Noelle Zanders
Noelle Zanders, a biology major concentrating on pre-med, is wrapping up her junior year at Georgia State. She dreams of becoming an obstetrician-gynecologist and creating a safe, equitable space for all pregnant women. As she prepares to make her way into the medical field, she shares with us her story.
Interview by Jordan Ferguson
Can you share a bit about yourself and what drew you to Georgia State?
I’m in my third year here at Georgia State. I’m majoring in biology, with a concentration in pre-med. Originally from Florida, I lived in Virginia for about two years and moved to Georgia in 2020 for my senior year of high school. When it came time to look at colleges, I thought about going back home, but the openness of Georgia State’s campus and the opportunities the university and the city of Atlanta provided pulled me in.
As a biology major on a pre-med track, what’s your plan?
Right now, I’m leaning toward the postbaccalaureate route and getting my master’s in medical science so I can accrue more clinical experience. The medical school application process is lengthy and very heavy. I still must study for the MCAT because many postbaccalaureate programs and schools require scores even if you’re not yet applying to medical school. I’m doing this to give myself more time and gain more clinical experience. I have some clinical hours but want to ensure I’m fully prepared when I do eventually apply for medical school.
Tell us about your clinical work experience.
I am part of the Pre-Medical & Clinical Mentorship Program (PCMP), which has given me so many opportunities to be close to research and gain pre-medical experience. I’ve also been able to talk to medical students about their application processes and experiences, which will be helpful as I enter that process.
Why obstetrics and gynecology?
I lost my grandmother to cancer. I know most people would ask, “Why didn’t you go into oncology and try to find a cure for cancer?” But losing her made me want to be part of the start of life. A lot of people don’t realize how much Black women go through when it comes to giving birth. There are a lot of stigmas about their pain, and there’s a lack of understanding about what they may be going through. I want to be someone who can provide all women a safe haven and more comfort during their pregnancies.
How do you feel Georgia State is preparing you for your professional pursuits?
Georgia State offers many career-readiness programs, including a number of workshops through the Panther Involvement Network (PIN). I participated in Panther LEAP, which helped me hone my leadership and interviewing skills.
I’m also a member of To Respect Unite Support & Teach GSU (T.R.U.S.T.), which is all about making positive change. I’ve helped with service events and been able to talk to underserved people in an effort to understand what they need more of from the community. It has humbled me and exposed me to what’s going on in my community, better preparing me to advocate for those who need a voice.
Being part of those organizations, meeting new people, making connections and getting experience talking to people has made it easier to speak up for myself and be my own first advocate.
Are there any particular courses you’ve taken that were especially impactful?
ENGL 1103: Advanced English Composition really made an impression on me. I took that in the spring semester of my sophomore year. In that class, we focused on the prison system and its effects. The majority of the class and the books we read spoke on the system, the oppression of the system and what it’s about. We were able to interview someone in prison and talk about what they’d been through while incarcerated.
That experience showed me what was happening in the community and taught me about the prison system. In class, I wrote a paper that exposed the disparities that exist within the healthcare field, and it inspired me to do my own research on these issues.
