Major: Psychology 

Minor: Asian & Pacific Islander American Studies

Hometown: Palo Alto, California 

Where did you transfer from? SMFA at Tufts University 

Why did you choose to transfer to the University of Michigan? During high school, I was deeply passionate about art, which led me to join the SMFA program at Tufts. However, the pandemic prompted me to take a gap year, during which I focused on my health recovery, full-time work, and volunteering. This experience significantly shifted my perspective on the world. While enrolled in the arts program, I found myself increasingly drawn to psychology. I chose to transfer to the University of Michigan for its comprehensive psychology curriculum and the diverse array of hands-on experiences. What stood out to me about UMich was its focus on individualized career paths and the strong
support from the community, providing ample resources available to help students navigate their own unique journey to achieving their goals.

Based on your personal experience, what is the one thing you want to tell new transfer students? Carry yourself with confidence. You are supposed to be here!

How did you make friends and meet other students on campus? I came to campus for a Transfer Student Day tour. I got to talking to other transfer students and the Transfer Student Ambassadors. I made sure to get a few contacts and keep talking to them over the summer. Also making an effort to hang out in person once I got to campus really helped to solidify those relationships. I’ve also become friends with folks by just hanging out at the Transfer Student Center and attending transfer-student focused events. As long as you show up and are open, there is always someone new and interesting to meet! 

What is your favorite part about being an LSA transfer student? Embracing the vibrant and close-knit community as an LSA transfer student has been a really rewarding experience. Whenever there is an LSA transfer event, talking to new people feels easy; the atmosphere is consistently welcoming. Connecting with other transfer students is always a highlight for me, as everyone has such a unique and interesting story to tell. 

What do you know now that you wished you knew before transferring to the University of Michigan? Don’t be afraid to ask for advice from your peers. You’ll hear a lot about the many resources at UMich, but figuring out which ones are right for you can be confusing. You might feel like you need to take on every opportunity, but it’s important to prioritize and avoid overextending yourself. It might seem scary, but it’sreally useful to talk to other students who have been in your shoes and find out what worked for them. 

Why did you choose your specific major(s)? I chose psychology because I’ve always been interested in articulating the implicit motives behind human thought and behavior. As I delved deeper, I realized the gaps in our community health system, which I’ve personally encountered. With my identity as a queer, multiracial individual, I aim to use my unique perspective to improve culturally sensitive care for those facing multiple stigmas. My goal is to become a clinical therapist and bridge this gap in compassionate and inclusive healthcare.