When looking for places to put your paws down and continue your education, don't overlook the back yard! I recently visited UAB
. . . not exactly in my back yard, but not on the other side of the country either. I had no idea how many programs were available to students at this school. So . . . one of my first rules of college exploration:Make college visits! See what is available.
UAB, for example, is a sleek, modern-looking place in an urban setting, but it does have a green feel to it and it is an incredibly diverse campus. Everybody knows UAB as a pre-health career place - I mean, everywhere you turn, you trip over hospitals and clinics and the like, but there are some cool other programs here too. For example, UAB has the only accredited undergraduate program in Biomedical Engineering in the state. I visited the visualization cube and it was way cool. Ask your parents - it was kind of like being in the holodeck on Star Trek. UAB also has the only Nuclear Medicine program in my state, the only Industrial Distribution program in the Southeast and one of four Forensic Accounting and Information Science programs in the country. Who knew? Next time, I'll give you some tips from their College of Engineering on what high school students need to study in order to be ready to pursue a degree in engineering.
For those who want a real challenge in a university setting and also want the community feel of a smaller program combined with specialized mentoring, check out the Honors Academy at this university.
I also had the opportunity to hear Linda Luck, the prehealth career advisor for UAB juniors, seniors, postbacs (that is somebody who already has abn undergraduate degree) and alums. She gave some great advice for students who want to go to medical school and advised us to check out their site .
Wanna know how to prepare in high school to become a health professional? Check this out.
You can even see some study recommendations for those who are thinking about becoming a doctor.
Can you see yourself at UAB?
Gotta go see what other opportunities I can dig up!
CYA,
Clyde
