As I enter my second month of medical school, I'd like to take a minute of your time to praise the UCSD Premedical Postbaccaluarete Program, its staff, and its past alumni. Without the support of this amazing program and its leadership I truly don't believe that I could be a successful medical student. During my premedical journey at UCLA, I often felt lost, and unsupported, and made out to think of myself as a number in a system filled with others like myself. In 2020, I made the decision to apply to UCSD. The moment I clicked "Submit" was the start of this amazing journey I am currently on.
At the beginning of the program, I was nervous- feelings of imposter syndrome took over. I felt like my identity as a Latino and my socioeconomic status at the time would hinder me from doing well at UCSD, much as it did at UCLA. To my surprise, however, I was met with overwhelming amounts of support that ultimately helped me traverse the challenging curriculum. My mentors took the time to understand me and my ambitions. The faculty helped me navigate the application process. And, my fellow students created a support group that I will cherish as I move into the next steps toward my Medical Degree. All in all, I believe that UCSD and the school's amazing faculty have helped me realize my potential as a student and future doctor.
Aaron Joseph Knuteson, 1st Year Medical Student at Washington University in St. Louis