Grace A.
Class of 2016
Ask Grace a Question!Read my blog: Class of 2016 Freshman Blog--Grace A.
Hometown: Mullica Hill, NJ
Majors: Writing Seminars
Current residence: Wolman Hall
Campus involvement: Student Admissions Advisory Board, HOPS, College Democrats, Cooking for Love
Why I chose Johns Hopkins: I chose Hopkins because, simply put, it is the place to go if you want to pursue a career in writing. The faculty is world-class, the courses small and personalized, and the subject matter fascinating. I also loved the open curriculum and the flexibility to pursue your interests.
Favorite class: Literature of the American South. It's a three-hour Dean's Teaching Fellowship course taught by a graduate student that meets every Monday. We read a classic work of southern literature every week, so it's a ton of work, but it's so rewarding. I've gotten exposure to incredible authors and the discussion we have in class is incredibly stimulating.
Favorite place on the Homewood campus: I love the new Brody Learning Commons! I do almost all of my work in the gorgeous Quiet Reading Room, but when I'm hungry I'll grab a delicious sandwich and a coffee from the cafe or I'll head down to one of the lower levels to hang out with my friends. The rooms are super cool as well--just make sure to reserve them in advance, as they fill up ultra-quickly!
My favorite character from a movie/book/television series: Tyrion Lannister from the TV series Game of Thrones. As anyone who watches the show will tell you, Tyrion is pretty much the coolest character ever. Despite constantly being underestimated by everyone because of his physical deformities, Tyrion consistently manages to outwit all of the characters and get his way in the end. Plus, he always has the wittiest lines!
The biggest difference between high school and Johns Hopkins that I’ve experienced: : In high school, I took most of my classes because I had to, or because I thought they'd look good on my resume. In college, I'm free to take courses that actually interest me. As I'm incredibly invested in my major, my requirements are all classes I'd take willingly, even if I didn't have to: courses like literary discussions or fiction-writing seminars. Plus, I don't have to take math (I hate math)!
Favorite Johns Hopkins memory: This isn't a "memory" per se, but I just love when I'm walking to class early in the morning and I'm struck by the realization that I'm at my dream school. It's so strange to be on such a beautiful campus with my bookbag on my arm, knowing I'm actually a student here. I know it sounds cheesy, but it's true.
Three unusual things about myself:
- I was in a Justin Bieber commercial. I've sort of accepted the fact that I'll never live it down.
- I can't stand wet foods. Soup, melted ice cream, cereal with milk-I can't do it. It's a texture issue.
- I can recite Aragorn's speech at the Black Gate of Mordor from Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King in its entirety. With appropriate inflection.
