Many college undergrads dream to further their education after graduation. For marketing senior Shonté Joseph, her dream came true via email. Joseph was one out of hundreds of students worldwide to be accepted into Johns Hopkins Medical School.
Johns Hopkins Post- Baccalaureate Medical Program is a one-year program designed to give students that do not have a science background the knowledge and experience needed so they may attend top medical schools.
Ninety-eight percent of students who complete the program are accepted into medical school the next year. After completing the program, students either choose to attend a medical school to which Hopkins is linked or they can attend any other school in the world.
“Initially, I was not even going to apply to Hopkins because I thought it would be a long shot for me to be one of the 30 students accepted,” Joseph said.
Joseph, from Marrero, La., is the president of her sorority’s chapter at Loyola , the “Exquisite” Eta Theta Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and currently works as the student office assistant for the Loyola Institute for Ministry graduate program. In the past Joseph worked as a Phone-a-thon student caller for the Loyola Annual Fund.
A friend of Joseph, mass communication senior Lauren Fincher has nothing but positive things to say about Joseph. “Shonté is a very devoted student. She always strives to do her best no matter what,” Fincher said.
Fincher said that Joseph was salutatorian for her high school and was also Jefferson Parrish student of the year.Joseph received a full scholarship to Loyola and is a member of the honors program.
Associate Professor of Management Michelle Johnston had the joy of teaching Joseph over the years.
“I taught her in Business Communication during her freshman year, Leadership and Teambuilding during her junior year and now Advanced Business Communication during her senior year. Shonté is one of the very best students I have ever taught,” Johnston said.
Joseph decided to pursue medical school during the spring of her sophomore year. She applied to Washington University St. Louis and Johns Hopkins. Joseph was accepted into both schools but ultimately chose Johns Hopkins. Joseph heard back from Johns Hopkins the Monday after her interview with them.
“I noticed an email with the subject line ‘Welcome to Hopkins.’ I was floored. I thanked God for answering my prayers,” Joseph said.
For the one-year program, Joseph will be staying in Baltimore, MD. Joseph wants to be an ophthalmologist and open a private practice in the Greater New Orleans area.
“Shonté is smart, enthusiastic, positive and has excellent communication skills. She will be successful in whatever career she decides to pursue,” Johnston said.
Being a student at Loyola has truly helped Joseph grow and succeed as an individual.
“Loyola has provided me with great opportunities for academic and personal success and has provided a very supportive community,” Joseph said. “I have had so many amazing professors during my time as an undergraduate, but what makes Loyola unique is the amount of support that students are given.” Fincher said Shonté is a brilliant, hard-working student.
“I haven’t known many people who are as intelligent and ambitious as Shonté. She is definitely a great example that a lot of hard work does pay off,” Fincher said.
Raquel Derganz Baker can be reached at [email protected]
