Georgetown University students are no strangers to stress. The pressure to excel academically, balance extracurricular activities and prepare for future careers can be overwhelming. As someone pursuing a degree in computer science while simultaneously on the pre-medical track, I understand this all too well.
While computer science is generally notorious for being one of the more rigorous majors, combining it with the additional demands of the pre-med curriculum has pushed me to my limits. Yet, despite the challenges, I wouldn’t have chosen any other path. My unorthodox academic journey has taught me that following your passion — even if it’s not the most traditional route — can be both fulfilling and uniquely rewarding.
As a first-year student, I struggled to find a path. Entering Georgetown, I knew I was passionate about both computer science and medicine, but there was little guidance for students combining the two. Friends and advisers questioned why I would attempt such a difficult path. I was told repeatedly that medical schools prefer traditional science majors or that a computer science degree is too consuming to combine with pre-med requirements. It was tempting to give in to that advice, but I couldn’t shake my passion for both subjects. So, I chose to embrace the challenge, even though it meant navigating a curriculum that wasn’t necessarily designed for students like me.
The result has been both gratifying and exhausting. Balancing challenging programming assignments with dense pre-med exams is no easy feat, and there have been many late nights spent doubting whether I could manage it all. However, through all the long nights, I’ve gained invaluable skills that I believe set me apart.
The problem-solving mindset of computer science allows me to approach complex biological systems in innovative ways, like using algorithms to map how genes interact and predict how changes in one gene might affect the whole system. Similarly, my pre-med background gives me a unique perspective on the ethical and human-centered implications of technology. For example, if I were to create a medical app, I would think about how it might affect patient privacy or if it could create barriers between doctors and patients, ensuring the technology truly improves care while respecting ethical concerns. Though my journey has had its challenges, navigating both rigorous pre-med courses and computer science projects has shaped me into a well-rounded student with skills in critical thinking, problem-solving and adaptability that I never expected to develop.
However, this kind of nontraditional academic experience isn’t unique to me. Georgetown is filled with students across all majors who grapple with either pursuing what they love or adhering to conventional academic paths.
The problem lies in the fact that resources available to support nontraditional paths — such as academic advisers, interdisciplinary programs and student groups — are often underutilized only because many students remain unaware of their existence.
For example, the Georgetown University Undergraduate Research Conference gives students studying different health- or science-related disciplines a platform to showcase their interdisciplinary work, encouraging them to think outside the limitations of their majors.
Similarly, the Georgetown University Pre-Medical Society provides guidance and mentorship for those navigating the unique challenges of pursuing nontraditional pre-med paths.
Georgetown’s environment — while rich with opportunity — sometimes fosters a narrow view of success. Many students feel the pressure to pursue “safe” or popular majors simply because they are regarded as the easiest routes to job security. But stepping outside of this mold can lead to unexpected personal growth and discovery.
To support students who take the risk of paving their own path, Georgetown provides countless resources to help students on their journeys. However, we often overlook them in favor of following the crowd. Many students, for instance, ignore emails from the Cawley Career Education Center, skip career fairs or miss out on valuable department announcements and opportunities by not checking university emails. It’s time for more of us to actively seek out those resources and embrace our individual passions instead of placing them on the back burner.
To my fellow Hoyas: Don’t shy away from the road less traveled. Georgetown has more of a safety net than you might realize, and resources are there for students with unconventional dreams. Don’t feel pressured to follow the majority just because it seems safer or easier. Embrace your passions, even if they don’t align with the norm. Seek out professors, clubs and academic advisers who will support your vision. The beauty of Georgetown lies in its diversity — not just in people, but in ideas and academic pursuits. Following your unique path may be more challenging, but it will also be more worthwhile in the end.
Georgetown students have an incredible opportunity to carve out their own academic journeys. By utilizing the resources available to us and staying true to our passions, we can shape futures that reflect our unique interests and talents. So, I urge you to look beyond the expected, to take the harder path if it excites you and, above all, to follow what truly inspires you.
Nola Melvin is a sophomore in the College of Arts & Sciences.