Name: Jessica Koshinski
Sport: Softball
Hometown: Aliquippa, Pa.
High School: Central Valley
Activities/Clubs/Committees: First Year Dean's Council, Student Council Officer of Athletics, Student Athlete Advisory Committee, Strength and Conditioning Advisory Committee

Why did you choose Haverford?
I chose Haverford because of the people at Haverford and for the overall experience that Haverford has to offer. When looking at colleges, Haverford was the only college that I found that allowed to me to thrive as a student, as an athlete and as a member of the campus community, all of which were very important to me. As soon as I started talking to students and faculty on campus, I knew Haverford was the place for me.

What is your favorite team experience?
It's hard to choose just one favorite experience, but I would have to say that my favorite was spring break. It was the first time that I was able to compete with my team and to be playing in the Florida heat again was awesome. We also got to do a lot of fun stuff off the field too, such as going to Harry Potter World on our off day. I have memories from the airport to the field and everywhere in between.

Why did you choose to play a sport in college?
I decided to play a sport in college because I love to compete and I also wanted to be a part of something much bigger than myself when coming to college. It is a very unique experience to have a group of people around you that share the same goals, and there is no better feeling than to accomplish those goals together. Thus far, it has been the best decision of my life and I could not imagine not playing a sport in college.

What does being a student-athlete mean to you?
When I think of being a student-athlete, my mind floods with thoughts, but one of the prominent ones is commitment. As a student-athlete, not only am I committed to my life as a student, but also to my life as a competitor. Commitment is a key ingredient in trying to succeed in both of these facets of my life because it can be difficult, but if you are committed to succeeding in this type of environment and want to work hard, then you will benefit from the experience.

What makes Haverford unique?
I could go on for days about how unique Haverford is, but one of the main unique features of Haverford for me personally is the atmosphere that is present here. It is an environment of collaboration to learn and to explore. People also want to help you succeed at Haverford and beyond, whether it is a professor meeting with you to further discuss a topic that you are very interested in, or a coach staying after to practice something you want to improve on. Not to mention all of the other opportunities that Haverford has to offer in terms of getting involved around campus or in the local community. People are very encouraging and supportive and want you to reach your potential, whether it is academics, athletics or as a person in general and it is great to be around people with the same desire to learn and to grow.

What advice would you give a high school student considering Haverford?
I would encourage them to make the right choice based on what they want in a school. Here at Haverford, the student experience is what you make of it, and there are so many great things that you can do with your time here at Haverford that will benefit you going forward into life. I would say that it is beneficial to talk to Haverford students and to faculty to help get a better feel for the atmosphere and to see if it is a place that would bring out the best in you. The college selection process is a time full of pressure to make choices and to really find the school that is right for you.

What are your thoughts on the Honor Code?
I think the honor code creates a foundation of trust and collaboration that allows students to feel comfortable, while also encouraging them to act with honesty, integrity and trustworthiness, academically and socially. The Honor Code calls upon us as students to act in a respectable manner that fosters a tight-knit community and instills values in us that we can carry through the rest of our lives.