Samixchha Raut

Le Moyne College Liberty Partnerships Program Alumni

When did you graduate high school, and which high school did you attend?
I graduated from Nottingham High school in 2015.

What are you up to now?
I graduated from RIT in May 2019. I am currently on my gap years, working full time, and preparing for Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). I plan on applying to medical school to pursue my dream of becoming a Physician.

How did you get involved with Liberty Partnerships?
I moved from Raleigh, NC, during my junior year in high school. I was new to Nottingham and did not know much about colleges in NY. I decided to challenge myself by taking advance level courses to be well prepared for the rigors of college academics. LPP staffs provided me with tutoring services for difficult classes, helped me better understand my college applications, looked over my essays, and provided me with beneficial feedbacks.

What are some of your favorite activities/programs that you did through Liberty Partnerships?
Some of my favorite activities through LPP includes building a rocket for a rocket challenge competition with few of my classmates. We had a lot of fun building it and actually came 2nd in the competition twice. I also remember traveling to Albany as a student advocate to share my views on what LPP program and its resources mean to students like me. I loved going on college tours and being able to shadow college students. We also went on a Boston trip, where we visited many historic places and ate delicious food.

Describe how Liberty Partnerships shaped your life both in and out of the classroom.
As a result of being in this program, I had a chance to familiarize myself with resources outside of class, attend college visits, receive mentorship from college students and LPP staffs, make new friends and network.

What are you most proud of?
When I first came to the US as a refugee, it was a difficult transition for me. I did not speak much English then. Once I started school in Raleigh, I was getting used to its school environment and made new friends. When my family decided to move to NY, I was scared that I might have difficulties adjusting in a new school as a junior and had fears of missing out on resources for my college applications. I am most proud that even after such a huge transition, I still did not feel like I missed anything. Programs like LPP provided me with resources that helped me strengthen my academics, be involved in activities outside of a classroom. These activities ultimately helped me become a successful college applicant and get admitted to one of the best colleges in NY as a first-generation student on a Scholarship.

What advice do you have for current students?
My advice to the new students is to never doubt yourself no matter where you came from. You can’t change anything about your past or the conditions you grew up in, but you can always change your future with hard work and resilience. Always have courage to get yourself out of your comfort zone because that’s where you will get to experience/learn new things. Ask for help when you need it. Stay focused and curious. Be creative. Be involved in extracurriculars. Meet new people who share similar vision and expand your network. Sometimes you will make mistakes, don’t get discouraged by it. Learn from them.