I chose Iowa because I wanted a big school with lots of outstanding resources. I also wanted a close, community feel. Iowa has all the opportunities of a large school, but the beautiful campus and inviting community make it feel small and intimate. I love that I can go to a football game with 75,000 strangers, and also work one-on-one with a professor who knows my name. It's the best of both worlds.

My sophomore year, I was the vice president of Campus Affairs for Associated Residence Halls, the student governing body for the residence halls. That year, the house (compiled of representatives from every residence hall) voted for both Burge and Hillcrest to move to using cage-free eggs in the dining communities. I got to write the resolution that was sent to the head of dining services, expressing the wish of the student body to use cage-free eggs. It was awesome to see a group of students mobilize in such a way, and to be part of a good cause. That's one of the things I love about Iowa—students are empowered to have a voice and use it. And the best part is, people actually listen.