By Diana McElfresh
Advisory Editor
Tim Rooney knows the value of his education.
The senior biochemistry major scored in the 100th percentile for the MCATs, the test that determines students’ eligibility for medical school.
“The science courses I took here were really helpful,” Rooney said.
He had specific courses that helped him in his career.
“Organic chemistry with Dr. Brestensky is taught really well,” he said. “I didn’t have to spend much time reviewing orgo [for the MCAT] because I remembered most of what is tested on the MCAT.”
He added that his classes in genetics with Douglas Guarnieri, Ph.D.; biochemistry with Xiao-Ning Zhang, Ph.D.; and immunology with Johanna Schwingel, Ph.D., were also beneficial.
Rooney had to do plenty of studying on his own, though.
“To the best of my ability, I tried to find out the best way to prepare for the MCAT through perusing the Internet,” he said. “I made a schedule at the onset and I was able to keep to it, for the most part anyway.”
Rooney isn’t certain what path he plans to pursue after graduation, but he has some ideas.
“Although it’s too early to really say since you have to experience different specialities while in medical school during rotations, I am drawn to oncology,” he said.
He added that oncology and immunotherapy could become important in cancer treatment in the future.
“I want to be involved in research while in medical school and also may want to pursue it afterwards in some form,” Rooney said.
Rooney will begin applying for medical school in the next round, so he has yet to determine where he’ll end up going.
mcelfrdh14@bonaventure.edu
