BS/MD Program (wilkes)

Shereen Jeyakumar

Schmidt College of Medicine, Class of 2022

Hometown; High school: West Palm Beach, FL; Suncoast High School.

"I love the small community of the Honors College."

Why do you want to become a doctor?
My grandmother is a composer. While I toil away at school, she sits in her room and composes these beautiful melodies in our native tongue, Tamil. And yet, along with her sweet voice, I hear other things. I hear her deep, shuddering sighs as she injects insulin into her thigh, four times a day. I hear the barely audible sobs that fall from her lips. Disease has always followed her—from the destructive illness that took her husband in her thirties, to the open-heart surgery that ripped her chest when I was barely one-year old. As a doctor, it will be my burden to bear her suffering—to bear the suffering of hundreds of people like her. I want to help people, in all the ways I can. I can’t imagine a more humble profession than that of a physician.

Why the Wilkes Honors College?
I love the small community of the Honors College. As I pursued my dreams, I didn’t want to become an anonymous number in an ocean of faces. I wanted people to know me for who I truly am, and the Honors College encouraged that—more than any other school I’ve encountered.

Namrata Gadela

Schmidt College of Medicine, Class of 2022

Hometown; High school: Shoreview, MN; Mounds View High School

"I chose the Honors College because of the small class sizes as well as the many research opportunities available from Scripps and Max Planck."

Why do you want to become a doctor?
I believe that as a doctor there is a wonderful opportunity to motivate patients, change behavior and act as a confidante. At the end of the day being a physician shouldn’t be about the glory, it should be about helping people on a daily basis. I want to study medicine to help people close to home in small ways that can help their quality of life.

Why the Wilkes Honors College?
I chose the Honors College because of the small class sizes as well as the many research opportunities available from Scripps and Max Planck.

Divyesh Doddapaneni

Schmidt College of Medicine, Class of 2022

Hometown / High school: Tampa, Florida / C. Leon King High School

"The incredible weather in Jupiter, convenience of single rooms, world class research institutions across the street, friendly students and professors, and fun school activities sealed the deal for me."

Why do you want to become a doctor?
When most five year olds receive Legos and toys, I received something else: stitches. All that pain and horror made me vow to never visit the hospital again. As I grew older, on the contrary, my fascination with the medical profession grew. I was inspired by the very doctors who gave me a scar on my forehead, to realize how doctors can make an immense positive impact on people’s lives. In high school when my love of science was growing, I realized that the medical profession would enable me to pursue the sciences while also improving people’s lives.  

Why the Wilkes Honors College?
The incredible weather in Jupiter, convenience of single rooms, world class research institutions across the street, friendly students and professors, and fun school activities sealed the deal for me. I love the Wilkes Honors College.

Sravya Gurivireddygari

Schmidt College of Medicine, Class of 2023

Hometown / High school: Tampa FL / Berkeley Preparatory School

"I am able to do research at the medical school, play in the FAU Symphony Orchestra, as well as complete my major in chemistry in three years."

Why do you want to become a doctor?
My grandfather's illness inspired me to study medicine. At an early age, I wanted to be able to help people not only emotionally but also physically. 

Why the Wilkes Honors College?
FAU gives me many different opportunities. I am able to do research at the medical school, play in the FAU Symphony Orchestra, as well as complete my major in chemistry in three years.

Jamshed Desai

Schmidt College of Medicine, Class of 2023

Hometown / High school: Jensen Beach, FL / Jensen Beach High School

"I want to become a doctor to heal patients and to innovate new medical techniques and methods of treating the body. "

Why do you want to become a doctor?
I want to become a doctor to heal patients and to innovate new medical techniques and methods of treating the body.

Why the Wilkes Honors College?
I chose the Wilkes Honors College because of the small class size that allows me to get to know my professors personally, and because of the proximity to world-class research facilities like Max Planck and Scripps.

Abhimanyu Ahuja

Schmidt College of Medicine, Class of 2023

Hometown/High school: Ponte Vedra Beach, FL/Ponte Vedra High School

"The breadth and depth of medicine excites me: physicians can be at once healer, scientist, and explorer."

Why do you want to become a doctor?
The breadth and depth of medicine excites me: physicians can be at once healer, scientist, and explorer. I seek a career as a physician as it would allow me to help others by positively impacting the lives of children and adults facing medical challenges. Furthermore, I would have the opportunity to contribute to the rapidly changing field of medicine using the latest technologies in patient care.

Why the Wilkes Honors College?
The Wilkes Medical Scholars Program at the Wilkes Honors College is an outstanding program for students who have a desire to pursue a career in medicine and I found it to be perfect fit for my goal of becoming a physician. I also appreciated the many research opportunities available from Scripps and Max Planck Institutes.

Kevin Abadi

Schmidt College of Medicine, Class of 2021

Hometown; High school: Hollywood, Florida; Rabbi Alexander S. Gross Hebrew Academy

"I want to be a doctor because i find the human body to be one of the most miraculous things in existence."

Why do you want to become a doctor?
I want to be a doctor because i find the human body to be one of the most miraculous things in existence.

Why the Wilkes Honors College? 

I chose the honors college because it has the benefits of a private school by having small classes but without the cost.

Felicia Cooper

Schmidt College of Medicine, Class of 2020

Hometown; High school: Wellington, FL; Palm Beach Central High School

"I was attracted to the small classes and ability to talk to the professors one-on-one."

Why do you want to become a doctor?
I have always promised myself that my future profession will make a difference in people's lives, and I feel that doctors have that wonderful privilege. I am also fascinated with biology and anatomy, and I am looking forward to learning more about our unbelievable and incredible bodies.  

Why the Wilkes Honors College?
When I toured the Honors College, the students I met were welcoming, friendly, enthusiastic, and ambitious. I was attracted to the small classes and ability to talk to the professors one-on-one (there are no TAs). Both the Wilkes Honors College and FAU Medical School are up-and-coming, and I am excited to be a part of the school as it grows, expands, and thrives.

Emily Senderey

Schmidt College of Medicine, Class of 2018

Hometown/High school: Ft. Lauderdale/Nova High School

"I knew at a very young age that I wanted to be a doctor."

Why do you want to become a doctor?
I knew at a very young age that I wanted to be a doctor. Being depended on, making decisions and, more importantly, providing relief fueled the enthusiasm I had for my business. Through my experiences, I knew that as a physician my enthusiasm for medicine and ability to listen and communicate effectively would positively contribute to helpingnot just my family, but people in my respective community.

Why the Wilkes Honors College?
I believe that the Medical Scholars Program is a viable program. Together, the Honors College and the medical school have the potential to create competent and skilled physicians for our community.

SriGita Madiraju

Schmidt College of Medicine, Class of 2019

Hometown/High school: Miami, FL, School for Advanced Studies-Kendall

"People say if you do what you love you will never work a day in your life."

Why do you want to become a doctor?
People say if you do what you love you will never work a day in your life. Touching other people's lives and making my achievements worth something in my community is priceless. Plus who doesn't love science? I would make a chemistry joke but all the good ones Argon.

Why the Wilkes Honors College?
FAU Medical School is new and promotes clinical experience in the first year. I am also very interested about their MD/PhD program and hope to continue finishing all my education here at FAU. The small class sizes and relaxed atmosphere at FAU Jupiter really fosters an academic friendly environment. There is such a vast opportunity for research and shadowing to help guide me into my niche in the science/medicine field.

Priscilla Tang

Schmidt College of Medicine, Class of 2020

Hometown/High school: Weston, FL/Cypress Bay High School

"I desired to pursue my medical aspirations in an academically enthusiastic rather than academically competitive community."

Why do you want to become a doctor?
I want to become a doctor so that I may profoundly impact and save others in the way my physicians impacted and saved me.

Why the Wilkes Honors College?
The amicability of the professors and students, coupled with the academic rigor of a holistic approach to learning, were the factors that struck me most and endeared me to the Honors College when I visited the campus for the first time. I chose to attend the Honors College because I desired to pursue my medical aspirations in an academically enthusiastic rather than academically competitive community.

Arushi Thaper

Schmidt College of Medicine, Class of 2020

Hometown/High school: Mount Dora, Florida/Trinity Preparatory School

"I can't imagine a better job that will allow me to help others and enjoy myself every day. "

Why do you want to become a doctor?
Ever since I was a young child I knew I loved helping people and the sciences. Being a doctor allows me to bring together two of my favorite things. I can't imagine a better job that will allow me to help others and enjoy myself every day.

Why the Wilkes Honors College?
I chose the Honors College because it provides me with a small college experience while still being a part of a big university. Since the class sizes are smaller, the professors are much more approachable and willing to help whenever needed. Also, having the Scripps and Max Planck facilities on campus gives opportunity for great internship opportunities in my future.

Florence Xiong

Schmidt College of Medicine, Class of 2021

Hometown; High school: Weston, FL; Pompano Beach High School

"I want to use my experiences to not only help but relate to other people as well. "

Why do you want to become a doctor?
As a first generation Asian American, I learned to recognize the cultural differences that make me stand out from my peers. Frequent visits to my pediatrician made me realize that medicine can transcend cultural barriers that people have in society. I want to use my experiences to not only help but relate to other people as well. As a doctor I can show others the kindness and security that my pediatrician showed me.

Why the Wilkes Honors College?
I visited several universities during high school to try and get the feel for college life, but none of the campuses I visited seemed right for me. When I walked on the Wilkes Honors College campus for the first time, I knew I found the right place to be. The small campus here felt welcoming and the tight knit community I found made college feel like a home away from home. Rather than competing with my peers I feel as if we are building each other up, because everyone here has a passion for learning.