Rayn Rutley ’29 is from Fenton, Michigan. When she was a senior in high school, Â鶹Çø came on her radar. As she started to dive deeper into her college search, she discovered a sense of community at Calvin and got the sense that the university cared holistically for its students. ÌýÌý
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So, this summer, she decided to get a taste of the college experience through the Entrada Scholars Program. Not used to being away from home, she wanted to move out of her comfort zone. Her lived experience at Calvin over the past month confirmed that her decision to attend this fall was the right one.

How has your view of college changed since attending Entrada?

I feel like through Entrada it’s taught me the value of having self-discipline, especially with time management and knowing where you should prioritize certain activities vs. yourself. It’s also helped me get a feel for what college is actually going to be like.

What is your greatest takeaway from this experience?Ìý

I would say my greatest takeaway was the friends that I made and also the memories I got to create with other people. I also learned how to socialize and put myself out there with people I’m not as comfortable with or know as well.

Because of Entrada, I feel more confident in …Ìý

Socializing with other people, I also feel more confident in my work ethic and what I need to do to be a good citizen in society and also just being more confident in my foundation in Christ.

How have you grown in your relationship with Christ?Ìý

My faith is a big aspect of my life and so I wanted to be able to know that going on into college that God would still be the center of my life, even in my education. And receiving an education with that lens would also help me to surrender my academics and how I do in school to God. I have definitely seen the sense of community that I was looking for here. I think people push you to be better and hold you to a standard of being a Christian and what that actually means and challenge you to know that for yourself.

How would you have felt had you not had this experience before college?

I feel like I would have felt very unprepared, and I would have a lack of understanding of what it means to be independent and to balance your social, academic, and athletic life.Ìý