Samantha Mann

California Polytechnic State University, - Chemistry
Paly, Class of 2024

Updated March 2025

Q: What was your experience at Paly like? 

A: Overall, it was pretty good. I didn't have a freshman year because it was on Zoom as a result of the Covid pandemic, but then sophomore through senior year, I really enjoyed my time at Paly. I think it was very academically challenging but I felt like that was good for me. Having that challenge made me push myself to get good grades.

Q: What was your favorite activity/subject at Paly?

A: I was part of the Child Development Pathway so I took Early Childhood Development 1 and 2 and then Child Development. These were some of my favorite classes because we got to go to a preschool twice a week and work with young kids, which was really fun.

Q: Which teachers or administrators were particularly helpful?

A: Definitely (College Pathways Counselor and School Counselor) Ms. Laguna, who's the counselor for first-generation college-bound students. She helped me a lot with my college application process because my parents didn't really know anything about college. Ms. Sankararaman was also very helpful in my college journey.

Q: How did you decide to go to Cal Poly?

A: I was actually planning to go to San Jose State because it was close to home, and I could live with my family instead of on campus. But then I got off the waitlist for Cal Poly in June. At the time, I was doing a senior rise-up camp for first-gen students to help with college preparation, so I asked the college counselors for advice on choosing between San Jose State and Cal Poly.

In the end, I decided on Cal Poly because I felt like I needed that independence, but it is still close enough — only three hours away — so I can come back on weekends if I want to. Also, I really wanted a smaller learning environment where I could actually connect with my professors. I learn way better in a class of 30 students than in a huge lecture hall with 200 people.

Q: How did you decide on your major?

A: At first, I thought about psychology just because a lot of people at Paly were doing it, and I had no idea what I wanted to study. But then, in June after senior year, I came across videos of a girl doing cosmetic chemistry — formulating skincare and makeup — and I thought it was super interesting. I had never seen anything like that before, so I started researching it.

Because I did really well in chemistry during sophomore year, I figured it could be a good fit. To test it out, I took AP Chemistry senior year, and when I ended up really enjoying it, I decided to go through with being a chemistry major.

Q: How has your college experience been so far, and what challenges have you faced?

A: It has actually been really good! One of the biggest challenges is not having a car. You have to walk everywhere, which is fine for on-campus stuff, but a lot of freshmen just stay on campus because it is hard to get around otherwise. There is a bus system, but it is not the same as having your own car.

Academically, one challenge has been late-night classes. Right now, I have a class from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and by the time it is over, I am completely exhausted and cannot do anything else for the rest of the night.

Q: Who are your role models at the moment?

A: I joined the Thai Vietnamese Student Association, and I have a "big" in that club. He is also a chemistry major and went to Gunn, so he knows my hometown. He has taken a lot of the same classes I am in now, so he helps me out a lot.

Q: What is your goal for the future?

A: I want to go into cosmetic chemistry, which means formulating skincare and makeup. If that does not work out, I would go into pharmaceutical chemistry. Either way, I will probably end up doing more school after getting my degree.

Q: Do you have any advice for younger students who may be unsure about what they want to do in college?

A: Just try everything, even if you think you will not like it. When I got here, I signed up for like ten different clubs just to see what was out there, and I ended up liking a lot of them. For example, I joined the archery club, even though I had never done it before, and it turned out to be really fun. Also, joining a culture club is really nice, especially at a predominantly white college like this. It is a good way to find community, make friends, and have people you can relate to.

Q: How is your RTE mentor helping you during your college journey?

A: It has been really great. I love Victor—he is the sweetest person ever. At the beginning of the year, I texted him a lot because I had so many questions, and he was always there to listen. Now that I am settling in, I check in with him once a month. He has been helping me with internships and just figuring stuff out in general.