SEP-UNC Summer Program Completion

 

 

Over the summer I had the privilege of participating in the SEP Program at UNC Chapel Hill. This science enrichment program was a 8 week summer program where I had the opportunity to take classes that are vital for pre-medical students, as well as have the opportunity to shadow doctors in different specialties and tour different medical schools in North Carolina. This program was such a blessing for me as it allowed me to get a head start in a lot of classes that I am currently taking now. I had the chance to take organic chemistry, physics, bio statistics, and human physiology. Currently here at spelman I am taking organic chemistry and physics, so I am able to take that prior knowledge that I gained in this program and apply it to my current course load. It it showing to be extremely beneficial as now I can be the one to help my friends that might have questions on topics that I have masterd from over the summer. I also was able to take a pre-medical class that allowed me to get first hand information on the truths of medicine and medical school and practice the types of skills that doctors use on a daily basis to diagnose patients. I also had the chance to meet so many amazing people and build so many bonds with like-minded individuals. The bonds that I created with the AUC students as well as students in different schools that were participating in this program I learned how important it is to foster those relationships with people around you that will uplift and support you throughout your journey. It was very eye opening for me and it allowed me to see exactly the work that I need to be putting in for my journey to medicine. This program has helped me tremendously with the next steps I want to take in my journey, especially the idea of me taking a gap year (or two) after Spelman and before medical school to get my Masters. Having the opportunities to talk to different doctors and hear their perspectives on gap years, as well as tour different graduate schools and hear about the programs that they have to offer really helped me come to my decision and have opened up different connections with people that I can talk to about these next steps. Although this program was difficult and it took a lot of hard work, I am blessed to had been given the opportunity to meet the people I met and gain the experience and knowledge that I did. 

-By Shanelle Hall