Claire Kosters
Class of 2010

Hometown: Phoenix, AZ
High School: Arcadia High School

Major: Biology and Math

Extracurricular Activities: Intramural Sports

How and why did you choose your majors?
I chose my majors based on my interests. Those two areas have fascinated me since childhood. I have had excellent math and science teachers since since elementary school but my dad has probably been the biggest influence on my fascination with science. From an early age, he always encouraged me to explore and learn everything in those fields.

Looking back on your senior year of high school, why did you choose Augustana? Is it difficult being so far away from home?
I was looking for a small liberal arts college in the Midwest. I thought it was good to go somewhere very unlike my home state; in other words, get out of my comfort zone. It was been different living far away from home, but not necessarily difficult. I like the new challenge of living completely on my own.

What was your New Student Orientation experience like this fall when you first came to campus?
My NSO experience was fantastic! My advisor was so wonderful. NSO was a great way to break into college life and get to know new people on a personal level. My NSO leaders, Amanda and Andrew, were amazing. I still see them on a weekly basis and consider them good friends. The most memorable activity from NSO was going to my advisor's home for a home-cooked meal. It was great to get to know everyone on a more personal level and the meal was phenomenal, too.

Do you have a favorite professor so far? A favorite class?
Hmm... a favorite professor? I had five excellent professors last semester and to pick from among them seems impossible. However, I did thoroughly enjoy my biology lecture and lab. Dr. Egland, Dr. Wanous and Professor King are very passionate about what they teach.

What do you do for fun at Augustana?
During the fall semester, I played a number of intramurals. I participated in all-terrain volleyball, women's six-on-six indoor court volleyball, and basketball. Now that it's winter, I enjoy playing hockey and ice skating at a number of rinks in Sioux Falls. My favorite intramural so far was the indoor court volleyball because my teammates were fun to play with and we were the runner-up champions of the league.

What's your favorite meal at the Commons?
My favorite meal would have to be breakfast. You can never go wrong with a bowl of cereal!

What's your most memorable story from "dorm life" at Augie?
The first snow of the season was memorable. At 11:00 p.m., the dorm emptied and everyone went and played in the snow. We had snowball fights and made snow angels. I had never experienced that before coming to Augie.

What advice would you give prospective students who are considering Augustana and other schools?
Choose a college that makes you comfortable. When it came down to it, I saw myself enjoying spending four years at Augie rather than another college.

At this point, do you have career goals or immediate plans for after graduation?
Right now, my goal is to attend dental school after graduation. I have always enjoyed making things and working with my hands, so the career seems fitting.