CENTER VALLEY, Pa.—Two students take their first steps toward careers in medicine thanks to Penn State Lehigh Valley's (PSU-LV) partnership with the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM).
Third year biology students, Karen Danial and Farishta Faruk, are the first PSU-LV students to secure spots in LECOM’s Early Acceptance Program (EAP) in the College of Osteopathic Medicine. Through this program, high school students can simultaneously apply for admission to PSU-LV and a provisionally reserved seat for LECOM, while current college students can apply through their third year. Applicants who are admitted to the EAP for the College of Osteopathic Medicine without contingency and the required academic index score do not need to take the MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test). The EAP includes the College of Osteopathic Medicine, the School of Pharmacy, the School of Dental Medicine and the School of Podiatric Medicine.
Danial’s lifelong fascination with the human body influenced her choice of major and decision to pursue medical school. “I’ve been mesmerized by the process of how all the body’s systems work together to make something bigger and more complex,” she said. “I love science and how it can make the impossible, possible.” Personal experiences have demonstrated to Danial how dedicated medical professionals can positively impact someone’s life. “I’ve seen the importance of having a medical professional who is willing to go the extra mile, really take care of you, and treat you like a person,” she said.
Danial heard about the opportunity for LECOM from Brenna Traver, biology program coordinator, associate professor and Danial's adviser. “She’s been my professor for multiple courses. LECOM wasn’t always something I could apply to — it was only for first- or second- year students, and I had too many credits to apply when this partnership was first formed. When the program first started, Brenna asked me how many credits I had, and even though I had too many, she said she could probably recommend me for an interview. The minute the program expanded to include third-year students, she brought it to my attention,” Danial said.
Right now, Danial is unsure of her area of specialty. She’s excited to start her courses at LECOM and experience a more customized learning experience. “LECOM is unique because they allow students to pick their method of learning. I’m excited to pick a more problem-based pathway, where I'll study real cases and go through the same process a physician would normally go through. I’m excited to be a doctor from Day One, so to speak, which is what they allow you to do,” she said. “I think I’ve always known I wanted to go into medicine, but Penn State Lehigh Valley helped me be sure of this decision. The variety of classes, lessons I've learned, and the work I’ve gotten involved with have shown me that I want to pursue this.”
Faruk has liked science from an early age and found she had an easier time with those classes than her liberal arts courses. She feels she’s ready for the next stage of her education thanks to the rigorous course load she carried at PSU-LV. “The classes are demanding and you definitely have to stay on top of your work. But through speaking with my professors, I’ve developed communication skills and realized the best way to approach things,” she said. Faruk is grateful for the opportunity at LECOM and feels she may not have known about this program at a larger school. “I definitely made the right choice by attending Penn State Lehigh Valley. I learned a lot and made a lot of connections. I would urge other students to learn more about the different partnerships Penn State Lehigh Valley has with other schools and what they have to offer.”
“I am excited for both Karen and Farishta,” Traver said. “I cannot think of more deserving students to start off this program. Karen is a joy to have in class and a hard worker who meets every challenge head on. She is committed to serving both the campus and her local community. Farishta is a high-achieving student who always has a smile on her face. She does outstanding work and I could not be more proud of her.”
Traver feels the partnership with LECOM is a wonderful opportunity for PSU-LV’s students. “Health care is a large, growing industry in the area. Given that we have this program and can bring in these cohorts of students, it’s definitely meeting the need for our service area,” she said. “It’s a wonderful recruiting tool. If you’re a high school student coming in and you know you have a provisionally reserved seat, this helps students breathe a little bit. There’s this constant pressure. Many are first generation, many can’t take six months off to study for a test. If they’re high-achieving, they can take the MCAT and still apply to LECOM as a general applicant.”
For more information on PSU-LV’s partnership with LECOM, visit Early Medical Acceptance Programs | Penn State Lehigh Valley