Shambrekia' Wise
University of Arkansas
Class of 2007

Shambrekia' is a member of the NSHSS Student Council well on her way to realizing her dream of becoming a doctor. Here she shares her recent experience at The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine.

"That was much easier said than done," were my thoughts as I clicked the submit button to turn in my application. Of all the different summer opportunities for college pre-med students to take advantage of, I decided to apply for the Summer Medical Education Program at The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. SMEP is a free (full tuition, housing, and meals) six-week summer medical and dental school preparatory program that offers eligible students intensive and personalized medical and dental school preparation. The program offered several opportunities to learn more about academic enrichment in the basic sciences (organic chemistry, physics, biology, pre-calculus/calculus) and key elective courses (writing, oral presentations, current topics in health).  There are also learning-skills seminars, including study skills and methods of individual and group learning, clinical exposure through small-group clinical rotations and full-group clinician seminars, career development, including the exploration of the medical professions and an individualized education plan to identify other appropriate summer experiences, and a financial-planning workshop. The rigorous course work seemed very challenging, the days seemed to be long, and the workload seemed almost unbearable, but that was everything I needed to show me if I have what it takes to become a doctor.

When I arrived in the Windy City and met my peers, it was as if everyone had known each other for a lifetime. We settled in the dorms, and as the program kicked off, we soon realized that we had a long road ahead of us, but we knew that our hard work would pay off. The weekdays were dedicated to classroom-style lectures and clinicals with some of the most respected physicians around, but more importantly this program gave me the opportunity to see if medicine was truly in my heart.

The weekends were nothing like the weekdays. This was our time to relax and enjoy the Chicago Life! We explored Michigan Avenue, the Navy Pier, the Cheesecake Factory located in the John Hancock, Six Flags, and you can't forget the Taste of Chicago! The weekends were indeed the highlights of our stay.

What made the Chicago experience priceless? - MORE -

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