Gregory Charak, PH.D.
On The Bryn Mawr Postbac Program
“If you come in with an open mind and lots of enthusiasm, and you find ways to sustain that—as one of my great professors at Bryn Mawr said, ‘Don’t panic!’—I think the rest takes care of itself, especially at Bryn Mawr. The program is so well designed, the teaching is great, and the support is phenomenal. There are so many opportunities throughout the year for outside exposure to medicine through volunteering. If you just go with it and stay excited about it, everything else just happens.”
On Faculty
“The faculty members were the most impressive aspect of my year at Bryn Mawr. Not only are their expertise and research tremendous, but so are their teaching quality and accessibility. Any time you have a question or concern, by the end of the day you are talking face-to-face with a professor. We had a great relationship with our professors.”
On Staff Support
“It quickly becomes clear that you are in wise, experienced hands. The director, Jodi Domsky, and her staff have it down to a science. Just at the appropriate times, you are given forewarning, and then notice, and then options, and then a meeting. That’s nice in a year that can be hectic and nerve-wracking. They are working and preparing things for you, and often all you have to do is respond. You are free to think about your decisions.”
On Medical School Linkages
“Bryn Mawr has linkage agreements with so many great schools, and that was really impressive. I was a little older than most when I began the postbac program, so I was eager to start med school—and it’s such a superb opportunity, it’s hard to pass up.”
On Peers and The Bryn Mawr Community
“My peers at Bryn Mawr were a diverse group from all over the country, very bright, enthusiastic, friendly, and accomplished, and extremely motivated and talented in class. We quickly became a community, and there was a lot of excitement among us about our future. Intramural sports—ultimate Frisbee, soccer, basketball—were a key part of the year for my class.”
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, CLASS OF 2012
POSTBAC CLASS OF 2008
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-SAN DIEGO,
PH.D. PHILOSOPHY
2007
BOSTON UNIVERSITY,
B.A. PHILOSOPHY AND POLITICAL SCIENCE
2002
Read more about Greg in “Dialogues.”