Advice from Students
Sam Ackroyd - Saint Marys, OH
Haley Aho - Allen Park, MI
Mary Anderson - Gladstone, MO
Jake Buonaccorsi - Medway, MA
Robbie Dzierzanowski - West Chicago, IL
Skylar Geibel - Chicora, PA
Sam Ackroyd - Saint Marys, OH
What were you involved in in high school? What leadership roles did you have?
I was involved in several clubs and sports. I was team captain for the volleyball team and a leader on the bowling team. I was a three-year officer for Fellowship of Christian Athletes, a two-year officer for DECA, a four-year section leader in my concert and marching band, and a leader in Relay for Life Club. I was also in Gatekeepers (anti-bullying club) Spanish Club and a two year National Honors Society member. On top of everything I was also my class secretary.
How did you decide to ultimately apply test-optional to Xavier?
I ultimately decided to apply test optional because I am not a very good test taker. I am confident in my educational status and consider myself to be very smart considering I was in National Honors Society and received many scholar and academic awards and distinguished honors every quarter throughout my middle school and high school career. Unfortunately I know that I get anxiety and mind block during tests and end up not scoring as high as I know I could. Because of this I did not want my test scores being looked at as Xavier considered accepting me into their school.
Any advice for a prospective student applying to Xavier?
I would tell them to look at many schools and revisit schools you were most interested in just to make sure that homey feeling is there. Also go to a school you think will make you most successful in your major that you are going for. It is okay not to know what you are going for and if this is the case then go to a school that will best help you figure out and give you the most of your college experience. Look at everything at a school, the classes, the campus, the people and teachers, the surroundings of the schools, and possible jobs/internships for future years. Go to the school that will give you the college experience that you want to have.
Haley Aho - Allen Park, MI
What were you involved in during high school? What leadership roles did you have?
Throughout high school, I was involved in a number of different clubs, teams, and organizations. I was a member of varsity club, art club, and started lunchtime rosary at my school. I also competed in multiple sports including both track and cross country for all 4 years, and basketball for my first 2. Additionally, while in high school, I inherited many leadership roles. I was president of student council my freshman year, a member of the National Honor Society both my junior and senior year, and I participated as both a student ambassador and tour guide all throughout high school. On top of this, I was also captain of my cross country team senior year.
How did you decide to ultimately apply test-optional to Xavier?
Going into my junior and senior year knowing I would be taking the SAT and/or ACT definitely did not excite me. Standardized tests had certainly never been a strong suit of mine. I knew that my scores were not necessarily an accurate representation of all of my academic achievements. Being a pretty well-rounded student with good grades and a high GPA, I didn’t want my standardized test scores to potentially get in the way of my admittance into schools. When I found out that Xavier allowed students to apply test-optional, I immediately knew that choice was for me. Applying test-optional allowed me to showcase some of the other areas that I, as a student, felt much stronger about.
Any advice for a prospective student applying to Xavier?
The strongest piece of advice I could give to students in their college search would be, get on campus for a tour! Prior to touring Xavier, I wasn’t sure if it was exactly what I was looking for. However, after being on campus and seeing all that Xavier has to offer, I knew it was the perfect fit for me! Being on campus and getting a feel for the school as a whole, ultimately made the decision for me.
Mary Anderson - Gladstone, MO
What were you involved in during high school? What leadership roles did you have?
I was actively involved in many extracurricular activities in highschool! I played basketball and softball since my freshman year, and was the varsity softball captain my senior year. Other than sports, I was involved in Art club, Spanish club, National Honors Society, the A Plus Program, and the Student Ambassador Program!
How did you decide to ultimately apply test-optional to Xavier?
I ultimately decided to apply test-optional because I felt my ACT score did not truly reflect my academic ambitions. Since my freshman year of high school, I have diligently worked to show my determination and intelligence not only through my grades, but through my community activities and extracurricular involvement. I wanted Xavier to learn more about who I was as a student and a community member, and that’s why I decided to apply test-optional.
Any advice for a prospective student applying to Xavier?
My advice, for any prospective student applying to Xavier, would be to trust yourself. You are the only person who truly knows yourself; your experiences and education have prepared you for all that is to come! Trust yourself!
Jake Buonaccorsi - Medway, MA
What were you involved in in high school? What leadership roles did you have?
In high school, I was involved in a lot of service opportunities and I was a peer minister, like Xavier’s Manresa orientation. I helped out the freshman class and ran small groups with icebreakers so the freshman class would get to know each other. I was also involved in Xaverian’s student ambassadors where I helped give tours around the school showing possible future students where they could spend their next chapter of schooling.
How did you decide to ultimately apply test-optional to Xavier?
I decided to apply test-optional to Xavier for two reasons. 1) my SAT score wasn’t the best and I strongly believe that the standardized testing is very unfair. 2) I feel that schools shouldn’t accept or deny a student based on a 4 hour test, they should accept a student based on who they are and what they have done. That’s why I liked Xavier so much and ultimately decided to attend Xavier due to who they saw me as not on my ability to take a test in 4 hours at 8 a.m. on a cold Saturday morning.
Any advice for a prospective student applying to Xavier?
Some advice I would give is look at what Xavier has to offer and not what it lacks. Your eyes will be opened to new possibilities, and as a student for only 9 to 10 weeks, I can say without a doubt I have not met a single person who doesn’t want to help one of their fellow peers. Also, don’t feel like you need to take a tour of the school. I decided on this school without even stepping foot in Ohio until move-in day. Now if you can take a tour do so because this campus is drop dead gorgeous especially in this wonderful fall weather but if you can’t get out here, take a leap of faith and I promise you will love it here.
Robbie Dzierzanowski - West Chicago, IL
What were you involved in in high school? What leadership roles did you have?
I was involved with my school’s band (both marching and concert), student council, campus ministry, a 4-year varsity swimmer, a student ambassador, a retreat leader, and in the JROTC program.
My leadership roles included the following: I was appointed the Band Secretary for Senior year, elected to serve as a Student Council representative for 3 years, served as our Outreach Ministry Co-Student Director, Freshman Retreat Student Director, JROTC Platoon Sergeant, and our Crayons for Kids Community Service Project Co-Student Coordinator. I was selected to serve as a MENtor my Junior and Senior year.
How did you decide to ultimately apply test-optional to Xavier?
I decided to apply “test-optional” to Xavier because I felt that my standardized test scores did not accurately reflect who I was as a college applicant. I was very involved in my community and high school and was a consistent honor roll student. My ACT and SAT scores really didn’t show who I was as a whole person and what I have to offer Xavier’s campus community.
Any advice for a prospective student applying to Xavier?
I would tell a prospective student to make sure to get your application in as soon as possible and apply for all the extra scholarships for which you are eligible! If you’re able, come on down to Cincinnati and get another visit in on our campus and really take in everything you can. Finally, I’d tell a prospective student that despite us wanting them to come to Xavier, everything is a part of God’s plan for you, so make the most of your decision, no matter where you go!!
Skylar Geibel - Chicora, PA
What were you involved in in high school? What leadership roles did you have?
I was involved in the student research program where we did independent research studies and presented them at multiple fairs such as PJAS (Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science), PRSEF (Pennsylvania Regional Science and Engineering Fair), and Symposium. I was also a co-captain of our cheer team at school. The leadership roles I had were STAFF (Shaping Tomorrows Adults For the Future), Spartan Leadership Team, Student Ambassador, and Ambassador Leader.
How did you decide to ultimately apply test-optional to Xavier?
I took both the SAT and the ACT 3 times each but ultimately decided that my GPA was a better reflection of my educational skills rather than my standardized test scores. Also, personally, I do not believe that standardized testing is for everyone.
Any advice for a prospective student applying to Xavier?
Don't be scared to ask questions. I know that I always had new questions pop into my head, and I would just write them down and email them to my advisor who would get back to me as soon as they could and would always answer the questions honestly and in the best they knew how.