Joanna Curry ‘19 | MD/MPH | UCLA

Pursuing an MD/MPH at David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, entering class of 2022

Undergraduate major: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology with a certificate in Global Health and Health Policy

Significant college activities: Member/Captain of Princeton Women’s Swimming and Diving Team; TigerCall Employee/Supervisor; Special Olympics Instructor; Coach for College Volunteer; Princeton Reunions crew member and manager; Senior thesis research in the Ayroles Lab

Words of wisdom about being prehealth at Princeton: My biggest piece of advice to any pre-med student at Princeton is to never give up. I know that sounds cheesy but I really think that is the key to making it through Princeton and into medical school. It is so easy to get discouraged by the rigorous pre-requisite courses we all have to take. It is important to keep your ultimate goal in mind and view every setback and less-than-perfect grade as an opportunity to grow and learn as a person. Being imperfect is a strength that allows you the opportunity to push yourself out of your comfort zone and show true grit and dedication toward the pursuit of becoming a physician.

Secondly and just as importantly, have fun! It is such a privilege to have the opportunity to pursue becoming a physician and we truly get to learn some incredible things. Approach every class, internship, volunteer opportunity, and extracurricular activity with energy and an eagerness to learn. Invest in getting to know your classmates, professors, peers, and advisers as they will be your biggest support system on the journey to medical school. Not every activity has to directly relate to medicine in order to have a massive impact on you as a person and your ability to be an incredible applicant and future doctor.