Since graduation, I've been working at NIH full time as a Postbaccalaureate Research Fellow in Dr. Jon Yewdell's lab in NIAID. My project is mainly focused on generation of MHC I-restricted peptides. I'm applying to MD/PhD programs this upcoming cycle (2023)!
My Biology degree from Tech has helped immensely, as my lab is a viral immunology lab so everything I've learned from courses at Tech is applicable and necessary in understanding many concepts. I actually recognize a lot of concepts and terms in my lab and in published papers because they were discussed and explained in a course at Tech (courses like Cell and Molecular Biology, Immunology, Molecular Microbiology). In any scientific environment, knowledge of current literature and being able to understand it is necessary, and going through the Biology degree at Tech has built a solid foundation for me that is immensely helpful in any field of scientific work.
Modern biology is an exciting field with innovations and discoveries being made every day. If Biology is your passion, then pursue it! GT's Biology program is awesome and highly educational and foundational. Also, take classes that interest you, not just the easiest ones. I found that classes to which I was drawn and interested in were much easier for me than others, regardless of the course's average GPA.
I highly encourage everyone to try to get into research! Research experience not only allows you to learn firsthand some awesome, cutting-edge research techniques and assays, but also supplements your coursework and even MCAT work sometimes. I began working in a lab my sophomore year, and the material I learned in my research showed up later in my Cell and Molecular Biology and Molecular Microbiology courses and helped me immensely when it came to exams for those classes. Research experience also looks good for medical school applications, so give it a shot. We need more scientists, especially in this post-COVID world!
