How It Feels to Be Multipotential

One of my favorite TED Talks, “Why Some of Us Don’t Have One True Calling” by Emilie Wapnick, begins with a loaded question: what was the first time someone asked “what do you want to be when you grow up?” Wapnick explains that this question can provoke anxiety if we cannot pick just one answer. Those of us who are divided between multiple options, Wapnick explains, are “multipotentialites” – individuals with many interests or creative pursuits. I consider myself a multipotentialite; I need the freedom to explore many interests to reach my full potential.

Northwestern is a unique university because it encourages the exploration and development of many interests. With 4,000 courses, I can customize an education that explores multiple disciplines. I can join any of the 450 clubs available to undergraduates, like the Cookology Culinary Arts Club. Developing my culinary skills could be useful when traveling to new countries, which I can do through Northwestern’s Study Abroad program. Closer to home, Chicago and Evanston are just a shuttle ride away. With or without travel, Northwestern presents its students with countless opportunities to explore and discover, making it a unique hub for those of us who love many, many things.

The McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science continues to offer a wide range of opportunities, and encourages holistic education through the idea of “whole-brain” engineers. I want to study under this ideology because I can draw from skills and information across disciplines to solve problems. This multi-faceted approach requires a school which embraces this type of thinking. Northwestern and the School of Engineering both encourage the mentality I need to thrive, while offering a wide range of programs to choose from. Northwestern would allow me to shed any anxiety regarding “what I want to be when I grow up,” because Northwestern allows that to be a combination of anything.