Spring 2022

Admission to the McCollough Premedical Scholars Program solidified my decision to attend the University of Alabama in the Fall of 2019. Throughout the application process, I had plans to capitalize on my scholarship and to pursue a biology degree, gaining as much medical exposure as possible. At that time, there was little known about the program as I was set to become a member of the inaugural class. I can confidently say that the McCollough Scholars Program has been an invaluable experience, allowing me to grow both as an individual and a future physician.

The McCollough Scholars Program has had a major impact on guiding my pursuit of medicine, and I am grateful for the opportunities it has provided. In addition to surrounding me with a strong community of diligent scholars all striving for excellence, the McCollough Program has connected me with countless physicians and medical students alike. The program has heightened my medical exposure, opening doors to numerous shadowing, research, leadership, and service opportunities. Further, I have had the benefit of astute professors such as Dr. Poston who have engaged me in an interdisciplinary study of medicine, imparting on me the importance of being a knowledgeable, well-rounded physician.

Over the past 3 years, I have found success in multiple facets of my life, in part thanks to opportunities provided by the McCollough Program. In addition to sustaining academic excellence, I found many ways to get involved. I was a member of the STEM Path to MBA program, a program designed to allow STEM students to attain an accelerated master’s degree in business. I served as a research assistant with Dr. Anathbandhu Chaudhuri in his Herbicide Induced Disorders Lab using fruit flies as a model organism and conducted research in coordination with WakeMed Hospital. I was also a member of the club tennis team, a private tutor, and a volunteer coach at local high school tennis tournaments in my spare time. These academic, research, service, and leadership experiences have helped mold me into a well-rounded medical candidate.

This Spring I graduated Summa Cum Laude with honors and a 4.0 GPA. I received a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a minor in interdisciplinary medical studies. I will be finishing my MBA in healthcare management as a member of the Manderson College of Business. I plan to apply to medical school with hopes of beginning my medical journey the subsequent year.