A Conversation with Minerva Student Emma Zhang

What drew you to apply and enroll at Minerva?

I chose Minerva because I love to learn, but the traditional school system didn't work for me. I found that I would much rather pursue my hobbies and interests, instead of following what everybody else was doing; in other words, I valued individuality over conformity, which is why I often felt out of place in traditional environments. In addition, I didn't want to be stuck on one campus for four years—I wanted to travel and learn in different places around the world. I found out about Minerva during my sophomore year of high school and after learning about its educational philosophy and pedagogy, I knew it was the best place for me to continue my education.

As a Minerva student, you have likely participated in various student programming and extracurricular activities. Could you tell us about some of your most memorable experiences and how they have enriched your education?

I love creative writing, and I was able to apply that passion to Napkins, Minerva's student-run art & literary magazine. I have submitted my creative work in the past, the highlight of which included blackout poetry reflecting on coming-of-age themes; apart from that, I am also a literary editor. I work together with a team of Minervans across all four classes—it's such a tight-knit team that ranges across different countries and time zones each semester, which creates a sense of community and unique cultural artistry. ‍

What does the Minerva community mean to you?

The Minerva community is like a hall of weirdly-angled mirrors. You see reflections of yourself in everybody—love for deep conversations, learning, independence, and nonconformity—but simultaneously, everybody is unique in their background, passions, and aspirations. I like to say, "You'll never meet the same person twice," which is so true given the diverse range of students at Minerva. Being such an unconventional university choice, nobody is here because "it's what everyone else is doing" or "it is what everyone expected of me". Everybody has something they're really interested in and passionate about, but everybody is also fundamentally a Minervan, which manages to bind us together.‍

What is a standout moment from your Minerva journey that you believe has been particularly transformative for you as a student and an individual?

People naturally emulate their environment, so when surrounded by spontaneous, risk-taking individuals, I began to do the same, which has resulted in a multitude of adventures, from taking impulsive road trips with classmates to jumping on public transport just to get out of the rain, and seeing where in SF it takes us. The most recent moment I can think of is beginning to drill with the CA Army National Guard, after receiving an invite the week prior during a SoCal conference. As a huge military history nerd and military fiction writer, this was an incredible experience that not only gave me research material but also forced me out of my comfort zone, physically and mentally. 

How have the active learning and seminar-style classes influenced your academic development and professional readiness?

Unlike my high school experience, which focused more on memorization and standardized testing, Minerva cares more that students know how to learn. Knowledge is always changing, especially in the era of technology, AI, and innovation—what might be important today might be obsolete tomorrow—which makes fundamental patterns of thinking and problem-solving all the more important, because they are adaptable. After going through Minerva's curriculum, I feel confident that, on top of hard skills, I have the ability to teach myself, which is handy in any career field; moreover, I am more confident in my critical thinking skills, and ability to articulate my ideas in a professional environment. Seminar-style classes are similar to think tanks, which are great simulations for professional debates, conferences, or meetings.

If you were inspired by Emma's story and are seeking a college experience that will teach you valuable pragmatic skills that will enable you to change the world, learn more about Minerva University.