Why Sima Chose the Pre-Med Track

Sima Kleinman shares what drew her to the field of medicine.

How did you first hear about Sara Schenirer?

After returning from a year in Israel, I began looking at different college programs. I hadn’t known about Sara Schenirer, but a family member connected me to the school to interview for a position in the office. Once I started working here, I realized how incredible the environment is and discovered the variety of degree programs Sara Schenirer offers. I’ve always been interested in psychology as well as the medical field, so it excited me to find an accelerated program combining a psychology major with medical prerequisites. It helped to know I’d be able to graduate in one year and learn in an atmosphere that aligned with my hashkafa surrounded by other frum girls.

College can be very intimidating, especially when you first enroll and don’t know exactly where to start. Sara Schenirer breaks it down for you into bite-size manageable pieces and provides extraordinary support along the way. Their goal is for you to obtain a degree at a high academic level as quickly as possible, and they walk you through it in a way where you have a handle on your own education and are the one achieving it for yourself.

What inspired you to pursue the Psychology - Medical Track?

Anyone who has known me since I was young would tell you I’ve always wanted to pursue a career in the medical field. I’m interested in both the educational aspect of medicine as well as the opportunity to help others during their most vulnerable moments. My goal is to work in a healthcare setting with a team of people who assist patients in improving their lives and maintaining their health. When I learned about the role a registered dietitian can play in that context, I knew the profession would be a good fit especially since I love collaborating with others. There is a lot of psychology involved in talking with patients and their families, so it really ties everything together.

How prepared did you feel when you first started? What surprised you most about your classes?

I was prepared to take college-level courses, so I expected a large workload. I also knew that I wanted to maintain my full-time job, so I understood it was going to be a demanding year. What amazed me, though, was the level of support I received from the first day. It’s a very personalized level of advising and mentoring and everyone wants to help you succeed.

What has been your favorite part of your experience so far? Most challenging?

I appreciate the options for different tracks within the program, like the medical track, but at the same time my classmates and I are all working toward a psychology degree. This means that every semester a group of us ends up in the same classes and even though we meet virtually, we have become close friends. We’ve been able to bond, study together, and support each other throughout the program.

In addition, I really enjoyed most of the classes. The professors always make the courses feel exciting and enjoyable, even when they’re covering topics that might not be the most stimulating or in my personal area of interest. They are so engaged and animated about the subjects that they were teaching. For instance, I never enjoyed writing and always found it quite frustrating, but my English teacher demonstrated such a passion for it that she was able to pass that on and push us to succeed in that area.

I’d say a challenging aspect of the program for me is that my courses are all virtual. Zoom classes allow for convenience and flexibility, but learning in person can help some students focus better. Luckily, Sara Schenirer has options for both, and students can choose what works best for them.

What skills are important for success in the Psychology - Medical Track?

To succeed in the degree program, you need to be motivated and have a goal in mind. Some of the courses are challenging, so it’s important to have a vision for the future to be able to push through the tougher classes and assignments.

To succeed in the medical field, you have to be someone who wants to give and help others. Patients can be going through very difficult experiences and it’s essential that healthcare providers have the social skills to work with people and stay positive. They also have a tremendous responsibility to their patients to give them proper care and attention to enable their well-being.

How much time do you spend on coursework outside of class?

The program has you on a busy schedule, especially if you work full time, but keep in mind that the curriculum is accelerated and made to be finished in a year. I dedicate two nights a week to homework and usually spend two to three hours those nights studying and doing assignments, but it could be more if I have an upcoming test. In addition to classes, we have self-study exams which take a decent amount of time, but you can try to get some of those completed before courses begin.

It’s really all about prioritizing, figuring out when to get things done, and understanding that pushing something off could lead to more pressure later. It’s also helpful that most courses only meet once a week, so we have a full week before homework is due in a particular class. Plus, we know about most of the assignments beforehand since they’re usually on the syllabus so you can plan ahead.

There’s also the option to select a lighter course load and complete your Coopersmiths at a slower pace and take a little longer to graduate. Sara Schenirer partners with you to figure out what works best with your personal situation and goals.

How does the schedule fit with your lifestyle?

The program is made for frum girls who work full time, and Sara Schenirer understands our lifestyle. They know that most of us want to balance college with our personal lives and they work with us when it comes to things like engagement and other situations that may arise during the semesters. In addition, they take into account the Jewish calendar more than some other programs.

How would you describe the support you receive from Sara Schenirer staff and professors?

There is no other way to put it – Sara Schenirer is a family. Everyone wants us to succeed and is cheering us on. If we have any questions, we know we can e-mail or call and get a response fairly quickly. Any personal circumstance or concerns are considered and addressed, whether it's a girl getting married, having a baby, or going through a rough time. The advisers make themselves available to the students and give of their time out a desire to help. As someone who also works in the office at Sara Schenirer, I can tell you the environment is warm and supportive. We are different types of people of varied ages, but we all work together and truly feel like a family.

What advice would you give to new students starting out?

Start working on your Coopersmiths before your classes even begin. They're not difficult, but they are time consuming, and it will relieve some pressure to get them done. Procrastination will not help throughout the program, and you realize quickly that it’s better to work on things in a timely manner. Also, don’t be afraid to contact the staff with any questions or concerns, whether they are large or small. They won’t know you are having an issue if you don’t reach out and they will do their best to help when you do let them know.

What are your goals after earning your degree?

My dream is to apply my psychology degree to a career in the medical field. I hope to become a registered dietitian and work in a hospital or nursing home. The degree is very versatile because if I decide to go in a different direction, I have my education and medical prerequisites under my belt. In addition to my specialty area, the core education at Sara Schenirer really sets students up for success by teaching them the value of hard work and attaining goals. They strike a wonderful balance because they support you endlessly, but you are the one pushing yourself and putting in the work to obtain your degree.