We interviewed two current students about why they chose UABSOM and asked them to describe their experience thus far. Kendall McPheeters is a first-year medical student from Huntsville, Ala., and Adam Beg is a second-year medical student from Tuscaloosa, Ala. Each is either a current or former Orientation Leader. 

Why did you choose UABSOM?

Kendall McPheetersKendall: I chose UABSOM because of the opportunities I knew I would have at this school. My sister graduated from UABSOM in 2013 so I guess you could say I'm a little biased, but I got to witness first hand the type of training and educational experiences she had, both in Birmingham and abroad. I know I want to be a great doctor for the sake of my future patients and I knew UABSOM would give me the skills and experience to make that a reality.

Adam: I applied to 15 medical schools. Though it was not near the top of my choices at the beginning, the UABSOM was one of my top choices after interview season. I was impressed with the hospital system as well as the opportunities for research. I also was hopeful about the switch to pass/fail (which happened, though I missed it by a year).

How did you spend your time between undergrad and medical school? What advice do you have for future students about their summer before medical school?

K: Ha, wow. What advice would I give? GO TRAVEL. Go see the world. I traveled to Germany and Italy for half of the summer. When I'm having a bad day or I am bogged down studying, I go back and look at those pictures and remember that the world really isn't all that small. Go see it. Then the other half I worked at HudsonAlpha researching how to make better yeast for the craft brewers in North Alabama. Come find me at orientation for more details on that. 

A: I matriculated directly from undergrad, so I only had one summer. I took that summer completely off, and would highly suggest that to any student who has that option. I used the time to build a desktop computer and visit/take trips with my friends. That summer is a great time to do something that you always wanted to do, but haven’t had time for yet. It is a time when nothing is expected of you from your previous school or job, and nothing is expected of you from medical school yet.

What do you like most about UABSOM? Has anything surprised you?

K: I promise they aren't paying me to say this, but other than my awesome community of friends, I really like Medical Student Services at UABSOM. MSS is also the thing that has surprised me. I was expecting to be thrown into this challenging season with little help from the school, but it turns out they have a whole office to help us!  Be friends with Jason Noah. He has awesome candy. 

A: My classmates are probably one of the best parts of school here. That, and the fact that we get a chance to see patients within the first few weeks and continue to do so throughout the preclinical years. The amount of information and skills I would learn in the first two years was the most surprising. Here, at the end of my second year, I have learned the complete history and physical exam.

What has the transition to Birmingham been like for you?

Adam BegK:I went to undergrad at Samford, so I didn't necessarily have to transition to Birmingham. But, it's been really great to know a lot about the city because I've been able to help others find their way around and suggest cool places. Birmingham is such a cool and diverse city— I'm still finding out about new things! 

A: The transition to Birmingham was not a very difficult one for me. The city is growing rapidly and there are plenty of housing options around. Also with a class of around 180, it was not difficult to make new friends for my new city.

What are your favorite things to do in Birmingham?

K:I love the outdoor areas of Birmingham. Oak Mountain camping or paddle boarding, jogging at Jemison or through the Botanical Gardens or trail running at Ruffler Mountain are all great options. But, I also LOVE coffee so grabbing a cup from Urban Standard and walking around Railroad Park in beautiful weather is a great way to do both. 

A: I enjoy all of the events that come to this city. It seems that there is always a food festival or a concert happening every week. Also, the first Sloss Fest was incredible. Pepper Place market is the place to be on Saturdays mornings, and you will often find a group of us at a brewery sampling the new beers on any given weekend.