Alyssa DeAngelis began her studies at Seton Hall University as the Pre-Professional Advising Center (P-PAC) was starting to develop. Over time, she saw the center expand its offerings to include MCAT preparation, workshops, events, mentorship, individualized advising, and experiential opportunities. Her experiences at Seton Hall highlight how focused advising and practical experiences can help students prepare for medical school.
During her undergraduate years as a Biology major, Alyssa took on roles that helped her grow academically and professionally. As a Teaching Assistant for General Biology, she learned to explain complex scientific ideas to first-year students and adapt her teaching methods to different learning styles. This experience strengthened her interest in mentorship and highlighted the importance of personalized support.
Alyssa also served as a KNOW MORE Peer Educator, leading programs about sexual violence prevention, substance use awareness, bystander intervention, and self-care. Through these activities, she became a reliable resource for her peers during challenging conversations. Additionally, she worked in a bone metabolism research lab where she developed skills in collaboration and critical thinking.
Outside the university setting, Alyssa gained clinical experience as a Patient Care Technician in an Intensive Care Unit. She worked with nurses and doctors on tasks such as recording vital signs and assisting with patient care procedures. Volunteering in hospice care further taught her about empathy and compassionate support for patients.
Reflecting on her time at Seton Hall University during P-PAC’s growth period, Alyssa said: “Being at Seton Hall University while P-PAC was growing gave me a unique perspective,” Alyssa reflects. “I saw how much of an impact structured advising can have. The support I received, whether through personalized advising, MCAT prep workshops or simply having someone to talk through challenges, helped me stay focused and confident as I prepared for medical school.”
She emphasized the value of individualized guidance throughout the medical school application process: “It’s so exciting to see P-PAC now offering free UWorld subscriptions and even funding international shadowing experiences. The resources available today truly make a difference for students pursuing health professions.”
Now enrolled as a second-year student at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine (HMSOM), Alyssa continues to work with Seton Hall by helping create the HMSOM Mentorship Network. This program connects pre-health students from Seton Hall with current medical student mentors who offer advice on applications and professional development.
Alyssa is currently involved in clinical rotations and research projects related to anesthesiology, dementia, and hospice care. She presented research findings at HMSOM Medical Student Research Day in 2025 and plans further presentations at upcoming conferences such as USC 2026 Innovations in Medical Education Conference.
Her journey from being part of P-PAC’s early days to mentoring future physicians illustrates how structured guidance can lead to long-term success for students interested in health professions.
