老司机传媒

With graduation season not far away, here is an opportunity to learn more about one of our seniors, Noelle Millner, who has spent almost 3 years as an MLS (medical laboratory science) major.

When did you first join 老司机传媒?
I joined when I was a junior. I came in as a transfer student after I had graduated from a community college with my associate’s degree in 2019, so I started during the Fall 2019 semester.

Was coming to Andrews always your initial plan, or was Andrews just one of a few schools you were interested in attending?
Initially, there were a lot of schools that I was interested in. However, Andrews was great because my mom also went here, and I was fortunate enough to receive a financial package that was a lot better than other schools were offering me. One thing I was also looking for was an MLS program, which a lot of the schools I was applying to didn’t have. The head of Andrews’ MLS department also happened to be a family friend, so all these things really worked in my favor.

Did your degree or interests change at all during your time at Andrews?
When I was at my community college, I was a biology major. However, like most community colleges, mine didn’t offer as many degree options. I thought about continuing as biology or neuroscience pre-med, but after talking to my advisor at the time, she thought I would enjoy MLS, which I hadn’t heard of. I already knew I wanted to go to medical school one day and I was also interested in pathology––which means I would be studying diseases in a lab. MLS just seemed like the best program to help me reach these goals, while also providing me with a good backup plan.

What has your overall experience been as an Andrews student? What have been some of your “likes” and “dislikes?
I really love our campus. I think it is so beautiful, and I prefer it much more than a city campus. I specifically like being able to go on walks around campus. Also, I love how everyone can enjoy such a wide variety of church services. Whether you’re more conservative or liberal-minded, there’s something for everyone; it’s also the same for vesper services. Additionally, I generally think the faculty at Andrews are very approachable. Most of the time when you go to talk to them, they are very welcoming and understanding. Especially because our campus is comparatively small and close-knit, you feel like you are getting a more personal experience with them.

There are a few things that have bothered me since I came to Andrews. One of them is the fact that you are pretty much forced into having a meal plan and living your entire undergraduate life in the dorms. I always found myself with hundreds of dollars left over at the end of each semester. Another thing I don’t like is how we are forced to complete so many co-curricular requirements. Especially after I became a community student, this was very difficult as I didn’t always need to be on campus. Being busy with classes and having to drive just to attend chapel was very annoying. Additionally, I feel that the threat of probation and/or fees really takes the reverence out of chapel.

Are there any special memories that you have made while being at Andrews? Are there any events or people you feel have especially impacted you?
I’ve really enjoyed being a member of the school’s MLS club, and now I’m even its senior representative. Probably the biggest thing that I’ve enjoyed is meeting a lot of nice, lovely people––people I wouldn’t have gotten to meet or spend time with had I not gone here. I think I have made at least a few friends that I’ll be able to keep for a very long time, which is important to me since I’m a very social person. I also have to give a lot of credit to the school’s faculty who are so approachable and personable. If I had attended a state school, the professors there probably wouldn’t have been as lenient or understanding with me; who knows if I could even get in contact with them when I needed help.

What is one thing that you wish you knew before starting college/coming to Andrews?
I wish I had realized sooner how important friendships were going to be for me in college and had put more effort into my social circle. The first semester I was here, I remember how much I was drowning in homework and didn’t feel like I was very close with anyone, so I felt very alone. Maybe if I had just put more effort into it, I would have made some closer friends sooner.

What are your plans after graduation?
At the very least, I hope to have my own place in six months and a new pet cat to keep me company! Post-graduation and exams, I am going to move so I can begin my clinicals in April. My hope is that the place where I will be doing clinicals will decide to hire me, I can work for at least a year, and then begin applying to medical school.

I want to have a job in something that allows me to have time for family. Pathology is something that I think I would enjoy since I’ve already done some job-shadowing. I’ve even watched an autopsy in a lab, so that’s high on the list. I am also interested in anesthesiology. Additionally, I did an internship over the summer at the Department of Surgery at a hospital in New Jersey, so I am also considering general surgery.

Do you have any advice for current or incoming students about Andrews or college in general?
I would suggest that you make sure your professors know you on a personal level, because no matter your major, you will almost certainly need those letters of recommendation after undergrad. You specifically want letters from professors who truly know you are and can write honestly about you. Generic letters about grades are what you don’t want; an honest advocate for why you should get “that job” or should get into “that school” is what you need.

More specifically, I would suggest you stay on top of things with your advisor and your degree requirements. I know a lot of people who didn’t find out about certain graduation requirements until the last minute, so make sure that––maybe about a year before you graduate––you’re in line too!
I’d also add just to take care of yourself! Aim to eat well and sleep well, which I know, feels impossible as a college student, but if you’re not doing either, your school performance and social life will suffer.