Major: molecular biology, minor in mathematics
Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
Destination: NYU Grossman School of Medicine, MD Program
Why did you choose to be an MD?
I chose to pursue an MD because clinical medicine is a wonderful intersection between scientific exploration & human interaction. I have always enjoyed science; I remember being fascinated by visits to the local observatory & science museum as a kid. As I grew older, however, I realized that I also highly value working with others. Throughout my first year of medical school, I've been thrilled to see how medicine combines these two interests. My classmates and I spend time in teams almost every day, working to understand basic scientific content or to solve clinically-oriented problems.
How did Pomona prepare you?
First, my STEM coursework at Pomona certainly helped prepare me for the educational content taught in medical school. My courses in biology, chemistry, and physics at Pomona have given me a strong foundation on which to learn the principles of clinical medicine.
Perhaps even more importantly, my classes at Pomona taught me the valuable skill of critical thinking. Much of medicine relies on the ability to consider multiple alternatives (diagnoses, treatment plans, etc.) and to walk logically through the various options. A majority of the content in my STEM & humanities courses at Pomona was directed at learning how to approach these types of difficult, multi-faceted challenges with confidence.
Any advice for current or prospective Pomona students?
First, if you think you might be interested in a career in medicine, connect with the pre-health office early & often. They have a variety of great resources available to help answer your questions, whether you're curious about research, shadowing, or learning more about the various career opportunities within the expansive field of healthcare.
Second, take time to pursue what you love outside of the pre-health / pre-medicine track. Pomona offers a wonderful range of educational & extracurricular activities to take advantage of; some of my fondest memories of college are of taking classes outside my major (e.g., a karate PE class) and enjoying IM activities like inner-tube water polo. The pre-health track can be stressful - make sure you take the time for self-care and to explore new things at Pomona!