Noah Waldman

Why did you pick Washington University in St. Louis?
The main reason I picked WashU is because I wanted to go to a smaller school with a strong engineering program. Other things that factored into my decision were the beautiful campus, relatively close location and the non-competitive, relaxed atmosphere. I remember when I was touring colleges, WashU was the only school where students approached me telling me things along the lines of "I love it here; you should come here.”

What was your favorite course and why?
This is a difficult question because I have enjoyed all my courses so far! If I had to pick one course, it'd be ESE 105: Introduction to Electrical and Systems Engineering because it made me realize exactly what it means to be an electrical and systems engineer. The first part of the course revolves around learning linear algebra and MATLAB concepts, which you later will apply to solve difficult but rewarding problems involving clustering algorithms, pandemic modeling, and physical systems. The course really made me feel like I was learning things that were valuable.

Who is your favorite instructor and why?
My favorite instructor so far has been Dr. John Shareshian. He teaches abstract mathematical topics in a manner that makes intuitive sense and is clear about what big ideas you should come out of the lecture understanding. He’s an enthusiastic, funny guy.

What advice would you give to a new student?
At the end of the day, what matters isn't the letter your professor assigns to you, but the knowledge you've gained. Also, college should be a time to learn both inside and outside of the classroom; be open to all sorts of people and activities.

What is your favorite thing about St. Louis?
I enjoy The Loop a lot since it has tons of stores and restaurants all within walking distance. I personally go to The Wizard's Wagon a lot to play Magic: The Gathering, but I'm sure there is something in The Loop for everyone.

What campus activities or groups would you recommend to a new student?
First, if you have even an inkling of interest in an activity or a community at WashU you should try it out. Personally, I can recommend acapella (I’m in The Ghost Lights) and quiz bowl. Anything you are interested in, I'm sure you can find a community to enjoy it with at WashU!

Are you presently in the workforce or have any work history? If yes, please describe.
Last summer, I was an explorer intern for T-Mobile where I learned about IT. Currently, I’m a grader at WashU for Math 217: Differential Equations.

What are your plans for the future?
I’m currently a first-year, so I don't have any grand plans as of yet. For now, I think my end goal is to be a research professor at a university, so that would involve graduate school. More immediately, I’m hoping to take some quantum engineering classes next semester.