University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine 2017; Internal Medicine Resident, Johns Hopkins Hospital 

“I chose Hopkins because of the strength of its premedical coursework, the various medical opportunities outside the core curriculum, and its record of getting students into top medical schools. Coming in without the basic science coursework, I knew I wanted to take rigorous classes with professors dedicated to teaching and engaged in research. I also wanted to take advantage of the shadowing, volunteering, and research opportunities at Hopkins medical school and hospital. Finally, the program’s record of helping students get into medical school spoke for itself.

“The advising is phenomenal. The advisers have years of experience working with post-bacs and know the medical school application process inside and out. Their doors were always open, and I felt like I had access to them whenever I needed advice about anything—classes, medical school visits, my application, interviews, or even how to take advantage of all Baltimore has to offer. They were a fantastic resource for me.”

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Ashish Thakrar graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a BS in economics and a BFA in music performance (piano). His Hopkins medical tutorial at AIDS Linked to the IntraVenous Experience (ALIVE) Study Research Project built on his experience as a volunteer with the Prevention Point Pittsburgh Needle Exchange. During his post-bac year, Ashish organized a trip for fellow students to the Indian Health Service Hospital on Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota.