Greetings from Current Biomedical Science Students

Shannon Conneely
Jackson High School
Massillon, Ohio

My name is Shannon Conneely. I am from Massillon, Ohio, where I have lived my entire life and attended Jackson High School. I knew I was going to be working in the medical field and therefore would be a premed major, but I didn’t know what specific major I wanted to get into. When the biomedical science major presented itself, I was immediately attracted, not just because of the access it gives you, but also because it’s something different that you will not find at every university, making it a very unique opportunity. The chance to be involved in such a specialized major is actually what cemented my decision to come to Ohio State. My general career goal is to become a doctor, but more specifically a pediatric oncologist.

Megan Conroy
Gaithersburg High School
Gaithersburg, Maryland

Hi, I’m Megan Conroy, I have lived in Gaithersburg, Maryland (about 20 miles north-west of Washington, DC) my entire life, but am now a Buckeye at heart and couldn’t be happier to be at Ohio State—I absolutely LOVE it! Although it was originally a hard decision, I decided to come to Ohio State in large part because of the amazing energy and spirit on campus, and the Biomedical Science program was what really finalized my decision. After 2 summers interning at The National Eye Institute at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland it became clear to me that a science major with a focus on the changing world of research was right for me, and Biomedical Science at Ohio State is just that. My post-baccalaureate plans include anything from a doctor of physical therapy program, to medical school, research, or even teaching.

The greatest challenge that I have encountered thus far at OSU is simply the adjustment to college life, especially in an unfamiliar place. The hardest adjustment, at least academically, as been in the differences between the quarter system and the way in which my high school functioned. The Biomedical Science program has provided support for me in many ways, such as advising and closer attention, as well as making the university feel smaller by providing a small, tight group of classmates that I see often.

Ben Jones
Lebanon High School
Lebanon, Ohio

I’m the sort of person who works best when there is a concrete deadline to be met.  More specifically, I didn’t decide exactly where I wanted to go to college until a few days before the May 1st deadline.  While I spent so much time wavering between a few decisions and considering my options from numerous angles, I finally decided to make myself a buckeye, and to become a part of the Biomedical Science undergraduate program--And thankfully so.

My name is Ben Jones and I’m originally from Lebanon, Ohio.  Being accepted into the Biomedical Science program was an integral part of my deciding to attend Ohio State.  Combining a rigorous curriculum with an in-depth research experience, as it seems to me, will be the perfect foundation for a future where I plan to attend medical school.   Not only that, but Ohio State has the resources to provide seemingly endless opportunities beyond academia, such as in the athletic and service-based realms of college life.  It truly is great to be a buckeye, and I’m proud to have the opportunity to be a part of the first class of undergraduates to major in Biomedical Science.

Brandon Little
Felicity-Franklin High School
Felicity, Ohio

My name is Brandon Little and I grew up in Felicity, Ohio; which is about 45 minutes Southeast of Cincinnati, Ohio.  I attended high school at Felicity-Franklin in my home town, and carried a 4.0 along with participating in Basketball, Soccer, Cross Country, and Tennis, along with becoming president of my local NHS chapter and 4-H club.  I have a few goals that I would like to achieve in the future conducting research such as becoming a professor and doing research on either neurology or immunology and to advance the field in at least a small way.  I decided to come to OSU because of the Biomedical Science major that has been established at this institution.  The research aspect of the program coupled with my ambitions made this program a perfect fit for me.  And my one bit of advice to all that may read this from a small town is to not fear OSU as to large of a campus.  I graduated in a class of 84 and arrived here at OSU to realize that all my fears about a large campus quickly fled.  I have found this campus to be composed of a myriad of microcosms of friends that develop and fade but continually build.

Peter Sayers

My name is Peter Sayers, and I’m a freshman in the inaugural Biomedical Sciences class.  I graduated from Starr’s Mill High School in Fayetteville, Georgia.  I decided on Ohio State University for a variety of reasons, including the resources available from a large university, academic opportunities afforded from being near one of the top medical centers in the country, and the tradition of being a Buckeye. 

The Biomedical Sciences major was appealing to me because the focus of the program corresponded with my impression of what I hoped to get out of an undergraduate education.  My goal is to enter medical school upon graduation, and the Biomedical Sciences program seemed to be the best preparation for me to accomplish this goal.  Working closely with my advisor, I have had the opportunity to develop a clear strategy for preparing myself for graduate school, and the Biomedical Science major will afford me research opportunities that otherwise I would not have gotten.  Hopefully, with the help of the Biomedical Sciences major, I will be able to eventually enter the medical field as a specialist in either cardiovascular surgery or sports medicine, two areas which are particularly appealing to me. 

Stephen Smith
Franklin High School
Franklin, Ohio

Hi! I’m Stephen Smith. I hail from Franklin, Ohio, which is a distant suburb of Dayton (it’s more halfway between Dayton and Cincinnati). I am a 2005 honors graduate of Franklin High School, and am currently pursuing a degree in Biomedical Sciences to prepare for Medical School. In the long run, I am planning to enter the field of Forensics Pathology, and work as a medical examiner.

In looking for colleges, I applied to six schools, including The University of Massachusetts (Amherst) and Columbia University. I chose Ohio State because of this new major, and because I was big fan of the Marching Band. Mostly though, I enjoyed Ohio State’s atmosphere when I came for a visit. OSU is large, but as you go here, it seems to slowly shrink in size!

Biomedical Sciences is a unique degree, that offers exciting research opportunities that few undergraduates have a chance to experience. I chose this major for that very reason, but I also liked the fact that the curriculum is geared head-on for advancement to higher education.