Why did you choose Daemen University?
Daemen has a renowned 5-year physician assistant program where students are treated as professionals from day one! Almost every person I talked to about being a PA recommended Daemen as their number one choice. I also loved that the campus and class sizes were small. Daemen gives students every opportunity and tool to succeed, regardless of your major!
Why did you choose your present major?
When I was 15 years old, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. At all of her doctor appointments, we would usually see the PA instead of the doctor. I liked the idea of having more patient contact, and I want to help people the same way those PAs comforted and cared for my mom. Since then, I have always been interested in the medical field and assisting others, but I knew I wanted to raise a family of my own and start my career at a young age. As a PA, I will have the ability to switch medical specialties if I choose throughout my career, and I will be starting my career so much younger than if I were to go to medical school! For me, PA is the perfect balance.
Please briefly describe your Scholar's Day.
Scholar's Day was a very exciting day for me! It was only my second time visiting Daemen. The experience can be overwhelming, but I remember meeting current faculty and PA students that comforted me and answered all my questions about the school and program. Scholar's Day was an unforgettable experience and seems so long ago!
Please describe your academic experience at Daemen.
The PA program and curriculum are very challenging, but I know I can be successful if I put my mind to it. Daemen is preparing me to be a medical professional! The professors want to see you grow as an individual and be trained as a competent provider.
What do you like best about Daemen?
Daemen has activities for everyone. CAT (campus activities team) is always finding ways to get more people involved or have unique activities (crafts, field trips, free food). These are great ways to take study breaks and alleviate stress. The campus and class sizes are small so you get individual attention from professors, and everyone helps each other. Resources for everything are available 24/7! Daemen truly is like a big family!
What clubs or organizations have you been a part of here at Daemen University? What kinds of things do they do?
I am a part of PASS, which stands for Physician Assistant Student Society. We have monthly meetings for reminders about the PA program, and we host health clinics in local communities. We also host food drives for community centers.
Please describe any internship, study abroad, service learning or academic experience?
For service learning in my sophomore year, I was a peer mentor for freshman students. I was able to help them with navigating their first year of college and how to seek resources that Daemen offers. I found this to be a very rewarding experience because I know how intimidating freshman year can be, but Daemen provides students with peer mentors to guide them!
Do you have a job or jobs on campus? Please provide a brief description.
I am an academic coach for many undergraduate science classes including anatomy, chemistry, and microbiology. Academic coaching is a free tutoring service for any subject offered through the learning center. I have also utilized coaching for other classes which provides a perspective from a student who has already taken the class. I find this to be essential to succeeding in challenging classes and developing study skills.
What is your favorite spot to stop by in town?
Starbucks or Denny's for a late night study snack!
What piece of advice would you give to prospective students?
Take advantage of every opportunity Daemen offers, including career services, student activities, and academic coaching. Daemen is determined to ensure students excel, and resources are always available! My other piece of advice would be to prioritize your needs. School can be stressful, especially in graduate school, but you cannot study continuously. Take time for yourself, and it will make your studies and learning so much more meaningful in the long run!