Background
Hometown: Philadelphia
Drexel University College of Medicine Class: 2011
Undergraduate: University of Michigan, BS in Biological Anthropology
Graduate: Drexel University College of Medicine
Q & A
Why did you choose Drexel University College of Medicine?
I chose Drexel based on the curriculum, location, and diversity of clinical experiences. I really enjoyed the opportunity to choose the curriculum that I believed would work best for me and thought it was a unique approach to education that I couldn't find in other programs.
How would you describe the learning environment at Drexel?
If I had to describe it in a single word, I would say collaborative. Everyone works together to work towards a shared goal of making highly qualified and well-educated physicians. I was always able to use the resources around me to learn, from peers to professors, everyone is always willing to work together to understand new material.
What kind of relationship did you have with your classmates and faculty?
My peers have become some of my closest friends, much like family to me. This is true for some of the faculty, as well! I know it sounds surprising to call a faculty member a friend, but at Drexel there are numerous professors and attendings who truly get to know you as a person and help you make so many life decisions that there is no other way to describe them, then as friends.
How easy is it to join extracurricular activities at the College of Medicine? Are there many to choose from?
It is very easy to become involved at Drexel, and believe me, I took advantage of it during my time at Queen Lane! There are countless extracurricular groups, from clubs for running and acapella, to community outreach projects. The most exciting part about Drexel College of Medicine is the ability to focus your free time into any activity that excites you and realizing there are other people who share similar interests. It really gives you the opportunity to get to know your peers in a different setting.
In what extracurricular activities were you involved?
I was involved in SGA, Streetside Clinic, Peer Mentoring, Physicians for Human Rights and the Bridging the Gaps program.
What did you enjoy the most about medical school?
It is definitely hard to choose just one thing, but I would have to say my time with the Bridging the Gaps program and the Streetside Clinic. I have a strong interest in community health and underserved patient populations, and both of these programs allowed me to spend time getting to know the Philadelphia Community. It helped me to see a different side of medicine than what you experience in the hospitals or the classroom. It's something that I will always be grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in.
In what field are you doing your residency?
Internal Medicine
From your perspective as a recent grad, do you have any advice about Drexel that you'd like to tell applicants?
Take advantage of all the opportunities Drexel has to offer you! There are so many ways to get involved and you should take the time to really become committed to the things that excite you. In addition, get to know the Student Affairs staff and your faculty members, they are amazing people both inside and outside of the classroom, and are always there to help you no matter what time of day. I have learned so much from everyone at Drexel and have made lifelong friends. I wouldn't trade my experiences at Drexel for anything!