Pre-Professional Training at UCSB: Q&A with Law and Medical School Alumni

Amber Hawk - Law

Ryan Metcalf - Medicine

Ryan Metcalf - Medicine

Name: Ryan Metcalf
Year you will graduate from UCSB: June 2005
Major: Cell and Developmental Biology
Graduate/professional degree goal: Medicine; I will matriculate at UC Irvine College of Medicine in Fall 2005.

Q. How did your experiences in the L&S honors program help you to decide what you wanted to do after graduation?

A. For me, the most valuable aspect of the honors program has been the communication it fosters between students and faculty. Two of my letters of recommendation came from professors I had in honors sections. At a large university like UCSB, there is often a gap between students and professors. The honors program serves to lessen that gap.

Q. How did your experiences in the L&S honors program help you prepare to get into graduate or professional school?

A. I remember an honors section with Chemistry Lecturer Paula Bruice that was essentially a forum in which we could discuss our career ambitions in a comfortable but informative environment. Another great experience was in a biochemistry honors section with Professor Duane Sears. We were to analyze a biochemistry journal article and create a Powerpoint pesentation to present in front of the class. The best part, but maybe the most nerve-wracking for some people, was receiving criticism from the professor.

Q. Is there any advice you would give incoming honors students interested in pursuing a medical career?

A. This may not seem easy, but find a mentor as soon as possible. There is a wealth of knowledge that can only be obtained from a mentor. Many pre-med students waste their time with positions and activities that may not help them achieve their goal of becoming a doctor or other health-care worker.

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