Raj Dalal
Class of 2024
Home city and state: Houston, TX
Undergraduate study: Rice University, BA Biochemistry & Cell Biology. Minor in Medical Humanities
Student organizations and affinity groups
- Second Opinions
- All Ears
- Buddies Program
- APAMSA
Why did you choose Feinberg?
I chose Feinberg for a variety of reasons (too many to name here, but I'll try to list a few). For one, I had an extraordinary experience on my interview day. The campus looked beautiful, the admissions committee was so welcoming, the students were so bubbly and happy, and the faculty that interviewed me were so warm. My interview day immediately showed me that FSM would be a supportive learning environment where I could count on administration, faculty, and my fellow students to help me train to become the best physician I could be. To add, I really appreciated the mentorship opportunities at FSM when I was making my decision. I loved how I would automatically be given physician mentors through my college, ECMH, AOSC, small group discussions, and more. Strong mentorship was so important for my success in undergrad, and I knew that I wanted to be around faculty that were invested in supporting students and promoting their wellness.
Another factor that influenced my decision was how well-balanced the curriculum is here in order to train physicians to be knowledgeable leaders in medicine. Our science in medicine lectures are only one of many components of our education - we also learn about equity and advocacy, medical decision-making, lifestyle counseling, business of medicine, healthcare quality, and more. These were all topics that I wanted to learn more about coming into medical school and I valued that they were embedded into the MD curriculum at FSM.
What do you enjoy most about living in Chicago?
Until I moved to Chicago to start medical school, I wasn't aware of how close Feinberg is situated in relation to the lake. I love that I can access it daily for walks, runs, and bike rides. The water is so blue and it still boggles me that I can enjoy a beach, then turn around and see the Chicago skyline. Overall, Chicago surprised me by the amount of green areas around the city, which have been great to explore during the pandemic.
Topics I can discuss with prospective students
- Life in Chicago
- Student Wellness
- Academic Support (studying, learning)
