Spearheaded by the College of Science and Mathematics(COSM) through their pre-health advising program, the mentoring program gives medical students an opportunity to give back and be a leader for pre-med students according to Boonshoft School of Medicine Liaison Senator Katelynn Alcorn.
“For the mentorship program I've been working with Jacqui Neal, who is the Assistant Dean of the College of Science and Mathematics. She has been running this program for years, and she was my amazing pre-medical advisor in the beginning of my Wright State journey,” Alcorn said.
The COSM creates surveys to pair a med student with a pre-med student based on similar interests and needs such as specialties, hobbies, schedules and types of student. The pair then meets at a kickoff event and after meet based on their own preferences when needed.
“I think that this program has had a positive and longstanding impact on all of those involved. Being a pre-medical student is a lot of hard work as it is with coursework, but there are countless of other things involved with being on the right track to medical school acceptance,” Alcorn said.
The challenges of medical school leave plenty of options for the medical students to teach and share experience. From preparing for the MCAT, getting advice on applying to medical school and all the way to learning to be competitive applicants, medical students mentor their protege to survive the process.
“Personally, I know this program helped solidify my path to the Boonshoft School of Medicine. I am a first generation college student, and no one in my family has a background in the medical field, and my mentor helped me feel more comfortable about choosing this path in my life,” Alcorn shared. “As for medical students, I think it has been a great opportunity to give back, because I know many of us had countless people who helped us get where we are. I also think that it reminds medical students how hard they worked to get here, and that studying hours and hours every day in medical school is something that we used to dream about.”
If you would like to get more information or share ideas and feedback about the program, you can contact alcorn.12@wright.edu or visit the web page.
