A 1972 graduate of Rutgers Preparatory School, she attended Franklin Township High during her Freshman and Sophomore years.

[1][2] After a reception at the White House, Melick travelled with the U.S. team around August 20, to represent the United States at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich.

[5][1][6][7][8][9] She swam the breaststroke leg for the gold medal-winning U.S. team in the preliminary heats of the women's 4×100-meter medley relay, but was ineligible to receive a medal under the 1972 rules because she did not compete in the event final.

[10] Beginning in the Fall of 1972, Melick attended Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey, where she became the first female swimmer to receive an athletic scholarship.

In 1982, she was an Ophthalmology Resident at the Wills Eye Hospital and competed with United States Masters swimming when time permitted.