| “BSP is amazing! It is one of the most influential forces in my life at Cornell. I've formed so many friendships through the program, and I am glad that I was able to join. BSP is a great program where students get to meet a wide variety of professionals in fields that interest us. It also offers academic and often emotional support that I am forever grateful for.” |
|
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Freshman
Career Plan: Medical School |
 |
| “BSP has really helped with academics, especially this semester. With my study group, I am really on top of material that I think would otherwise be slipping through my fingers. My Biochem study group has greatly improved my understanding of that class!!!! It is really cool. BSP has also helped me to focus a lot in the past two years; reminding me constantly of the long term, where my goals are set, and what my future could be like.” |
|
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Sophomore
Career Plan: Peace Corps, Graduate School |
|
| “The Biology Scholars Program has helped expose me to new career
paths and cutting edge ideas. I have met many people with similar
interests and experiences. This has helped to make the transition
to college easier.” |
|
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Freshman
Career Plan: Research in Medical Entomology |
|
“I love BSP! My participation in BSP has better defined my association
with the Biology Major. I appreciate the flexibility for scholars
to initiate programs of interest for fellow scholars. Serving on
the BSP Student Leadership Board has exposed me to resources in and
outside Cornell, such as volunteer sites and organizations. I also
appreciate the study groups and their leaders. I can genuinely say "orgo
is not as bad as it is portrayed" because of my dedicated study
group leader.
Finally, the sophomore seminars were very helpful. I actually refer
to my notes when I have to analyze scientific papers and write reviews
on them. It is good to know what to look for in those papers. I am
also considering applying for the HCEC in order to get my medical
school application pre-reviewed because of the "personal statement
session" organized by program director, Jeff McCaffrey! I also
better understand my values because of the Strengths Quest session.
The experience in the Biology Program will be incomplete without
BSP.
Thanks to Jeff, Bonnie, Wendy, my fellow BSPers, Study Group Leaders
and all who make BSP the best program on campus!” |
|
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Sophomore
Career Plan: MD/MPH |
|
| “BSP is not just a group but more like
a family. You get to meet many friends that have the same interests
as you. The study groups are great because you actually look forward
to discussing the topic and being with your friends at the same time.
BSP creates a very enjoyable and stress-free environment. It's a great
support system and you can always depend on your study group leader
and Jeff (BSP Program Coordinator).” |
|
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Freshman
Career Plan: Medical School |
|
| “At first I thought BSP was just
study groups that would help me advance in general Bio classes but
slowly I come to realize it's not JUST a program, it's a community.
Biology Scholars are who I end up eating dinner with, sharing secrets
and jokes. These are really wonderful people that inspire and encourage
you. BSP is a wonderful place where I can feel comfortable and
always welcomed.” |
|
— |
Freshman
Career Plan: Optometry School (possible gap year
teaching
English in Egypt) |
|
|
“Biology Scholars is a place where I can go and ask questions
about anything
and know that I won’t be looked at funny. I feel that being
a part of a
community where everyone is accepted and treated like family
is the best part. It has helped me de-stress at times and figure
out what I do need to be stressing about at others.”
|
|
— |
Freshman
Career Plan: Medical School |
|
|
“Study groups have allowed me to see alternative ways people solve
problems” |
|
— |
Freshman
Career Plan: MD/PhD (Neurology) |
|
“BSP has really helped with academics, especially this semester.
With my study group, I am really on top of material that I think
would otherwise be slipping through my fingers. My Biochem study
group has greatly improved my understanding of that class!!!! It
is really cool.”
“BSP has also helped me to focus a lot in the past two years;
reminding me constantly of the long term, where my goals are set,
and what my future could be like.”
|
|
— |
Junior
Career Plan: Peace Corps & Graduate School |
|
| “BSP was a support system since the moment I got to Cornell as a freshman. I think being part of BSP, especially being able to have a close relationship with the Office of Undergraduate Biology advisors, made me feel like I had a place at Cornell and that there are people who care about me succeeding as a biology major. In such a large institution, this is definitively beneficial to anyone. I was part of the first class, but year by year, BSP is becoming larger and larger, and the social connections I am creating with some of the underclassmen and with other students from my year have also been beneficial for me.” |
|
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Senior
Career Plan: Public Health, Medicine |
|
| “As an international student, BSP has helped me find a community within the Cornell campus. Over the year, I have made new friendships which I hope are lifetime. It has been an avenue where I get to know more about some campus activities and how to get involved in them if interested. The upper class BSPers have been a source of motivation and courage. I hope to continue being part of this amazing and diverse community of Biology Scholars!” |
|
— |
Sophomore
Career Plan: MD or MD/PhD |
|
| “BSP study groups have definitely helped me keep up with the Cornell course load. Most of us, even at Cornell, are often tempted to procrastinate. However, in Cornell, procrastination can possibly lead to failure, but BSP always keeps me up with doing what I’m supposed to be doing.” |
|
— |
Sophomore
Career Plan: MD or MD/PhD (Pediatric Neurosurgeon) |
|
| “When I first joined BSP, I thought it was just going to be a club that would have weekly meetings and just talk about biology, however, I was terribly wrong. While we do have discussions about biology during many of the seminars and meetings, we talk about real life issues that students face in Cornell. Through talking about the same difficulties, successes and setbacks that we all shared, BSP allows for BSPers to feel like members of a common community. Additionally, joining BSP has enabled for its members to be exposed to different careers in Biology was instrumental with helping me establish connections with faculty members, alumni and other professionals.” |
|
— |
Sophomore
Career Plan: MD (Pediatrician) |
|
| “BSP has opened my eyes to new perspectives in the medical field. I never looked into obtaining a Global Health Minor at Cornell, however, through BSP, I learned more about the minor. I am considering it to become an essential part of my experience here at Cornell, and I thank BSP for that.” |
|
— |
Sophomore
Career Plan: MD; Health Care Administration; Pediatric Oncology |
|
| “BSP is like a newly found family for me at Cornell. I have made life-long friends in BSP!” |
|
— |
Sophomore
Career Plan: Work for the United Nations Children's Fund and/or
go to Medical School |
|
| “BSP means interacting with your peers to further our understanding of the biological world while forming friendships through teaching and learning with one another.” |
|
— |
Sophomore
Career Plan: Graduate or Medical School |
|
| “Through BSP I have become more acquainted with innovative research and opportunities in medicine. The wonderful and interesting people I've met have made BSP all the more enjoyable.” |
|
— |
Sophomore
Career Plan: Medical School |
|
| “BSP has been a big part of my life here at Cornell. It has helped me adjust academically and socially. I have been able to form friendships with other people who are on the same path as me, biology majors. Because of the requirements to stay in BSP, I have constantly been trying to push myself to go above the expectations of being a biology scholar.” |
|
— |
Junior
Career Plan: Medical School |
|
| “BSP has been a great opportunity to explore the Biology major and to meet students with common academic interests and career goals. BSP provides invaluable advice and insight into the numerous options in Biology at Cornell and beyond. Most importantly, BSP creates a fun, yet challenging environment to collaborate and excel with other students at Cornell.” |
|
— |
Sophomore
Career Plan: Graduate School |
|
| "BSP helps to remind me of all the things I love about Biology. It keeps me motivated when school proves to be increasingly arduous. Further, there is always a fellow BSPer or adviser to talk to when I need advice-- and I can be sure they have my best interest in mind and will lead me in the right direction." |
|
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Junior
Career Plan: MD or PhD |
|
