Hometown: Hammond,
LA High School: Hammond High
School
Activities:
Student Council, National Honors Society, Beta Club, Class Reporter, Band, SAAD
Undergraduate Major: Chemistry
Honors/Awards:
Tuition Opportunity Award for Students
Southern
University Excellence in Research Award
Griffin Industries
Inc. Student Scholar
General Motors
Scholarship for Academic Excellence
Southern
University Chancellor Scholar
Society of
Toxicology Research Award
NASA Undergraduate
Research Fellowship
NOBCChE Ormond
Award Society John L. Rosenthial Award
UNCF/ Merck
Research Fellowship and Scholarship
Magna cum
Laude and Honors College
Graduate
KCUMB Diversity
Tuition Scholarship
Undergraduate
Activities:
Chemistry
Club
LAMP
MAPS
Society of
Toxicology
SNMA
Golden Key
National Honor Society
Beta Kappa
Chi Honor Society
Summer
Activities
I spend my
first summer at the Minority Medical Education Program in Chicago which was a collaborative program with University
of Chicago, Rush, Loyola, and Northwestern Schools of Medicine. My second summer I conducted research in synthetic
organic chemistry at the University of Pennsylvania Howard Hughes Medical Institute. My third summer I conducted research
in medicinal chemistry at Merck Research Labs in Philidelphia, PA. In summer 2004, I conducted research in medicinal chemistry at Merck Reserach Labs in
Rahway, NJ. In
addition to those activities, I conducted research on campus with Dr. Twintilla Tate in toxicology and completed a thesis.
What
I would tell a pre-med student:
The
main piece of advice that I can offer future students is to take the decision to become a physician seriously. Become proactive
in your success by seeking out information on your own. Don't wait for people to tell you about opportunities that are availible. Develop
discipline with regards to your study habits because the biggest change from undergrad to professional school is the length
of time needed to master the material. Do whatever you can to make your application as competitive as possible
such as research, volunteering, ect, start early! I would recommend voluteering at Earl K. Long. Align yourself
with successful people that have done what you seek to do. Ask them questions about their experiences so that you can avoid
certain pitfalls. Most of all, stay positive and know that you have the intellectual capabilities of every other person applying
to med school. Southern University will give you the tools to fulfill your destiny, whatever it may be!
How
many schools I applied to:
I applied
to 10 schools
Why
I choose my school:
After interviewing
at 7 schools, I chose KCUMB for a variety of reasons. First, the curriculim here is system based. This allows for an intergrated
approach to mastering the concepts needed to develop a comprehensive understanding of clincal medicine. It allows for one
think clinically from day one. Secondly, the first time pass rates for the national board exams here is 98% which says
that they train competent physicians. Third, they tok a vest interest in my success by offering me a competitive
scholarship. Finally, 98% of people get their 1st choice in residency. Overall, my decision was based on the above info,
as well as, feeling I got when I interview. I felt like this was where I was supposed to be.
I would describe my 1st semester of medical school as:
Time of adjustment!
The hardest part of the first semester was the pace and volume of information presented in one day. This is where disciple
comes in! I developed a system that allowed me to not only master the material, but RETAIN it. In all, the main thing to remember
is to do what works for you. Don't compare yourself to others and be sure to stay physically active. No one wants to go to
an unhealthy physician for advice!
The classes that I am glad I took were:
Classes that I wish I had taken were:
The biggest adjustment for me was:
The type of study skills that I believe should be
developed in undergrad are:
The advice I would give someone who is wondering
how to best prepare for medical school is:
You
can contact me at:
Email: bburches@kcumb.edu
