Five current Newman students receive early acceptance
Wichita, Kan. – A full 100 percent of Newman University senior students who applied for early admission to medical school this year were recently notified that they have been accepted. The five students – Amanda Engels, Isaac Johnston, Phong Le, Kyle Miller and Barbara Nguyen – will begin their studies at the University of Kansas School of Medicine next fall as early admit students, an all-time record for Newman.
These students are the latest example of a long-standing tradition of excellence for the Newman pre-medical program. Over the past 10 years, more than 96 percent of Newman students who successfully completed the university’s pre-med program and received a positive recommendation from Newman’s Pre-medical Committee have been accepted into medical schools.
Newman Professor of Chemistry and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences David Shubert, Ph.D. attributes the high success rate to several factors.
“The students come here very motivated to learn,” Shubert said. “Much of their success has to be attributed to their dedication and commitment. Complementing that is the faculty, who are very dedicated to student learning with the mantra of ‘We will do everything we can except lower the standards.’ There’s a synergy between our students and our fine faculty, who care about and work with students both inside and outside of the classroom.”
Shubert added that the Newman Pre-medical Committee attends the conference of pre-medical advisors at the University of Kansas School of Medicine each year to stay abreast of current trends and developments in medical schools. The committee also invites KU’s assistant dean of admissions to Newman to meet with pre-med students. Shubert added that all Newman pre-med students “shadow” a physician or receive hands-on time with a physician or hospital to get an accurate look at what the profession entails.
“I’m very excited,” Engels said. “I think Newman has a great pre-med program. The faculty is very knowledgeable and helpful, and they’re interested in everybody’s ability to excel. They’re also good at finding summer programs for students like shadowing or working in a hospital.”
“The best part of the program is the relationships you’re able to develop with the professors,” added Le. “If it wasn’t for their knowledge and help we probably wouldn’t be where are. And a lot of it has to do with the other students around you. They are very dedicated and motivated, and that makes you want to achieve, too.”
In addition to the five students who received early acceptance, Newman senior Joseph Baalman began his studies this year at the KU School of Medicine under the school’s Scholars in Primary Care program. This program selects only about six sophomore students in Kansas each year and assures them entry in medical school if they maintain a 3.50 GPA or higher in a pre-medical science curriculum during the remainder of their courses, and achieve a satisfactory score on the MCAT examination. Selected students must also demonstrate intention to practice medicine in Kansas. Four years ago, Baalman’s older brother and Newman graduate Christopher Baalman was selected as a scholar in primary care. Altogether, eight Newman University grads have been selected to participate in this highly competitive program, more than any other institution of higher learning in Kansas except the University of Kansas and Kansas State University.
