Sophomore Year

I am so grateful to have completed another year at Ohio State! This one was definitely unique and posed many challenges.  Academically, I was challenged as I began to take on more higher level classes.  I found support in my professors and in group studying with my peers.  I am really happy with my choice in major and I have truly enjoyed all of my classes.  This year I sparked an interest in public health, as I was taking a class on global public health.  I have decided to add a minor in global public health.  Additionally, I want to pursue both an MPH and a MD/DO.

This year was my first full year in the research lab, and although cut short, I learned so much.  I am excited to get back in the lab this fall.  I started off the year as an OWL-Coordinator, helping to lead and train my peers throughout move-in day. It was a great start to the year! I also was able to help with the Bio-Sci launch, and welcome our new students.  I also served as a peer mentor to a freshman in our program, who met with throughout the year.  I spent another year in the pool with the club swim team and I qualified for 2020 Nationals.  The meet was cancelled, but I am looking forward to serving as an officer in Nationals Coordinator position and will (hopefully) plan my team’s trip to Nationals in 2021. I served on the Health and Safety Committee within Undergraduate Student Government where I helped to plan events and write policy surrounding Title 9.  I had a great time as fully initiated member in Gamma Phi Beta sorority, where we helped raise over 3,000 dollars for our philanthropic partners.  I also began my role as Assistant Financial Vice President and helped manage and balance our budget for the year. I also participated in Buckeyethon and I will be a team captain next year.

I had great year at this amazing university and I am looking forward to better days ahead, I am hoping to study with my friends at Thompson again, walk around the oval, and cheer on the best team!! Go Bucks!

Vision Statement and Statement of Action 2020

   In my last two years at Ohio State, I plan to grow as a leader, a student, and as a scientist. I plan taking advantage of all the resources I have here. I want to continue to do well in studies and make connections with professors.  I want to volunteer more and make an impact on the Columbus community.  I want to mentor and lead new Biological Sciences Scholars students. I want to establish Partners in Health and create something that can make an impact.  I hope to lead Club Swimming well both as Nationals Coordinator and as Buckeyethon Team Captain.  I want to grow as a researcher and make an impact with my current research.  I hope to continue to make great memories with the amazing friends have I have met.  I hope to cheer on the Buckeyes in the Shoe and truly enjoy my remaining time here.

2019 OWL

Move-in day at Ohio State has become one my favorite experiences at Ohio State! It was my first ever leadership experience as  Buckeye and I am so glad my roommates convinced to try the Ohio State Welcome Leader (OWL) program! It was a great way to get to campus early, make friends, and be a leader at Ohio State.  For my second year, I decided to apply to be an OWL-Coordinator where I would get the chance to lead and train a group of freshmen throughout move-in day. It was an awesome experience! We arrived on campus a week early to participate in leadership training, we then got to move our OWLs in and welcome them to Ohio State. For our next few days, we lead our OWLs in training and helped them get acclimated to college.  Then it was the big day, my fellow OWL-Cs and I were up at five in the morning to begin the day! We spent all day cheering and helping to move in almost 10,000 students. We also had to deal with solving problems and  keeping things moving smoothly. It was so much fun to help with such an exciting day and to be leader on campus. I am so thankful for the friends I made and the leadership experience I gained!

Welcome!

Hello! My name is Katie McGreal and I am currently a rising junior at Ohio State. Welcome to my E-Portfolio, where I will be sharing parts of my journey here at Ohio State! I am excited to share more about my growth as a student and path to medical school.  My portfolio contains information about my involvement and passions here at Ohio State, that have shaped my college experience.

GOALS Update 2020

Global Awareness: I am helping to found an Ohio State chapter of Partners in Health, which helps to bring medicine and improve public health around the world.

Original Inquiry: I am continuing my research on ovarian cancer cells at the James Cancer Hospital.

Academic Enrichment: I am continuing to grow as a student as I take more major classes. I have maintained my status on Dean’s List for all my semesters at Ohio State.

Leadership Development: I will be founding and serving as Fundraising Lead for PIH, additionally I will the Club Swim Team’s Nationals Coordinator and Buckeyethon Team Captain for the upcoming academic year.  I will also be starting my second year as a peer mentor for Biological Sciences Scholars.

Service Engagement: I will be volunteering for the Columbus Free Clinic starting in Autumn 2020.

Career Update- COVID Pandemic

Like many students during this pandemic, my summer plans were drastically altered due to the continuing crisis.  Originally I had plans to work for Ohio State Summer Conference Housing while living on campus.  I was also planning on continuing my research at the James Cancer Hospital, taking a class, and volunteering with the Columbus Free Clinic.  Unfortunately, I was unable to live on campus and continue with these plans due to the pandemic.

I am thankful that with the help of some networking and family, I am still able to have a productive summer in Cleveland. I am now taking my class online.  I also have a new role at Senders Pediatrics, where I am screening patients and providers for symptoms and assisting with other tasks in the office. I am grateful to be able to help during this time and to be able to gain exposure in the medical field.  Additionally, I am life guarding and teaching private lessons, while helping to operate the pool under new guide lines to maintain patron safety. This was definitely not the summer I was expecting, but I am so grateful for the experiences I am gaining.

Freshman Year in Review

My first year at Ohio State has been an amazing experience! I am so grateful for all of the wonderful people and amazing opportunties I have had! My classes have been challenging, but have helped me to grow as a student.  Through Bio Sci Scholars, I was able to volunteer, take a tour of the James, and learn about research.  I worked at the pool as a lifeguard, swam for the club team, participated in Buckeyethon, and helped raise money for Girls on the Run.  Next semester I am excited to lead move in day as an OWL Coordinator, mentor incoming Bio Sci freshmen, and start researching at the James! I have had a great year and I am excited for what is to come!

College Club Swimming Nationals

This semester, I qualifed for Club Swimming Nationals.  This year the meet was hosted by our club team here at Ohio State. We hosted 119 teams from all over the country! I was able to swim in the meet, cheer on my teammates, and help volunteer at the meet.  Our team ended up placing second overall in the country, with the women placing fourth and the men placing first.  It was an amazing meet to be apart of and I am so grateful for Club Swimming at Ohio State!

Semester in Review

My first semester at Ohio State has been filled with many great learning experiences, social experiences, service opportunties, and new friends.  I have been challenged and grown as a student through my coursework.   Being a Biological Sciences Scholar has given me a community and provided me with service and other enrichment opportunites.  I started off my first semester by volunteering as an Ohio State Welcome Leader, and I have started volunteering with A Kid Again OSU.  I am preparing for my future endeavors by attending meetings and listening to speakers at Pre-Med Club.  I started working as lifeguard at McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion through Recreational Sports.  This job has challenged me and helped me to develop my skills as a lifeguard and employee.  I joined the club swim team, which has given me a great outlet for stress and a great way to stay fit.  In addition, being on the team has given me the chance to travel and compete at different colleges. Most importantly, the team has given me so many great friends and super fun experiences.  I am also fundraising for Buckeyethon and looking forward to the dance marathon next semester! Overall, my first semester has been challenging and full of changes. It has also given me the chance to grow and have new experiences.  I am excited to finish this semester strong and see what lies ahead for the next one!

Scholars Social Event

To celebrate the end of our first week of classes, our scholars group attended the men’s soccer game. It was a great way to connect with other members of my scholars program and support our Buckeyes!