National magazine Seventeen features UF student

November 18, 2008

Mary Liu, a University of Florida freshman and Honors student, will be the face of the university for the 13 million readers of Seventeen magazine.

Liu is one of 15 students chosen to share her freshman college experience. She was selected from approximately 2,000 applicants from across the country. UF alone had more than 300 students apply.

Along with various essay submissions, Liu filmed a two-minute video to apply for Seventeen’s “Freshman 15.” The video, a self-written rap to “Low” by Flo Rida, contains Liu’s own creative lyrics such as, “My parents gave me good genes, a roof over my head, now I’m at UF, independent and well-read.”

Her fun lyrics gave her an edge over the competition for the prize of sharing her freshman experience with millions.

“I want to depict the true life of what college really is,” Liu said. “I don’t want to sugar coat anything.”

Liu and the other 14 freshmen, first featured in the November edition, will appear each month until May.

Each week, Liu writes two blogs, as well as submits a 30-second video blog for Seventeen’s Freshman 15 Web page, http://www.seventeen.com/college-career/special/freshman-15-2008.

“Nine months of my life are now devoted to (Freshman 15),” Liu said. “It’s a lot of pressure.”

Liu blogs about joining campus organizations, such as Model UN and Navigators, and writes about studying, “campus cuties,” friendships and enjoying newly found independence as a college student.

“The independence scares me, but it’s also exciting and fascinating,” Liu said.

This independence, Liu admits, may have led her to make a few mistakes. Her mistakes, however, have taught her a lot.

“I’m really big on learning from not only your mistakes but the mistakes of others because you don’t have enough time to make them all yourself,” Liu said.

Liu hopes her mistakes will help future college freshman have a smoother transition into the college life.

“We’re all here to grow as students,” Liu said. “I want to guide other girls who will be facing the same things that I am going through right now.”