Alumni Spotlight

Josh Colasurdo

Josh Colasurdo is a 2018 UP graduate who is currently an outstanding medical student up at OHSU.  While Josh was at UP, he worked as an organic chemistry workshop leader and as a teaching assistant for Human Physiology and A&P I/II. As an undergraduate, he was also able to complete an internship experience in rural medicine that allowed him to receive credit toward his degree. After graduation, he began work as a full-time medical scribe before transitioning into a medical informatics and clinical epidemiology research position at OHSU. Josh was also involved as a health volunteer at a local homeless hospitality center and in a leadership position at a student-run health clinic. We wish Josh all the best on his continued journey to becoming a physician…we know he will continue to do great things!

 1. Give a short description of your application process / tips for upcoming applicants.

When it comes to MCAT preparation, a lot of the material will have been covered in your prerequisites. Getting involved as a teaching assistant for those classes can help keep material fresh and save you some study time later. In general, it is a good idea to submit your primary and secondary applications as early in the cycle as possible, but many people are still successful regardless of when they apply. Something that is helpful to keep in mind is that once a school offers you an interview, they already want you to succeed. If you remember this, you can make interviewing a fun experience regardless of the format. Something I regret about my interview trail was not exploring the different cities enough. Take advantage of an excuse to travel all around the country and do something touristy in each city!

2. How did your time at UP help you with your career choice, application, etc.? 

UP was a great environment to explore my academic interests and ultimately choose a career. The relatively small size allows you to form meaningful relationships with your professors and advisors, and despite the size, there are plenty of opportunities for extracurricular activities. Everyone who is interested in the health professions should take advantage of the internship opportunities at the university!

3. What are your favorite memories of UP / any highlights?

My favorite memories at UP are all tied to the amazing people that I met, including both peers and faculty. Whether I was participating in trips put on by clubs like Climb UP and the Ski and Snowboard Club, leading review sessions, or attending classes, I always met great people.

4. What general advice would you give aspiring pre-health types?

I would advise applicants to take the necessary time to gain professional experience and explore personal interests when preparing an application to a health professions program. Seek out experiences that interest you, not ones that you feel will make you look better on paper. Plenty of aspiring Pre-Health students have good grades, good scores, and relevant experiences, but still end up needing to reapply. Having a unique story to tell can help you stand out.