Hometown: Chicago, IL
Program at BU: Biology Master’s
William McClendon, from Chicago, is expected to complete his MS in Biology in May 2026. We sat down with William to take a deep dive into his journey and give his advice to fellow GRS students in this exclusive Q&A session.
Please briefly introduce yourself, what’s your background, where are you from, why are you studying at BU GRS?
I’m originally from Chicago, I obtained my Bachelor’s of Science in Biology from George Washington University. As I was getting ready to graduate from GW I realized I wanted to pursue more research opportunities in molecular and cellular biology but was unsure if a PhD was right for me. Through my research I found BU’s master’s program with a thesis and thought it was the right place for me.
Why did you choose to come to BU for your graduate degree?
There are many reasons why one would want to come to BU to pursue their undergraduate studies. For me it was the vast research opportunities provided to the students. As a biology student, this was a crucial part of decision making. I was also quite intrigued by the cross collaboration with other departments. And finally, I was drawn to the atmosphere of Boston and possibilities it holds.
What are your favorite spots on the BU Campus?
BU campus offers a lot of great locations for students to study or simply hang out with their friends. Personally, I would have to say the little hill with wooden beach chairs at BU Beach. This is a great sport where you can sit and see the Charles River and the people passing by the highway or simply enjoying their evening run by the esplanade.
What is your favorite part about attending BU and studying in the US?
Once again there are so many reasons why I am quite happy with my decision on attending BU to pursue my higher education. However, if I were to choose one, I would say my favorite part is all the meaningful connections that I have made. Whether it is my fellow classmates, professors, or other students, I have had the opportunity to meet and connect with wonderful people since I started my journey at BU.
How is life in Boston?
Being from Chicago and going to college in DC, life in Boston was initially quite different from the life that I was used to. As I welcomed this change and different experiences of Boston, I started to enjoy it a lot. I can confidently say that my life here has taught me so much about myself that I didn’t even know existed.
What do you hope to do after you graduate?
After completing my masters in science in biology from BU, I hope to find full-time work in the industry where I can gain some hands-on experience. This will allow me to put my theoretical knowledge into work and continue to build on my resume. After some years of working I plan to pursue a more advanced education with a potential PhD in my field.
About The Author:
Doğa Sevgi
Marketing & Communication Assistant, GRS
Bachelor of Science, Psychology