Ann Bigelow is a second-year mathematics Ph.D. student and NSF Graduate Research Fellow at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She earned her B.S. in applied mathematics from the University of Utah, and her research focuses broadly on computational and applied mathematics, with a particular emphasis on numerical methods for simulating large deformations of thin sheets. She came to mathematics through an untraditional path, having previously been a ballet dancer and declaring her math major late in her undergraduate studies. At NCUWM, she hopes to offer a unique yet relatable perspective on key aspects of graduate school, including applying to programs, identifying research interests, and managing imposter syndrome.