Connecticut College: The Interdisciplinary Advantage

Q. Why did you decide on Connecticut College?

A. I decided I wanted to combine economics with science for pre-med, and I wasn’t really able to do that at Northeastern. Even though I loved Boston, it was difficult to combine majors and concentrations there because there are different colleges within the university, so I decided to transfer. I applied to a ton of small liberal arts schools. It turned out that I got into quite a few, but what ended up making the difference for me was the student body. I was visiting a friend who goes here and everyone was very friendly, approachable and down to earth.

Q. What was the transfer like with your classes?

A. I was playing a lot of catch-up because I was a computer science student who switched to economics and chemistry. I fell in with economics because I really enjoyed the classes I was taking and the professors were really knowledgeable and friendly.

Q. Can you describe your major?

A. I’m an economics major and a chemistry minor with a concentration in pre-med. I’m looking for this to prepare me for an MD/MBA graduate program. I hope to get involved in health policy or physician and medical management.

Q. What have been your favorite classes?

A. I’m doing an independent study on health reform with Professor Monika Lopez Anuarbe. It’s been interesting and it’s a really pertinent topic right now. Next semester I’m doing independent research with Professor Marc Zimmer on green fluorescent protein (GFP). I’m looking forward to that.

Q. What activities are you involved in?

A. I’m the VP of the Emergency Medical Services Club, which started up last year. We’ve really gotten things going this year: We’re covering all club sports games now, and we’ll be on call with Campus Safety next semester. I’m also the VP of the Pre-Health Club, which is a support group for pre-med students and I’m a housefellow in Morrisson House.

Q. Did you do a summer internship?

A. I did a summer internship through the career office with A Friendly Hand, an organization that I’ve worked with for three years and done six trips with. I helped to create an internship program for students like myself who want to go abroad but have a hard time with course requirements. My trip to Honduras this summer included four other students from Connecticut College and we spent over eight weeks in clinics, five days a week. There aren’t the same regulations there as in America, and you get experience you never would get here. You get to work with doctors helping people; I even assisted with a Caesarean section. It’s so eye-opening to see people who are in need of such basic medical care that we take for granted, or have conditions that can be cured so easily with some basic medicines.

Q. Has anything surprised you about the College?

A. I was hopeful about the individual attention and ability to get to know professors. That’s just impossible at a larger school. I wasn’t sure if this was going to actually happen, but I really started seeing this junior year when I got into more specialized classes and was working with professors. They made themselves really accessible and were supportive of my work.

Q. If there is one thing you could tell someone about Connecticut College, what would it be?

A. I think it’s clear that the biggest thing is the ability to work on your personal interests and also get support from the school. The professors and administration really make themselves available to you and are supportive of the students in and out of the classroom. 

Learn more about:

Monika Lopez Anuarbe (Jack's economics professor) 
Connecticut College career office 
Pre-Med Advising Program