Jordan Lukens
Medical student Jordan shares the aspects of Ohio State’s curriculum and culture that made him even more excited to attend medical school here.
Amanda Martinez
Finding my home away from home within Ohio State’s medical community.
At a very young age I chose to pursue medicine. I grew up in a family of immigrants in south Florida. My sister was diagnosed with amblyopia, or lazy eye. Our after-school activities involved going to her doctors’ visits and treatments at the pediatric ophthalmology clinic, where they used all of these high-tech tools and equipment. I was so intrigued. Then in high school and college, I participated in eye dissections and cataract surgery.
The Ohio State Buckeyes winning the 2014 national championship football game put Ohio on the map for me. I wanted the big-school, collegiate experience. I applied and was accepted, but ultimately decided to stay in Florida for undergrad while pursuing my degree and research in genetics at the University of Florida. When I started looking at medical schools, I wanted a program where I would gain experience treating common diseases while also working with patients with rare diseases. I knew Ohio State would provide the best and most comprehensive training available because of its size and having seven health science colleges on one campus.
Another factor that helped me decide to come to Ohio State is that after your first year of education, you can apply to gain in-state residency for tuition, which is a huge financial benefit for medical students.
I moved to Columbus in July 2020 at the peak of the pandemic. Meeting my classmates, many of whom also came from out of state, helped me adjust. I’ve been able to find my fellow Latinas and get to know so many others from different backgrounds.
I’m involved with La Clinica Latina, a Spanish-speaking medical clinic that is free to those in need. I serve as the scheduling director and a patient-facing volunteer. The clinic provides medical care to the Hispanic population of all different backgrounds, and my interactions at the clinic help me stay connected to my community while serving patients who come from similar backgrounds as I.
The faculty, staff and leadership truly care about students here. They have an open-door policy so if I need to talk to someone, I can stop in to say hello or to pose more serious academic and personal questions. They want students to succeed, but also to feel cared for and have the support and access to the research and resources we need to get through medical school.
I know I made the right decision to come to Ohio State. When I moved from Florida, I found this wonderful community — a community that supports and encourages me to challenge myself and go after my dream to help patients with eye disease retain their vision.
Where our students learn
Why choose The Ohio State University College of Medicine?
At Ohio State, you will receive a highly respected education from world-renowned faculty who are recognized across the nation. Since 2002, Ohio State medical students have received Step 1 and Step 2 pass rates equal to or above the national average. And with an average match rate of more than 95% each year, our graduates match in some of the most prestigious residency programs in the nation. Residency director surveys show that our graduates are some of the best prepared in their programs.
Ohio State is home to some of the most welcoming, supportive and caring people who are all committed to helping you reach your full potential. With several community service opportunities and more than 50 student organizations, you will be able to pursue your passions and discover new ones.
Major components of Ohio residency for in-state tuition include:
- Physical presence in Ohio
- Contribution to Ohio Taxes
- Eligibility to remain in the United States on a permanent basis
If you choose not to establish Ohio residency, in an effort to lower student loan debt, the College of Medicine has reduced the out-of-state surcharge for third- and fourth-year medical students.
We believe the physicians we train should be as diverse as the communities they serve. Diversity and inclusion are present in everything we do, starting with our history of diversifying classes to include more women and underrepresented in medicine students and our strides in diversifying our leadership team.
Combine a lower cost of living with a thriving health care landscape creates a perfect environment for medical students or any healthcare professional. Columbus boasts four world-renowned, award-winning healthcare systems, including The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Nationwide Children's Hospital.
MD Programs we offer
Read other Ohio State MD student stories
Aliyah Bennett
Through Ohio State’s MD/PhD program, Aliyah combines her passions for medicine and research as she develops new treatments for chronic pain.
Selena Taha
Medical student Selena shares why she chose Ohio State’s three-year primary care program as it is uniquely positioned to prepare students to enter the field of family medicine.
Evans Osuji
Evans explains how Ohio State’s inclusive and collaborative learning environment is preparing him to treat the needs of diverse communities.
Ashley Hoblit, MD
Providing accessible care in rural communities drives Dr. Hoblit’s passion for practicing family and community medicine. Learn more about Ohio State’s Community Medicine MD Track.