A Look Inside the Class of 2017
Weill Cornell Medical College prides itself on attracting a diverse student body to enhance human health and tackle the many and varied health challenges of the 21st century. The Class of 2017, now more than two months into its studies, is no exception.
"Their interests, accomplishments and talents will continue, as those before, to contribute significantly to the richness and excitement that characterizes the medical college and the community," Dr. Glimcher, the Stephen and Suzanne Weiss Dean of Weill Cornell Medical College, said to the class during the annual White Coat ceremony in August.
The first-year students who make up the Class of 2017 have extraordinarily rich and diverse backgrounds, Weill Cornell leaders say. The 101 students in the Class of 2017 — 58 men, 43 women — were handpicked to study at Weill Cornell from 777 interviewed and nearly 6,300 total applicants. They hail from 19 different states, Canada and Romania, and 19 students are from groups under-represented in medicine. Two additional students joined Weill Cornell through the Oral -Maxillofacial Surgery program.
At Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, the incoming class comprises 41 students from 19 countries, with nine from Qatar. Of them, 33 students were admitted from Weill Cornell-Qatar's two-year pre-medical program.
Students studying in New York City attended 58 different undergraduate institutions; 17 studied at Cornell University. During their undergraduate studies, 58 students majored in science, 34 earned non-science degrees, and nine double-majored in science and non-science disciplines. One student was a Gates Cambridge Scholar, five have earned — or are nearing — doctoral degrees, while another seven students have master's degrees in the fields of science, education and public health.
Practically all have significant experience in an array of research fields, listing more than 200 research experiences on their applications. They have collectively published more than 30 papers and abstracts in scientific journals, including Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, PLoS ONE, Journal of the American Chemical Society, Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism and Genetics. Other students have completed honors theses or have attended national and international scientific conferences. Three students are alumni of area summer research programs with one each attending the Tri-Institutional Gateways to the Laboratory Program, the Travelers Summer Research Program and Memorial Sloan-Kettering's Summer Undergraduate Research Program.
While the class is split between those who took at least a year off from school before coming to Weill Cornell and those who came directly from their undergraduate studies, nearly all have volunteered or engaged in community service.
Many have worked, volunteered, or studied abroad in more than 40 countries spanning six continents. Eighty-four of the first-year students speak at least one foreign language — 53 know Spanish —and collectively they can speak 24 languages.
Two incoming students served in the U.S. Army (one as a medic and one in combat); one was awarded the Bronze Star. Two additional students are planning military service after medical school. Two students were Teach for America corps members.
Numerous students held leadership positions in national organizations, student government and campus organizations. They are members of sororities and fraternities, and played in intramural and varsity sports. Two students are serious scuba divers, and one is a high altitude mountain climber.
The Class of 2017 also boasts several talented musicians, dancers, poets, photographers, actors, artists and writers. One student is a stand-up comedian who has performed in four cities, and another studied dance with the Joffrey Ballet and the Rockettes.
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