Lili McCarthy

Lili McCarthy is a health sciences major on the medical laboratory sciences track from Worth, IL

Hometown: Worth, IL

High School: Alan B. Shepard High School

Year: Expected graduation: Spring 2029

What is your major (and/or minor), and why did you decide on this course of study?
I am a health sciences major on the medical laboratory sciences track. I picked this major because I love being in the lab and want to help people even behind the scenes.

What has genuinely surprised you about your experience at NIU?
What surprised me about my experience at NIU is how kind and helpful people were when I was unsure what major would get me to my desired career.

Are you involved in student organizations, mentoring programs or extracurricular activities? If so, which ones, and how have they shaped your experience as a Huskie?
I am involved in NIU’s Honors Program. I met all my best friends through this program in an honors class. We all study together and help each other stay on track to achieve our goals. The Honors Program provided me with an amazing support system.

What NIU offices, departments or resources have helped you feel supported and successful, and how?
The academic advisors in the College of Health and Human Sciences made me feel so supported when I was unsure what path I wanted to take. They were willing to work with me to figure everything out and were so patient with me while I was constantly changing my mind.

Who has been a favorite instructor or professor, and what did they teach? What made them memorable?
My favorite professor Jessica Ebert, who taught Communications 100, which is an honors class. She was so memorable because she brought such a positive perspective to all our lectures. She made public speaking approachable even for those who dislike it. I also credit Tracy Ash for helping me find my way. After a conversation with her I realized I wanted to work in healthcare as a lab scientist.

Where is your favorite spot on campus or in the community, and why are you drawn to it?
My favorite spot on campus is the lagoon by Montgomery Hall. When it’s warm out I pack a bag and go study there with all my friends. I love that I can study while being outside in the fresh air.

How has NIU helped you find your community or your sense of belonging here?
NIU has helped me find my community by giving me so many opportunities to get out there and meet new people. They hold Week of Welcome events, weekly honors events, etc., to help people socialize.

Why is a college education important to you?
A college education is important to me because the most important thing you can have is your education. You could lose all your belongings in a day, but you will always have your knowledge.

What advice would you give to a student who is researching colleges right now?
Go and tour every college you are thinking of attending; you won’t regret it. Once I toured NIU I knew it was right for me.

How do you manage your responsibilities like school, work, family and everything else while still making the most of your time at NIU?
I balance my responsibilities by taking one day at a time and not stressing about the little stuff. You will get nowhere if you stay stuck in a cloud of dread.

What made you choose NIU over other colleges you were considering?
I chose NIU because of the warm, comforting environment on campus. As soon as I walked on campus I could feel a difference in how I felt at NIU compared to other colleges I toured.

What was the most important thing NIU did to help you make a successful transition into college life?
The most important thing NIU did to help me transition to college life was hosting all the freshmen outings. For example, I found so many friends and people like me at events like Week of Welcome, the honors retreat and events hosted at the Holmes Student Center.

How has living on campus (or commuting) shaped your experience as a Huskie? What support or resources have made that work well for you?
Living on campus shaped my experience by forcing me out of my comfort zone. I think everyone should live on campus for at least a year because it encourages you to go out and meet people instead of just going to class and going home.

What Honors Program opportunities have helped you move closer to your academic or career goals?
The Honors Program has helped me move closer to my goals by allowing me to connect with people who have goals similar to mine. It makes it easier to study and stay on track when I know everyone else around me is doing the same.

What scholarships or financial support have you received at NIU?
I received a merit scholarship and a biology scholarship.

Did the availability of scholarships or financial aid factor into your decision to choose NIU? If so, how?
The availability of scholarships and financial aid did factor into my decision to choose NIU. NIU gave me the most aid out of the colleges I applied to, and it made going to college easier knowing that the financial weight would be lifted from my shoulders.

How has that financial support shaped your ability to pursue your education and make the most of your time here?
The financial support provided by NIU makes college feel accessible. I remember when I was a senior in high school I felt like paying for college was impossible. NIU took that weight off my shoulders, making it easier to achieve my goals and enjoy my time in college instead of stressing about money.