Pathways Honors Guest Blog: Katlin
Pathways Honors is a unique program to DePaul for driven, passionate students pursuing a health career. Between the Fall and Winter quarter, we invited several students from the program to share their experience with this special opportunity. Katlin, take it away!
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When I tell you that the past two-and-a-half years have been a whirlwind, it is an understatement! My name is Katlin Jacoby, a junior in the Pathways program. I took a leap of faith going into the program as all I knew was that I wanted to pursue a career in healthcare. I have come a long way since then, and I am proud to say that in the Fall of 2024, I will be starting my first year of medical school at Rosalind Franklin Medical School (RFMS).
I decided to attend DePaul University for the sole reason that I would be part of the Pathways Honors program. Stepping into the world of higher education was very daunting, but I knew I did not want to have the typical pre-med experience. I was also looking to be a part of a supportive community where we build each other up. Pathways gave me the chance to mix my curriculum with classes that are academically rigorous in preparation for graduate school. It also let me pursue classes related to my other passions and interests.
As a pre-med student, I did not think that there was a possibility that I could study abroad. Because of Pathways, I have been able to travel to three different South American countries through study abroad programs. These trips allowed me to continue my learning outside of the classroom and gain real-world experiences.
Beyond the academics and extracurriculars, Pathways has given me an amazing community to be a part of. For the past two-and-a-half years, I have been surrounded by high-achieving critical thinkers who inspire me every day. This community is full of learners who support each other’s growth and have been by my side since my freshman year. I am grateful for all of the rewarding and memorable experiences I have had with my peers.
I have also been able to explore my other passions outside of medicine, such as ecology and our environment. I joined an evolutionary ecology lab my freshman year, where I got the opportunity to work on several projects as well as to present my research in the undergraduate research showcase. The opportunities are endless through Pathways if you show good initiative as a student.
I look forward to the future that I have created, and I know that I will always have the endless support of my professors and the Pathways community. Pathways is an excellent choice academically, but I learned that it is so much more if you take advantage of all of the great opportunities it has to offer.
~Katlin