Dean's Ambassadors
Dean's Ambassadors are an elected group of students who are a part of the Admissions Office team.
Rob Glover, Class of 2023
This all led me to believe it was an act. I thought the School of Medicine had "perfected" the interview day. But then I came back for Second Look. To make a long story short, it was no act but rather an intentionally built culture. When I met people at Second Look who remembered my personal statement or who had interviewed me, it hit me deeply: the people here at the School of Medicine care. They care about you as an applicant, yes. But more importantly, they care about you as a person.
The goal of the School of Medicine is to create wonderful doctors and the way that happens is through a community of support and passion, where you are encouraged to chase down your dreams in whatever capacity they might look like. The school provides the resources and guidance to build the future generation of doctors who are equipped to solve modern problems and yet deft enough to navigate any realm of healthcare that currently does or will exist within our careers.
If you are reading this and saying to yourself, "Self, Rob just said a lot there and I need a summary…" then you are in luck. Why Wake Forest University School of Medicine? It is because of the attitude of intentionality, the community, and the pursuit of creating good doctors. In truth, my Why Wake Forest University School of Medicine is so much longer than this and I would love to share more of it if you are interested. Also, if you have questions about being a medical student, Winston-Salem, the School of Medicine, or gap years (or anything else really), please send me an email.
If you are coming for an interview, don't be a stranger and say hello—I'd love to welcome you to this place many of us are blessed to call home!
Nick Tully, Class of 2024
When I came for my interview day, though, the same sentiment was echoed by nearly every person I talked to. I still wasn’t totally convinced until I came here and experienced it for myself. I am surrounded by countless thoughtful and intelligent classmates who work together to foster a learning community like none I’ve experienced before.
As a student, it feels as though this whole institution was built to help us become the best doctors possible. Professors here have true open-door policies and will go out of their way to offer any and all help we need. Our Deans are readily willing to meet with students and use our voices to shape aspects of the school ranging from the curriculum to the admissions process. It genuinely feels as though we are respected and that we have a say in our medical education.
If you’re left looking for one singular takeaway, one thing to remember as you make your admissions decisions, I’ll give you this: I have never once felt that I was on my own here at the School of Medicine. The immense support from my community of peers and my faculty have proven to me that I can be successful even in the most difficult of times. If that kind of environment sounds nice, then Wake Forest University School of Medicine may just be the place for you!
There are so many more factors that make the School of Medicine such a fantastic place to call home, so if you’re interested or have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to send me an email.
Yahnick Barclay, Class of 2025
My journey to Wake Forest University School of Medicine began the spring of 2016, when I attended an SNMA conference here as a junior in college. Hosted by the underrepresented students at the School of Medicine, I was intrigued by the welcoming atmosphere, and inspired by the pride and satisfaction that these students had to call the School of Medicine their home. As a graduate of a small historically black college, seeing people who looked like me so fulfilled while pursuing their dreams compelled me to follow in their footsteps.
I returned to Wake Forest University in 2019, when selected to partake in a Master of Biomedical Sciences, pre-health program that is subtly acquainted with the school of medicine. I got a glimpse of the quality of education provided, as we had professors who doubled as medical school faculty. I fell in love with the challenging yet supportive nature of the learning experience, having access to professors with extensive office hours and open-door policies. I was impressed by the cutting-edge research opportunities, with nearly endless possibilities to meet student interest. With this, I knew that the School of Medicine would give me the most up-to-date and relevant education to prepare me for a successful career in medicine.
As an MS1 nearing the end of Anatomy, my expectations have been exceeded academically, with amazing faculty that are dedicated to our success. However, the collaborative culture amongst students here at the School of Medicine is a gift I never knew that I needed. I remember hearing so much about it at interview day and second-look events, but there are few words to convey the genuine support system that exists within the student body here. It is simply an experience that makes the journey to MD even more worthwhile.
If you want to hear more about my experience, have questions about Wake Forest University School of Medicine, or want to know it’s like to be an URM, I’d love to hear from you. If I don’t have an answer, I surely know a classmate who does!
Miles Hollimon, Class of 2026
I believe the reason Wake Forest School of Medicine is so special is that the culture and community at Wake makes learning fun and collaborative. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, I couldn’t have an in person visit at Wake, and therefore I had to rely on the current students and admissions’ events to understand what it was like to attend Wake Forest School of Medicine. I remember talking to the medical students about work-life balance and about how they navigated difficult topics in medical school. Each student I spoke to provided me with a similar answer. They all accredited their success in and outside of medical school to the wonderful community of faculty and students at Wake who are always ready to help and support each other.
Now as a first-year student I can attest to the positive learning environment here at the School of Medicine which is focused on allowing students to be the best they can be and providing them with the necessary resources if they are struggling. Whether it be course directors, academic coaches, upper-level medical students, or physicians in the hospital, every person at Wake wants students to succeed and feel motivated to take on the challenges of medical school. I am still impressed by the many different resources that students are provided as well as the variety of different extracurricular clubs and activities we can participate in. (I recommend DEAC, its awesome!).
If you value a supportive community and a plethora of resources to assist you throughout your journey in medical school, then Wake Forest School of Medicine is the perfect place for you. Like I said earlier, I would have never fully experienced how amazing of a school Wake is without the insight of current students. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to me! I would love to show you how unique Wake Forest is!