Tepper Students at CMU Orientation

From when we moved in on Aug. 19 through PlayFair on the 27th, orientation week was a blast for incoming UBA students. We grew loyal to our residence halls, played competitive rock-paper-scissors, danced on the Cut, formed a sailboat on camera, ate lots of ice cream, watched the mentalist show in awe, met some of our closest friends, and so much more. The summer-camp feel gave students the opportunity to mingle more closely with one another while having fun. Below, the Class of 2021+ share our favorite parts of orientation.

Move-in day was hectic, with all the freshmen residents bringing five to six carriers into their rooms to unpack them. We had floor meetings that initiated interaction among floor-mates, allowing us to get to know each other better as we would play games together or cook for each other in the community lounge. During my first week at Tepper, getting to know other Tepper students during orientation week, regardless of it being during orientation sessions or not, was the most valuable experience for me. I appreciated the time and effort our advisers put in to give us a better understanding of what we should be aspiring to be as Tepper students.

Christine Ahn, Undergraduate Business 2021

Going into orientation week, there was a great deal of uncertainty in regards to my place at Carnegie Mellon, and more specifically at Tepper. However, the collection of group advisory meetings that allowed us to be exposed to and learn a lot about our advisors early on and the networking experience at PNC gave me hope that I, among the other Tepper students, will find my niche and grow immensely during my four years in the UBA program. After orientation, I can look forward to my next four years at Carnegie Mellon without fear of never figuring out what I am meant to do.

Dona Avllai, Undergraduate Business 2021

Orientation week has kept me on my toes all week! Boredom is not an option and information never runs out. I think the exuberant energy all around campus is invigorating and it makes me feel lucky to be a part of this community. Meeting new people is a little challenging for me, but so far everyone has been nothing but nice and it makes me feel super comfortable. The Tepper specific events have also been great; networking in a bank was a new experience and the trip downtown helped form new bonds. All in all, it has been way better than I expected!

Jaya Bhatia, Undergraduate Business 2021

I feel privileged to be attending a university which cares about informing its incoming students and allowing us to have time to get comfortable in a place we will be calling home for the next four years. Every day I learn more and more about what this campus has to offer, including the outstanding faculty and staff I have had the fortune of meeting. In these few days on campus I have already come to the realization that the Tepper community is one full of people with one thing in common: passion. Some of us know what we want to do and some of us are still figuring it out. Regardless, we are all striving to be business figures who will benefit Tepper’s reputation and the world in the future.

Ruth Fiordalis, Undergraduate Business 2021

There is not one single word that can be used to describe my first week at Carnegie Mellon. There are hundreds, thousands even, all positively mirroring my experience. I fell in love with the school on the very first day when the volunteers helped every student move everything they crammed into a car or suitcase to their dorm. There was a strong sense of community I felt immediately that settled my stomach about leaving home. It was amazing to meet so many new students at orientation and Tepper, all with different stories. Everyone was so kind and enthusiastic about being on campus, which only fueled my own excitement. Playfair was a wild experience in only the best way. Being able to run around meeting tens of people at once was exhilarating. The networking opportunity at PNC Bank was also a phenomenal experience. I appreciated how casual the event was and how many Tepper graduates worked at PNC because it showed us a possibility of where our future degree can take us. Overall, I have found orientation week to be one of the best weeks I have had. It really allowed me to feel at home and find my friends before classes even started. I guess the Orientation Counselors were not lying when they said that Carnegie Mellon has the best orientation in the nation.

Jocelyn Gao, Undergraduate Business 2021

Orientation was more packed with activities than I expected, and as an introverted person I wasn’t sure if I could fit into my niche right away. Yet the constant activities and the chance to meet and interact with the members of the Tepper community in a casual manner allowed me to start to build the kind of student I would be, and the friends I would eventually have.

Katherine Liu, Undergraduate Business 2021

Orientation week has flown by. I have loved meeting so many new people and becoming more familiar with CMU. From move in day to now, everyone has been so kind and helpful. The orientation events have allowed me to meet my classmates and advisors and learn more about the UBA program. I especially loved the Downtown Adventure, where we met and spoke with PNC representatives. It was very interesting learning about their different college experiences. Over the last few days, I have received a lot of useful advice, such as to get involved in financial clubs, to participate in conferences, and to take advantage of all the resources available in Tepper. I was able to experience some of the student-run activities, such as watching CMU’s improv club perform. I am so excited to start the semester!

Charlotte Simpson, Undergraduate Business 2021

House wars take place on CMU’s infamous cut during orientation week.

Ben Steinberg, Undergraduate Business 2021

My​ ​experience​ ​as​ ​a​ ​new​ ​student​ ​at​ ​CMU​ ​and​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Tepper​ ​School​ ​of​ ​Business​ ​has​ ​been eye-opening,​ ​fun,​ ​and​ ​engaging.​ ​Through​ ​activities​ ​such​ ​as​ ​the​ ​Downtown​ ​Adventure,​ ​I​ ​have met​ ​many​ ​students​ ​from​ ​various​ ​backgrounds​ ​and​ ​have​ ​already​ ​learned​ ​about​ ​activities​ ​and cultures​ ​I​ ​was​ ​not​ ​familiar​ ​with​ ​before.​ ​I​ ​also​ ​connected​ ​with​ ​people​ ​who​ ​are​ ​interested​ ​in​ ​similar activities​ ​as​ ​me,​ ​such​ ​as​ ​DECA​ ​and​ ​singing.​ ​Not​ ​only​ ​did​ ​I​ ​really​ ​enjoy​ ​meeting​ ​other​ ​students, but​ ​I​ ​enjoyed​ ​meeting​ ​the​ ​Tepper​ ​advisors​ ​and​ ​faculty.​ ​I​ ​am​ ​confident​ ​that​ ​I​ ​will​ ​receive​ ​any necessary​ ​help​ ​throughout​ ​the​ ​year​ ​and​ ​I​ ​am​ ​now​ ​very​ ​comfortable​ ​asking​ ​for​ ​assistance​ ​if needed.​ ​I​ ​can​ ​already​ ​tell​ ​the​ ​Tepper​ ​community​ ​is​ ​very​ ​inclusive​ ​and​ ​academically​ ​rigorous​ ​and I​ ​am​ ​very​ ​excited​ ​to​ ​begin​ ​my​ ​journey​ ​as​ ​a​ ​student!

Kristy Zhang, Undergraduate Business 2021

Orientation week has made me feel that the CMU community is truly inclusive, welcoming, dynamic, and enthusiastic. Given the impressively broad range of colleges and concentrations we have at CMU, Tartans have demonstrated a strong willingness to interact with all members across campus. Through activities, meetings, and random encounters, I have met an abundance of funny, charming, bright people, who share my passion of exploring what the school has to offer. Being around such people for a week assures me that I am ready to continue exploring the rest of CMU and will embrace the start of classes with open arms. Also the Scottish kilts are dope.

Wenyi Zhu, Undergraduate Business 2021

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Kamyar Ghiam | Undergrad BA 2021

Kamyar is a freshman undergrad at Tepper who plans to double major in Computer Science. Kamyar’s favorite hobbies are playing chess, discovering new music, and writing. He is a part of the Undergraduate Consulting Club and is doing independent research in economics.

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Latest posts by Kamyar Ghiam | Undergrad BA 2021 (see all)

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• Tepper Students at CMU Orientation - September 28, 2017