By Trey Kennedy, 3rd-semester student
One of the main appeals that drew me to choose AUC were the small class sizes. When looking at all of my options for attending medical school in the Caribbean, a constant theme at other institutions were extremely large class sizes containing hundreds of students. Getting to know my professors and fellow classmates was very important to me, and accordingly was an important factor in my final decision to attend AUC.
Of course, the small and close-knit campus community that AUC fosters is best experienced if you become involved during your time here. Joining the Student Government Association (SGA) as a class representative is one of the fastest ways to meet not only your own classmates, but also other semesters, faculty, and school administrators.
Each cohort at AUC elects 2 or more class representatives, depending on the overall size of the class, to serve on SGA. Interested students are encouraged to submit a brief statement with their background and why they believe that they are the best candidate. First semester students hold elections early in the semester, allowing them to become involved right away.
One of the best things about joining SGA, aside from meeting and interacting with campus leaders, is that as a student you are able to become involved in the decision-making process at AUC.
SGA meetings take place weekly on campus, and consist of the SGA executive board, class representatives, key faculty members including the Deans, and leaders of the various student organizations at AUC. The weekly meeting serves as an outlet to bring concerns, suggestions, and general questions in front of a collective body for discussion. Additionally, important dates and announcements are made for representatives to take back to their classes and organizations.
One of the best things about joining SGA, aside from meeting and interacting with campus leaders, is that as a student you are able to become involved in the decision-making process at AUC. Your voice represents the collective thoughts and opinions of the student body. This allows you to become an intricate part of changing policies and procedures to ensure that AUC maintains a conducive and professional learning environment for students. Additionally, you have the opportunity to help plan events on campus for students and faculty to enjoy.
Lastly, being a class representative reflects positively during residency interviews. Holding a leadership position while maintaining a challenging academic load demonstrates your ability to effectively manage multiple commitments. Likewise, it shows that you are able to work in a team dynamic.
While it is important to maintain a high level of academic success throughout your medical education and receive high marks on the USMLE board examinations, a resume that shows continued involvement is often times an overlooked key factor when applying for residency programs. I encourage you to also become involved in student government at AUC and to contribute your ideas to the student body.
