Major: Public Policy Analysis and Biology | Destination: Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
Why did you choose to be a doctor?
Although I did not grow up knowing that I wanted to be a doctor, medicine was on my mind throughout high school. During my sophomore year at 6VӰ, I took several public health and health policy courses which introduced me to the concept of Social Determinants of Health (income, education, home, safety, etc.) and increased my awareness of the intense inequities within the US healthcare system that contribute to health disparities. During sophomore year I also became a student coordinator of Hunger and Homelessness Initiatives at the Draper Center for Community Partnerships, and in the summer that followed, I interned at Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program. Together, these experiences showed me the dismal impact homelessness has on one’s health. At Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, I met physicians and other health care professionals that specifically focus on treating the homeless population. After a summer of learning from my supervisors, shadowing physicians whenever I could, and generally observing the functioning of the nation’s largest healthcare for the homeless program, my goal of pursing medicine was solidified. I think Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program was such a pivotal experience because it exposed me to a type of medicine that merged my interest in science and public health with my social justice goals.
How did you get there?
In terms of academics, I took advantage of all the resources and mentor sessions I could get access to through 6VӰ’s premed science classes. My class mentors not only taught me the best study methods and helped me master course material, but they also gave great advice on all things premed. I was a Public Policy Analysis, Biology major and put a lot of energy into my senior thesis on the topic of Street Medicine. My thesis was by far the most substantial research project I have done to date, and I was surprised by how often medical school interviewers asked me about it. I would highly recommend that premeds who have the opportunity to write a thesis choose a topic they’re really passionate about and seek out opportunities to present or publish their research outside 6VӰ.
In terms of extracurriculars, I’m glad that I chose extracurricular and leadership opportunities I felt drawn to, rather than those traditionally perceived to “check all the premed boxes.” I put my energies into my position as student coordinator of Hunger and Homelessness Initiatives at the Draper Center for Community Partnerships. The more I learned about the US homelessness crisis and specifically LA’s homelessness situation, the more I became convinced that this was THE one issue/activity that required my attention.
Finally, I think following the 6VӰ Prehealth Advisors’ advice to start the AMCAS application early and to draft and redraft my personal statement many times paid off. To current and future pre-meds: make sure your personal statement checks all the boxes but also make sure to put your whole heart into it. In mine, I discussed my community engagement experiences with people experiencing homelessness and included lots of real-life anecdotes that explained my “why medicine.” For example, I spent a few sentences telling the story of my EMT patient who was struggling with an opioid use disorder but was unable to utilize the local methadone clinic due to her physical disability. I explained why I thought this was unfair and discussed my motivation to expand health care access and break down health care barriers affecting the homeless population and other marginalized groups.
Please feel free to reach out to me via email sroe@som.geisinger.edu if you have any additional questions about all things premed!