Throughout high school and into her career at MSU, Andress gave it her all.

Her work has paid off: Andress is one of 23 undergraduate students poised to graduate from the university this semester with a 4.0 cumulative grade-point average.

“I’m proud of myself. There were a few semesters when I didn’t think I would make it,” Andress said.

“I feel good because it’s been a personal goal for a long time.”

The 23 students who have persevered to obtain a perfect cumulative GPA at MSU stand out in a graduating class of nearly 5,000 undergraduate students.

The 4.0 students come from all walks of life, having grown up in places across the state, nation and world. They’ve logged countless hours with their noses buried in textbooks and lecture notes.

They’ve performed a delicate balancing act, keeping the various parts of their lives in sync, their eyes fixed on the home stretch of a four-year journey.

And barring a blip on the radar — all it would take is one 3.5 course GPA — they’ll graduate from MSU with straight A’s.

Seventeen of the 4.0 students graduated from Michigan high schools. Three came to MSU from out of state, and three are international students.

Although the contrasts between them are numerous, they are linked together in their accomplishment of maintaining a perfect record.

A thousand-mile journey

The number of students who graduate from MSU with a 4.0 cumulative GPA has fluctuated only slightly throughout the past five years, according to MSU’s Office of the Registrar.

In 2005, 30 students graduated with perfect overall GPAs. Last spring, the number was 23 students.

The largest number in the past five years was 32 students in the 2007 spring semester graduating class.

Like the 4.0 students before them, one might surmise numerous similarities and contrasts in the 4.0 students’ journeys this time around.

For some, it is the culmination of a life goal set very early on and carried out at MSU. For others, it was a matter of budgeting enough time to fit in studying, friends, extra-curricular activities and making a conscious effort to attend every class each semester.

“I found that time management was critical in my success as a student,” said 4.0 student Justin Biega, a chemical engineering senior, in an e-mail.

“At times, I felt overwhelmed by the demands of both schoolwork and (a) social life. I quickly learned that there was just not enough time in the day to do everything that you want to do.”

As with most students, the 4.0 students’ transitions from high school to university life marked a change in many things. There particularly was a newfound sense of freedom that at times needed to be dealt with accordingly to ensure homework and other assignments were completed.

Not all of the 23 were straight-A students in high school. But most realized upon beginning their time at MSU that the difference between high school and MSU was the responsibility to not only absorb information in lectures, but to teach oneself outside the classroom and to do so with determination.

“I didn’t know how to study in high school. I don’t think I had those high expectations of myself,” special education senior Laura Freitag, a 4.0 student, said.

“I was reliant on other people … whereas in college you’re responsible pretty much for your own learning.”

For some, it was a matter of prioritizing and keeping emotions in check.

“My school work has always been my first priority,” said Kendell Pawelec, a materials science and engineering senior, in an e-mail.

“It’s really about attitude. Being optimistic and excited about what you are learning makes studying … less of a chore — it becomes more of a hobby.”

Treading a fine line

By and large, maintaining sanity following hours of studying and homework was not possible for this year’s 4.0 group without a little help.

Although one might generalize about the 4.0 students and say there is no room for friends or a social life in their schedules, many argued to the contrary and said hanging out with friends and stepping away from their textbooks was as high a priority as studying.

“For me, it wasn’t too difficult to balance things because it is easier for me to stay focused when I have a lot going on,” physics senior Gabrielle Tepp said.

“If you are really busy, you know that you can’t put off your work until later or you won’t have the time to finish it.”

Some, however, found it more difficult to budget time for social functions and keep grades up at the same time.

“I definitely had to make some sacrifices over these last four years which I wish I didn’t have to make,” Biega said.

“There were several circumstances in which I couldn’t go to the bar with friends or miss an organizational meeting because I had to study for an exam. … My college career was full of these types of decisions.”

Coursework and social functions weren’t the only things weighing on the students’ minds. A plethora of extra-curricular activities — including jobs, internships and volunteering for various organizations and student clubs — also were added to the mix.

Shruti Agrawal, an accounting senior, has been involved with the MSU Women in Business Students’ Association and Multicultural Business Students, both registered student organizations.

Additionally, Agrawal worked as a teaching assistant and professorial assistant. The latter involved helping professors conduct research.

“These organizations really helped me develop skills that are crucial,” Agrawal said.

When it came down to it, though, Agrawal said academics took top priority.

“At times it was a challenge to balance academics with other activities, but it is definitely doable,” Agrawal said.

“The most challenging part of maintaining a perfect GPA is understanding that it requires sacrifices. I had to realize when academics needed to come first.”

Some obstacles came in the form of communication.

Haoli Xue, an accounting senior from Beijing, said she is proud to graduate with a 4.0 considering the language barrier that could have proved detrimental to her studies. Not only is Xue graduating with a 4.0, she is graduating after three years at MSU.

“Learning and communicating in another language and in another culture could be terrifying,” Xue said.

“But the truth is, once you learn to make use of your unique background, life will be exciting and fantastic.”

On the horizon

A number of the 4.0 students have accepted jobs in various capacities across the nation. Others plan to continue their education by attending graduate school either at MSU or other universities.

Pawelec has been awarded a Gates Scholarship and will pursue a doctoral degree in materials science and metallurgy at Cambridge University in England in the fall. Strand will attend law school at the University of Michigan in the fall.

Biega has accepted a position as a production engineer for Shell Oil in New Orleans. Agrawal will move to Minneapolis to work as a financial analyst for General Mills Inc.

Freitag will work as a student teacher at MacDonald Middle School in Lansing later this year after working as a behavioral aid for a child with cerebral palsy.

The list goes on.

As their undergraduate studies come to a close, most of the 4.0 students said they can reflect on their time at MSU with pride.

“Maintaining a 4.0 GPA is definitely challenging for all the perseverance and diligence it requires,” Xue said.

“But, at the same time, it also makes my life meaningful and gives me something that is worth fighting for. I am glad to say that my college life has been a happy enrichment and full of excitement.”