Ryan McDowell

Leo Baker

How did you apply to Champlain?

Regular Decision

Why I Chose Champlain

Good film program in a smaller setting. I found I prefer smaller schools, and it is hard to find that when trying to get a good film program, as most of them are in big cities. Champlain is the perfect size for me. I don’t feel lost in the crowd, and I can make strong connections with my professors and almost all my classmates.

Ideal Weekend in Burlington

Going to swim in the lake with my buddies and then eating at the Skinny Pancake.

Favorite Champlain Memory

My two closest friends and I really enjoy going on long walks around Burlington at night. One time during the winter, we walked over to a nearby country club while it was snowing, and although it was cold and icy, we had a lot of fun exploring and talking.

One piece of advice for students going through the college search process

I think trusting your gut is really important. You will know where you feel most comfortable, and being able to feel like yourself is one of the most important things in order to be successful in college. A big reason I chose Champlain is because of how comfortable I felt when I first came to campus for a tour.

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Abbey Belliveau

How did you apply to Champlain?

Regular Decision

Why I Chose Champlain

I chose Champlain for a variety of reasons. For me, it was close to home while still being far enough to spread my wings. I also found that the small campus and class sizes were incredibly important to me, the sense of community at Champlain is so much stronger than a lot of other colleges because of it. Also, fantastic programs for my majors and the cutest residence halls? Sign me up!

Ideal Weekend in Burlington

Fall, 70-degree weather, going to a cafe with my friends and then exploring every store on Church Street. It can’t be beat! Bonus points if I get to hang out afterwards in one of my friend’s residence hall and watch a terrible movie.

Favorite Champlain Memory

It’s so hard to choose just one! However, I will never forget making my final project for Intro to Filmmaking. It was called “The Green” and was a super campy horror short. It was real hard editing it, but it was so rewarding in the end!

One piece of advice for students going through the college search process

It’s okay to take your time and not always know where you’re going to go or what you’re going to do. I didn’t choose Champlain until a week before college decision day, and I was so nervous! I wondered for a while before school if I was making a mistake or if I could have actually been a better fit elsewhere, but this was always the right choice for me. I am so happy now, I sometimes forget how scary searching for the right fit was! Remember that it’ll pass, and you’ll find your place, even if you feel like you might be behind your peers in your search.

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Mila Delmas

How did you apply to Champlain?

Regular Decision

Why I Chose Champlain

I choose Champlain College because of their upside down curriculum and the large range of opportunities they offer (Leahy center, on campus jobs, local internships, etc.). As well as small class sizes to help build up that community vibe.

Favorite Champlain Memory

My favorite Champlain Memory is Spring Meltdown ’26 nicknamed Spring Milkdown. The theme was milk, and we had tons of fun carnival games, a DJ, and a baby cow!

One piece of advice for students going through the college search process

It’s okay to not know what exactly you want to do, go with your gut or favorite choice, and see where it takes you!

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Jayden Falcone

How did you apply to Champlain?

Regular Decision

Why I Chose Champlain

I chose Champlain College for its programs and the opportunities it offers cybersecurity students. The ability to gain real-world experience so early in college is a huge advantage when seeking internships, jobs, and other opportunities.

Ideal Weekend in Burlington

My ideal weekend in Burlington is probably going snowboarding with friends at Mount Ellen. It can take up the whole day and still leave me a rest day from the mountain to do whatever I want.

Favorite Champlain Memory

My favorite Champlain memory is definitely Spring Milk Down, our milk-themed Spring Meltdown event hosted by Champ. It is my favorite because I pitched the idea as a joke, and everyone loved it enough to vote for it as the theme. Planning and helping host the event made it one of my favorite memories so far.

One piece of advice for students going through the college search process

Don’t stress yourself out! I remember being beyond stressed about my search process, and it didn’t help. My entire process felt so rushed and all over the place, and yet I still found and got accepted by what would end up being one of my top-choice schools. Now, I definitely don’t want to say don’t stress at all, because that’s not gonna be helpful either. However, don’t put more pressure on yourself than is needed. The greatest and funniest way I’ve heard it goes like this: “pressure makes diamonds, but too much pressure just makes dust.”

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Lily Haut

How did you apply to Champlain?

Regular Decision

Why I Chose Champlain

I knew I wanted to stay in New England and was thrilled when I saw Champlain not only offered game majors but had a proven, well-known program. It was in the perfect area, a great size, and seemed like such a tight-knit community when I came to visit. I liked how well everybody knew each other and really felt like I could find my place here. Everything felt like it was falling into place when I came to visit.

Ideal Weekend in Burlington

During a warm and sunny weekend, I’d love to head down to Church Street and go to Phoenix Books. I’d buy something fun to read and buy breakfast and coffee at the Burlington Bagel Bakery. Then, I’d either head down to the lake and read my book, or head back up to Finney Quad and read it there. I’d also like to draw and/or paint. Any time spent being creative is very healing to me.

Favorite Champlain Memory

There are too many to count, but a very fond one I have is from the end of last semester. Two of my friends were making a short film for their final, and they enlisted our friend group to act in it. It was an all-hands-on-deck type of thing and we ended up filming until about 11 PM. We were mostly filming in the Morgan Room in Aiken Hall, and while it was a freezing night, it was one of the funniest and most memorable ones of my time here. I also love going down to Church Street with my friends.

One piece of advice for students going through the college search process

I don’t think you’ll ever feel fully “ready”. There’s always going to be a level of uncertainty and maybe nervousness, but it’s totally normal. If you give it your best shot, put your best foot forward, then it’ll be much easier to settle in. Focus on the good things and know that while change can be scary, it can also lead to some of the best moments of your life. Don’t make your fear keep you from making the decision you think is truly right for you.

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Lisa Lafayette

How did you apply to Champlain?

Regular Decision

Why I Chose Champlain

I chose Champlain for the endless opportunities for my major and the amazing autumn season.

Clubs & Student Involvement

• Office Assistant Housing and Res Life
• School of Social Innovation Representative SGA
• Discord Moderator
• Champ 101 Peer Facilitator 

Ideal Weekend in Burlington

My ideal weekend is hanging out with friends around and off campus.

Favorite Champlain Memory

My favorite memory was when I went to Canada with my division and we were able to see Montreal and explore.

One piece of advice for students going through the college search process

It is something that is hard however with persistence and patience, it becomes worth it in the end.

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Bryann Meadows

How did you apply to Champlain?

Early Action

Why I Chose Champlain

I loved their career-focused mindset.

Ideal Weekend in Burlington

Hanging out on church street, getting boba, and vinyl hunting.

Favorite Champlain Memory

Getting to pet a baby cow during Spring Meltdown.

One piece of advice for students going through the college search process

Make sure the school fits as many of your needs as possible because you will be there for 4 years.

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Autumn Miller

How did you apply to Champlain?

Early Action

Why I Chose Champlain

I chose Champlain because of its small but gorgeous campus as well as its amazing film program.

Ideal Weekend in Burlington

Hanging out with my friends on church street or at the mall.

Favorite Champlain Memory

Impulsively walking to church street with my friends late at night.

One piece of advice for students going through the college search process

Tour colleges and go to admissions events. Going to and actually seeing the colleges you are interested in really helps you put things into perspective and helps you figure out what you want and don’t want in a college.

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Zevon Pagano

How did you apply to Champlain?

Early Action

Why I Chose Champlain

Distinguishing game design and game programming meant I would be able to spend more time designing games rather than learning tech I didn’t understand.

Ideal Weekend in Burlington

Lazy weekend with Dunkin and Minecraft, and maybe a little bit of homework getting done late at night.

Favorite Champlain Memory

My friends and I went to an event where we got to adopt stuffed animals and give them shirts. Mine is an owl and sleeps on my bed.

One piece of advice for students going through the college search process

Find a hobby you’re passionate about enough to pursue as a career, and get another hobby completely unrelated to stay sane.

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Aster Shultz

How did you apply to Champlain?

Early Decision

Why I Chose Champlain

I was drawn to the Game Art program at first, but fell in love with the campus and community after coming to a fall open house.

Ideal Weekend in Burlington

Farmers’ market in the morning! Followed by the Burlington Vintage Market and coffee from Brio Coffee Roasters. In the evenings, my friends and I love to go to Al’s French Fries for cheap, delicious burgers and milkshakes.

One piece of advice for students going through the college search process

Find a place with a community you want to be a part of!

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Jack Snyder

How did you apply to Champlain?

Early Decision

Why I Chose Champlain

I wanted to go to a smaller college, and the Marketing program is good here, and that’s what I was very interested in when applying for colleges.

Ideal Weekend in Burlington

If it’s sunny, going to Church Street, or going around town with friends. If its rainy, snowy, or storming, staying inside and hanging out with friends.

Favorite Champlain Memory

Being chosen to play on the Volleyball travel team.

One piece of advice for students going through the college search process

Know what works best for you. If you thrive more in classes with 20 or less people, then Champlain is the perfect place for you to thrive!

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Lexi Wentworth

How did you apply to Champlain?

Early Decision

Why I Chose Champlain

I chose Champlain for its Game Art program.

Ideal Weekend in Burlington

Hanging out with friends and having fun, or wandering down to church street and trying a new cafe or restaurant.

Favorite Champlain Memory

Me and my friends created Indie horror night during our first year, where we would all meet up in pearl hall and project an indie horror game onto the TV in the common room and take turns playing, we would have 5 minutes and then we had to pass the controller no matter what we were doing, which was very enjoyable and a great way to keep in touch with my friends even when we got super busy.

One piece of advice for students going through the college search process

Take your time, it can be stressful and as deadlines approach you’re going to want to just pick the first thing you can, but don’t force yourself into something you don’t want just to choose. Pick somewhere that makes you happy, and makes you feel seen. Choose a place where you can foster the type of person you are, and the type of person you want to become, and don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t do it, because you can.

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Sam Wolfgong

How did you apply to Champlain?

Regular Decision

Why I Chose Champlain

When I first toured Champlain College I could immediately feel the community here. Everyone was so kind and welcoming and I knew it would be a place where I could grow as a person and professionally. I also loved the small class sizes and student to faculty ratio. I really appreciate getting to know all of my professors.

Ideal Weekend in Burlington

Getting breakfast at Willow’s Bagels and then going to the Burlington vintage market and Burlington farmers market!

Favorite Champlain Memory

My favorite memory is from my first year, my friends and I all went downtown to Ben and Jerry’s for their free cone day. We waited forever in line but eventually got our ice cream and it was very worth it! We have continued this every year and I’m going to miss it when I graduate.

One piece of advice for students going through the college search process

If I could offer advice to students going through the college search process, I would tell them to trust their instincts! Pick a place that you can see yourself at, a place that you can feel community in.

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