Meet Liliana Ogden. She’s an economics and finance senior from Dublin, California. She has served as Student Body Vice President, a Neeley School of Business Representative and a TCU Dutchmen, leading our spirited student section at every home football game in her distinct purple and white overalls. She represents TCU through her enthusiastic dedication to academics, service and school spirit. So, it might surprise you that she never planned to apply to Texas schools, including TCU.

A few friends suggested she check TCU out, but she continued with her college search, unmoved at first by their recommendations. She made a list of 50 schools and toured all 50 – none of which happened to be TCU. Yet, TCU still snuck into her top 16 colleges. After receiving her acceptance into TCU and many other schools, Liliana had a tough decision to make.

So finally, Liliana and her family flew to Texas. And they fell in love with TCU – and a few other universities. Spoiler alert: she chose TCU for small class sizes that would fit her learning needs, school spirit that would fit her extroverted personality and job and internship opportunities that would fit her drive to succeed.

And while Liliana didn’t find her place on campus immediately, she felt more at home the more she got involved. "After my first semester, I decided to give TCU my all," she said. "And sure enough, TCU surprised me."

Many prospective students ask us what a typical day is like on campus. And there really aren't a lot of typical days, because one day there might be a bounce house and snow cones in the Commons as you walk between classes. Another day we'll host a huge concert (Flo Rida anyone?), complete with a firework show. However, for Liliana and so many students here, there's nothing quite like the community of students, faculty and staff who cheer you on in the classroom and in life as much as we cheer on the Horned Frogs. And they’re most often dressed in purple and white, no matter the time or place.

Students attend athletic home games and campus events for free and many Horned Frogs cite these as their favorite traditions at TCU. Liliana is one of those students who shows up earlier than most and cheers louder than most – from game days to study days. Watch her video to get a sense of TCU's spirit and pride — especially on game day.