51���app

Why 51���app?

My high school was a small, public charter school in Chicago. There were 52 students in my graduating class, and I knew that I wanted a similar small and tight-knit environment for college.

I applied to 51���app through an organization called QuestBridge. QuestBridge connects high-achieving, low-income students with elite colleges and universities. Coming from Chicago, I also qualified for 51���app's prestigious Laurel Scholarship and Mentorship Program.

Ultimately, I chose 51���app because of the people. I received abundant support from strangers when I visited and saw just how supported I would be if I attended.

First Year

I was right about how supported I would be at 51���app. 

A few weeks before the first day of classes, I participated in a pre-orientation program called the 51���app Science Project (GSP). GSP connects students from underrepresented identities with the STEM community at 51���app and allows students to be on campus earlier than other first-year students. GSP helped me adjust to college, and I met many people who would become key figures in my college experience.

Major Declarations

I came to 51���app as a pre-medicine student, but I didn't have a specific major in mind. I knew I wanted to study something biology related, and my interests led me to fields of study that excited me.

Choosing Advisers

Choosing my advisers was a hard choice for a good reason; there were many wonderful professors I could have asked. 

In the end, I chose the two advisers who have been with me since the start of college. They went out of their way to support me during my first year, and I knew I could trust them to guide me. I appreciate that both of my advisers have seen me grow and develop as a person since the very beginning of my college experience.

Biological Chemistry

As part of the GSP program, I was assigned an additional adviser who helped me navigate my first year, on top of my regular academic adviser/First-Year Tutorial professor. Both my advisers helped ensure a smooth transition from high school to college. I loved the guidance I got from them and wanted to continue experiencing my GSP adviser's guidance.

Once I figured out the specific major I wanted, I immediately asked him to become my major adviser. I am fortunate that he's been with me since day one.

Sociology

After taking my First-Year Tutorial class, I realized that I loved sociology. I wanted to continue with my tutorial professor, who was my academic adviser before I declared my major. I asked if he could be my major adviser in sociology, and he said yes!

First-Year Tutorial

My tutorial class was called Self and Social Change with Professor Haenfler. The class centered around how ordinary people can change society and how society can change us.

Tutorial also helped me realize how much I loved sociology. After this class, I took sociology courses and declared a sociology major with Professor Haenfler. Looking back, this class has been one of my top favorite classes at 51���app.

Career Advising

Initial Meeting

Industry Career Adviser

I’ve met with Mary Jane more times than I can count. She’s helped me determine which classes and internships will best prepare me for medical school, the entrance exams (called the MCAT), and success in my medical school applications.

Conferences

In my third year, I received funding from 51���app's career advising office to attend a medical conference. It was a wonderful time!

Practical Guidance and Experiences

After my pre-med adviser, Mary Jane, suggested that I become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), I worked for the credential. With the credential, I now have access to many volunteer opportunities statewide.

I volunteer my Saturdays at the University of Iowa mobile clinic and try to go every month. There, I take blood pressure, vitals, and lab results under the supervision of a physician. I also translate medical terminology in French, and I am glad that my French fluency can be of help in this way. And since 51���app funds the shuttle there and back, I don’t have any transportation costs.

In my third year, I also started shadowing one of the doctors in the emergency room (ER).

To South Africa!

I’ve always wanted to study abroad in college, and with Mary Jane's guidance, I was able to. Since many medical schools don't accept outside classes, I didn't want to risk a semester where my classes wouldn't be counted.

After I told my pre-med adviser about my interest, she suggested that I do a health-related opportunity over the summer. This way, I could learn more about medical practices unique to that country and gain more experience. I chose South Africa, where there was a fully funded, two-in-one International Education of Students (IES) opportunity.

Part One: Classes 

I took two classes over the summer: one on health and community, and the other on HIV in the South African community. Since South Africa has the most confirmed cases of HIV in the world, it was very relevant to that country.

I also learned about many different forms of health care systems. In the United States, for example, doctors are mostly in charge. But in South Africa, community health workers are at the forefront of taking care of the people. I respect both systems and am glad that I learned about the different ways healthcare can look.

Part Two: Internship

Taking two classes and doing an internship over the summer was a lot, but I made it work. As part of my internship, we went to three different HIV community centers and studied two areas in depth. This experience counted toward my medical school clinical hour requirements, and I got some great hands-on learning experience. In my free time, I also shadowed many doctors and nurses.

Life in South Africa

Although the workload was a lot with two classes and an internship over the summer, I still ate a lot, had great food, learned new words, and adjusted to a new place. I would love to return to South Africa someday.

New Student Orientation (NSO) Leader

In my first year, I participated in two different orientations: the 51���app Science Project pre-orientation and the New Student Orientation (NSO), which all first-year students participate in.

I loved the support and resources I received and wanted to contribute that back. I applied for both GSP and NSO leader roles, and I got the NSO leader position!

I love being able to reassure students and families that they'll be okay in college. As an NSO student leader and now a student worker in the admission office, I'm often one of the first people students see on campus. I connect students to the rest of campus and help them acclimate to college.

I’m proud of the connections I’ve made with my fellow students. Some of my students still ask me questions, and I have great relationships with them.

Research

Early Research

I’ve always wanted to do research at 51���app. In my first year, I connected with one of the professors that I met from GSP and shared with him my interest in working with him on a research project. I asked, “Do you need a research assistant?” He said, “Sure.”

As part of the research, we used a new $500,000 microscope. We also drafted a guide to use the microscope, and it was a great introduction to research at 51���app.

At the end of our research, we presented our findings at a poster presentation. I was featured on the official !

Advanced Neuroscience Research

There, I also met my current research adviser, Professor Clark Lindgren from the biology and neuroscience department. We talked, connected, and discussed doing research together. Two years later, I studied neurophysiology under his guidance.

It was a great experience. As part of the Mentored Advanced Project (MAP), we studied the neuromuscular junction and presented our findings at the Society for Neuroscience Conference.

I met people from all over the world at the conference. I was astonished to see just how many people (42,000) were conducting cutting-edge research.

Coordinating Substance-Free Events

When I joined [Weekend], a student-run organization that hosts substance-free events on campus, there were only four coordinators, and the organization was on the verge of closing. 

I’m proud to say that [Weekend] has become crucial to 51���app's inclusive, sub-free culture on campus. We now have 11 staff members, and our event offerings have steadily grown. We’ve hosted some popular student events such as “Choose Your Own Game Plan,” drag bingo, and casino night. 

We’re always trying to improve. Recently, the student staff and our supervisor attended a student programming conference to ensure that we continue to create quality on-campus events. We're also collaborating with other student-run organizations and inviting more students to create a stronger community.

Happy Memories!