Katie Van

Why did you choose to attend UM?

When deciding which college to attend, I considered all aspects of what a college could offer, such as affordability, accessibility, community, and opportunities. The University of Mississippi became the top contender for me. UM provides various scholarship opportunities, and there are chances to earn more throughout UM. Affordability was a major aspect for me as I wanted to pay for my own tuition to relieve some financial burden off my parents. The campus itself is very accessible. I could walk from one side to another in fifteen minutes, and there are plenty of places for me to enjoy myself or study. I love to go to Turner to play ping-pong with my friends, and my favorite place to study is in DUFF. The community in Oxford is by far one of the best I have ever been in. The professors are all so welcoming, and if there are any problems or troubles you have, there are so many resources that UM offers. For example, I am taking organic chemistry right now, and there are these things called SI sessions where students who have mastered the material lead a weekly "study session" to reinforce the material we learn in class. UM has many clubs and organizations that range from a variety of things. I am in the Vietnamese Student Association, Filipino Student Association, and Dental brigades, which is when I would go to another country to help with dental hygiene in underserved communities. Last winter break, I went to Guatemala. Attending UM opened a lot of opportunities to me, and it is the place where I got to experience a lot of firsts, such as going to another country, leading organizations, living without my parents, and more. 

What would you tell a high school student about your major? What is most important for them to know if they are interested in pursuing that field of study?

If you are interested in studying science, medicine, or research, Biochemistry is the route to go. Since I want to become a dentist, I would recommend this route. In the healthcare industry, it is important to understand how the world works and how things came to be. Biochemistry is a mix of biology and chemistry, and the two subjects are the foundation of life. Understanding how things came to be was one of my interests, so I knew I wanted to have a mix of both studies. Saying that, here at UM, you can minor in any subject you want. For me, since I want to open my own clinic, I took on a business minor. If I had time, though, I would do an art minor alongside it. There are so many options to choose from, and if you like to dabble in a lot of things, the College of Liberal Arts allows you to do that. 

Why is your department a special place?

My department is such a special place because it allows both verbal and physical learning experiences. In lecture, we learn about the material, but for some classes, mainly your science classes, there are labs that actually help you understand how it is applied in the real world. The department helps foster a community of collaboration and curiosity, and all of the professors are passionate about what they do, so if you need any help in your classes or even someone to talk to, they are always welcoming you into their office.  

What class or professor has had the most impact on you?

The professor that has the most impact on me is Professor Rosen. She teaches Chem 106, but I did not take her class. I am actually an SI leader for her sections, and I am a TA for her lab. You can tell that she really cares about her students when you talk to her, and she was one of the first professors that I got to know as a person. She made me realize that I should not be afraid to talk to professors, and she complains that no one comes to see her. Professor Rosen showed me that professors really do care for your success, as she always asks me for feedback and never gets offended when it is given. Instead, she tries to improve upon it.  

What do you hope to do after graduation? What are your career goals/plans?

After graduating from UM, I hope to attend dental school at UMMC. When I am done with dental school, I plan to stay in Mississippi and open up a clinic one day. I believe in the good of giving back, so I would like to set something up once a month where people with low incomes or who are struggling could come in and get their teeth done for free.  

What is one thing you wish you knew as an incoming freshman that you'd tell your past self (about the general college experience)?

You need to put in a lot of effort and grab the opportunities that are presented to you. It will pay off in the future.