Admissions Ambassadors
Karis Bamba, Class of 2024
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Undergraduate Institution: York College CUNY
Why IU: My initial interest in IU School of Medicine came from the vast opportunities for clinical experiences and large hospital system that serves the majority of the state. What solidified my choice was on my interview day—at the time, I was recently injured and had limited mobility. The admissions department was accommodating and made sure that I was a part of the interview day experience. They showed me they really cared about student wellness as well as my pursuit for a medical education.
Undergraduate Institution: York College CUNY
Why IU: My initial interest in IU School of Medicine came from the vast opportunities for clinical experiences and large hospital system that serves the majority of the state. What solidified my choice was on my interview day—at the time, I was recently injured and had limited mobility. The admissions department was accommodating and made sure that I was a part of the interview day experience. They showed me they really cared about student wellness as well as my pursuit for a medical education.
Caylin Billingsley, Class of 2023
Hometown: Fort Wayne, IN
Undergraduate Institution: IUPUI
Why IU: I chose IU because of the community environment and the ability to develop my skills both inside and outside of the classroom. As an undergraduate, I participated in various research projects and I knew that IU School of Medicine would provide opportunities to advance my research interest. As a first-year medical student, I applied and was accepted to the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP). Joining the MSTP will allow me to earn a PhD to one day advance medicine by applying my research to the clinic.
Undergraduate Institution: IUPUI
Why IU: I chose IU because of the community environment and the ability to develop my skills both inside and outside of the classroom. As an undergraduate, I participated in various research projects and I knew that IU School of Medicine would provide opportunities to advance my research interest. As a first-year medical student, I applied and was accepted to the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP). Joining the MSTP will allow me to earn a PhD to one day advance medicine by applying my research to the clinic.
Christopher Dalloul, Class of 2024
Hometown: Terre Haute, IN
Undergraduate Institution: Emory University
Why IU: I was looking for medical schools that offered high-quality education with the widest variety of opportunities for my undecided self to explore. IU School of Medicine is one of the largest medical schools in the country. This meant I could choose from a variety of experiences to explore and create my own path in school from cutting-edge research opportunities to the unique needs of rural medicine and everything in between. IU School of Medicine's large body of students, faculty, and alumni offers a wealth of knowledge and experience that will be invaluable to my growth in medicine.
Undergraduate Institution: Emory University
Why IU: I was looking for medical schools that offered high-quality education with the widest variety of opportunities for my undecided self to explore. IU School of Medicine is one of the largest medical schools in the country. This meant I could choose from a variety of experiences to explore and create my own path in school from cutting-edge research opportunities to the unique needs of rural medicine and everything in between. IU School of Medicine's large body of students, faculty, and alumni offers a wealth of knowledge and experience that will be invaluable to my growth in medicine.
Anna Feliciano, Class of 2023
Hometown: Merrillville, IN
Undergraduate Institution: Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Why IU: I chose IU because it felt like home. An internship program I completed in my hometown during undergrad gave me the opportunity to shadow IU School of Medicine faculty and meet those from admissions. Many of the physicians spent their time emphasizing the importance of being a good human being and reiterating the trust and privilege that come with the position. The valuable information I obtained from the program left me excited and motivated to one day be a student at IU School of Medicine. I can truthfully say that many of the physicians who teach in the first and second year curriculum at IU School of Medicine have continued to emphasize those same principles.
Undergraduate Institution: Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Why IU: I chose IU because it felt like home. An internship program I completed in my hometown during undergrad gave me the opportunity to shadow IU School of Medicine faculty and meet those from admissions. Many of the physicians spent their time emphasizing the importance of being a good human being and reiterating the trust and privilege that come with the position. The valuable information I obtained from the program left me excited and motivated to one day be a student at IU School of Medicine. I can truthfully say that many of the physicians who teach in the first and second year curriculum at IU School of Medicine have continued to emphasize those same principles.
Kayla Higgins, Class of 2024
Hometown: Valparaiso, IN
Undergraduate Institution: Indiana University – Bloomington
Why IU: I chose Indiana University School of Medicine because I had previously worked in the neurology department at Methodist Hospital and OB/GYN at Eskenazi Hospital and I loved the environment. All the doctors, admin and staff that I worked alongside were amazing people who worked hard to improve medicine and be there for not only their patients, but each other. I wanted to be a part of a school where I knew I would get plentiful opportunities and create relationships that would last a lifetime. I chose IU School of Medicine because I knew I would have the support that I would need to make it through medical school.
Undergraduate Institution: Indiana University – Bloomington
Why IU: I chose Indiana University School of Medicine because I had previously worked in the neurology department at Methodist Hospital and OB/GYN at Eskenazi Hospital and I loved the environment. All the doctors, admin and staff that I worked alongside were amazing people who worked hard to improve medicine and be there for not only their patients, but each other. I wanted to be a part of a school where I knew I would get plentiful opportunities and create relationships that would last a lifetime. I chose IU School of Medicine because I knew I would have the support that I would need to make it through medical school.
Alexis Holmes, Class of 2024
Hometown: Fishers, IN
Undergraduate Institution: Hampton University
Why IU: Before beginning medical school at IU School of Medicine, I did a year of education in the MSMS program. This program not only helped prepare me for the medical school curriculum, but also allowed me to form connections here at IU School of Medicine with faculty and students. I was able to explore and experience firsthand the resources and support available for minority students at IU School of Medicine, which played a major role in my decision to attend IU School of Medicine.
Undergraduate Institution: Hampton University
Why IU: Before beginning medical school at IU School of Medicine, I did a year of education in the MSMS program. This program not only helped prepare me for the medical school curriculum, but also allowed me to form connections here at IU School of Medicine with faculty and students. I was able to explore and experience firsthand the resources and support available for minority students at IU School of Medicine, which played a major role in my decision to attend IU School of Medicine.
Nicole Jansen, Class of 2025
Hometown: Greenwood, IN
Undergraduate Institution: Marian University
Why IU: I chose to attend IU School of Medicine because I wanted to attend a medical school that would not only help me grow succeed as a student and future physician, but also as an individual. Being the largest medical school in the country, IU School of Medicine provides an array of opportunities for involvement in mentorship, early clinical exposure, research, and student interest groups. I also wanted to attend an institution that emphasized individual well-being in additional to academic excellence, and IU School of Medicine truly seemed to care about my wellness throughout my journey as a medical student. Lastly, I was drawn to IU School of Medicine due to my interest to complete a scholarly concentration. The school offers a unique opportunity to pursue your individual interests with coursework and research through the scholarly concentration program.
Undergraduate Institution: Marian University
Why IU: I chose to attend IU School of Medicine because I wanted to attend a medical school that would not only help me grow succeed as a student and future physician, but also as an individual. Being the largest medical school in the country, IU School of Medicine provides an array of opportunities for involvement in mentorship, early clinical exposure, research, and student interest groups. I also wanted to attend an institution that emphasized individual well-being in additional to academic excellence, and IU School of Medicine truly seemed to care about my wellness throughout my journey as a medical student. Lastly, I was drawn to IU School of Medicine due to my interest to complete a scholarly concentration. The school offers a unique opportunity to pursue your individual interests with coursework and research through the scholarly concentration program.
Victor Olufasi, Class of 2024
Hometown: Indianapolis, IN
Undergraduate Institution: IUPUI
Why IU: I chose IU School of Medicine because it is one of the environments where I felt most comfortable about expressing myself. Although diversity continues to become an issue in every community today, IU continues to allocate sincere effort into helping to expand diversity in the medical field, and although we still have a long way to go, becoming a part of this process is one of the many reasons I chose IU.
Undergraduate Institution: IUPUI
Why IU: I chose IU School of Medicine because it is one of the environments where I felt most comfortable about expressing myself. Although diversity continues to become an issue in every community today, IU continues to allocate sincere effort into helping to expand diversity in the medical field, and although we still have a long way to go, becoming a part of this process is one of the many reasons I chose IU.
Shadashalin Pierce, Class of 2023
Hometown: Bolingbrook, IL
Undergraduate Institution: Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Why IU: I chose to attend IU School of Medicine because of multiple factors. First, I found it invaluable that the curriculum for the first two years included clinical exposure. It was important for me to find a medical school that incorporated clinical training in the first two years rather than it being introduced the third year. Second, I was impressed with the number of committees that students could get involved with at IU School of Medicine. I haven’t seen it at other medical schools. These committees influenced different aspects of IU School of Medicine as a whole. For me, I interpreted this as a medical school that cared about their students’ experiences, valued their feedback, and wanted their students to get involved with the school. Lastly, I had a great interview experience. IU School of Medicine felt like home, and I wanted nothing more than to attend this medical school. I don't regret my decision.
Undergraduate Institution: Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Why IU: I chose to attend IU School of Medicine because of multiple factors. First, I found it invaluable that the curriculum for the first two years included clinical exposure. It was important for me to find a medical school that incorporated clinical training in the first two years rather than it being introduced the third year. Second, I was impressed with the number of committees that students could get involved with at IU School of Medicine. I haven’t seen it at other medical schools. These committees influenced different aspects of IU School of Medicine as a whole. For me, I interpreted this as a medical school that cared about their students’ experiences, valued their feedback, and wanted their students to get involved with the school. Lastly, I had a great interview experience. IU School of Medicine felt like home, and I wanted nothing more than to attend this medical school. I don't regret my decision.
Taylor Smith, Class of 2023
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Undergraduate Institution: Xavier University of Louisiana
Why IU: I chose to attend Indiana University School of Medicine because of its wealth of resources. Here at IU School of Medicine we have a vast amount of research fields of interest, numerous student-led interest groups, and direct connections with residency program directors. We are also taught by some of the most innovative physicians in the country.
Undergraduate Institution: Xavier University of Louisiana
Why IU: I chose to attend Indiana University School of Medicine because of its wealth of resources. Here at IU School of Medicine we have a vast amount of research fields of interest, numerous student-led interest groups, and direct connections with residency program directors. We are also taught by some of the most innovative physicians in the country.
Deepthi Thadasina, Class of 2024
Hometown: Carmel, IN
Undergraduate Institution: Purdue University
Why IU: I chose IU School of Medicine because of the opportunities that it has to offer and being in state was also a big plus. One big opportunity that drew me to IU was the option to complete a scholarly concentration. This was something new that I did not see in other medical schools that I applied to and I felt that it was a great way to still be involved in a research project while in medical school. Each of the nine campuses had different scholarly projects and not all of them are laboratory research based. There were many interesting scholarly concentrations, and I decided to be a part of the Biomedical research concentration which is located on the Indy campus. Another thing that I liked about IU was that there are nine different campuses so there are many different professors to reach out to when you need help. Everyone has their own learning style and some professors fit better with that style than others so it is nice to have the option to choose whose lecture you want to listen to.
Undergraduate Institution: Purdue University
Why IU: I chose IU School of Medicine because of the opportunities that it has to offer and being in state was also a big plus. One big opportunity that drew me to IU was the option to complete a scholarly concentration. This was something new that I did not see in other medical schools that I applied to and I felt that it was a great way to still be involved in a research project while in medical school. Each of the nine campuses had different scholarly projects and not all of them are laboratory research based. There were many interesting scholarly concentrations, and I decided to be a part of the Biomedical research concentration which is located on the Indy campus. Another thing that I liked about IU was that there are nine different campuses so there are many different professors to reach out to when you need help. Everyone has their own learning style and some professors fit better with that style than others so it is nice to have the option to choose whose lecture you want to listen to.
Aonesti Williams, Class of 2024
Hometown: Columbus, OH
Undergraduate Institution: Miami University
Why IU: I chose IU School of Medicine because I completed a post-bacc program through the institution and fell in love with all of the opportunities it offered to students. In addition, the Office of Diversity Affairs welcomed me as a minority student and I felt supported in this space. As the institution works towards increasing diversity and inclusion at all campuses, I am excited to be a part of this process and will continue advocating for students of color at IU School of Medicine.
Undergraduate Institution: Miami University
Why IU: I chose IU School of Medicine because I completed a post-bacc program through the institution and fell in love with all of the opportunities it offered to students. In addition, the Office of Diversity Affairs welcomed me as a minority student and I felt supported in this space. As the institution works towards increasing diversity and inclusion at all campuses, I am excited to be a part of this process and will continue advocating for students of color at IU School of Medicine.