Through personalized support and a strong liberal arts foundation, Oxy pre-health students are gaining admission—and full scholarships—to top medical schools across the country. Many share the mission of delivering quality care to marginalized communities.
During the 2024-25 application cycle, 17Թ achieved an impressive 86.3% medical school acceptance rate (more than double the national average of 42%) and a 100% dental school acceptance rate. Four alumni received full scholarships from highly competitive schools including UCLA, UCSF, Johns Hopkins University, and Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
“I couldn't be prouder of these exceptional students who represent diverse academic disciplines and skillfully integrated their experiences and high-impact practices into compelling applications,” says Kat Wang, director of Oxy’s Office of Pre-Health Advising (OPHA). “These aspiring healthcare leaders have demonstrated remarkable resilience in overcoming significant obstacles and humble beginnings that would deter others.”
The demographics reflect Oxy’s commitment to diversifying healthcare. Among the graduating classes of 2020-25, women comprise 73% of admits, and first-generation college students represent 36%. Popular majors and minors for med school applicants include biology, biochemistry, cognitive science, kinesiology, philosophy, psychology, public health, and sociology, highlighting the academic breadth encouraged by Oxy’s liberal arts curriculum.
Reflecting the close-knit culture at a small school like Oxy, student success is often the result of high-touch support they receive from OPHA, both as undergraduates and alumni.
“We provide comprehensive support throughout students' pre-medical journeys, encompassing course planning, physician shadowing, clinical internships, research opportunities, academic enrichment programs, and application guidance,” Wang says. “Seeing these students realize their dreams of becoming physicians exemplifies exactly why we do this work: transforming potential into achievement and ensuring the next generation of healthcare providers represents the communities they will serve.”
Among OPHA success stories during the 2024-25 application cycle are four recent graduates.
Mariah Rutiaga Amaya ’22, a biology major from Denver, was awarded a full scholarship to the UCSF School of Medicine. At Oxy, she discovered a passion for healthcare through an internship focused on urban agriculture. For the first-generation college student, the experience highlighted the interconnectedness of environmental justice, food sovereignty, and health outcomes, which ultimately inspired her to help others by pursuing a career in medicine. After graduation, she applied for medical scribe positions and began working for . Most recently, she has been overseeing the vaccine program at five of their clinics.
“I want to be there for not only my community, but for the most neglected communities navigating the health system,” Rutiaga Amaya says. “I want to be a physician who is able to mobilize resources for patients so they do not fall through the cracks.”
Danielle Shores ’22, a cell and molecular biology major from Murrieta, was awarded a full scholarship to the PRIME-LA dual master’s and medical degree program at UCLA’s David Geffen School of Medicine—one of nine admission offers she received. PRIME-LA focuses on the development of community-minded leaders in healthcare.
As an undergrad, Shores did electrophysiology research with Professor of Biology Joseph Schulz, participated in the Peer Health Exchange youth education program, and volunteered at Huntington Hospital. She took gap years to work as an emergency department scribe and a patient liaison, experiences which taught her about barriers to receiving equitable healthcare such as insurance, poverty, and institutional prejudice. Now, she is a clinical research associate at City of Hope in the health equity department.
“While exploring the medical field, I became captivated by the ability to provide comfort and healing in often devastating circumstances,” Shores says. “Learning the impact of healthcare disparities intensified my passion to become a physician who advocates for the improved health of underserved and under-resourced patients.”
James Henderson ’22, a biochemistry major from Santa Rosa, discovered his love for medicine early when he worked as an emergency medical technician during his senior year of high school. He was recently awarded a full scholarship to attend the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
While at Oxy, Henderson conducted infectious disease research with Associate Professor of Biology Cheryl Okumura and interned at the Keck Graduate Institute. Though the pandemic led him to pause his undergraduate education, he used that time to work in field hospitals and ICUs around California and volunteer at COVID vaccination clinics. After graduating from Oxy, Henderson earned a master’s in bioethics from Harvard University and worked with the Massachusetts General Hospital ethics committee.
“OPHA was indispensable for keeping me on track, despite the numerous twists and turns along the way—particularly those brought about by the pandemic,” Henderson says. “Starting from my first day of orientation, where I received advice on the optimal sequencing of chemistry courses, the OPHA team—especially Kat Wang—supported me each step of the way.”
Lauren Chin ’20, a biochemistry and kinesiology double major from Monterey Park, was offered a full scholarship for both the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Johns Hopkins—two highly competitive programs (she ultimately chose the latter). She developed an interest in medicine through sports and realized she could combine science and technology with relationships to improve people’s wellbeing.
At Oxy, Chin conducted blood coagulation research with John Stauffer Professor of Chemistry Andrew Udit and received Undergraduate Research Center funding to conduct clinical lab research at City of Hope National Cancer Center. After college, she earned a master’s in public health in social and behavioral sciences with an emphasis on chronic disease epidemiology from Yale University. She also worked in professional roles at the Los Angeles Department of Public Health and Ariadne Labs at Harvard University.
“Attending writing workshops, alumni panels, and informational visits by medical school deans gave me valuable insight into the application process,” Chin says. “OPHA provided critical feedback in reviewing my application materials and conducting mock interviews, which greatly strengthened my readiness and confidence.”
Top image: Director of Pre-Health Advising Kat Wang, left, and Mariah Rutiaga Amaya ’22.
