Students Explore Downtown Campus, Grad Programs

Many UB undergraduates pursuing the sciences and other majors take their classes at UB’s North and South Campuses, leaving them few opportunities to visit the Downtown Campus. The event, therefore, spotlighted the Jacobs School’s state-of-the-art, 628,000-square-foot flagship facility and the numerous graduate-level programs and opportunities available. Attendees included students from the Jacobs School’s eight undergraduate majors as well as students from other schools.

During the medical school tour, students had the chance to see the Gross Anatomy Lab, Behling Human Simulation Center, and various research labs and other spaces. At the simulation center, some students even tried their hand at administering CPR and other basic procedures on the practice manikins.

In the second-floor atrium, staff and student representatives from various Jacobs School departments and programs shared information and program details with attendees.

Departments such as physiology and biophysics, microbiology and immunology, pathology and anatomical sciences, and more were present, along with representatives from the Biomedical Graduate Student Government, CLIMB UP (Collaborative Learning and Integrated Mentoring in the Biosciences – Undergraduate Program), and several other Jacobs School organizations.

In addition to medical degrees, the Jacobs School offers master’s and PhD degrees in 14 biomedical disciplines, including biochemistry; genetics, genomics and bioinformatics; pharmacology; and structural biology.

The event sought to help students explore graduate programs and weigh options for those considering different paths. “My plan for grad school is to get a biological science master’s degree and then go into med school, potentially, or I might go into research. It really depends on what I really like when I get there,” says Faith Aisogun, a UB senior psychology major. “I’m really interested in maternal medicine, and I know Buffalo has a lot of maternal medicine facilities,” she adds. “OB-GYN care is very big in Buffalo.”   

UB senior biology major Carina Stepan said she may be interested in pursuing a PhD, potentially studying bacterial biology. She spoke with several of the department and program representatives about candidacy and program options. “They talked about having a lot of support for the program, not only a stipend, but also having good faculty and amazing research opportunities,” she says. “I’m always blown away when people talk about their research.”  

Students also attended information sessions and presentations about research opportunities, applying to graduate school, and applying to the MD and MD-PhD programs. These discussions included current graduate student panelists who described their experiences first-hand and shared advice with attendees.

The presentations highlighted the importance of getting involved with research as an undergraduate and how to select and reach out to a lab and professor who may be seeking undergrad researchers. Students were encouraged to look at multiple labs and departments that conduct research overlapping with their interests and to begin building relationships with professors now.

Attendees were also walked through the criteria that committees consider when reviewing graduate school applicants, from grades to letters of recommendation to research and presentation experience. Discussion further centered on effectively writing a unique and narrative-driven personal statement.

At the Jacobs School, admissions committees have begun to focus on evaluating applicants more holistically and looking beyond mere grades and numerical scores.

“We’ve really shifted to look more broadly at the student and not just the numbers,” says Beth White, director of graduate enrollment. “We’re looking at all the factors in combination.”

Students who attended the final presentation about applying to medical school and to the Jacobs School’s MD-PhD program learned pointers on navigating the application process and heard more about the Jacobs School’s culture and what to expect.

“This is a collaborative space. This is a space where we really value teamwork,” notes Laura Yusick, JD, admissions adviser. “We’re all about serving Western New York.”

The session highlighted attributes that are essential for medical school applicants, from academic excellence to strong work ethic to demonstrating ethics and ability to communicate effectively.

The Jacobs School’s MD-PhD program allows students to obtain MD and PhD degrees concurrently, preparing students to both practice medicine and conduct scholarly research. “If you’re interested in the clinical experience but also interested in research, you might want to look at the program,” says Tony Waleszczak, graduate program coordinator.

The MD-PhD program, Waleszczak notes, is expanding to accept seven students per year, up from four.   

In addition to discussing the importance of designated MCAT preparation time, presenters stressed the significance of sharing authentic, unique and meaningful experiences in applications. “Your whole application should tell the story of you,” Yusick says.