Interviewing an Upperclassman

I decided to interview an upperclassman who was in the same major as me. Her name is Jeffrin and she is a junior. I asked her some questions and the answers she gave were really helpful.

Me: What is your major/career path?

Her: My major is biochemistry and I am pre-medicine.

Me: Why did you choose this major?

Her: I took biology and chemistry in high school and I really enjoy those classes. I didn’t want to choose a major that was just biology or just chemistry so I combined the two.

Me: Why do you want to be a doctor and what kind of doctor do you want to be?

Her: I want to be a doctor to help others and not for the money. I want to be a doctor in the pediatric or cardiology field.

Me: What was the hardest class you took at OSU?

Her: The hardest class I took was physics 1251.  Calculus 2 was also pretty hard because it was a weed-out class. These classes made me consider changing my major until I took by first biochemistry course and I liked it.

Me: What clubs were you involved in?

Her: I wasn’t really involved in any clubs. I was more into community service.

Me: What is the biggest challenge you overcame?

Her: The biggest challenge for me was transitioning from high school to college and adjusting to the way the classes were set up. There are a lot of professors that I had to know.

Me: How do you maintain the responsibilities that you have to do and relax for the week?

Her: I plan out the week to make sure when I have time to do things.

Me: Do you work?

Her: I work at Harding Hospital. I’m also a Sunday School Teacher and a Karate Teacher.

Me: Were you involved in research?

Her: Yes, I was part of a research experience for undergraduate students that specialized with a faculty member presenting their work.

Me: What is your favorite major course?

Her: Biochemistry

Me: How was organic chemistry?

Her: It was a lot of work. You are going to have to study a lot.

Me: Did you use the tutoring services available in this university?

Her: Yes I used to MSLC and I used the LRC for chemistry.

Me: What is your favorite place to study?

Her: The pharmaceutical science library.

Me: What would you have done differently your freshman year?

Her: I would have not take general chemistry in college and used my AP credit.

Me: What is the most helpful resource that you used on campus?

Her: The math department helped me with calculus 2.

Me: What advice do you have for future biochem majors?

Her: Take advantage of AP credit and because it worth it in the end.

 

Update: The interviewee got accepted into medical school. This is the advice she gave

Me: Congratulations on getting into medical school. Do you think that staying in your major helped you?

Her: Yes it really did. Everyone was telling me about how P-Biochem would be hard but it wasn’t that bad

Me: Do you have any advice for me?

Her: I recommend that you take physics over the summer because it was a really difficult class. I also hope you don’t give up.

Me: Ok, thank you we definitely need to meet up soon.