For the month of April, we’ll be bringing back some of our favorite guest blogs from over the past few years. To start it off, we present Evelyn’s entry “From Pre-Med to PhD.” Be sure to recommend your own favorites in the comments here to be included!
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Title: From Pre-Med to PhD
Originally Published: November 27, 2008
Name: Evelyn Clark
Year: Class of 2010
Hometown: Waycross, GA
Major/Minors: Public Health major, double minors in Anthropology and Theatre Arts
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Today especially there is such intense pressure put onto high school seniors and college freshmen to know exactly what they want to do for the rest of their lives. I know I thought I had everything all mapped out, from my high school graduation through undergraduate, medical school and my residency. However, as a junior at this fine institution one of my best pieces of advice to anyone who cares to listen is not to be too sure too soon.
I started college as a natural science Public Health major and Theatre minor planning to go to medical school to get my MD, and then work in epidemiology probably back in my home state of Georgia at the CDC, or maybe somewhere else, but certainly in the south. However, one fateful (and random) course decision changed those plans both for good and for the better.
The second semester of my sophomore year I was in need of S credits for my major, so I signed up for a random Anthropology course called Kinship, Family, and Marriage. I didn’t have a clue what it would be about, but the time fit into my schedule and it wasn’t already full by the time sophomores got to register. When I showed up to the first day of class the most adorable white-haired British lady greeted us with the explanation that the original professor for the course was stuck in Europe for some reason and wouldn’t be able to return for the semester. She continued to tell us that, though the department considered canceling the class, she took it upon herself to add another course to her load because she felt so passionate that kinship was not something to be missed. We proceeded with the class that morning talking about genealogies, and as I walked back to my dorm room I considered everything that had just happened. The second I sat in my desk chair I looked up the requirements for an Anthro major and minor, and decided that day to add one or the other to my curriculum (I ended up choosing a minor because the major had a language requirement and, well, languages are not one of my gifts).
I was somewhat dreading the call to my parents to inform them that their precious daughter was deviating from the set plan, and held it off for a few more classes until I was absolutely sure it was what I wanted to do. And it was—more and more every day. I finally confessed to my father, who was more interested in how I even signed up for an anthro course in the first place, but who was very happy and supportive of my decision. My mother responded the same way (although I admittedly asked him not to mention it to her, and it was about a month later that I finally worked up the nerves…). Then, three months later when it was time to register for junior year classes I had an absolute breakdown.
I called my father in tears as I was looking at the schedule I had created for myself. I was hating chemistry! How on earth was I going to survive orgo and physics in the same semester?! I then told him I was considering jumping ship and transferring over to the social sciences side of the Public Health major, which would mean no medical school for Evelyn. He was more supportive than I could have ever expected, and though I come from a generation-spanning line of renowned ophthalmologists, he said to me, “Evelyn, you have never had any pressure from me to go to medical school. I think you should do something you enjoy, are good at, and can make a living from. And if that doesn’t include medical school then so what? There are SO many other options out there!” And from that moment on I have been happier than I can remember.
Things have really fallen into place for me. Since my decision to switch over to the social side I have discovered where my true passion lies: with Medical Anthropology. It is the perfect combination of the public health I love and the anthropology I have a newfound attraction too. And the best part? It’s a PhD program. NOT an MD.
Though my parents still ask me to explain to them over and over again what medical anthropology is and have a hard time relaying the point to their friends who are interested in what I’ve decided to do with my life, I know I have made all the right decisions. So now I have a new path, but it’s one that I’ve chosen for myself after taking advantage of the innumerable exposures this university offers. I am still rather specific with my future (I’ve since picked out my top 3 choices for grad school based on med anthro programs), but I’m a junior. I’m supposed to know by now! Were I still on my original plan I would not only be miserable, but also missing out on so many interesting ideas and concepts I never knew existed. So don’t follow my path—make one of your own. But be sure to stay flexible. Deviating off the trial to pick a flower could change your entire life. It did for Little Red Riding Hood and it has for me.
April 1 2010 | 
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