Learn more about our successful students!
UH Manoa hosts a dynamic community of pre-health and pre-law students, each with unique backgrounds and experiences. Many go on to successful careers in health or law. Learning from their stories and strategies can enhance your college experience. Here are a few highlights from accomplished UH Manoa pre-health/pre-law students.
Dentistry
Miranda Yip, B.S. Biology, UHM Class of 2018
University of Missouri-Kansas City (Class of 2022)
University of Missouri-Kansas City (2018-2022):
For dental school, I attended the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) from 2018-2022, and I am currently in the pediatric residency program at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF). I ultimately pursued pediatric dentistry because of my love for children, and my desire to create a positive dental experience for them! I chose to attend the UMKC School of Dentistry because of the large number of Hawaii alumni from here, the in-state scholarship I was offered, and the many mentors that highly recommended that I attend their program.
For UH Manoa clubs, I was a board member for the Pre-Dental Association, Golden Key International Honour Society, the Honors Student Organization, Regents and Presidential Scholars Club, and Mortar Board. For UH Manoa work experience, I did a couple clerical jobs at UH Manoa before becoming a PAC Pre-Health peer advisor. For UH Manoa research, I worked at a lab at JABSOM for a summer. All of these extracurriculars allowed me to gain different types of knowledge, experiences, and valuable skillsets that I was able to mention in my application and, more importantly, during interviews.
Outside of UH Manoa, I shadowed at different dental offices, varying from general dentists, to oral surgeons, and a pediatric dentist. For a couple summers, I also worked as a dental assistant and volunteered at the Dental Clinic at The Queen's Medical Center. In addition, for community service, I volunteered as a Y Tutor for the Atherton YMCA. Personally, much of my UH Manoa extracurriculars helped me build leadership and teamwork skills, while many of my outside opportunities helped demonstrate and solidify my interest in dentistry, along with showing my desire for helping others. However, this is just my experience, and it will vary for each individual!
Pursuing a health or law profession requires hard work and a commitment to lifelong learning. Although adding to your resume is important, rather than seeking for quantity, look for quality, enjoyable experiences that you can passionately talk about in your application and especially during your interviews! Being in the pre-health or pre-law track can be demanding at times with managing academics, extracurricular activities, and more, so make sure to give yourself a break sometimes to enjoy college; you deserve it!
Best wishes to all of you in this process. I know it is challenging and can be physically and emotionally draining, but I believe in all of you! 🙂
Medicine
Arlene Chan, MS, BS in Biology and Psychology, UHM Class of 2020
Central Michigan University College of Medicine (Class of 2026)
I am currently attending Central Michigan University College of Medicine, pursuing a joint MD/MBA degree. I began my journey in July 2022 and am set to graduate in May 2026. My passion for serving underserved populations ignited my desire to pursue a career in medicine. The focus of CMU College of Medicine on serving rural communities resonated deeply with my aspirations, making it the perfect fit for me. The opportunity to receive a comprehensive education while also gaining business acumen through the MBA program aligns perfectly with my long-term goals of making a meaningful impact in healthcare delivery and accessibility.
I took two gap years during which I pursued various opportunities. Amidst the challenges of COVID-19, I pursued a Master of Science degree in Medical Physiology. Additionally, during my last year at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, I began working for Hawaii Behavioral Health as a Registered Behavioral Technician, a role I held for about 2 years. Furthermore, I dedicated time to volunteer for Lanakila Meals on Wheels during Covid to support our local seniors, fostering a sense of community and compassion while honing my interpersonal skills. These experiences not only provided valuable insights into healthcare and patient interaction but also allowed me to further develop my skills and understanding of the field, ultimately enriching my journey towards professional school.
During my time at UH Manoa, I was involved in several extracurricular activities that enriched my experience and contributed to my application. I volunteered for Manoa Mentor, providing guidance and support to local elementary school students, which allowed me to develop leadership and mentorship skills. I was actively involved with HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America), where I participated in healthcare-related competitions and community service projects, enhancing my understanding of healthcare and teamwork. Additionally, I volunteered with the YMCA, where I had the opportunity to engage with and support the local community. Alongside my extracurricular involvement, I held various jobs to support myself financially and gain valuable work experience. I started as part-time waitstaff going into college and later worked as a tutor, a research assistant, and at the University of Hawaii Foundation call center. These diverse experiences not only provided me with practical skills but also demonstrated my commitment to service, leadership, and continuous learning, all of which strengthened my application for professional school.
Outside of UH Manoa, I actively pursued opportunities to build my application and explore my interests in healthcare. I dedicated time to shadowing various healthcare professionals to gain insight into different career fields and understand where my passions lie within healthcare. Additionally, I volunteered at the Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific, where I had the opportunity to engage directly with patients and contribute to their recovery process. These experiences not only broadened my understanding of healthcare but also allowed me to develop crucial skills in patient care and communication, further strengthening my application and fueling my passion for a career in healthcare.
My advice for students pursuing a career in health or law is to embrace opportunities for exploration and growth, even if it means leaving familiar surroundings. While I deeply cherish my roots in Hawaii, venturing beyond the island has enriched my experiences and provided invaluable insights into serving diverse populations. Do not hesitate to step outside your comfort zone, as these experiences can shape your understanding of the world and ultimately enhance your ability to serve others effectively.
Quan Lac, B.S. Biology, UHM Class of 2021
John A. Burns School of Medicine (Class of 2027)
JABSOM (2023-2027):
I'm currently a first year medical student at JABSOM in the class of 2027. I chose to do medicine because I had many inspiring events that made be gravitates towards medicine. The inciting event was my grandma getting help with her chronic kidney disease. It was a tough experience but the physician was able to explain her diagnosis and help develop a care plan. He really got us involved in her care and really inspired me at that point. I hope to have the same impact with my future patients. I chose to attend JABSOM because Hawaii is home and JABSOM has a community focused approach. I have interest to work with the underserved community. They are also great with financial aid and scholarships.
I took 2 gap years before getting into medical school and during that time I worked as a lab technician for the Cardiovascular Center at JABSOM. I was interested in Cardiac research so I continued to pursue it while doing community work. The type of community work I was doing was coaching Judo at McKinley High School and Shobukan judo club. In addition to coaching, I volunteered at the IHS Summer clinic to provide wound care for the houseless population. These gap years helped me further my interest in medicine and taught me real world skills. Being a part of the work force taught me some skills that will be important in the social interactions of medicine.
Some things I did to help build my application was shadowing different types of doctors to see what kind of medicine I was interested in. And the community events I worked really furthered my interest in working with the Hawaii community. I worked with the Title I schools and it made me realize that this is the demographic I would like to care for.
Don't spread yourself too thin, I believe that it is better to do great work on a couple of projects than have lots of projects with little contributions. Also, there is no rush into getting into the school or profession. Trust the process and explore different interests, you'll get there when you are ready.
Sharon Wong, B.A. Biology, UHM Class of 2018
John A. Burns School of Medicine (Class of 2023)
JABSOM (2019-2023):
My interest in medicine started in the summer before my senior year of high school by doing the Medical Problem Solving Program for 3 weeks at JABSOM. It was an eye-opening experience and I fell in love with medicine from that point on. Being able to learn and grow from a place I call home is privilege that is unmatched anywhere else. This is especially true because I want to practice here in the future. Other than the summer program and the amazing faculty I got to meet. I also felt that JABSOM's curriculum was best suited for my learning style. The discussion based learning was very effective and engaging and this was something that felt non-negotiable for me.
I did a post-baccalaureate program prior (ʻImi Hoʻōla from 2018-2019). Not only was this a way to matriculate into medical school, but it also truly brought me to a community that I continue to be a part of and connect with. Not to mention, the academic skills and mental strength I gained from this experience is truly unparalleled and I'm so grateful to have gotten an opportunity to take part in this program.
I worked at the Kokua Program as a note taker, and taught swim lessons at a local swim school at the UH pool. Participated in MSMP, Key International, Mortar Board Regents, and the Honors program.
- Shadowed a geriatrician for a semester
- BLS instructor
- I taught CPR/first aid to kids and adults for a private company
- Volunteered at the PICU at Kapiolani Medical Center
- Volunteered at a Cardiology Lab at the BSB building next to JABSOM, which also led to my honors thesis project/research
- Internship at a medical record IT company for a summer
Remember your "why." When times are tough and you feel like you're struggling academically, or even in your personal life...remember why you wanted to pursue this in the first place and what self values pointed you towards it. This will help you ground yourself when you're feeling unstable and give you the strength to find ways to pick yourself back up again. It's not only about moving forward, but sometimes, there are parts of the journey where pausing to rest or reflect and being patient yourself is equally as important. Be kind to yourself and never forget the foundation that you've built, and will continue to build on.
Enjoy the process! If you're considering any professional degree, it's a long marathon just to even obtain the degree. And the rest of your career will be a life-long journey of learning! So there's never a rush to get to anywhere. Know that you're on your own timeline and you are a human being, first and foremost, before anything else. So take care of yourself and enjoy the things that make you feel sane and happy. Chances are, when you pursue the extracurriculars you're genuinely interested in, they help you get to your goals even if it's not directly related to the field you're pursuing. There is value in every experience, whether good or bad-- you can always take something from it and grow. Enjoy the ride! Rooting for all of you!
Physician Assistant
Lisa Namatame, BA in Public Health, UHM Class of 2020
Northwestern University (Class of 2025)
Northwestern University (2023-2025):
I loved the medical model and fell in love with the profession after shadowing some PAs and seeing how essential they were in healthcare. I loved that PAs were part of a multidisciplinary team and the flexibility of moving to different specialties. I chose Northwestern because of the PBL learning curriculum, body based system learning approach, being able to see patients during your first year, having opportunities to collaborate with other healthcare professional students, being connected to four large hospitals, and having 4 elective rotations. Also most importantly, Northwestern felt like a family due to the small class size and the faculty here are so supportive.
I took 3 gap years before going to PA school. I graduated in Spring 2020 and had plans to go to Peru through the Peace Corps and then figure out if I wanted to apply to PA programs or MPH programs after a 2 year commitment. However, due to the COVID pandemic, my plans shifted and I ended up staying and finding alternative ways to help the community and obtain PCE hours. I am really glad that I had these gap years to really grow and strengthen my desires to become a PA. I was also able to save up for PA school and get a "break" after undergrad. I gained so many skills during my gap year that I use in school today, but more importantly be comfortable working and just talking to patients. You can learn all the diseases, medications, and clinical skills during school, but it's quite hard to "learn" how to talk and be empathetic towards patients. Learning their stories and interacting with patients was very rewarding and my experiences have helped tremendously in PA school!
- PAC pre-health advisor
- PMA (pre-medical association) -
- Volunteer at Ka Papa Loi O Kanewai
- Home Health Nurse Aide at Aracadia
- Patient service representative at QMC Psychiatric Department
- Medical assistant at QMC Medicine/Pediatrics Clinic
- Temporary Helper at Kokua Kalihi Valley (worked with Hawaiian plant medicine healer)
- UH Cancer Center Research Internship
- Hawaii Pacific Health Internship
- Volunteer in Playroom at Kapiolani Women & Children Hospital
- Shadowing at QMC and All Access Ortho
Make sure to shadow to solidify what field you want to go into and talk to current professionals, current students in the professional school, and current classmates and ask why they went into the field they are in or want to go into.
Veterinary Medicine
Jerrisa Ching, DVM, MPH, B.S. Animal Science, UHM Class of 2017
Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine (Class of 2021)
Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (2017-2021):
I was inspired to pursue veterinary medicine after doing a high school senior project on animal therapy in the Oahu community. I loved fostering the human-animal bond and wanted to improve the health of animals for people in Hawaii. I chose Washington State University because it provided a broad veterinary curriculum that allowed me to explore various areas of veterinary medicine. It was also a professional program that was close to home. Go Cougs!
University of Missouri - Columbia School of Health Professions Masters of Public Health, Emphasis in Veterinary Public Health (2018-2021):
In conjunction with my DVM program, I pursued my online MPH degree program to expand my education in veterinary medicine at the population level. I wanted to address animal populations that would benefit human health. I chose Mizzou's MPH program because it offered a focus in veterinary public health while being conveniently available for me to complete online during my veterinary curriculum.
University of Hawaii at Manoa Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, & Pharmacology PhD in Tropical Medicine 2023 - Present
I'm pursuing my PhD in Tropical Medicine to dive into academia as a veterinarian. I am interested in providing education and research to individuals to engage them in information about infectious diseases that can be transmitted between animals and people. I chose UH Manoa's PhD program because they offered a One Health approach in their curriculum that allowed me to tailor my academic journey.
All extracurricular experiences contributed to my overall application:
- UHM Pre-Veterinary Club
- UHM CTAHR volunteering
- UHM Animal Veterinary Services Program volunteering/interning
- Shadowed/volunteered at numerous pet hospitals/clinics
- Volunteering at the Honolulu Zoo
- Volunteering for animal shelters
My advice to students is to work hard and play hard. Do you best in your studies and academic activities. However, enjoy yourself by relaxing and having fun during your breaks in between your school work. A balanced school/work-life balance is key and will get you far in life.
