by Emory Ranes
As an incoming first-year on a pre-medical track, I knew the importance of academics and traditional learning. However, I did not realize that involvement and experiences outside of classes are just as, if not more, significant as classes. Becoming a Beyond120 Pre-Health Scholar and Morse Scholar significantly broadened my horizons with easily accessible opportunities that provided pivotal experience both in and outside the classroom. I joined the Pre-Health Scholars Service Groups and served the community of Gainesville throughout my time at UF; I made life-long friends in the process and gained invaluable leadership experience. I undertook an experiential learning internship with VITAS Healthcare as a Hospice Volunteer, which exposed me to a field of medicine that had never crossed my radar before. The experience was so enjoyable that I stayed on as a volunteer long past the end date of the internship. Those were two impeccable 2-3 year-long experiences that greatly changed my perspective on medicine and enhanced my strength as a medical school applicant. Furthermore, I took IHS1100 my freshman year and IHS3102 my senior year: the former guided my decisions as a student to prepare for medical school, and the latter compiled my experiences, preparing me for the application process. As a Morse Scholar, there is a scholarship fund that can be used towards extracurriculars such as going abroad to Spain to shadow doctors. However, I utilized my funds to help with the MCAT preparation costs, which considerably lessened the burden of the MCAT itself. Lastly, I had access to the best advisors and mentors at UF throughout my entire undergraduate experience as a Morse Scholar. Their guidance gave me wonderful insights but also the freedom to choose my path. Ultimately, the Beyond120 family gave me the best academic and extra-curricular opportunities as an undergraduate student at UF.
