My name is Lauren Arnold and I am from Freeport, Pennsylvania– a small town 35 minutes northeast of Pittsburgh. I am a first year student and will be studying biomedical engineering. Throughout high school, I played soccer year-round and ran hurdles in track. I also played clarinet and tenor saxophone in symphonic/concert band and marching band. Academically, I found my passions in math, chemistry, and biology.
One of my most meaningful high school memories came from a decision I made the summer before senior year. I decided to do my best to make sure that the incoming freshmen on the soccer team felt like they had a place on the team and in the school. I did not want them to feel the same way that I had as a freshman, scared and out of place. What started with me just introducing myself grew into a year full of mentorship and friendship. Whether it was helping various underclassmen with everyday problems or teaching clarinet or soccer, the fact that I was able to make even a small difference means the world to me. Having this aspect to my life throughout the last year has helped me to become who I am today.
At The Ohio State University, I want to grow academically and personally. I look forward to being challenged in the classroom and forced to think in ways that I’ve never had to before. I would like to gain a greater understanding of the way the world works outside of my small town and to fit what I have to offer inside this bigger picture. My long term goal is to follow a pre-med sequence in biomedical engineering and then continue to graduate school so that I can find a career in research. I would like to start research early in my college career and get to know some great people along the way.