Pre-Health Oxford FAQs - Volume III

Welcome to the third and final Pre-Health Oxford FAQ post! In this series, current and former PHA Peer Mentors have collaborated to answer common questions and concerns from Oxford pre-health students. The authors of this series are current juniors, seniors, and first-year medical students who graduated from the Oxford College of Emory University. 

The photos in this post feature all of the authors (Sydney Chung, Janet Guo, Pranay Manda, Mathew Padanilam, Abhi Raju, and Eric Zeng) during their time at Oxford involved in many different activities. You can find more details about the authors here: http://prehealth.emory.edu/connect/peer-mentors.html.

Are you an Oxford student who has additional questions that weren't answered in this series? Email us at prehealth@emory.edu and we will continue to address questions as they come in!

1. How do I find volunteering opportunities around the area?

I would try to find volunteer opportunities that you are passionate about-- they don’t have to be clinically relevant! If you have an interest in activities outside of medically-related areas, feel free to pursue those avenues as well; volunteering in areas you are passionate about and will find fulfilling is most important. Here is a list of popular locations the Oxford PHA alumni have volunteered at:

• Piedmont Newton Hospital
• Volunteer Match
• HandsOn ATL 
• AJC Volunteer
• Emory Clinic
• Atlanta Food Bank
• Clubs on Campus:
• Volunteer Oxford
• Circle K (PAWS Atlanta, Meals by Grace)

2. What kinds of extracurriculars do people get involved in related to the pre-health track?

Make sure to participate in experiences that are meaningful to you! These do not have to be pre-health related, although it is important to have worthwhile clinical experiences (e.g. volunteering, paid jobs, or shadowing) that drew you onto your particular pre-health track. It is imperative to show the quality of the experience you have gained from the extracurricular, as opposed to the quantity.

3.How do I get clinical experiences at Oxford?

Regarding local options, there are some Hospice Centers (e.g. Pruitthealth Covington, RiversideHealthcare Center, and BentonHouse of Covington), and Piedmont Newton Hospital that you can volunteer at! You can also shadow physicians in the area for some clinical experience as well. Feel free to ask the Peer Mentors for advice with cold approaching an office/professional!

4.  How do I get research experiences at Oxford?

There are several different ways to get involved in research while at Oxford. In courses such as Biology 141QW and Biology 142QW, students participate in group research projects investigating outcrops in Mt. Arabia. Many professors at Oxford are conducting unique research and involve Oxford students through departmental programs, the Oxford Research Scholars program, or outside of a formal program. There are on campus poster sessions and many students will take their research to the publication level as well. Getting involved with research with professors at Oxford can often be easier for first- and second-year students since you will not be competing with third year, fourth year, and graduate students. However, the breath of research topics at Oxford is smaller than those available in Atlanta. Many Oxford students reach out to PIs on the Atlanta campus for part-time or summer opportunities. Resources such as PHA and other pre-health clubs would be able to assist students in being able to connect to individuals with knowledge regarding and connections involving research-oriented opportunities.

 

5. What should I do with my summers? Is there something Oxford students on a pre-health track usually do?

Many people take advantage of research opportunities in Atlanta or at home. Other common activities include summer school, internships/working (preferably medically-related—scribe, tech, medical assistant etc.), volunteering, or studying abroad. A lot of students will combine the aforementioned opportunities. There are tons of opportunities available, it really just depends on what you are passionate about and find meaningful. Once you have an idea, chances are someone in PHA has done something similar and may be able to point you in the right direction.