Student Voices: Solid Foundation for an Aspiring Physician

When I was 12 years old, being an aspiring physician helped shape the way I looked at high school education. When I learned about the City of Medicine Academy (CMA) and what this school had to offer, I felt that attending this academy could only work in my favor.

Four years later, I can now attest to the benefits of going to a medically oriented high school. Having walked across that stage during graduation, all decorated with honorary cords, was one of the best feelings — a huge sense of accomplishment having passed my first milestone on the road to fulfilling my goals.

Attending CMA has given me one of the sharpest edges over my competitors for both college and medical schools alike. With my love for science and passion for medicine, the heavy integration of health sciences into the normal high school curriculum and plethora of hands-on opportunities to develop and explore the qualities of what makes a great health care professional was more than what I had imagined. I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to gain clinical experience at Durham Regional Hospital, as well as participate in a paid internship through Duke’s AHEC Program at one of the locations of Duke’s Pediatric Center. What other high school can dedicate time and resources in building strong networks among health care professionals?

For students who are deciding which high school to attend, I strongly suggest creating a personal inventory of your skills, weaknesses and talents. This way you can make a more educated and well-thought-out decision for your high school career; and I truly mean career, because nowadays with specialty high schools you have to know what you want to do before you set out on a path you have no desire to follow. So consider this: do you love science and math enough to fully immerse yourself in it for four years? Furthermore, does attending this particular high school seem relevant to what your career objectives are? These are the type of questions I faced when making such a decision and any given answer shouldn’t be taken lightly because it greatly affects the outlook of your near future.

As I start college and then graduate on to medical school, I bring with me a solid foundation in all things science and medical-related established during my high school career. Your high school decision truly makes a difference, and now is the time to take charge of your education to pave the way for your ideal future.