PreHealth Spotlight: Keenan Mahan

Class year: 2014
Major: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Because I went to UMass, I was able to become an EMT, run a huge student organization, and take classes from Archaeology and Prehistory to SCUBA Diving. 

Vitals

• Third year MD/MBA student at Harvard Medical School
• BioTAP member and peer mentor
• President of UMass Pre-Medical Society
• EMT for UMass EMS and Charlton Fire Department

Even though I had considered pursuing a career in medicine for quite a while, I was nowhere near sure if it was right for me when I first arrived at UMass. I needed to fully explore my interests before committing to any one major or career path. I took a variety of classes, joined several RSOs, and finally figured out what I wanted to do after I completed the EMT-Basic course offered at UMass. It was through my experience as an EMT that I fell in love with medicine.
                                                                 
While at UMass, I discovered my passions. I learned that I loved medicine, teaching, leading, and helping others achieve their goals. Following these passions, I dedicated more time to UMass EMS and the Charlton Fire Department. I took on leadership roles and established a volunteer committee in the UMass Pre-Medical Society, and I became an MCAT instructor.
 
I focused a large portion of my time on extracurricular activities and fascinating classes, which might be why I didn’t join a lab until the second half of my junior year. I performed research on sleep-dependent memory consolidation in Rebecca Spencer’s lab, working on an existing project until I began my thesis work senior year. I highly recommend finding a lab or research project earlier than I did!
 
Senior year, I juggled thesis research, AMCAS applications, a few final classes for my major, and a few more fun and interesting classes for myself. I was also ecstatic to be a BioTAP peer mentor, as I was able to give back to the program that shaped me as a freshman. It was a hectic year, but I made sure to put plenty of time aside for friends as well.
 
The abundance of academic and extracurricular opportunities at UMass set me up for an amazing college experience and allowed me to explore my many interests. Because I went to UMass, I was able to become an EMT, run a huge student organization, and take classes from Archaeology and Prehistory to SCUBA Diving. The passions I pursued pushed me to where I am today and are still driving forces in my life. My advice would be to find your passions and remain dedicated to them; they will carry you further than you imagine.
         
Since arriving at Harvard Medical School, I have become involved as student council and class president; sat on committees for student life, curriculum reform, and admissions; and was accepted to the MBA program at Harvard Business School. When I’m not in the hospital, I’m usually running or out with friends!
                                                     
As for the MCAT, I started studying shortly after finishing the related coursework (biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics). I went at a slow pace over the summer between sophomore and junior years, using Berkeley Review books. Most important, I took all of the practice exams that the AAMC offered.
 
And as for being prepared for Harvard Medical School, I'd say that no matter where we went to undergraduate, all of us have our strengths and weaknesses. That being said, I was equally if not better prepared than everyone else, especially because of my major, for the entry-level science courses we all take our first year.

Published February 2016