Florianne Verkroost, Class of 2016, graduated summa cum laude, pursued a master’s in Econometrics at the Erasmus University of Rotterdam and is now getting ready to start her PhD in Sociology at Nuffield College, Oxford University.
Florianne was already interested in mathematics and business during high school. However, there were so many interesting topics to study that she decided to pursue a bachelor in Technology, Liberal Arts & Sciences at University College Twente. Right from the start, she was dedicated to preparing for a master’s in Econometrics. However, it was not that easy to get accepted: “I needed to pass four basic math courses in calculus and matrix algebra, as well as linear programming and time series analysis before they would even consider me for the pre-master.”
This did not put Florianne down and she managed to get into the program without the pre-master: “They made an exception, because of my grades and the recommendation of several teachers.” September 2016, she started in Rotterdam with her master’s. This was quite different from what she was used to in ATLAS: “In ATLAS we had a free choice in what and how to learn, but not in the masters. The university provided me with all the materials I needed to study, and there was little room to discuss anything not related.”
“I soon noticed that I missed a lot of pre-knowledge. However, thanks to ATLAS, I knew how to identify these knowledge gaps and how to fill them by finding and studying materials myself.” This practical skill helped Florianne through her specialization in business analytics and quantitative marketing and she graduated within a year. In addition, ATLAS has not only helped during her master’s but also in finding a PhD position: “I got here via my bachelor thesis supervisor, Ariana Need, she recommended me to apply at Nuffield College in Oxford.”
Hard work and dedication, the characteristics of many ATLAS students, have brought Florianne this far, but ATLAS also taught Florianne some important lessons. “I have always been a perfectionist, but ATLAS has helped me to become a happy and satisfied perfectionist. Also, I honestly would never have started a PhD without ATLAS, because ATLAS taught me how to create something new, do research and guide myself.” Florianne will now study the socio-economic consequences of voluntary childlessness on macro- and micro level. A topic showing one of the many directions that ATLAS graduates pursue their career in: “Anything is possible if you truly want it.”
University College Twente offers a unique bachelor’s programme, Technology, Liberal, Arts and Sciences, to top students. Visit the University College Twente website for more information about the college and Technology, Liberal, Arts and Sciences website for more information about the bachelor program. Or visit us during the open day, a student-for-a-day or an insight-day.
