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Student and Faculty Profiles

Meet Elliott...

Class: 2014
Hometown: Fairfield, Connecticut
Undergrad: Northwestern University
Major: Communication Sciences and Disorders
Program: M.D.

It was not too hard of a decision for me, truth be told. I was looking for a few specific things in my medical school. I wanted a school whose professors cared about their students and areas of expertise equally. I wanted a school where research experiences would be there for me—if I wanted them. I wanted a school filled with happy clinical experts, clinicians eager to have me tag along so they could teach me about their specialties. I wanted a school that equally valued humanism and science. Perhaps most important, I wanted a school with students who really cared for each other.

In sum, I wanted a community. I wanted to go somewhere where I could contribute to, and gain from, a rich, challenging, and caring community.

I chose UConn because I felt that it best fit my desires. And UConn has exceeded my highest expectations. The professors are wonderful, caring, and engaging. Research? Absolutely! But—only if you want it. And the students! The students are the best part of this community. My peers never cease to amaze me. They are talented (scientifically and otherwise), engaging, caring, and fun. We run clinics, have rotating dinner clubs, take part in a myriad of outdoor activities (from triathlons to fundraising walks), and the list goes on. And we take care of each other.

I left undergrad content; I loved my time at Northwestern University. But I wanted a change of atmosphere. I was leaving what some may call a high-intensity pre-med environment and I wanted to try something a little more close-knit. I wanted to try something that felt a little more like a family. And I wanted a place that felt like "doctor school," not just medical school. All of these things, and many more, I have found at UConn.

UConn is a wonderful place. If you are hoping to find some of the things that I was looking for and you choose to join the UConn community, I doubt you will be disappointed.