Visitation Day a Great Success

KGI held the first of many visitation days for the current academic year on November 11, and it truly was a special experience.

The activities planned were great and gave prospective students a glimpse of all the great things to expect at KGI. Another great aspect of this day was the interaction between current and prospective students. It gave everyone involved a chance to meet to people coming from vastly different backgrounds, which in turn makes you appreciate your own even more.

To all the prospective students who joined us, we truly appreciate your commitment to your own academic success and to Keck Graduate Institute. Each one of you who attended is a prime candidate, and we are looking forward to seeing those of you who attend in the coming years. As you're well aware by now, KGI is a truly unique and special place, and we look forward to welcoming you to the KGI community.

Though it was a very overcast and gloomy Friday in Claremont, KGI has never shined brighter. The day began with light refreshments and a brief meet and greet amongst the prospective students and our admissions team. All students and staff were engaged in riveting conversation about undergraduate and research experiences, work life, and most importantly Keck Graduate Institute.

Our Admissions team's very own Sofia Toro, associate dean of admissions and financial aid, gave a wonderful welcome address followed by inspiring opening remarks given by KGI's president, Sheldon M. Schuster. The true novelty and spirit of KGI was expressed through their empowering words.  President Schuster stated, "KGI focuses on the applied part of science...we want to not only give you a solid foundation of business and science, but also teach how it can be applied in health professions and industry." That's what sets KGI apart: its dedication to the values of applied life sciences.

Prospective MBS and PPC students were then exposed to the innovative landmarks here at Keck Graduate Institute during their campus tours. Our conference rooms, meeting space, lecture halls, TMP offices and, of course, the student lounge were all pivotal stops along the tours.

The future KGI first years also attended either the MBS or PPC Curriculum Overviews. Professor LuAnn Bangsund, the MBS program director, and Professor Ian Phillips, the PPC program director, talked to the prospective students about what their class schedules would look like, how KGI would benefit them, and what types of individuals we are looking for here at KGI. Individuals with a passion for the sciences and business who are dedicated to working hard, committed to excellence, and want to truly improve the human condition through applied science are perfect candidates for KGI.

The day continued with a faculty lunch, which provided the future students with a prime opportunity to speak to faculty about their research and courses. Soon thereafter current students and alumni fielded prospective students' questions and discussed their experiences here at KGI and in the biotech industry.  The current students and alumni gave a realistic picture of what to expect as a student and how to succeed with a heavy workload and time intensive projects.

The day concluded with a mock lecture given by Professor Molly Schmid on the subject: "From Bench to the Bedside." This lecture not only gave prospective students insight about how pharmaceutical drugs work and their approval process, but also gave them a preview of what to expect here at KGI.

By Michael Davis (PPC '12)