Brooke Simonson is a Politics student from Warrington, PA. She shares why she chose to attend Catholic University, and what advice she has for prospective students.

Why did you choose to attend Catholic University?

"I chose Catholic because of the diversity of opportunities offered. First, the geographic location of Washington, DC initially made Catholic very attractive to me, and the location has opened many doors to me. I have been able to secure internships at the US Chamber of Commerce, the Cybercrime Support Network, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and the Department of Defense.

Tennis is very important to me, and Catholic gave me the chance to participate in the sport that I love. I eventually became the Captain of my team during senior year.

I also chose Catholic because the Honors College allowed me to pursue a track in Environmental Studies that I would not have otherwise had the opportunity to pursue. Furthermore, Catholic has many organizations that have allowed me to pursue my passions. Namely, I got involved in and am now the Director of the Student Government Association’s Campus Wellness Committee. Lastly, everybody at Catholic was so warm and welcoming, especially the tennis team and Coach Dowd, and it felt like a home away from home, so I knew it was the place for me."

What's been your favorite part of being a student at Catholic University?

"The Intelligence Studies Program, run by Dr. Dujmovic has been a critical part of my college experience. This group of classes has allowed me to truly ascertain what I want to do with my career and the path I am working to pursue. I was able to leverage the knowledge and opportunities from the certificate, network with many professors and connections, and create a career path for after my graduation. This area of the Politics major was integral for me, and I would not have found my passion if it did not exist at Catholic."

What advice would you give to prospective students?

"Trust your gut! If a place feels right when you visit, I would say follow that feeling because God is guiding you in the direction that you are supposed to go. Academics, sports, and extracurriculars are all very important, but if a school doesn’t feel like the right place for you, then it probably is not. Take the time to truly explore everything a school has to offer, and visit the school in person, before making a decision."