Psychology major Natalie Kerhli has taken on numerous leadership and service roles at the University of Iowa and within the honors program. However, in the transition from high school to college, she struggled to make a decision and was still investigating her options as the summer wore on. For her, a drive to Iowa City was key.

Dear Prospective Student,

Congratulations! You have completed your four years of high school and are on your way to pave a new path for yourself. I can imagine that you are likely both anxious and excited for this experience, just like I was. However, it can be comforting knowing that almost everyone here is in the same boat as you–yes even the upperclassmen. Just about everyone is a little nervous, enthusiastic, scared, and overall, not exactly sure what they are doing. And I can tell you it is completely okay.

My name is Natalie Kehrli. I am a third-year student from Manchester, Iowa studying Psychology, with the hopes of pursuing a Ph.D. in clinical psychology someday. I am involved in just about everything on campus. I am the director of external relations on Undergraduate Student Government (USG), vice president of a service organization on campus, a resident assistant (RA), a selected member of the Presidential Leadership Class, a volunteer for the Child Psychiatric Unit at the hospital, a leader on the FirstGen Student Task Force, a tutor for marginalized communities within the Iowa City School Districts, a judge for the Iowa High School Speech Association, a blood drive manager for the Red Cross, and a member of Phi Eta Sigma honor society. I have also served as the student life director and DEI chair within the residence halls, and I conduct disability advocacy work in many areas of campus in coordination with many other student organizations. In conclusion, I stay plenty busy on campus.

My choice to come to the University of Iowa was not an easy one. I have a secret you will never get out of me while on the University of Iowa campus: I have been a Cyclone fan my entire life. Yes, it’s true. My closet growing up was filled with cardinal and gold, and my childhood was spent cheering, “Go Cyclones,” at Big 12 Basketball Games. So, why did I make the decision to continue my education at arguably the biggest Cyclone rival? I was still deciding between Iowa and Iowa State only weeks before the first day of school. I was asking for extensions on decision deadlines, and I was seriously struggling to make a decision. If you also in that boat, overwhelmed with where to decide to attend college, don’t feel discouraged or alone. You are making a huge life decision, so take your time!

Three days before I seriously had to make my decision, after three deadline extension requests, I drove down to Iowa City. I hadn’t spent a fraction of the time in Iowa City as I had growing up going to Cyclone games in Ames, so I wanted to give Iowa City a fair chance. Once I arrived in Iowa City, something just felt right, and I think that is such a big part of the college decision. It’s a feeling you can’t describe. Although I was still unsure about the decision, I went home that day and accepted my offer to the University of Iowa, and I can confidently say I am happy I made the decision I did. If this is you, however, just know that CyHawk games will still always be a little complicated.

One of the spaces on campus that has made Iowa feel like home is the honors program. I have lived in Daum Residence Hall for two years now, which is where some of the honors students live on campus, and I have really enjoyed the connections I have been able to make with fellow honors students. The UI Honors Program offers a great community on campus for like-minded, hardworking students, which is something I was looking for. The Blank Honors Center is also one of my favorite places to study on campus!

My favorite honors experience thus far has been Honors Primetime, a 3-day workshop for incoming first-year honors students to get a feel for campus before school starts. I was enrolled in the section involving the Psychology of Food taught by Dr. Kelly Danaher. One of my favorite parts of this experience was the opportunity to find my way around campus before all the other students came back to campus.

I hope you were able to relate to my letter in some way, and it gave you some comfort as you enter your college experience. If you have any questions, never hesitate to reach out!

Sincerely,

Natalie Kehrli