Addison Molloy ’25 (pictured above in sunglasses) transferred to Merrimack College after her freshman year at the University of Vermont. From self-doubt to self-discovery, Addison is sharing her story to encourage other transfer students to follow their gut and take a leap of faith!
After my freshman year of college, I returned home for the summer and my brother (who spent his freshman year at Merrimack) saw how upset I was about the past year. He told me college isn’t supposed to be such a negative experience. Back then, I saw transferring as a failure and that I was “quitting” or not trying hard enough. Now, as I am about to graduate from Merrimack after some of the most formative and rewarding years of my life, I see it as the best thing that ever happened.
Merrimack immediately felt like a better fit. I couldn’t even really describe it early on but a gut feeling kept telling me it was the right thing to do. Everyone always says to get involved on campus (especially as a transfer) and that joining clubs would be key to immersing myself in the community. I spent my first semester going to campus events, attending club meetings, and trying to meet as many people as possible. In all the meetings, I felt welcomed and seen which continued to solidify my gut feeling that Merrimack was my new home.
In my second semester, I decided to start Merrimack’s Chapter of Her Campus because it was a club I was involved with at the University of Vermont. Her Campus is an online magazine for female college students that promotes creative expression and women’s empowerment. The Her Campus community at UVM was one of the only places I felt a sense of community that I feel everywhere at Merrimack. I have now served as President since founding it at Merrimack and it continues to grow and provide a supportive environment that I know and love.
My ability to start a brand new student organization in my first year at Merrimack is a testament to how welcoming everyone is and how students are encouraged to make the most of their time here. The Merrimack culture emphasizes student leadership and involvement, so there are tons of opportunities for students to grow, explore, and develop their passions. I always tell people that if there is something you want and it doesn’t exist yet, the staff and faculty will help you make it happen.
I have so much more control over my educational and extracurricular experiences at Merrimack instead of just feeling like a number or statistic as I did before. Being an active participant on campus has given me confidence, leadership skills, and a sense of purpose. I attribute my personal, academic, and professional growth to the resources, support, and opportunities Merrimack has provided me. As my final semester here approaches, I am so proud of my freshman-year self for transferring! Merrimack has shaped me into the person I am today and I will be leaving with so much love and gratitude for the community and my time here.
