Last One Picked

Clint Beaver, MD

I’m not a role model. I don’t mean in an all-encompassing sense, but rather specifically in my experience with the admission process into medical school. Mine was a somewhat circuitous path, with a major twist at the end. I was waitlisted at a number of medical schools; essentially that means you have a chance of gaining admission but you must wait until other potential students choose where they will attend medical school. The end of the summer was drawing near, and my hopes were starting to falter a bit. I was pondering what I would do for the next year before trying the process once again. My future would soon change however—a mere four days before medical school began at Wake Forest, I received a call that a spot was available for me in the Class of 2007. Of course I was excited, yet at the same time I had quite of bit of preparation to do in just a few short days. As usual, my parents played an integral role in helping me with the process—I found a place to live, got all my health records in order, and was ready to go the following Monday morning when orientation began. Naturally, some things were missed due to the hectic nature of the process—I showed up wearing flip-flops and shorts at orientation when everyone else was business casual. Great first impression.

Although I was certainly excited about being accepted and my future, I also had a little trepidation about starting. I had not had a long period of time to mentally prepare, and a little doubt crept into my mind, since I wasn’t a “first round draft pick” that I may not be on the same level with the other students. Kind of like being the last kid picked for kickball on the playground. However, once school began, I entered the fray from the same starting point as everyone else. I quickly adjusted and immersed myself in my studies along with the rest of my classmates. It did not take me long to realize that medical school was definitely where I was meant to be, and that I was more than capable of handling the academic workload. I learned not only to survive, but rather to thrive. I’ve even had the pleasure of serving as Class President for the first 3 years, and Student Body President for the last year of medical school. As my medical school career draws to a close, I look back fondly at those hectic couple of days and smile. I’ve gained an amazing education, met some of my closest friends, and been exceptionally trained for my future. And yes, we even picked up an intramural championship in kickball along the way! Not too bad for being the last kid picked.

Clint Beaver, MD

Medical School Affiliation: Alumnus, Class of 2007

Place of birth / Grew up in: Gastonia, NC

College and Medical School Attended: UNC Class of 2001, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Class of 2007

Major in College: BS in Biology

Lifelong Goals: Be a good community physician, travel the world, make a positive impact on people's lives.

Personal Philosophy on life and/or Medicine: Have fun, treat all people with respect and humility, and enjoy life.

Favorite quote: “You're not better than anyone else, and no one else is better than you.”
–my father