New Visions: Medical Careers Class of 2008-09 - Student Profile
Justin Houle
Peru High School, 2009
University of Vermont, Physical Therapy Major/Athletic Trainer
I chose to join the New Visions Medical Careers program because it was a great way to introduce and familiarize myself with the medical field. I knew that I wanted to continue schooling in the medical field, but I was not positive exactly what I wanted to study.
This program gave me the opportunity to see how a hospital functioned., I was able to shadow professionals from many fields, and it gave me an excellent head start on medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, which are all course requirements for medical/health students.
Over the year at New Visions I acquired many skills. I received credits in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology. I volunteered in various parts of the hospital, and I shadowed many professionals. I really enjoyed my time participating in this program. Though this program is an intense exploratory course, the work load is manageable and there are plenty of ways to make your time enjoyable.
If there is one thing I miss the most about the New Visions Medical Careers program, it would be our competitive review games. Having a competitive, academically motivated class made learning the material easier and more fun. Everyone wanted those bonus points!
New Visions opened up my window of opportunity to, not only the hospital, but to school as well. This program is growing fast and is being recognized by many schools. Universities are looking for students who are participating in this program because it shows dedication, strong interests, and a good mindset of the individual. The New Visions Medical Careers program has helped me not only get into the competitive Physical Therapy/Athletic Trainer program at the University of Vermont, but I have already seen most of the material that my professors are talking about in some lectures. Rather than learning everything for the first time, it is really nice to just review familiar material.
This program has greatly prepared me for college. The New Visions program is very similar to a college freshman seminar. There are high expectations of students participating in this program. Students are given ample amounts of homework, there is more responsibility given to the student, and there is more independent work than in high school.
The New Visions program is also a program that has an online database. This means that assignments are to be sent via the computer. All of my college classes have an online database in which my assignments are to be submitted. I feel that having had prior practice of submitting assignments online was crucial. Knowing how to schedule and plan ahead for assignments, as well as knowing how to avoid computer complications has made it easier to get assignments completed and submitted on time.
Students looking to apply to New Visions Medical Careers should DO IT! This program involves intense course work, responsibility, and extremely high expectations, however, if you are studious, determined, and outgoing, and you will benefit a tremendous amount from this program.