Mia Bontrager talks about the application process and potential opportunities within the KUEST ONE program
By Aster Gardner
Senior Mia Bontrager, a future aerospace engineering student at the University of Kansas, was recently accepted into the college’s KUEST ONE engineering program. This program allows incoming freshmen to move into dorms a week early and begin “project-based learning” with other engineering students.
Bontrager said that the application process was relatively simple, but not necessarily easy. “[It] was very straightforward,” she stated. The application included three 200 word essays about why the applicant is interested in the program, how a high school activity will contribute to their success, and a time they had to adapt to working with a team. “[That was] where I found the most difficulty,” Bontrager said, explaining that “trying to come up with personal stories in applications” has never come naturally to her.
When asked for advice for future applicants, Bontrager said, “Use your resources and talk to teachers that’ll help you out.” She attributes her success in the application essays to English teacher Zach Harrod, stating, “He’s probably the reason my essays [aren’t bad].” When Bontrager was struggling with writer’s block, she said the most helpful advice she received was, “You may have the idea [of how you want to write something] but don’t know how to approach it. The best thing to do is put that aside and start from square one like you’ve never read the question before.”
As for the program itself, Bontrager expects it to be very helpful. “It’s a quick introduction to the engineering space and working with a team,” she said. During the KUEST ONE program, students will collaborate on a “hands-on project” to teach them how to work with a team and “apply engineering in the real world,” Bontrager explained.
She anticipates it to be a great early learning opportunity. She stated, “I’ll be excited to get a head start in applying everything I’ve learned throughout high school into the real world and hopefully my future career.” She’s not only eager to get a head start, however. Bontrager also said that she’s looking forward to the team aspect of the program as she’s glad to “get a chance to meet future classmates and even future colleagues.”
