One summer at the University of Miami was all it took for Kylie Prieto to know she was destined to be a Hurricane. Originally from northern Chicago, she flew down the summer before her senior year of high school for the three-week Summer Scholars program in 2018.
"I fell in love with the campus," said Prieto, who will graduate May 10 through the School of Law's joint degree program, which enables high-achieving undergrads to complete their bachelor's and juris doctor degrees in just six years.
"I never wanted to leave," she said, laughing. "I guess that's why I'm still here all these years later."
Prieto said that her experience as a summer scholar set her up for success as an undergrad. During freshman year, she was able to support other students who were experiencing college life for the first time.
"Simple things like how to eat at the dining halls, where to print documents, even doing laundry were new to most of us," she said. "Summer Scholars tested my independence and exposed me to all the University has to offer."
She said it also taught her to immerse herself in new experiences despite being somewhat reserved and shy.
"I jumped in headfirst and involved myself in as much as possible," she said.
Prieto joined a sorority, the pre-law fraternity Phi Alpha Delta, for which she served as president, and the University dance team, the Miami Hurricanettes. She returned to the Summer Scholars Program as a teaching assistant in 2021.
Most importantly, she said the law track she chose as a summer scholar solidified her desire to attend law school.
"I took two law courses that summer, and the professor I had, Jessi Tamayo, has been a mentor to me ever since," Prieto said. "I've had her as a professor in law school, and I look up to her so much. It's all come full circle for me."
One experience stands out from that summer, Prieto said.
During preparation for a mock trial, Prieto said she considered signing up to play the role of a witness, something she had done during a similar exercise in high school. She didn't enjoy public speaking, but she explained that answering questions as a witness was well within her comfort zone.
Tamayo challenged her to aim higher.
"She said to me, 'You flew all the way here from Chicago. Why don't you sign up to be the prosecuting attorney?'" Prieto recalled. "It was a lot to prepare, with opening and closing statements, creating the line of questioning. But I had a great time doing it."
She was good at it, too, Prieto said her professor told her.
"At the end of the trial, I remember Jessi (Tamayo) coming up to me saying she would not want to be on the other end of my questioning," Prieto said incredulously. "That was so validating for me. It was six or seven years ago, and I still remember it so vividly. I realized at that moment that I can take risks and be successful.
While at Miami Law, Prieto found continued success through several internships and externships through the law school's externship program, which enables law students to earn academic credit while gaining practical legal experience.
After graduation, Prieto will start as an associate at the business law firm Messer Strickler Burnette in Jacksonville. Prieto said she is excited about the future but knows leaving the Coral Gables campus after commencement will be bittersweet.
"I feel like it's all going to hit me in May," she said. "I've been living in the Coral Gables area for over six years. I have been truly immersed in this community, and I'm so proud of going to the University of Miami."
View photos and videos from commencement ceremonies from our multimedia coverage.
Readstudent profiles and find commencement ceremony info in our special report.
