Name: Emi Krishnamurthy
Sport: Women's Squash
Hometown: Westport, Conn.
High School: Hopkins School
Activities/clubs/committees: Robinson-Drummer's Behavioral Neuroscience Lab Member, Jolt Magazine Co-Founder
Fun Fact: Plays the violin
Why did you choose to play a sport in college?
I really value the social support that comes with being on an athletic team. I played squash in high school and made strong bonds with the girls on my team, forming a core group of friends that I knew would always have my back. The team was a support network that I couldn't imagine missing out on in college. At Haverford, this team supports each other in countless ways -- athletically, emotionally, athletically, and even academically/professionally.
What is your favorite team experience?
My favorite memory is from nationals at the end of our last season. We were playing a rival that we hadn't beaten in around 20 years, and we were right beneath them in the rankings. We had trained hard all season and were hungry for victory, nervous but so so excited. My match dragged on and on, and I finally won, realizing after the fact that I was the tiebreaker for the team. When I came off the court, the entire team swarmed around me and we were all yelling and hugging each other, and it was just pure joy. It was a super satisfying end to the season.
What makes Haverford unique?
When I was applying to colleges, I visited so many small liberal arts colleges that they all eventually looked the same to me. A couple things stood out about Haverford: 1) When I did my overnight visit, the squash coach and team were so welcoming — they made me feel like I was already part of the team! Even random people walking around campus were so friendly and kind. The culture seemed so healthy, and I was eager to be a part of it. 2) Most small colleges have very few course registration options — this is something I had heard when applying to other small schools. But Haverford has a consortium with Bryn Mawr, Swarthmore, and Penn, multiplying the number of available options. In my time at Haverford, I've taken several courses at Bryn Mawr and really enjoyed them.
What does being a student-athlete mean to you?
Being on a team helps me find balance between my physical/mental well-being, academic success, and other extracurricular commitments. I've gotten so much better at time management, communication, and organization. Also, squash can be a really great sport for stress relief, so I really appreciate the two-ish hours every day when I don't have to think about anything other than squash, working toward my athletic goals, and having fun with my teammates.
What advice would you give a high school student considering Haverford?
Talk to as many people as you can when you're learning about a college. Schedule calls with coaches, reach out via social media to current students, set up zoom meetings with team members, and visit the campus (if you can, I highly recommend doing an overnight visit!). It's important to look at academics, but college students also have lives outside the classroom — ask students about what they do for fun on/off campus in their free time so you can imagine what life here would be like.