Gaining confidence

Last weekend we participated in the NC Health Professions Recruitment Seminar, held at Duke University. In collaboration with Duke’s summer enrichment program, SMDEP, the fair consisted of many different academic programs, most notably UNC’s own MED program.

The focus of the seminar was to allow us to receive information about specific health programs from recruiters from across the country. I came to the fair with some indication of the type of questions and information we would receive, and I left with a clearer understanding of what graduate schools are looking for. Seminars presented covered topics such as academic criteria, extracurricular activities, MCAT/DAT averages, personal statements and other informative insight. There was even a mock interview and admission committee discussion follow-up, which I found to be very helpful. I feel that the true focus of this weekend’s event was to allow students to find that extra “inch” during the application process. Finding the factor that can really separate you from the rest of the applicants is, I think, key in becoming the best overall applicant possible.

I left the seminar very encouraged from the information gained this weekend. I learned a lot about the application process for graduate school and had the opportunity to network with several students and admissions recruiters. The recruitment fair allowed me to see what schools are really looking for. I gathered a lot of information pertaining to the basic admission standards and a little extra information that I didn’t know. I found the seminars to be extremely helpful, not only because many of my questions were answered, but because they were answered by the people I wanted to hear it from. I felt that the recruiters did a wonderful job answering the questions and really staying on topic. I am certainly going to take the advice that I gained from this event and use it when the time comes for me to apply.

After a weekend like this, I feel more confident about where I am in the applications process. I know what I need to work on to become a better and stronger applicant. I’ve even realized that it may require some extra time to develop into the applicant they are looking for, but I’m willing to do whatever it takes to be the best applicant possible.

Continue to wish me luck in my future endeavors…