- Joined
- Dec 15, 2006
- Messages
- 296
- Reaction score
- 10
As you may can guess from my title, I attend the university where the shooting took place on Friday. We lost three professors while three other individuals survived. Of those we lost, one was my pre-med advisor. I was begininning to get to know this guy, who was pretty tough and honest, but a great person who always wanted his students to succeed, and more importantly, wanted to know about your life, what makes you involved in the activities and work you do. I remember early on, he told me 'I don't admit people to medical school.' He also said it's not his job to tell me I can't get into medical school. Basicall,y a way of him saying, 'I will guide you and you have to do the work.' My first encounter, I thought it would be a brief one...you know, walk in for 20 minutes, and get going....Well, I wanted to make a good first impression, so I never said I have to leave(although I needed to after some time). I was in there for almost two hours with him, realizing it was time to go. But, it was a great first meeting with him. He would pay close attention to my words, observed my body language, saying to treat each time I come in like an interview. Like a medical school interview. As I visited him more, the meetings with him became less interview-like and more relaxed...discussing my past experiences with sports medicine, working with high school kids, sub teaching, to which he said 'Now, tell me about that. What was that like?' We would get off on tangents, talk about basketball, especially local high school basketball, being the high school I take care of is rivals with another in the city, and we are always in the running for state playoffs each year....The last time I went in, a few weeks ago, we had a great conversation. I told him in detail my options of how I was planning to take classes, cut back on work, hopefully earn a scholarship for next year to pay for school, etc. On a few occasions, he would provide a comparison of two applicants, one who took 8 hrs and worked full-time and the one who took maybe 16 hrs and worked much less if at all. And would ask 'now, which one of those you think will get accepted?' I knew where he was heading...and he replied, agreeing with the latter student, saying 'because you can't use work as an excuse in medical school, because you won't work.' I told him about my interest in pursuing a rigorous MS in Nutrition, and wanted to take his Nutritional Physiology course next year. After my pre-med advising last weekend, I was looking forward to going back to him to tell him what I found out, and that I'm feeling better than ever about what I want to do with myself and how confident I feel that sooner or later, I will get there. I emailed him Friday afternoon, inquiring about an on-campus service organization, and wanted to know how I could do more and be a part of it. This, as I learned, I sent to him at the time of which he just went to the meeting, where he didn't return from.
Many of my classmates know this guy very well, from his classes, leading the Alpha Epsilon Delta pre-med society at the university, being their advisors over their whole academic career. Many hurt even more, not only because of his loss, but the loss and injuries to others, as they were professors, advisors, and friends as well. Some who knew everyone well. Some who even knew the shooter from having a class with her. For myself, and others, to have to start all over with a new advisor, who not only will evaluate you academically, but get to know you personally and care deeply about you, how you are and what you are going to do with your life, is gonna be just damn difficult. I was hoping that this guy could be one who could write my letter of recommendation for medical school next year. I was hoping that I could come back to this guy one day to say with a smile 'I DID IT' and 'THANK YOU!'
Anyhow, I just wanted to share with you these thoughts. Everyone here have been great throughout the time I have been on student doctor. I might be seeking more advice from you guys for some time about my goal of becoming a physician. Thanks.
Many of my classmates know this guy very well, from his classes, leading the Alpha Epsilon Delta pre-med society at the university, being their advisors over their whole academic career. Many hurt even more, not only because of his loss, but the loss and injuries to others, as they were professors, advisors, and friends as well. Some who knew everyone well. Some who even knew the shooter from having a class with her. For myself, and others, to have to start all over with a new advisor, who not only will evaluate you academically, but get to know you personally and care deeply about you, how you are and what you are going to do with your life, is gonna be just damn difficult. I was hoping that this guy could be one who could write my letter of recommendation for medical school next year. I was hoping that I could come back to this guy one day to say with a smile 'I DID IT' and 'THANK YOU!'
Anyhow, I just wanted to share with you these thoughts. Everyone here have been great throughout the time I have been on student doctor. I might be seeking more advice from you guys for some time about my goal of becoming a physician. Thanks.
He sounded like a pretty stand up guy. Any questions you have I'll try to help help answer.
