Medical school applicants land 100% acceptance rate
Billy Jerdan '24
What’s it like to get accepted into your top choice for medical school? Ask Billy Jerdan ’24, who attends the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, his top choice for medical school. He says his biology and chemistry classes at Messiah provided a base, upon which he can build his understanding of clinical cases.
“The hands-on experience provided by labs supported this understanding, and there were ample opportunities to participate in research projects with professors to further expand my knowledge and appreciation for the sciences in general,” he said.
He particularly recommends Messiah’s gross anatomy course at Messiah, which has proven extremely helpful in med school.
He says his Messiah professors David Foster, Larry Mylin and Anne Reeve, along with pre-med advisor Martha Smith, advocated for his success throughout his journey to med school.
Ira Miller ’21
When Ira Miller ’21 started classes last fall at Ohio State College of Medicine, he says he was intimidated by the other medical school students.
“It seemed that they were all from highly ‘prestigious’ universities, and I wasn’t sure I would be able to keep up with them academically. After a few weeks, I realized I was just as capable as anyone else because of how hard the chemistry program [at Messiah] pushed me in my undergraduate studies,” said Miller. “The classes are tough for sure but it’s for your own benefit, and by the time you graduate you will know your stuff. You will be prepared to go to graduate school, to start a career as a scientist, to take the MCAT or whatever you choose.”
Eve Miller '23
Attending the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Eve Miller ’23 says Messiah gave her a foundation for success.
“I’m sitting there listening to a lecture on physiology and suddenly I hear Dr. Harm’s voice in my hea
d going through the myosin-actin cross bridging cycle, and I use the concepts I learned in Dr. Klinegardner’s lectures every day,” she said.
A violinist, Miller says she appreciated that her chemistry professor provided endless support by showing up her concerts at Messiah. Now she’s a member of the Jefferson Chamber Orchestra. She says she plans to specialize in ophthalmology, but her plans might change.
Wei-Jin (Michael) Lin '24
Although people told Wei-Jin (Michael) Lin ’24 that he was making the wrong choice by
attending Messiah, he would argue otherwise.
“Since the first day of my freshman year, I began to realize how strong the academic curriculum is at Messiah University,” he said.
Now attending Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Colorado, he wants to become a cardiologist/palliative care physician, providing medical and spiritual support to patients.
“Medical schools are always looking for well-rounded applicants, and Messiah University certainly provides a well-rounded curriculum to help me achieve my career goal. Attending Messiah University is one of the best choices I have ever made in my life,” said Lin.
He thanks Dr. Mylin, his research mentor, for his patience and guidance in teaching multiple research techniques, and Dr. Harms, who helped Lin find spiritual identity through the biology capstone and hours of in-person conversation.
Joseph Vidzicki '24
Attending Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine alongside his wife Abigail Casey ’24, Joseph Vidzicki ’24 says Messiah prepared him well academically and helped him grow in his faith. For any student who wants to attend medical school, he has some advice: “Work hard now, because it will help in the future. Commit yourself to the Lord, and He will guide your steps.”
"A significant portion of what we have covered so far had been covered well in the classes I’ve taken at Messiah. The faculty at Messiah are amazing! I would like to thank the whole chemistry and biology departments for their support throughout these past four years.”
Abigail Casey ’24
Abigail Casey, who just finished her first semester at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM), was part of the school’s early acceptance program as a high school senior.
“I was able to devote more time to my studies instead of interviews, the MCAT and other application stressors at the end of my college career. It also gave me more time to plan my wedding,” she said.
She and Joseph Vidzicki married in June of 2024 between graduation from Messiah and medical school.
“I was so grateful for my Messiah classes, especially biochemistry, gross anatomy and physiology, because they prepared me for the rigor of medical school. I’m undecided when it comes to specialty, but I am considering going into emergency medicine or endocrinology,” she said.
— Emily Groff ’26