Student Testimonials

"As a humanities and social science student whose only science courses in undergrad included Astronomy and Science in Film, I was nervous about the intensity of 12-months of core science classes.  However, the communal aspects of the experience--that there is a group of you all going through the same trials, headed, for the most part, in the same direction made the Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Program a special route to medical school.  It is easy to become frustrated and distracted by the demands of taking a large load of science credits.  My friends in the cohort, because we were all working towards the common goal of becoming physicians, served as constant reminders of what I was working towards and why I was there.”

Erin Wisman
First year medical student, Wake Forest School of Medicine
U.Va. Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Program, 2006-07
B.A. in American Studies, Wesleyan University, 2006  

 “The University of Virginia’s Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Program was, for me, a lesson in both transition and humility—two qualities with which now, as a first-year medical student, I am glad to have rubbed elbows.  I was happy with the opportunity to experience a large classroom setting, filled with the likes of stereotypical “overachieving” pre-meds.  I was happy to learn that I wasn’t the only person a little slow on the uptake, who was only just beginning the medical journey.  Mostly, it was helpful to experience all of these things with other folks.  The work was hard, and the support—from students and from faculty—was both crucial and consistent with what I have experienced in medical school so far.  Not many folks seem to “go it alone” in medicine, and I will continue to support—and elicit support from—my Post-Bac friends as we continue towards our professional goals.”   

Sarah Candler
First year medical student, Emory School of Medicine
U.Va. Post-Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Program, 2006-07
B.A. in Musico-Linguistics, Occidental College, 2006