Cuyler Crites

Student

Bay College freshman Cuyler Crites is currently majoring in pre-medicine. His college experience is starting as the medical field goes through a once-in-a-lifetime event – the COVID-19 pandemic.

Though the fall 2020 semester was his first at Bay, Cuyler is no stranger to the college.

“I’m actually local to the area – I’m from Felch. So not only is (Bay) close, but I’ve been there before for things,” he said.

Before he started taking classes at Bay, Cuyler had visited the college for a career day.

Cuyler graduated from North Dickinson County School earlier in 2020. Since then, he has appreciated the role Bay has played in helping him get his college education off to a strong – and inexpensive – start.

“I like how affordable it is – a lot cheaper than a lot of the other schools, but still a very high-quality education,” he said of Bay.

With his first semester of college now behind him, Cuyler said his classes have mostly been going well so far. Still, he has had to adjust to changes introduced at Bay in response to the ongoing pandemic.

“It’s tough doing the online stuff – transferring from all in-person (classes) in high school to doing mostly online stuff,” he said.

Fortunately, he said Bay’s staff and faculty have been there to support him as the pandemic continues.

“They’re just always there to answer questions, no matter what time. And they do it professionally and nicely, in a kind way,” Cuyler said.

Cuyler was also impressed with Bay’s efforts to keep people safe on campus this year. Along with the college’s increased emphasis on online and hybrid classes, social distancing and masking requirements were implemented when Bay re-opened to the public.

“I haven’t been to the Bay campus in a while … but when I went, it was very nice,” he said.

After he is done at Bay, Cuyler plans to transfer to either Central Michigan University or Northern Michigan University to earn his bachelor’s degree. He may study biology at one of these institutions, but he is still exploring his options.

When he gets his bachelor’s degree, Cuyler will be going to medical school. Eventually, he hopes to become a doctor.

“You can help a lot of people as a doctor, and that’s kind of what I wanted to do with my life,” he said.

No matter what Cuyler’s future ends up looking like, he wants to continue living in the Upper Peninsula.

“I’d like to work as close to the Dickinson County area as possible,” he said.