ACC Championship in football 2006.
4. Storming the court in body paint after beating UNC in basketball 2008.
5. Snowmen on the quad after the first big snow.

Tip about:

Studying: Find the spot on campus where you study most efficiently, and make sure you are studying at that location when you need to be. Time management can be the most difficult adjustment!
Campus life: Get involved! If you have the time, becoming active in student organizations can be one of the best networking tools at Wake Forest.
Choosing a major: Make sure you enjoy your major, and don’t be afraid to double major!