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Geisel Welcomes New Medical Students

Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine ushered in a new academic year by welcoming 92 new medical students to campus this week for orientation. The Class of 2022 brings with it diverse backgrounds and experiences, as well as a record of academic achievement and service around the world.

“It's wonderful to welcome this new class of medical students to Geisel,” said Duane Compton, PhD, dean of the Geisel School of Medicine. “I know that our faculty and staff are eager to work with them to help nurture and advance their aspiring careers in medicine.”

The 92 students, including 90 MD and two MD/PhD students, represent a small percentage of the more than 6,500 who applied to Geisel via the American Medical College Application Service.

“Once again, we are excited to have an entering class that is so accomplished and ready to begin their professional training here at Geisel,” said Greg Ogrinc, MD, senior associate dean for medical education.

While highlighting the numerous achievements of the incoming class, Christopher LaRocca, MD, chair of Geisel’s Admissions Committee, told students not to be overwhelmed by the accomplishments of their classmates. “Let me assure you, you are here for exactly the right reason – because you should be here,” he said. “Each of you brings your uniqueness which adds to your classmates, to Geisel, to Dartmouth, to the Upper Valley community, and to the wider world.”

While classes don’t officially start until next week, the first-year medical students will spend this week in a variety of orientation activities, including team-building exercises and opportunities to get acquainted with their new classmates, as well as with Dartmouth and the local community.

Interesting facts about Geisel's Class of 2022:

  • The new 92 students were selected from more than 6,500 applicants to Geisel.
  • The class is comprised of 54 percent women and 46 percent men.
  • The class comes from 53 undergraduate institutions (Dartmouth was at the top with 16 students), including two military academies (West Point and the Air Force Academy).
  • The class represents 27 states and Puerto Rico. 16 students hail from California, Massachusetts and New Hampshire are represented by 8 students each, while 6 are from Pennsylvania and 5 from Vermont.
  • The class includes citizens of Canada, China, Indonesia, Bangladesh and the Cape Verde Islands. 23 students were born outside the United States, including origins in Ukraine, Indonesia, Korea, Ethiopia, Taiwan, Scotland, Canada, China, Greece, Cape Verde, Kenya, Peru, England, and Bangladesh.
  • 13 members of the class already hold advance degrees.
  • The class includes both a Fulbright and Rhodes scholar.
  • Many of the students have been involved in healthcare in roles such as EMTs, wilderness first responders, nurses, hospice and clinic volunteers, and home care providers.
  • Five students served in the military, including tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Among them are an explosives expert, precision flying team pilot, combat engineer, Army Ranger, and paratrooper.
  • Many members of the class have already participated in research projects, including bench research and in clinical and field studies, and many had papers published in scientific journals.

Orientation Photos:

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*Photos by Rob Strong