Alumni Spotlight

During his time at the University of Portland, Andre worked towards obtaining a bachelor’s degree in biology with the hope of attending medical school after graduation. In the summertime between academic years, he worked at a cannery in Alaska, as a resort concierge in Bend, and as a Valet at The Nines in Portland. He was also a chemistry workshop leader and a volunteer at Oregon Health and Science University during his junior and senior years. Following graduation, he became a medical scribe for a podiatrist and a pediatric orthopedic surgeon and shadowed in the operating room whenever given the opportunity. These medically related experiences helped Andre gain a better appreciation for the various specialties within the medical field, and ultimately solidified his interest in pursuing a career in medicine. One year after graduating from the University of Portland, he began attending Touro University, which is an osteopathic medical school in Henderson, Nevada. We are excited for Andre and wish him all the best as he pursues his goal of becoming a physician… he’s going to be great!

1.Give a short description of your application process / tips for upcoming applicants.
I began applying for medical school one month after graduating from the University of Portland. Prior to submitting my applications, I reviewed and selected schools based on academic statistics and which schools I felt would be a good fit for myself. I would encourage any upcoming applicants to review and make sure to meet the specific requirements for each school, and to apply as early and broadly as possible.

2.How did your time at UP help you with your career choice, application, etc.? (involvement, academics, research, advising, etc.)
Many of the professors at the University of Portland did a great job at preparing me for graduate school. The support and constructive feedback that I received throughout my four years had a substantial impact on my educational development, as well as my desire to pursue further education. One professor in particular dedicated a considerable amount of time to helping me construct a well-thought-out argumentative essay, which is something I had not been formally taught prior to that course. I really appreciated the amount of time and effort the faculty gave towards ensuring the success of their students.

3.What are your favorite memories of UP / any highlights?
One of my favorite memories from the University of Portland was when I participated in an exercise-related research project in a course titled Biology of Exercise. This project encouraged me to focus on my physical health while also providing me with a better understanding of the physiology behind various forms and intensities of exercise.

4.What general advice would you give aspiring pre-health types?
I would encourage anyone in pre-health to always remember why they are pursuing medicine, and to use that as a source of motivation when struggling through challenging courses.