Janelle Alvarez

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NSU Major

BS Biology, D.O. Osteopathic Medicine

NSU Undergraduate Date

2015

NSU Graduate Degree Graduation Date

2019

Highest Degree Completed

D.O.

NSU Experience

The rigor of the biology program really gave me somewhat of a “taste” of what medical school would be like a few years down the line. My absolute favorite part of being an undergraduate at NSU was the interaction with professors. Their undying support of my dreams carried me through my years there as an undergraduate, and we’ve managed to stay in touch throughout my graduate program as well. They want the best for their students, and they make that very clear from day one. The small class sizes were a huge advantage in allowing me to foster those relationships with my professors, and that translated to amazing research and internship opportunities, as well as excellent letters of support when it came time to applying to medical programs. I truly look up to my undergraduate professors, probably even more than they know, and I strive to be able to influence the community in the same way that they have influenced me.

Find your happiness and don’t ever let it go. Your goals in life (both professionally and personally) should align with whatever makes you happy. Whether that happiness is medicine, art, law, education, or basket weaving, I absolutely encourage you to stick to it. Don’t let anyone steer you elsewhere. There were so many people that would say to me “medicine isn’t what it used to be, I don’t understand why anyone would want to get into the field in this era.” I respectfully agree to disagree with this notion. Although medical school has been the biggest sacrifice of my life, I can still say without a shadow of a doubt that I was made to do this, and I am tremendously happy and grateful to be here.

Someone once told me “greatness is a lot of small things done well, day after day”. I couldn’t agree more. Working hard for a day, a week, or perhaps even a year may not get you exactly where you projected you’d be in that time frame. But stay true to yourself and always have faith in your ability.