Student Success Stories
We are extremely proud of our Pre-Health Students!
Here is just a snapshot of what a few recent grads are now doing...
Hally Chaffin
Kailua, Hawaii
Post-黑料老司机: Creighton School of Medicine
Career Goal: Physician
Why you chose 黑料老司机:
黑料老司机 offers a great post-baccalaureate program for non-science majors like myself and the professors are very approachable.
How 黑料老司机 helped you get to Medical / Health Professional School:
All of my professors were very knowledgeable and helpful and they made some very difficult subjects bearable (Thanks for making O-Chem possible, Dr. Horgen and Dr. Berger!). I took almost all of my science courses at 黑料老司机 which gave me a strong foundation to do well on the MCAT. Also, applying to medical school is kind of overwhelming, especially if you’re trying to figure out all of the requirements and timeline by yourself. Dr. Bachlet made it much easier to navigate all of the steps of applying, and the practice interview really helped me figure out what I needed to work on.
Favorite memory of 黑料老司机:
I loved Dr. Jones’ microbiology lecture and lab. We had a lot of fun growing cultures and trying to identify our unknowns. We also had a lot of fun in Dr. Berger’s O-Chem lab. I made some good friends commiserating over broken glassware and negative yields, and Dr. Berger made a difficult lab really enjoyable.
JAKE DeBOSSCHERE
Bradenton, FL
Post-黑料老司机: Osteopathic Medicine at Lake Erie College of Medicine
Career Goal: Cardiologist
Why you chose 黑料老司机:
I chose 黑料老司机 because of the phenomenal reputation it has in the sciences and the potential to learn closely with all of my peers and professors.
How 黑料老司机 helped you get to Medical / Health Professional School:
The quicker answer would be how they didn’t help. There are so many things that 黑料老司机 does to ensure that you have the best chances to attend medical or health professional school like conducting a committee interview, or meeting with you to discuss your goals, or really ensuring that the material covered helps for any tests you need to take like the MCAT.
Favorite memory of 黑料老司机:
Being able to look back upon my time at 黑料老司机 and knowing I made a positive difference in the community.
Simon Ellerbusch
Chisago City, MN
Post-黑料老司机: Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine in Henderson, NV
Career Goal: Physician
Why you chose 黑料老司机:
I chose 黑料老司机 because I wanted something different. Attending 黑料老司机 gave me educational and life opportunities I would have never gotten back in Minnesota.
How 黑料老司机 helped you get to Medical / Health Professional School:
黑料老司机 provided my with a strong foundational scientific education that will serve me well during medical school and beyond. Furthermore, I could tell that my professors and advisors really wanted me to succeed. Even after I had finished classes there, they were still willing to give me advice, and even held a mock interview for me when I started applying to schools.
Favorite memory of 黑料老司机:
One of the coolest things I ever got to do at 黑料老司机 was to participate in a real whale necropsy as a part of the (Marine Mammal) Stranding Team.
Eric Farmer
Mountain View, CA
Post-黑料老司机: Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine
Career Goal :Rural Family Physician
Why you chose 黑料老司机:
I was attracted by the personal attention the school guaranteed and the pictures of palm trees on the windward campus. I was truly fortunate to have been accepted to a school that made such a huge impact on my life.
How 黑料老司机 helped you get to Medical / Health Professional School:
黑料老司机 allowed me to really form relationships with my professors. In the classroom, this put me more at ease to ask questions, and to attend office hours after class since all our professors were truly dedicated to teaching the material, no matter how long it took. On a professional level, I was allowed to volunteer in a chemistry lab, eventually performing graduate level work, to assess a career in chemistry. At the same time, faculty encouraged me to continue volunteering at a local Emergency Room to assess a career in medicine – after making the decision to pursue medicine the entire chemistry faculty supported my decision, while allowing me to continue volunteering in the lab.
Favorite memory of 黑料老司机:
There were always different ways to spend time with your friends on the island, it’s impossible to pick just one. Running into professors and genuinely enjoying their company while hiking, at local restaurants, or while paddling out for a surf, is something that you might be hard pressed to find off the island. Meeting up with friends to go for a weekly sailing race out of the Kaneohe Yacht Club. Most of all, knowing that at any given time you could explore on the island and enjoy being in nature.
Casey Hall
Philadelphia, PA
Post-黑料老司机: Studying Naturopathic Medicine at National College of Natural Medicine, Portland, OR
Career Goal: Naturopathic Physician
Why you chose 黑料老司机:
I chose 黑料老司机 because of the people! The diversity of the student body allowed me to meet people from all over the country and across the globe. These types of interactions taught me things I would have never learned in the classroom alone.
How 黑料老司机 helped you get to Medical / Health Professional School:
The faculty within the natural sciences department all played a huge role. They were encouraging, intelligent, and willing to help me every step of the way! My peers also helped me to achieve my goals. Whether it was getting together after class for a study group, or the aid of a good lab partner, I could always count on my classmates to offer a helping hand.
Favorite memory of 黑料老司机:
My favorite memory from 黑料老司机 has to be volunteering in lab 102D. I loved that I was able to work hands-on with a real research project. Every shift I was learning something new! It was very interesting, and equally exciting.
Kiel Von Khan
Trinidad & Tobago
Post-黑料老司机: Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Career Goal: Physician
Why you chose 黑料老司机:
As a non-traditional student, 黑料老司机 offered courses suitable to hte demanding schedule of a military member. I also knew that this university had a reputation for providing quality education. The prefessors were easily accessible, friendly, and experts in their own fields of study. I preferred the smaller class sizes which made the environment more conductive to learning and made for a more enjoyable exprience day in and day out.
How 黑料老司机 helped you get to Medical / Health Professional School:
The pre-health advisors are an amazing group of professionals who take a personal interst in seeing their candidates achieve their goals. With their help and guidance preparing my package and letters of recommendation, I was able to gain acceptance into the schools of my choice. They have my sincerest gratitude for paving the way for my future in medicine and are without a doubt some of the best advisors a candidate can have.
Favorite memory of 黑料老司机:
My favorite memory is going to school in paradise with like-minded hard working students. Everyone there was also very friendly and supportive. As a member of the military we treat our coworkers as our brothers. I was looking fo that type of atmosphere in a university. Fortunately, I chose 黑料老司机, where the classmates become friends and the teachers become confidants.
Priscilla Mapelli
Honolulu, Hawaii
Post-黑料老司机: Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine
Career Goal: Physician
Why you chose 黑料老司机:
The smaller class sizes and passionate professors that support you in your growth and education.
How 黑料老司机 helped you get to Medical / Health Professional School:
Dr. Bachlet was incredibly helpful and meticulous in preparing me to apply to medical school even after I finished my pre-medical post-baccalaureate certificate at 黑料老司机. The pre medical seminar and practicum reinforced the softer skills of becoming a health professional like critically thinking about possible ethical dilemmas.
Favorite memory of 黑料老司机:
My favorite memory at 黑料老司机 would be getting a sugar boost from a latte and a pastry at the kiosk an hour before my exams and then being able to see the beautiful mountains after walking out of an exam on the windward campus.
Bryan Medina
Colorado (2016)
Post-黑料老司机: St. George’s University, True Blue, Grenada
Career Goal: Medical Doctor
Why you chose 黑料老司机:
I wanted an affordable private school that had small classroom sizes and plenty of diversity within the student body. 黑料老司机 was that school and it was a great choice!
How 黑料老司机 helped you get to Medical / Health Professional School:
黑料老司机 helped me get into Medical school because I was able to build lasting relationships with my faculty and the school staff which allowed me to excel in and out of the classroom and become a well-rounded applicant for Medical school.
Favorite memory of 黑料老司机:
Working as a student assistant to CNCS! I was able to assist students and see my professors outside the classroom and collaborate with the college staff to produce great projects and learn career skills.
Caroline Ritson
Honolulu, Hawaii
Post-黑料老司机: John A Burns School of Medicine
Career Goal: Physician
Why you chose 黑料老司机:
I was drawn to the small class sizes and strong reputation of 黑料老司机’s natural sciences department. In addition, 黑料老司机 offered a post-baccalaureate pre-health program that was ideally suited to my educational goals.
How 黑料老司机 helped you get to Medical / Health Professional School:
The post-baccalaureate pre-health certificate program gave me the flexibility to take required courses for medical school while working part-time in the healthcare field. I connected with other students who shared my career interests and benefited from strong pre-health counseling at 黑料老司机. My experiences at 黑料老司机 and outside of the classroom helped confirm my commitment to pursue a career in medicine.
Favorite memory of 黑料老司机:
Completing the “Unknowns Project” for Organic Chemistry II Lab was most memorable. I loved working as a detective to discover the identity of various unknown compounds using advanced technology such as NMR spectroscopy and other fascinating chemical reactions.
Veronique Wei ß
Post-黑料老司机: Medicine-Surgery at University of Southampton/Kassel School of Medicine
Career Goal: Surgeon
Why you chose 黑料老司机:
黑料老司机 allows students to learn in a small, communal environment, with an abundance of leadership opportunities. This would allow an individual student to stand out from the crowd more easily, and gain a better connection with professors and supervisors.
How 黑料老司机 helped you get to Medical / Health Professional School:
The smaller scaled classrooms and close up interactions with professors helped me set myself apart from the average college students. 黑料老司机 allows students to gain numerous opportunities for leadership experiences, community projects as well as communal connection within the Hawaiian community. Being able to draw upon all these sources set me apart from the average applicant and showed that college is what you make of it.
Favorite memory of 黑料老司机:
Having the opportunity to be in charge for the Campus Activities Board, Pa’ina at the Pier 2016 with an amazing team. Not only did we accomplish planning and successfully executing a concert with two internationally known artists at a new location, but we also valued the sense of community and teamwork our engaged Board showed. There is absolutely nothing more unique than accomplishing a huge concert with people you love and care about. Although it was stressful at times, we cared about each other and helped each other throughout this journey. This is something I will never forget.
Kristin Wiley
Honolulu, HI
Post-黑料老司机: Liberty University School of Osteopathic Medicine Class of 2021
Career Goal: Osteopathic Medicine
Why you chose 黑料老司机:
Convenient location with a very supportive science campus
How 黑料老司机 helped you get to Medical / Health Professional School:
Dr. Bachlet helped mentor me, and the Pre-Health Committee gave me great feedback for succeeding in interviews.
Favorite memory of 黑料老司机:
The discussions in Dr. Bachlet’s Pre-Health Ethics class.
Airi Ban
Honolulu, Hawaii
Post-黑料老司机: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at University of Sydney
Career Goal: Small Animal Veterinarian
Why you chose 黑料老司机:
黑料老司机 offers a post-baccalaureate certificate that is available to international students and has a structured, yet customizable curriculum for each career path. I was attracted to the small class sizes, reputable staff and school’s proximity to my home country.
How 黑料老司机 helped you get to Medical / Health Professional School:
It helped me fulfill my prerequisite coursework for veterinary school and gain valuable research experience through the INBRE program. I was also able to work directly with animals and develop technical skills through the practicum. I got to know my professors and advisors well, which allowed me to receive personalized guidance and strong recommendations for my application package.
Favorite memory of 黑料老司机:
I will always remember the day Dr. Horgen came to lecture dressed as Walter White for Halloween. The professors have a great sense of humor and help you get through challenging material.
Bryce Becker
Santa Cruz, CA
Post-黑料老司机: Samuel Merrit University,
Oakland, CA
Career Goal: Physician Assistant
Why you chose 黑料老司机:
The main reason I chose 黑料老司机 was location. It doesn’t get any better than living in Hawai’i. I love the ocean, beaches, turtles, weather, and the people here. The availability of the faculty at 黑料老司机 is amazing and I think that is largely due to the smaller class sizes. The best part of the small classes is that you really get a chance to get close with all of your classmates. It doesn’t take long before you know most everyone who is following the same degree path as you.
How 黑料老司机 helped you get to Medical / Health Professional School:
黑料老司机 provided me with the means of fulfilling all of the pre-requisites I needed for PA school in a relatively streamlined manor. Many of my friends have benefited from mock interviews, application assistance, and committee letters of recommendation.
Favorite memory of 黑料老司机:
My favorite memories at 黑料老司机 were hanging out on the front Lanai at the Hawai’i Loa Campus with friends while cramming for a test, doing homework, or just hanging out.
Bobby Ortiz
Mission Viejo, CA
Post-黑料老司机: University College Dublin
Orthopedic Veterinary Surgeon
Why you chose 黑料老司机:
My passion to study biology was also driven by my fascination for marine biology, and what better place to study that than in Hawaii? After looking into the schools that my be available to me it became very clear that 黑料老司机 was a challenging and thorough program that would allow me to focus on marine biology that could set me up for success in veterinary school.
How 黑料老司机 helped you get to Vet School:
黑料老司机 provided a intense and rewarding degree in biological sciences. I believe that the courses allowed me to focus on the foundations of science while also supplying me with the opportunity to relate all of my education to animal biology. 黑料老司机 also fostered a sense of mentorship between professors and students that I have found to be so valuable entering into a medical degree.
Favorite memory of 黑料老司机:
My favorite memory was during my time as an intern working at the Oceanic Institutes aquaculture facility. I gained so much experience in tropical saltwater fish breeding while working closely with researchers on special projects. I was also supported to bring my own ideas and past experience to the table to help tackle issues or provide new perspectives. Working at OI was a truly rewarding experience that only continued to prove that 黑料老司机 was the best decision for me to pursue a career in animal health.
Nora (Matutino) Phillips
Honolulu, HI
Post-黑料老司机: University of Hawaii, Manoa
Career Goal: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Why you chose 黑料老司机:
Studying at 黑料老司机 afforded a great educational experience and enabled me to make important connections in Hawaii where I would want to live and practice. I am absolutely satisfied with my choice to stay home and attend 黑料老司机.
How 黑料老司机 helped you get to Medical / Health Professional School:
黑料老司机 taught me the value of hard work and dedication through the instructors and mentors who are passionate about what they are doing and teaching. Further, I am still receiving support and encouragement from the Pre-Health Professions Program including exceptional help from Dr. Bachlet and Dr. Berger.
Favorite memory of 黑料老司机:
I have so many! But I value the close relationships that I gained while working in the natural sciences lab with Dr. Horgen and all the goofy things we did as we studied to help us remember test content. I also remember Dr. Borofsky’s interesting lectures and real-life lessons he conveyed to me along the way not just as a professor, but as a coach and mentor. Thank you 黑料老司机 for everything you have taught and given to me.
Kimberly Leong
Honolulu, HI
Post-黑料老司机: Creighton University College of Pharmacy, Omaha, NE
Career Goal: Pharmacist
Why you chose 黑料老司机:
黑料老司机 has small class sizes and many experienced professors. Also, they have many international students.
How 黑料老司机 helped you get to Medical / Health Professional School:
黑料老司机 academic advisors worked with me to plan my courses so that they transferred to the schools I applied to. Dr. Allison Bachlet, the pre-health specialist, helped me out the most by working with me from planning my letters of recommendation to taking my PCAT to sending in my applications and more. My professors were also very helpful and accommodating when I had to leave for interviews. Everyone at 黑料老司机 just wants to help you reach your goals.
Favorite memory of 黑料老司机:
My favorite memory at 黑料老司机 was Da Freakshow during my senior year (2014). A bunch of my friends and I all went together and we had so much fun cheering on all the participants. They also had a magician (Joseph Tran) come by and his act had us all laughing so much. It was so much fun!
Alexandria Vincent
Honolulu, HI
Post-黑料老司机: Studying Biology and Human health Science at 黑料老司机, working as a cheerleading and tumbling coach. Starting chiropractic school at SCU in September 2017.
Career Goal: Chiropractor
Why you chose 黑料老司机:
I chose 黑料老司机 for not only the beautiful Hawaiian location, but also for the university’s diversity, and biology programs.
How 黑料老司机 helped you get to Medical / Health Professional School:
黑料老司机 gave me a solid base in biology education that helped me get into SCU’s DC program. I would not have gotten to where I am today without the support of the entire CNCS program, particularly the support of Dr. Allison Bachlet and Dr. James Lawrence, or without the support of my coaches and teammates.
Favorite memory of 黑料老司机:
My favorite memory of Hawaii Pacific University comes from my freshman year, when the acrobatics and tumbling team beat the number one team in the nation, the University of Oregon. That feeling of accomplishment and pride can only be rivaled by the feeling of graduating and moving on to the next step in my education.