On My Way
By Heidi Jordheim '05
As at medical student at the University of North Dakota's School of Medicine, I'm one step closer to a dream I've had since high school - serving others as a pediatrician or family practitioner. Concordia played an important role in fulfilling that dream, giving me a top-notch premed background that included research, observation in the field and a full-load of tough classes.
At first, I was impressed with Concordia's statistics - such as Concordia has more than twice the national average acceptance rate into medical school. But it was really the faculty that had the most profound effect on me. I knew my professors on a personal level. From my first day here they instilled in me what I needed to be a competitive candidate.
In addition to a one-year research project in the biology department, I participated in Concordia's premed cooperative, spending more than 180 hours observing healthcare professionals at four locations. I also attended many panel discussions featuring physicians, other medical professionals and med students. Showing I can handle many activities simultaneously, I volunteered three years at a local hospital, traveled with Habitat for Humanity to Nicaragua, played volleyball and volunteered in my hometown.
I truly was given an edge at Concordia. In fact, my premed friends at other schools frequently called me for help!
