Third-year medical students Kayla Daniell and Sara Hyde decided UMass Chan Medical School was the right choice for them after attending on-campus interviews during their school search. So when the COVID-19 pandemic required the T.H. Chan School of Medicine to switch to a virtual platform for prospective students, Daniell and Hyde created a mentorship group to ensure accepted students have the same opportunities that they did to learn about the school.
Daniell and Hyde sought student and faculty volunteers to mentor accepted students by meeting with them virtually in small groups, on a monthly basis, from November they receive their acceptance notifications until May, the deadline to make their decisions.
Applicants have historically been interviewed on campus between August and February, with a chance for a Second Look Day in April for accepted students. The events went virtual during the pandemic. Hyde and Daniell began their mentorship initiative in January 2021.
“Zoom is clunky and awkward no matter what setting it is, but overall, we got really positive feedback from the applicants, which really reinforced that this is something UMass Chan should keep doing,” Daniell said.
They said they felt strongly about the program and turned it into their capstone project.
When she was choosing what medical school to go to, Daniell said finding strong mentorship meant a lot to her.
“I knew medical school was going to be like nothing I had encountered before, and I knew that I would need strong mentors to get me through it,” Daniell said. “That’s something I appreciated about UMass on my interview day.”
Hyde had a similar experience through her application and interview process from the moment she set foot on campus.
“Everyone I saw was so happy, everyone was so friendly,” she said.
This year, they plan to set up group meetings with waitlisted students as well, so that they too are well informed about life at UMass Chan when they are accepted.
Esi Asare, MBA, director of admissions for the Chan School of Medicine, said the initiative came at a pivotal time when applicants are choosing where they want to spend their four years of medical school.
“I think it’s a brilliant program,” Asare said. “It helps build a mini community. I think that is key, especially looking at where you’re going to spend a substantial time.”
Related stories on UMassMed News:
Getting to know UMMS: Prospective medical students take part in virtual Second Look Day
LISTEN: Counting down to Match Day at UMass Medical School
