- UC San Diego School of Medicine
- University of California – San Diego
My name is Nikita Mittal and I am a third year undergraduate Human Biology major part of the Medical Scholars B.S./M.D. program at UCSD/UCSD SOM. Realizing my immense and unfaltering desire to become a doctor growing up, I knew that I was ready to make the commitment to go into medicine as a high school senior. Since then, I have engaged in activities both related to science and medicine as well as in other disciplines to create for myself the most enjoyable and wholesome college experience. Some of the interests I have expounded on throughout my years aside from medicine include travel, dance/basketball, yoga, hiking, reading, writing, and community service work.
In terms of science/medicine, and particularly in mental health, I have involved myself in conducting research. Particularly, over the course of the past year, I have worked as a clinical research intern at Rady Children’s Hospital in The Child and Adolescent Service Research Center (CASRC). Working primarily in research projects involving finding ways to appease the effects of autism and also having the opportunity to directly work in the community towards bridging the gap between the disparity in the resources that these kids need versus what they are given, I derive much joy from the work I do in Dr. Brookman-Frazee’s lab. Further projects I have already started/plan to take on include conducting work in third world countries in educational/medical settings as well as also working locally at different camps in rural San Diego made for children who are at a higher chance of developing mental health conditions due to specific familial hardships. My overall goal with these projects is to work towards reversing the negative stereotype regarding mental health on top of also simply providing service and care towards those inflicted by mental health disorders.
Deriving so much satisfaction from the opportunities that I have been able to explore both outside of medicine as well as in passions I have found in medicine due specifically to the fact that I was part of a B.S./M.D. program, I had no hesitation in deciding to join PremedHQ: A company dedicated to helping students in high school enter these very programs. Personally, being a part of this company for the past two years, I have successfully worked with several clients to help them get into these programs as well as other undergraduate schools. Whether it be answering all the questions both the student or the parents have about the college admission process (or specifically bs/md programs), helping them with all the essays they plan to submit in their applications, or coaching them for and through the interview process, I derive much joy in helping students reach their dream schools/programs. I would have to say my favorite part, aside from seeing how happy they get when they start getting acceptances from schools, is comparing the final versions of their essays from the original ones they wrote. Seeing the immense difference just a few weeks of hard work from our end as well as their end can make is truly satisfying and exciting.
My work at PremedHQ, however, spans beyond just being a mentor/coach for students. I am also a designated writer for the company. This means that I write several of the articles that appear on the website on topics that are meant to provide both students and parents with more information regarding this application process and B.S/M.D. programs. I have combined the knowledge I have learned throughout my own application cycle, the knowledge I have acquired by doing immense amounts of research/meeting with many different people in these programs (students as well as faculty), and the knowledge from higher members of PremedHQ, so that I can play my role in giving families all the information/resources that they would want or need.
Together then, my work and experience leaves me feeling more than equipped to help young students, filled with a passion for science and medicine, to now reach their goals of entering combined medical (B.S./M.D.) programs.
Abhishek Kumar, MDFounder of PremedHQ | UC San Diego School of Medicine & Duke University
Sara Johansen, MDStanford School of Medicine & University of Puget Sound
Yash ShahSidney Kimmel Medical College at Jefferson University & Penn State University
Stanley Chan, MDNorthwestern School of Medicine Northwestern University
