Student and Alumni Stories

Whether they wanted to make a career change, gain a broader health-related background or strengthen existing credentials, our Pre-Health students had specific reasons for wanting to attend Penn. Read how the program’s flexibility, collaborative learning environment and research opportunities addressed each student’s unique needs and helped put individual goals in sight.

Alex Acker

Pre-Health Core Studies ‘16
Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania ‘21

A profound volunteering experience drove Alex to want to study medicine. At Penn, she found quality instruction, personalized advising, and a close cohort.

Read Alex’s story >

Dominique Alexis

Pre-Health Specialized Studies ’17
Medical Scribe, Scheie Eye Institute

Learn how Dominique connected her student community with a physician shadowing network and made an impact in the area around Penn.

Read Dominque’s story >

Anneka Allman

Pre-Health Core Studies ’23
JeffMD Program, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University ’29—expected

Working in a translational research lab convinced Anneka Allman that she could make a difference in patient care as a bench-to-bedside physician.

Read Anneka’s story >

Taylor Brothers

Pre-Health Specialized Studies, ’24
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine ’29 —expected

Taylor’s commitment to medicine and patient care brought her to the Pre-Health Specialized Studies program to prep for med school. Now she’s pursuing her childhood dream.

Read Taylor’s story >

Alana Carstens

Pre-Health Core Studies ‘15
Tulane University School of Medicine ‘20

Discover Alana’s humanitarian efforts through the Penn Human Rights Clinic, a medical interpreting course and her volunteering experiences abroad.

Read Alana’s story >

Victoria Chang

Pre-Health Specialized Studies ‘18
Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine at Boston University ‘23

During her year in Penn’s Pre-Health Programs and beyond, Victoria Chang enhanced her dental education with service and leadership roles.

Read Victoria’s story >

Jaemi Chu

Pre-Health Specialized Studies ‘16
Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine ‘20

Hear how Penn’s Pre-Health Programs helped Jaemi find her passion for osteopathic medicine and the hands-on training she gained during her studies.

Read Jaemi's story >

Tre Colbert

Pre-Health Specialized Studies ’21

Learn how science teacher Tre Colbert is pivoting from one noble profession to another after completing the Penn Pre-Health Specialized Study Program.

Read Tre’s story >

Stephen Cresse

Pre-Health Core Studies ‘16
University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine ‘20

Learn how Stephen, a registered nurse, changed his career path to surgery and anesthesiology after working at a clinic in the Dominican Republic.

Read Stephen's story >

Jesse Ebner

Pre-Health Core Studies ’19
College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University ’24

See how Jesse went from a career in finance to veterinary health with the support of her advisors and professors and hands-on experience at a local animal rescue.

Read Jesse’s story >

Samantha Fox

Pre-Health Core Studies ’23

Learn how Sam balances work, school, and life while exploring a new career path.

Read Sam’s story >

John Grunyk

Pre-Health Core Studies ‘15
Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania ‘19

Explore mentorship and linkage opportunities in Penn’s Pre-Health Programs through John’s experiences as a marketing-consultant-turned-medical-student.

Read John’s story >

Christopher Howard

Pre-Health Specialized Studies ‘16

Explore how Christopher, a former college football and rugby player, discovered his passion for medical research through Penn’s Pre-Health Programs.

Read Christopher’s story >

Eliana Jolkovsky

Pre-Health Specialized Studies ‘20

Inspired to become a doctor by a medical mission to South America, Eliana found so many ways to excel at Penn from leading student groups, researching COVID-19 preventions, and earning a 4.0.

Read Eliana’s story >

Laila Kalaf

Pre-Health Core Studies ‘18
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine ‘23

In the Specialized Studies track, Laila focused on enhancing her application for a linkage agreement at her first choice, a college of osteopathic medicine.

Read Laila’s story >

Rahul Kanade

Pre-Health Specialized Studies ‘15
Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine ‘21

Now in his third year at the Mayo Clinic, Rahul says that the biggest lesson in applying to medical school is to take your time and make sure you are completely ready.

Read Rahul's story >

Joyce Lin

Pre-Health Core Studies, ’21

See how a dedication to serving others led Joyce to change course from a self-employed violin teacher to a pre-dental student juggling academics and family life.

Read Joyce’s story >

Allie Lockhart

Pre-Health Core Studies ‘18
University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine ‘22

When Allie Lockhart pivoted from engineering to veterinary medicine, the Core Studies track provided the courses, experience, and advising she needed.

Read Allie’s story >

Lee McDaniel

Pre-Health Specialized Studies ‘15
Georgetown University School of Medicine ‘19

Look into Lee’s transition from computer science to medicine, and his research in childhood cancers with The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Read Lee’s story >

Mark Meisarah

Pre-Health Core Studies ‘14
Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania ‘19

Hear how a linkage with the Perelman School of Medicine and volunteering with LGBT health centers helped Mark find medical school success.

Read Mark's story >

Alexandra Miller

Pre-Health Core Studies ‘15
Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania ‘20

Explore Alex’s hands-on experiences at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and her transition from working in education to becoming a health professional.

Read Alex’s story >

Bradford Morris

Pre-Health Core Studies ‘19

Bradford approached his high school teaching job through a lens of healing. When he decided to pursue medicine, the Core Studies track made it possible.

Read Bradford’s story >

Alex Pickett

Pre-Health Specialized Studies ‘18

While completing a customized curriculum to meet her professional goals, Alex Pickett helped to coordinate shadowing opportunities for fellow Pre-Health students.

Read Alex’s story >

Linc Rhodes

Pre-Health Specialized Studies
‘15 Columbia University College of Dental Medicine ’20

Discover how Linc’s professors at Penn helped him find dental school success.

Watch Linc’s video >

Kacie Roman

Pre-Health Specialized Studies Program ’23

Learn how the Penn Pre-Health Programs helped Kacie Roman pivot from CPA to Penn Vet student.

Read Kacie’s story >

Daniela Schmulevich

Pre-Health Core Studies ’21

When a global pandemic created big changes in the Pre-Health Programs and beyond, Daniela Schmulevich and her peers stepped up to create a climate of support and collaboration.

Read Daniela’s story >

Anna Smith

Pre-Health Core Studies ‘19

In Penn’s Pre-Health Programs, Anna enjoyed many opportunities to learn, research, and work with others who shared her passion for animal health and care.

Read Anna’s story >

Matt Sparks

Pre-Health Specialized Studies ‘14
University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine ‘19

Hear how Matt was able to shadow at the Abramson Cancer Center through a connection made at the Pre-Health Distinguished Speaker Series.

Read Matt’s story >

Trishya Srinivasan

Pre-Health Specialized Studies ‘18

Discover how Trishya connected with students and faculty to make the most of her Pre-Health experience.

Read Trishya’s story >

Jason Wang

Pre-Health Core Studies ’24

The Pre-Health Core Studies track helped Jason Wang pivot from engineering to medicine. Moving to Philadelphia helped prepare him to study medicine anywhere in the world.

Read Jason’s story >

William (Dean) Wertz

Pre-Health Core Studies, ’21

As computer science major, Dean sees a clear connection between his undergraduate studies and his current pursuit of preparing for medical school.

Read Dean’s story >

Liz Wimberg

Pre-Health Core Studies ’23

Liz Wimberg has worked as a cook and a paralegal, but dentistry was always her dream. At Penn, she could pivot her creativity and communication skills toward a fulfilling dental career.

Read Liz’s story >

Diana Zarowin

Pre-Health Core Studies ‘18

Dive into Diana’s hands-on experiences and discover how she uses her entrepreneurial perspective to make the most of her time at Penn.

Read Diana’s story >

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