This year consisted of a lot of changes for me. First of all, I lived away from my family for the first time ever, which is a huge change. Luckily, I adapted quickly and was very happy to finally have my independence. I met so many new people, many of them are now some of my closest friends. I was a member of the STEM EE Scholars program, and I was elected to be the executive co-chair of the program for the upcoming year. I also had the opportunity to volunteer at the Wexner Medical Center. I was responsible for helping patients and visitors find their way around the hospital while making them feel as comfortable as possible. Next year, I hope to get involved with undergraduate research. I am really looking forward to next year!

Coming to Ohio State was a big change that allowed me to explore new interests and learn more about myself. When I started classes, I didn’t think I would have any interest in working in an undergraduate research lab. However, after doing the STEM EE scholars interview project, I became more interested in research. I talked to a professor who was doing research on a cure for HIV, and I found it very interesting. This made me realize that I don’t have to only focus on medical school. I can explore other things outside of medicine and find new areas of interest. After discovering my interest in research, I looked online found out about Ohio State’s combined MD/PhD program. This combined professional and graduate program would allow me to become a practicing medical doctor while also pursuing cutting-edge medical and environmental research. I originally had no intention of pursuing a PhD, but my experience interview professors changed my opinion. I still have a very strong interest in medicine, so while I will pursue research, I will primarily focus on medicine. I know I won’t be attending graduate school for a while, so for now, I am seeking undergraduate research opportunities. I have been looking at the Ohio State undergraduate research website to see what professors are looking for students to work in their labs. I plan to reach out to these professors in the near future to see if I can secure a spot in their lab for next semester or next year.

[ “Year in Review”  is where you should reflect on the past year and show how you have evolved as a person and as a student.  You may want to focus on your growth in a particular area (as a leader, scholar, researcher, etc.) or you may want to talk about your overall experience over the past year.  For more guidance on using your ePortfolio, including questions and prompts that will help you get started, please visit the Honors & Scholars ePortfolio course in Carmen. To get answers to specific questions, please email eportfolio@osu.edu. Delete these instructions and add your own post.]