Name:  Aavante Clay

Hometown:  Madison

Course of Study:  Physics

Why did you choose Edgewood College?
I chose Edgewood College because it was close to home, and during my many visits, I enjoyed the atmosphere and people associated with it. My favorite high school teachers graduated from Edgewood College (2 math teachers, 1 English teacher) and said that it would be a good fit for me.

How has financial aid impacted your college experience?
Financial aid has impacted my life in a positive way because without it I wouldn’t be able to afford college. Financial aid has given me the opportunity to further educate myself and continue to grow as a person inside and out, which will allow me to give back to my community once I graduate.

Did receiving financial aid impact your decision to attend Edgewood College?
Receiving financial aid had an impact on my decision to attend Edgewood College because without it, I wouldn’t be able to afford the cost of attending here. My heart was set on Edgewood College since my junior year of high school, and, receiving the financial aid that I did, it was a no-brainer to attend my number one school of choice.

Have you learned something during college you didn’t expect?
During my time in college, something unexpected that I learned was that the people you associate yourself with are more telling of who you are as a person. The saying “you are a product of your environment” speaks volumes because if you associate yourself with people who don’t have the same drive and motivation to reach their goals, then your chances of reaching those goals go down significantly because you will fall into the same mindset as them. When you associate yourself with people who have the competitive drive and motivation to reach goals as you do, then the likelihood of you reaching your goals goes up significantly.

What are your plans after graduation?
After graduation, my plan is to begin my career in the Madison area.