Prior Education: UCLA
Hometown: El Paso, Texas
Major: Psychobiology
Why I chose PRIME at CWRU
I was hesitant to do a post-baccalaureate program after my counselor at UCLA recommended it to me because I did not want to postpone medical school any longer and be "old" when I started. Now I cannot imagine heading into medical school without having completed PRIME! It prepared me in ways that I did not think possible and the program allowed me to retake some pre-med classes, as well as take other advanced courses that I did not have the opportunity to in college, like anatomy and immunology (which have REALLY been helpful in medical school). I also really liked how the program included private and group advising sessions for pre-medical enrichment, which is very unique as well. The program allowed me to focus on school and also have extra time for research, volunteering at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, and preparing for the MCAT. What really made me choose PRIME was having a phone interview with Dr. Thompson. It was the only school I applied to that included one and after talking to her I felt and knew that the staff would be dedicated to helping me succeed. Both Dr. Thompson and Anthony helped me with my medical school applications and essays after I left Cleveland and they even submitted letters of recommendation for some summer programs for me. After being at such a large school at UCLA, it was really refreshing to get so much individual attention from all of CWRU’s staff members, including my professors.
How PRIME prepared me
Heading into the PRIME program, I hoped to strengthen my resume and solidify my science background before medical school and consequently increase my MCAT score. PRIME ended up giving me all that and more. I gained irreplaceable experience working in a melanoma lab and volunteering at Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital. I utilize knowledge and skills I gained through PRIME every day, and without it, I would not be in medical school today. I improved my MCAT score by 12 points and got five medical school interviews, all of which I only dreamed of before. I grew as a person, both professionally and emotionally, and I will always be grateful for how the PRIME program helped me toward my dream of becoming a doctor.
After completing PRIME I moved back to Los Angeles and worked as a patient coordinator at a dermatologist’s office for a year while I applied to medical school. I’m now currently a first year medical student at Texas Tech University Health Science Center - Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, which is back in my hometown of El Paso, TX.