Falyn Sebastian - Colorado State University

Where did you go to high school? And what year did you graduate?

Honoka'a High, Big Island - 2019

What is your college major?

Fine Arts with a concentration in Graphic Design, Minor in Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Location of College

Fort Collins, Colorado

Type of College (liberal arts, research, community college)

Public Liberal Arts College

How do you feel about the location of the college that you chose?

I love the location, I think that I get a perfect blend of all of the seasons, and my area also has a high average of sunny days. My university is very green and nice to explore (about 1 square mile large). The town around my college is also very nice but convenient to shop for anything that I need. A very bike friendly area.

Are there any distinct features of the school geographically that stand out to you as either a negative or a positive?

The mountain landscape is gorgeous and offers many opportunities to explore and hike. I will note that the elevation change was something to get used to, as I am not athletically inclined and I sometimes take a while to adjust (the air is quite thin here). Denver is about an hour away from where I live which is nice to access when needed but far enough away that I am not overwhelmed by city atmospheres.

What is the surrounding city/town of the school like? Is it a place that you like living?

I live in Fort Collins, Colorado, and CSU is close to Old Town. I truly enjoy living here. It is a large town, but not quite a city in my opinion. Many nice shops and local business, great farmers markets to attend to as well in the warmer months. Great community aspects!

Are there entrepreneurship programs and support at your college? If so, what are they called?

Yes. The program at my college is a branch off of the College of Business, called the Institute of Entrepreneurship. I am current pursuing a Minor in Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

Have you interacted with the programs from the above question? If so how were they, and would you recommend them to someone interested in entrepreneurship in your school?

Yes, I think it is a great program and it is laid out quite well. It is easy to follow along with the requirements and you can add it to nearly any program you are majoring in. My student advisor is very helpful in guiding me through my graduation plan with this minor.

Do the entrepreneurial programs cater to certain majors, or are there entrepreneurship majors available at the school?

CSU only provides entrepreneurship as a minor, but the courses itself are very worth while. They adapt well to any major you are in, as it fills nearly all extra electives.

Is there school support and funding for entrepreneurs looking to get their business funded? If so, where would a student look?

Yes! There are incubation teams, start up opportunities, showcases, and more. The current class I am in (MGT-420 New Venture Creation) offers a $200 budget for each team to fund prototypes and conduct research for your business idea.

How does the surrounding community engage with the entrepreneurial community at the school?

I think that there is support, but I am not sure how aware people in the local community are of CSU having an entrepreneurship program.

How/Why did you chose this school?

I did a lot of research about what best suited my needs. I ranked my needs as 1. my desired program, 2. desired locations and distance from home, 3. cost, 4. after college opportunities. I also loved the idea of Colorado for a long time, but made sure I went to a school that was not city-oriented.

What were things that surprised you? It can be about the school itself or the college experience as a whole?

I think one of the most surprising things about college was my quick adjustment to independence and also having to maintain my own social life. I feel that there are many chances to make friends and connect with people but no one is going push you to do that consistently. Classes at big colleges can be an interesting shift, as you will likely meet new people all the time. Eating meals alone was weird at first but then became kind of relaxing. School and academics is what you make out of it, as you are truly in charge of your educational journey. Overall, I love college.

What has been hardest about college so far? Was there anything that was really frustrating for you? It can be anything related to your college experience or application process thus far.

I think one of the hardest things about college is some culture shock. I sometimes have the feeling I am living a double life, but that was my own personal take on it. I think it is interesting to meet so many different types of people from across the nation and internationally as well. I would get frustrated with some professors, but who wouldn't? There are a mix of educators in the system, but you will find ones you like that you can latch onto for a while. Classes all have different types of structures to it, no grading system is the same. I think there is a lack of diversity at my school, but there are wonderful clubs to embrace and celebrate diversity.

What are some of the main ways that you interact with your college? (i.e programs, clubs, greek life, etc.)

I am involved with student media, as I work for my university newspaper. I am able to make meaningful graphic design work while also working with other students from different disciplines that also care about what is going on in our school/area.

What has been your favorite part of your college experience so far?

My favorite part about college has been seeing my growth and understanding myself better. I have gotten really good at saying 'no' to things I don't want to do, such as outings and social events. Being able to prioritize myself, through education and personal well being, has been so great.

How did you go about searching for colleges? What were the good, bad, and the ugly when you were going through the school search? What were the criteria that mattered to you?

I used Niche and the WUE online system to find colleges. I think the combination surrounded my need for location and cost, which was nice. I also made a google spreadsheet to list out all the pros and cons of schools, seeing which one ticked the most boxes for me. Niche was good, until I would look at university websites and find some inconsistencies with tuition pricing or other resources.

What application components did you find the hardest or most important, and what role do you think that played in the way you filled out applications?

I think FAFSA was difficult, as well as the financial aid process. I think it was stressful because I was also unsure of what scholarships I would receive on my own. I did most of the college journey virtually and on my own, as my parents were there for some support. My friends were a great asset in the college search journey. I spend nearly every night of my senior year figuring things out and doing my own research. It was tedious but made me understand the importance of the decisions I was making at the time.

How was your experience with the financial aid process? How large of a factor was it in your final decision?

It was in fact a large factor in my decision, as I would have never attended CSU without the WUE program. The Hawaii Community Foundation scholarship was one of the best choices I ever made, as the application was long but I received so much help from them alone. My high school was quite supportive in providing us with scholarship resources, as my family's middle class income made it hard to receive any financial aid at all. Work study was something that I should have jumped on sooner, but I am glad I am utilizing it now.

How did you ultimately decide on the college that you did? From your criteria that previously mattered to you, do you presently think you made the right choice?

I ended up choosing Colorado State overall for the WUE program, as well as the location and how they prioritize environmental sustainability. I think that this school had many great qualities and offered me a program with a great course outline the aligned with my needs as a design student.

And finally, If you were to give any advice to a Hawaii high school student applying to college, what advice would you give?

If you have the opportunity to tour a college that is on the top of your list, I would suggest it. I was quite anxious about my college transition because I never visited my school before I attended. I did a lot of research, but that still never eased my worries. I think that narrowing down your top 3 schools is a great idea, and to really consider how important location is to you. Also, make sure that if you are going to a snowy state, knowing how to prepare and live in it day-to-day is very different than just vacationing somewhere. If you hope is to have a connection to where you attend college, make sure their location aligns with your values and social standings.