September marks the start of a new chapter for many students coming to McMaster. The DeGroote School of Business will be welcoming approximately 970 first-year BCom students to campus this fall. These students are diverse, in both background and interests, and they’ll be studying in the Undergraduate Commerce and Integrated Business and Humanities (IBH) programs, with 920 in the former and 50 in the latter. Below, learn about three incoming Commerce students who are starting their postsecondary journey at DeGroote:

Maya Sokolowski

Where are you from?

Kitchener, Ontario. Background-wise, I am Polish.

What made you choose to come to the DeGroote School of Business?

I will be playing varsity volleyball at McMaster, which had a big impact on my decision. When I first started looking at universities, I looked at schools that had a perfect harmony between academics and athletics. That was my deciding factor in coming to McMaster.

How has the DeGroote community helped with your transition from high school?

University is built-up to be a scary place with hard professors and tough exams. DeGroote has been able to reinforce the positive aspects of university life, and educate newcomers on how to get the most from the university experience. From reading emails, Facebook posts, and talking with upper-year students, I am more excited than nervous to start my journey as a Marauder.

What are you most looking forward to during your first year at university?

I am most looking forward to making friends at McMaster. I know people who have been to McMaster, and they all told me the same thing: “I don’t know how, but the university is able to find an incredible group of welcoming and genuine students every year.”

What area of business are you thinking about going into?

I am still undecided.

Is there a club or extracurricular activity you’re looking forward to participating in?

Other than volleyball, I have yet to explore what McMaster has to offer. Hopefully Welcome Week can do that.

Using one movie title, describe how you feel about coming to DeGroote.

I think Catch Me If You Can would perfectly describe how I feel about coming to McMaster. Despite the slight nervousness, I’m ready to seize any opportunity that comes my way.

Franceso Fortino

Where are you from?

Hamilton, Ontario.

What made you choose to come to the DeGroote School of Business?

I chose the DeGroote School of Business because of its great reputation. Many of my family members and friends went through the business program and raved about the high-quality education. Business has been a growing passion of mine, so it felt like the perfect fit.

How has the DeGroote community helped with your transition from high school?

Making the jump from high school to university has felt a little overwhelming. The DeGroote community has gone above and beyond in terms of making me feel ready and comfortable. They offered many tours and orientation events that really made me feel like I’m a part of the community.

What are you most looking forward to during your first year at university?

I am most looking forward to meeting new people. McMaster is known for having a very rich and diverse community that I just cannot wait to be a part of.

What area of business are you thinking about going into?

Management. I feel as though I possess the proper leadership skills needed to guide a team. However, there is still so much that I have to learn about the world of business. When I start in September, I will be open-minded as I am exposed to new concepts and skills.

Is there a club or extracurricular activity you’re looking forward to participating in?

Starting in September, I will officially be a part of the varsity wrestling team. Throughout my years as a high school student athlete, I came to McMaster to train with the varsity team. The sport has been such a great experience, and I am very excited to start my tenure as a Marauder.

Using one movie title, describe how you feel about coming to DeGroote.

The movie title that best describes university for me is Grown Ups.

Vanessa Vogel

Where are you from?

Mississauga, Ontario.

 What made you choose to come to the DeGroote School of Business?

I chose the DeGroote School of Business because the program offered opportunities that other universities do not, such as a 12-16 month internship and the chance study abroad. Not only that, but I fell in love with the campus and welcoming environment at McMaster.

How has the DeGroote community helped with your transition from high school?

The DeGroote community has been helpful with my transition from high school by allowing me to easily access all of the information needed, and having several resources to answer any questions I may have. What I found to be most useful is the Facebook group, which enables me to message upper-year students and future classmates to help me prepare for first year.

What are you most looking forward to during your first year at university?

During first year, I am looking forward to setting a strong foundation for my professional career. I’d like to meet new people who can help me achieve my goals, explore subjects and industries that I am interested in pursuing as a future career, and develop my independence by living on campus.

What area of business are you thinking about going into?

Currently I am interested in going into the marketing area of business.

Is there a club or extracurricular activity you’re looking forward to participating in?

Since I played high school and club rugby for the past four years, I am really interested in trying out for the varsity rugby team at McMaster. Other than that, McMaster has many clubs and extracurriculars that I may be interested in, such as intramural hockey and DECA U.

Using one movie title, describe how you feel about coming to DeGroote.

Bring It On. I am excited for everything DeGroote and McMaster have to offer, and I cannot wait to start first year.