Although I came to college knowing that I wanted to pursue a career in medicine, I was initially shocked by the amount of freedom I was given to take classes beyond those required for applying to medical school. As such, I decided to explore all available avenues by taking courses in niche fields that still went towards my general biology degree. Ultimately, I not only majored in general biology as planned, but evolution & ecology too. By intentionally seeking out STEM experiences that would inform me as a future doctor, I gained new perspectives on treating human patients by studying non-human organisms. I found great value in incorporating non-medical STEM fields into my medical journey, and hope to do so at Penn State.