Attending SMCM for my undergraduate degree prepared me in countless ways for my journey to medical school. I benefitted greatly from the smaller class sizes, one-on-one teaching and tutoring from professors and upperclassmen, and the opportunity for highly personalized pre-health advising through the HSAC committee. I was able to meet regularly each semester with my advisor to reflect on my progress, plan for upcoming coursework, and discuss extracurricular activities that would strengthen my medical school applications.
This individualized attention created a truly symbiotic environment: I received meaningful guidance and support, while my professors got to know me well enough to write letters of recommendation that reflected my growth and potential. HSAC further prepared me through mock interviews that were tailored to the kinds of questions I ultimately faced during the application process. These experiences not only contributed to my success in gaining admission to medical school but also helped me secure a postbaccalaureate research position at the NIH in the years prior. When it came time to apply, I was fortunate to receive 20 interviews and 15 acceptances, which gave me the opportunity to select the program that was the best fit for me.
Now, as a medical student at the University of Virginia, I can see just how unique my undergraduate experience was. Many of my peers at UVA described past experiences in their undergraduate with pre-health advising discouraging them from pursuing the path, or that it was challenging to build strong connections with their faculty mentors. That was never my experience at SMCM. I am deeply grateful for the support of HSAC and for the education I received at St. Mary’s, both of which provided me with a strong foundation for medical school and beyond.