Alumni Spotlight

When Samantha Rivas started at UP, she already knew she wanted to attend medical school. However, she originally did not want to major in biology, but rather, she had enjoyed math since she was in 8^th grade… so she sat down with the head of the math department who connected Samantha with a senior math major who was applying to medical school, and who told her to create a 4-year schedule with classes and extracurriculars (Samantha highly recommends doing this).  Throughout Samantha’s sophomore year and continuing until her graduation in 2020, she was able to be a part of four research projects. On top of that, Samantha was an O-chem lecture and lab TA her junior year and in her senior year she scribed with ScribeAmerica at an ED in Hillsboro. She took a gap year after graduation and worked for the Veteran’s Administration reviewing physical exams to help veterans obtain disability benefits. Samantha began medical school at UCSF School of Medicine in July 2021 and will graduate as an MD in 2025.

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

Originally, I planned to apply the summer of my senior year (2019) to matriculate right after graduating (2020). However, I took the MCAT in June of 2019 and did not score how I wanted. I began applying in May of 2020 and retook the MCAT in June of 2020 (delayed due to COVID – original date was in April).

Overall, my advice is to submit your applications as early as possible. They start reviewing your application as soon as it is complete (primary, secondary, official grades, MCAT score, and letters of recommendation). Make sure to be on top of your letters of recommendation so they do not delay your application. I got my first interview in September and was accepted in December. The process happens fast! The earlier you submit, the greater your chances of getting in.

2.  How did your time at UP help you with your career choice, application, etc.? (involvement, academics, research, advising, etc.)

UP was helpful in solidifying my career choice as I already came in freshmen year knowing that I wanted to pursue medicine. The greatest impact UP had on my application was research and faculty mentorship. UP is a great school to do research at because of its size. I strongly recommend reaching out as early as possible to start researching. In addition, my research professors also doubled as mentors and really helped build my whole application. The faculty really wants you to succeed. My research professors were constantly checking in on me, asking if I wanted to TA for them and just being a sounding board for aspects of my application.

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

There are so many fond memories I have at UP. From being published, ordering a Halloween skeleton decoration to practice anatomy in my room during my sophomore year, having a breakdown over Ochem and reorganizing my room at midnight with my roommate, going to the haunted houses downtown, traveling to Spain to do chemistry and archaeology research, snack and bachelor nights, dinner parties with my friends, and even studying in the same exact spot in the library and having my friends come scare me or sit down to gossip with me.

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

My general advice would be to take a deep breath and believe in yourself. This process will be hard and make you question everything countless times. Everyone will have an opinion on your application – faculty, friends, advisors – but remember that it’s usually an opinion and never the rule. Surround yourself with people who are not only your personal cheerleaders but can also give constructive critiques that help you improve. This is your future, do not rely on anyone else to help get you there. Take it upon yourself to push yourself to succeed in your classes, to pursue new faculty mentorships/ research opportunities, and to explore interests you may have through community service and volunteering. Most importantly, I would say enjoy your undergrad. It can be so time consuming to make sure your grades and application are perfect, but looking back, I wish I spent less hours in the library and more hours enjoying my time with friends and as an undergrad.