Katie Rodriguez ’10
San Antonio, Texas
Katie Rodriguez ’10 knew nothing about Princeton when she applied. The San Antonio, Texas, native checked the Princeton box on the Common Application form, she says, “just to increase my chances of getting in somewhere.”
After she was accepted, Rodriguez was fairly certain she was going to choose Princeton. A visit to campus "sealed the deal." She stayed with a host student, attended classes, participated in campus events and enjoyed a real taste of student life at the University.
Rodriguez’s host was also from San Antonio. They spent the weekend going to lectures, events and parties. “Gloria Estefan was there, giving a talk at a Cuban conference,” says Rodriguez. “This is what happens all the time: the events, the people, the great causes.” After that thrilling weekend, Rodriguez didn’t need any more convincing. She mailed her enrollment card before she left campus.
At the beginning of the school year, Rodriguez heard about the women’s rugby club. She had never played rugby before, but had run cross-country in high school.
The rugby team recruits any athletes — no rugby experience needed. Rodriguez was one of 18 new team members. “A lot of them had never even seen a rugby ball,” she laughs, but after playing half a dozen games — a few against varsity squads — they had gained the bumps and bruises of old pros.
Since her first day at Princeton, Rodriguez has met new people constantly: suitemates, friends of suitemates, friends of her April host, friends of rugby players and others. Because Princeton makes social outings available and affordable to everyone, there are always new opportunities to build relationships. One of Rodriguez’s favorite activities so far was a trip to New York to see the Broadway production of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” All she had to do was sign up during a study break to receive a ticket and round-trip transportation for only $25.
After she was accepted, Rodriguez was fairly certain she was going to choose Princeton. A visit to campus "sealed the deal." She stayed with a host student, attended classes, participated in campus events and enjoyed a real taste of student life at the University.
Rodriguez’s host was also from San Antonio. They spent the weekend going to lectures, events and parties. “Gloria Estefan was there, giving a talk at a Cuban conference,” says Rodriguez. “This is what happens all the time: the events, the people, the great causes.” After that thrilling weekend, Rodriguez didn’t need any more convincing. She mailed her enrollment card before she left campus.
At the beginning of the school year, Rodriguez heard about the women’s rugby club. She had never played rugby before, but had run cross-country in high school.
The rugby team recruits any athletes — no rugby experience needed. Rodriguez was one of 18 new team members. “A lot of them had never even seen a rugby ball,” she laughs, but after playing half a dozen games — a few against varsity squads — they had gained the bumps and bruises of old pros.
Since her first day at Princeton, Rodriguez has met new people constantly: suitemates, friends of suitemates, friends of her April host, friends of rugby players and others. Because Princeton makes social outings available and affordable to everyone, there are always new opportunities to build relationships. One of Rodriguez’s favorite activities so far was a trip to New York to see the Broadway production of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” All she had to do was sign up during a study break to receive a ticket and round-trip transportation for only $25.