Kelly Garcia | Alum

Appreciating different perspectives

I chose DePauw because it provided the close-knit community I was looking for. I liked that the class sizes were small and that professors knew their students. When I first visited campus, I felt like I had really found my home. 

Some of the most meaningful experiences I’ve had at DePauw have been the interactions with my professors throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the transition to online last semester and the uncertainty of the future semester, many of my professors have gone above and beyond their job descriptions. They always checked in with us, asked if there was anything we wanted to talk about and even offered themselves as a source of advice. This is exactly why I love DePauw and the community on campus. 

What would tell a high school student who is considering applying to DePauw? I would encourage them to apply and visit campus. The community that DePauw creates for students is something you feel when you step on campus. DePauw provides students with so many opportunities and the faculty and staff truly want students to succeed. 

Most of the courses I have taken at DePauw encourage discussion-based learning, which has helped me learn from other students and their perspectives. Engaging in these discussions during class has allowed me to transition into having discussions about difficult topics. Being able to have discussions and talk about difficult topics is incredibly important when dealing with current issues. 

I am applying to physician assistant programs. During my time at DePauw, the opportunities I have had helped me develop more confidence in myself. With that, I have been able to enhance my leadership skills and my ability to work on a team. My professors have played a key role in that and pushed me to be the best version of myself I can be.