Hi! I'm Kaylee, a sophomore at the University of Michigan majoring in Biology, Health, and Society. I'm originally from North Carolina, so I know exactly what it's like to move away from home and start fresh. I'm involved in Army ROTC, the Pre-Dental Association, church ministry, and volunteer organizations, so I've gotten to experience so many different parts of campus life. I absolutely love meeting new people, and I'd be so excited to show you around campus, answer all your questions, and help you picture what life at Michigan is really like!

Hometown

Waxhaw, North Carolina, USA

Major(s)

Biology, Health, and Society

Minor(s)

Entrepreneurship, Chinese

Clubs, organizations & involvement

Army ROTC, Dental Brigades, LGM Church Ministry, AIV Church Small Group, Pre-Dental Association

Describe your college experience

Moving to Michigan from out of state was a huge adjustment, but it's been one of the best decisions I've made. Balancing challenging science classes, ROTC, student organizations, and making new friends wasn't always easy, but getting involved on campus made all the difference. I've met incredible people, found communities that make campus feel like home, and grown so much during my time here. Michigan has challenged me in the best ways, and I genuinely love being a student here. Most of my closest girl friends are studying medicine-related fields such as psychology, nursing, pre-dental​/​med, pre-pharm, etc. so I am especially familiar with resources for these types or students!

Tip for future students

Being an out-of-state student can definitely be challenging at first, and there will probably be moments when you miss home. My biggest piece of advice is to put yourself out there from day one. Go to welcome events, join clubs that genuinely interest you, and don't be afraid to start conversations with people in your classes. It can feel uncomfortable at first, but it's so worth it. The more you get involved, the faster Michigan starts to feel like home. Don't be afraid to connect with a lot of different types of people. College is one of the few times in your life where you get a completely new start. Don't put yourself in a box or feel like you have to be the same person you were in high school. Try anything you've ever wanted to try. You never know what you'll end up loving or who you'll meet because of it. It can feel uncomfortable, but it's so worth it.

Favorite class

My favorite class has been Science Writing. I wasn't expecting it to be my favorite, but I ended up really enjoying it. The professor was thoughtful, understanding, and very considerate of our workload, which made the class feel much less stressful. It was a class where I actually looked forward to showing up.

Career goals

After graduating from Michigan, I hope to attend dental school and become a dentist. I love the idea of helping people smile with confidence while also improving their overall health. Meeting so many pre-dental students at Michigan and learning more about the profession has only made me more certain that it's the path I want to pursue.

Ideal way to spend a free night

My ideal night starts with classes ending earlier than usual so I have more time to enjoy the rest of my day. I go to the gym after eating a lot of food that day, wearing a good workout outfit, and have an amazing leg day where I go up in weight on squats and leg extensions. My phone is fully charged so I watch a movie while doing 30 minutes on the StairMaster, and get in a quick ab workout. After that, I’d shower, grab a small dinner with my best friends, do my makeup and hair, and go out for late-night karaoke. I love nights when I get enough time to both spend time with myself and with my friends.

High school or secondary school

Marvin Ridge High School

Previous college

N​/​A

Favorite spot on campus

Hadley Family Recreation & Well-Being Center because of its amazing facilities or the Intramural Sports Building (IMSB) outdoor track because it is so pretty to run during sunrise or sunset. The track itself is already pretty and there's a huge yellow M to stare at while you run your laps. The Public Health Building is also great for studying with friends. It's pretty quiet and there are a lot of empty rooms you can study in with friends. There are also cubicles where you can self isolate if you really need to focus.