Welcome from the BMAC
Hi incoming KU Bio students!
My name is Rylee Crowell, I am a senior studying biochemistry at the University of Kansas! I’m a member and co-chair of the Biology Majors Advisory Committee (KU), which is a group of undergraduates who hope to enact change by providing feedback about our experience to the Undergraduate Biology Program, EEOB, and Molecular Biosciences departments. As you start or continue your biology degree, here are some things to keep in mind. These tips have helped me stay successful throughout my three years at Kansas, so I hope you can get use out of them as well!
Fostering relationships with your professors and advisors is vital! They’re there to help you in a variety of ways, so don’t be afraid to reach out. Many professors will hold “coffee hours” in addition to office hours just to get an extra chance to get to know their students better. Speaking of, office hours are a great way to clarify concepts you may struggle with, strengthen topics before exams, or learn more about your professor. It’s a common misconception that office hours are only for students who don’t understand the material. I’ve been able to maintain relationships with several of my professors after our class ended, which has opened many doors for me. They’ve written letters of recommendation, offered guidance on my graduate application, and helped me to gain research experience. Even if your professor or advisor might not have an answer to every question, they surely can help you find someone who can help!
Next, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and do new things! As cheesy as that sounds, it may be the best piece of advice that can be offered. KU has a variety of clubs or activities on campus, but we have members associated with the Microbiology Club, Chem Club, various research labs, and more. These activities can help you meet students who share the same interests as you, add valuable experience to a CV, or give you a break from studying. This is how I met most of my closest friends at KU! At the very least, introducing yourself to someone in class or at a biology event can help you gain another person to study with. This could apply to many things you’ll experience while here. You might take a class for KU Core that makes you add a minor you didn’t know existed! Or, you might learn about a new career path that you eventually decide to pursue. You’ll inevitably change throughout your time here so lean into it!
Lastly, college can be costly, but there are ways to fund your education and associated costs. The KU biology website is a great place to start. There are scholarships for tuition costs, but also to cover other fees, such as honor’s society dues. If you want to join Tri-Beta, a biological honor society on campus, but society dues are a barrier, this would be a great scholarship for you. Scholarships exist for research opportunities, students with a low GPA, minority groups, and much more. Chances are, several scholarships could be a great fit for you. Don’t be shy about applying! Students often shy away from applying for these scholarships, which means you may have a better chance at earning them if you complete those applications.
The BMAC will host drop-in hours to answer any additional questions or receive any feedback you may have in the fall. I hope to see several of you there! Good luck with your first semester with KU Biology!
Rylee Crowell
Senior Biochemistry student, Class of 2025
BMAC Member + Co-Chair