Page 7 - Spring 2016
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ING 2016 Page 7
And…Let’s Not Forget to Include an Undergraduate Perspective
Sarah McConnell
Class of 2018
Bachelors of Science, Life Science
Kansas State University
Undergraduate Sophomore Year Reflection
The life of a pre-med student varies greatly by major, university, and class. I am currently a
sophomore at Kansas State University studying Life Science with a secondary major in Gerontology.
The program allows me to pick a large majority of my upper level classes, as long as they are within
certain sciences. In addition to picking classes that I am interested in, I also have the advantage of
time to include a minor or secondary major, because I can get the pre-requisite coursework taken
care of with my regular schedule.
As for involvement, I jumped in the deep end right at the start of freshman year. I do not
Scholars In Rural Health, a recommend doing this, because for one, starting college is already a huge transition;
program of the University of furthermore, I think there is an underrated importance with giving yourself time to
process the new stage you have entered in your life. I took some rigorous coursework
for my first semester, because I came in with some college credits already and felt the
Kansas School of Medicine, is expectation to continue full steam ahead. I also began working in a research lab,
designed to identify and started volunteering at a local retirement community, joined a sorority, and became an
active member of the Gerontology Club.
encourage students from rural I loved the diversity of activities that I was involved in, but I became so short on time
Kansas who are interested in that I was not taking care of myself. I was not working out regularly, and I was stress
building successful careers as eating while studying for my never-ending tests. I was almost addicted to signing
myself up for commitments, and I got so much praise for “managing” the ridiculousness
physicians in rural areas. of my life that I kept going, even though I was the one creating the madness. I thought
Students apply for the program that my life had to include every bullet point on the medical school suggestions in order
to earn my spot in medical school, but it is impossible to do everything, especially at the
their sophomore year of college. level of commitment medical school admissions committees expect. I am not sure if
this is totally true, but I believe that they would rather see a candidate full-heartedly
For more information see supporting an organization for many years, including leadership positions, than a
page 28. candidate who dipped his or her toes in the water of several commitments.
From my first year, I did learn to focus more on what I loved. The research was an
extraordinary experience, but as my year of working in the lab concluded, I chose to
start working as a certified nurse aide. I did work part-time for the fall semester of my second year, but I released myself to
working only as needed for the spring semester due to an additional leadership role I took on. I also began shadowing at a rural
clinic near Manhattan in September, and I have continued to shadow a few times a month if my schedule allows. Each shadowing
experience is another chance to peek into the world of a physician. I can honestly say that I learn something new every
appointment, whether it be about a condition I am not familiar with or witnessing a new way to encourage trust from the patient.
By taking care of myself and exploring my interests, I am better able to focus when I need to focus, and decompress when I have
time to relax.
College is not meant to encompass your happiness with all the lows you will feel. College is supposed to be an exciting timefilled
with learning, meeting new people, and exploring who you are and what you believe in. I hope to continue to explore my loveof
medicine while taking care of myself, and I hope my efforts in academics, service, and leadership ultimately lead to my acceptance
into medical school.
And…Let’s Not Forget to Include an Undergraduate Perspective
Sarah McConnell
Class of 2018
Bachelors of Science, Life Science
Kansas State University
Undergraduate Sophomore Year Reflection
The life of a pre-med student varies greatly by major, university, and class. I am currently a
sophomore at Kansas State University studying Life Science with a secondary major in Gerontology.
The program allows me to pick a large majority of my upper level classes, as long as they are within
certain sciences. In addition to picking classes that I am interested in, I also have the advantage of
time to include a minor or secondary major, because I can get the pre-requisite coursework taken
care of with my regular schedule.
As for involvement, I jumped in the deep end right at the start of freshman year. I do not
Scholars In Rural Health, a recommend doing this, because for one, starting college is already a huge transition;
program of the University of furthermore, I think there is an underrated importance with giving yourself time to
process the new stage you have entered in your life. I took some rigorous coursework
for my first semester, because I came in with some college credits already and felt the
Kansas School of Medicine, is expectation to continue full steam ahead. I also began working in a research lab,
designed to identify and started volunteering at a local retirement community, joined a sorority, and became an
active member of the Gerontology Club.
encourage students from rural I loved the diversity of activities that I was involved in, but I became so short on time
Kansas who are interested in that I was not taking care of myself. I was not working out regularly, and I was stress
building successful careers as eating while studying for my never-ending tests. I was almost addicted to signing
myself up for commitments, and I got so much praise for “managing” the ridiculousness
physicians in rural areas. of my life that I kept going, even though I was the one creating the madness. I thought
Students apply for the program that my life had to include every bullet point on the medical school suggestions in order
to earn my spot in medical school, but it is impossible to do everything, especially at the
their sophomore year of college. level of commitment medical school admissions committees expect. I am not sure if
this is totally true, but I believe that they would rather see a candidate full-heartedly
For more information see supporting an organization for many years, including leadership positions, than a
page 28. candidate who dipped his or her toes in the water of several commitments.
From my first year, I did learn to focus more on what I loved. The research was an
extraordinary experience, but as my year of working in the lab concluded, I chose to
start working as a certified nurse aide. I did work part-time for the fall semester of my second year, but I released myself to
working only as needed for the spring semester due to an additional leadership role I took on. I also began shadowing at a rural
clinic near Manhattan in September, and I have continued to shadow a few times a month if my schedule allows. Each shadowing
experience is another chance to peek into the world of a physician. I can honestly say that I learn something new every
appointment, whether it be about a condition I am not familiar with or witnessing a new way to encourage trust from the patient.
By taking care of myself and exploring my interests, I am better able to focus when I need to focus, and decompress when I have
time to relax.
College is not meant to encompass your happiness with all the lows you will feel. College is supposed to be an exciting timefilled
with learning, meeting new people, and exploring who you are and what you believe in. I hope to continue to explore my loveof
medicine while taking care of myself, and I hope my efforts in academics, service, and leadership ultimately lead to my acceptance
into medical school.
