pre-health advising

The Top 10 Reasons I Chose Syracuse

Students at Syracuse Welcome, the University's new student orientation program.
Students at Syracuse Welcome, the University’s new student orientation program.

By Seth Martin, Jr. ‘22
Hometown: Cambria Heights, NY
Major: Biology

Seth '22 with Slow Food, a Syracuse student organization that connects students on and off-campus with sustainable food enterprises. Photo courtesy of Seth Martin, Jr.
Seth ’22 with Slow Food, a Syracuse student organization that connects students on and off-campus with sustainable food enterprises. Photo courtesy of Seth Martin, Jr.
  1. Campus Atmosphere
    Syracuse has a very picturesque campus. The historic buildings and beautiful quad make you feel like you’ve stepped on to a movie set while at the same time you have modern facilities, like the Life Sciences Complex, that provide state-of-the-art resources. Located in upstate New York, Syracuse experiences all four seasons and there’s no better time to be on campus than during peak fall foliage!
  2. Sense of Community
    You can feel a sense of community at Syracuse as soon as you step on to campus or meet with other faculty, staff, and students. Programs like Syracuse’s Living Learning Communities and Hendricks Chapel make it easy to find your niche. People here are warm and inviting and it is easy to make friends and build relationships with your professors. Everyone is proud to be Orange!
  3. Majors and Classes
    As a Biology major interested in pursuing a career in medicine, I was looking for strong programs in the natural sciences when I explored colleges, and I found just that at Syracuse. While the curriculum is challenging, taking classes like organic chemistry and genetics have solidified my desire to be a doctor. And, if I change my mind, I have another 200 majors and 100 minors to choose from!
  4. Pre-Health Programs and Advising
    The vast array of resources within Syracuse’s Pre-Health Advising Office and the University’s location just steps away from 3 major hospitals made choosing SU a no brainer for me. Clinical and volunteer opportunities, as well as lectures and special medicine-related events abound and I know I’ll be well-prepared for my medical school applications because of these resources!

    Syracuse University is located within walking distance to Upstate University Hospital, Crouse Hospital, and the VA Medical Center.
    Syracuse University is located within walking distance to Upstate University Hospital, Crouse Hospital, and the VA Medical Center.
  5. Location
    The University’s location in the city of Syracuse means students get the best of both worlds. We have a beautiful, walkable quad-style campus but are also very close to the restaurants, shops, and theaters of downtown Syracuse and just 10 minutes from the airport. Free shuttles run from campus to various points of interests throughout the city, including Destiny USA, the U.S.’ sixth largest mall, and there are also great parks, trails, and lakes nearby.
  6. School Spirit
    If you’re looking for a school with a ton of school spirit, look no further. Here, everyone has Orange in their veins, including me. From going to football, basketball, and lacrosse games in the Dome to attending campus-wide events like Juice Jam and Mayfest, there are so many activities to enjoy with your Orange family!
  7. Extracurricular Involvement
    There are plenty of clubs and organizations (300+!) to join and get involved in at Syracuse, no matter your interests. I am involved in U100, our tour guide organization, as well as Slow Food, which is a worldwide organization that promotes sustainability. These clubs help me pursue interests outside of academics and meet people with similar interests.

    The Syracuse University Marching Band performs at Orange Central, SU's annual Homecoming celebration.
    The Syracuse University Marching Band performs at Orange Central, SU’s annual Homecoming celebration.
  8. Career Preparation
    Each of Syracuse’s 10 undergraduate schools and colleges has its own career center, meaning you’ll get expert advice in your field as you explore your options and apply for internships and jobs. Career advisors can help you network, revise resumes and cover letters, prep for an interview, and much, much more.
  9. Research Opportunities
    Syracuse is a Research 1 university, meaning there is considerable resources and funding behind both faculty and student research. No matter your academic interest, there are opportunities for undergraduate students to pursue research and hands-on experience in their field. You can even apply for research funding via the SOURCE, our hub for student research on campus.
  10. Alumni Connections
    With over 260,000 alumni worldwide, I knew that attending Syracuse would mean I had the power of a proud Orange network at my fingertips, both as a student and after I graduate. With resources like the networking site Handshake, students from all majors can connect with alumni in their field right away.

Pursuing Pre-Health Opportunities Through Nutrition

Sarah Koutana '20 (middle, 5th from right) with the Syracuse University Ambulance Squad (SUA). Photo courtesy of SUA.
Sarah Koutana ’20 (middle, 5th from right) with the Syracuse University Ambulance Squad (SUA). Photo courtesy of SUA.

Sarah Genevieve Koutana ’20 first knew she wanted to be a doctor at nine years old, when her mother gave her a human anatomy-themed coloring book. Born in Miami, FL to French parents and raised in both the U.S. and France, Sarah later developed an interest in nutrition and how diet influences one’s health. As a senior Nutrition Science major within Syracuse University’s Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics, Sarah plans to attend medical school next year. Read on as she describes her experience as a pre-health student at Syracuse!

Why Nutrition Science?
My family is not from the U.S., but when my parents and other relatives moved here, many developed health issues, including diabetes and stroke. Diet changes and food regulation differences are partly to blame. For example, many of the sugary cereals that are popular here are not on the market in France.

A fully operational test kitchen in Falk College offers nutrition and dietetics students hands-on experience in the classroom.
A fully operational test kitchen in Falk College offers nutrition and dietetics students hands-on experience in the classroom.

I believe that doctors are generally not as heavily trained in nutrition as the public would like them to be. When I started researching colleges and universities as a high school student, I knew I wanted to pursue medical school after college. And I also knew that I wanted to study nutrition.

I chose to attend Syracuse because of the strength of the Nutrition Science and Dietetics program. The curriculum allows me to take both a depth and breadth of required and elective classes, like Medical Nutrition Therapy, Addiction Studies and Nutritional Biochemistry, so I can focus on my interest in nutrition while also preparing for medical school.

Pre-Health Pathways at Syracuse
No matter your major at Syracuse, students can take full advantage of advising and resources from the Pre-Health Advising office, including the committee letter, which assists students applying to medical, dental, veterinary and other pre-health graduate programs.

I have also worked closely with advisors in the Nutrition Science program and have truly enjoyed the variety of courses and opportunities I’m able to access as a student in Falk. Nutrition as a major is flexible and many students in the program choose to have a double major. Classes like Anatomy and Abnormal Psychology helped me in preparing for the MCAT and will assist me in interacting with patients in the future. I now serve as a Center for Learning and Student Success (CLASS) tutor for Anatomy, which allows me to earn money and keep the material fresh in my mind for medical school.

Campus Involvement
Pre-health students are encouraged to get involved on campus – you can and should make time for activities you enjoy! One of my favorite organizations I am part of is the Syracuse University Ambulance (SUA) squad. I didn’t have any training as an EMT when I first came to Syracuse, but after applying for SUA I received all the necessary training to respond to real-life medical emergencies. I’ve gained both friendships and clinical experience through my work with SUA and am grateful for the experience – not many universities have student-run ambulance squads!

As a McNair Scholar, I also participate in research on campus. This summer I worked with a nutrition faculty member to conduct data analysis on diet quality differences among children in the Syracuse Lead Study. I’m also involved in a sorority on campus and weightlift for fun at the Barnes Center. You can also often find me getting bubble tea on Marshall Street!

Advice for Prospective Students

Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics is housed in White and McNaught Halls on Syracuse's main campus.
Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics is housed in White and McNaught Halls on Syracuse’s main campus.

As a Falk College peer advisor, I love working with incoming students. I encourage prospective students to visit Syracuse on campus, if possible. Visiting campus and meeting with representatives from the Nutrition Science program is what helped me decide to apply Early Decision.

I also recommend all college students to take charge of your academic career and take advantage of the opportunities available to you on campus! Explore your interests and work closely with your advisors and tools available to you to make sure you are in the driver’s seat of your coursework and plan.