Major: Data Science
Minor: Mathematics

Hometown: Brooklyn, New York

Where did you transfer from? Brooklyn College CUNY

Why did you choose to transfer to the University of Michigan? My primary reasons were the academics and the opportunities. I knew that I wanted to switch from CS to Data Science, but it wasn’t until I came across U-M’s highly regarded program that I found my ideal school. As an out-of-state student, I was still unsure about the campus culture, but what I experienced during a campus visit exceeded my expectations. I transferred from a commuter school in a big city, where it was hard to find people who stuck around after class to hang out or study. In contrast, U-M’s integrated campus environment has made building community feel easy. My neighborhood is full of my peers who are just as eager to hang out and study. Being surrounded by social and motivated students has inspired me to do more, and that’s exactly what I was looking for.

Based on your personal experience, what is the one thing you want to tell new transfer students? Talk to people! Everyone is waiting for someone else to break the ice and initiate a conversation, so be that person. It’s easier than you think, and it’ll open doors for you that you didn’t even know existed. These conversations and new friends will help you out during undergrad and beyond, where you’ll thank yourself for practicing the ability to be bold and form connections. 

How did you make friends and meet other students on campus? I’ve attended just about every event that popped up in my email, hung out with friends of friends that I’d never met before, introduced myself and my roommates to our neighbors, invited people to things (and got invited in return), and most importantly, I’ve stayed out of my room as much as possible. As a New Yorker, I’m used to people minding their own business in public, so going up and talking to strangers felt strange at first. But 99% of the time it’s been fun and rewarding!

What is your favorite part about being an LSA transfer student? My favorite part is my uniqueness. Being a U-M transfer student means that I didn’t take the traditional path that other students did, and those differences are what make me stand out. This inherent quality means that you can almost sense someone is a transfer before they even mention it.

What do you know now that you wish you had known before transferring to the University of Michigan? I wish I had known how crucial academic and personal coaching was before starting my semester. While I could’ve struggled and managed to navigate this school on my own, it’s been so much easier with the help of my first-gen coach and academic advisors. Don’t be afraid to ask for anything, even before applying to transfer. The LSA staff are all incredibly passionate about supporting students and do an amazing job.

Why did you choose your specific major(s)? I switched to Data Science because of the tech industry’s shift from software engineering to data-driven technologies. I wanted to embrace this change while still staying in a tech field I’m passionate about. There’s also a lot of overlap between the Data Science and Computer Science courses at U-M, so I don’t feel like I’m missing out on anything.