When Andielynn Llamas steps onto the Farmingdale State College campus as a freshman this fall, she will be a new student but not a newcomer to the college.
Llamas, the salutatorian of Amityville Memorial High School’s Class of 2022, took courses at FSC from eighth to 11th grade through the Smart Scholars program. The Massapequa resident accumulated 15 college credits to apply toward her bachelor’s degree in nursing. When the time came to pick a college, she already was familiar with the campus and was excited about the highly-ranked nursing program and the low tuition at FSC. “I was very impressed with the clinical group size in the nursing program,” Llamas said. “They were talking about six-to-eight students per group, and that means my group will get the attention we need.” FSC also is near home. Her parents, Lenie and Fernando Llamas, are excited for her. “They said it was so close by, I could come home for lunch whenever I wanted,” she joked.
Director of Admissions Jeanne Soto sees the makings of a campus leader in Llamas. “I am ecstatic that Andielynn will be joining the Farmingdale community this fall,” Soto said. “Her hard work and dedication in and out of the classroom have set the stage for a successful road ahead. I can see a future student government president or valedictorian in Andielynn and know her natural ability to get involved will provide a lifetime of fond memories throughout her incredibly bright future.”
Llamas is eager to join the Ram family as a member of the Class of 2026. “Everyone says, ‘It’s all on you, now,’” meaning she is responsible for her choices and the outcomes, she said. “This definitely will be a different experience from high school. I’m looking forward to more freedom and a new environment. I’m ready for a new chapter in my life.”
That includes pursuing a degree in nursing, which has been Llamas’ dream since she was a little girl. “I couldn’t see myself doing anything else.” Her mother is a nurse and so are many of her aunts. Llamas added that she is not yet certain in which type of nursing she wants to specialize. “I want to keep an open mind about it; I want to see all the different areas.”
Academics always have been a priority, and Llamas is hopeful that having Advanced Placement biology and psychology and anatomy and physiology under her belt will help her with the rigorous nursing curriculum. “When school starts, that’s when go-time hits.”
She also is looking forward to checking out different clubs on campus, after saying she was involved with “everything” in high school. “I’ll see whatever piques my interest. I want to explore that side still.” Llamas seems ready for a busy four years.