A Solid Academic Foundation for Medical School

Psychology and neuroscience piqued New Jersey-native Alexandra (Alexa) Groome’s interest while in high school. “Growing up in a community where mental health wasn’t often discussed, I developed a keen interest in the subject,” this Class of 2023 Post-Baccalaureate Health Professions Program alumna says.

This led her to pursue an undergraduate degree in psychology—and minor in both neuroscience and Spanish—at Wake Forest University in North Carolina, which then informed the decisions she would make in order to build her future health care career.

“As an aspiring psychiatrist, I hope that knowing Spanish will help me connect with more diverse communities who may face extra barriers to accessing mental health care, allowing me to provide more inclusive support,” she continues. “Neuroscience complemented my psychology major by giving me a deeper understanding of the biological foundations of mental health.”

While an undergrad, Alexa completed an internship at Ramapo Ridge Behavioral Health that played a pivotal role in pursuing a career in treating mental health—and set her career path on course for an eventual doctorate degree.

“By observing psychiatrists, nurses, clinical psychologists and social workers, I gained a comprehensive understanding of patient care and the distinct roles each professional plays in the treatment process,” she says of her internship experience.

“As a rising sophomore with no science coursework under my belt, I initially considered a Ph.D. in clinical psychology as the most appropriate path to work in the field of mental health. While that decision would ultimately change, my original plan to work in mental health care has remained true.”

From One Coast to the Other

After graduation, Alexa joined Stanford University’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences as a research assistant. Here, she had the privilege of working alongside three physician-scientists—psychiatrists with both medical and Ph.D. backgrounds—while conducting neuroscience research on addiction and aggression. But while she found the research fascinating, Alexa was most inspired when she had the opportunity to shadow the psychiatrists in their clinical practice.

“I saw firsthand how physicians who balance both research and clinical care can make a profound impact on their patients' lives,” she recounts. “This realization convinced me to change paths—I not only wanted to research the brain, but treat it, too!”

This epiphany led Alexa to our Post-Baccalaureate Health Professions Program in the fall of 2020, “because of its strong reputation and its proximity to my research career at Stanford,” she informs me.

“The rigorous curriculum was an ideal fit for strengthening my scientific foundation, which was key for my transition into medicine and in preparing to take the MCAT. The flexibility of the evening courses allowed me to continue my daily research role, while also preparing for medical school at night, making the experience truly invaluable.”

The post-bacc program provided Alexa with “the tools necessary to successfully apply to medical school, gaining multiple acceptances at schools across the United States.” She found the coursework vital in preparing her for what she would continue to learn in medical school, but what was most beneficial to her was mentorship provided by the program.

“UC Berkeley Extension staff were incredibly knowledgeable and offered advice throughout the application process,” she says. “Weekly check-ins and constant guidance helped me navigate the daunting challenge of applying, and their support made the entire journey feel manageable—it was crucial in my path to a successful application cycle!”

“The Post-Baccalaureate Health Professions Program provided the necessary academic foundation to transition into medical school.”

Beginning in 2021 and until late 2023, and while completing our Post-Baccalaureate Health Professions Program, Alexa worked toward her goal of helping communities in dire need of counseling and mental health services. As a volunteer with Global Offsite Care, a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to providing telemedicine resources for underserved communities around the world, she led a telemedicine project based in Beirut, Lebanon.

“Our project focused on equipping the Rosaire Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit with the necessary tools and training to implement telemedicine while the hospital was being rebuilt following the 2020 port explosion,” Alexa relates. “As a Lebanese American, I found it especially fulfilling to help the Lebanese people in a time of crisis. This experience also showed me how telemedicine can be a vital tool in my future career as a psychiatrist, allowing me to reach patients in distant or underserved areas.”

Returning to Her Roots

In 2021, Alexa returned to the East Coast and began work as a clinical research coordinator at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, gaining experience in clinical trials involving Alzheimer’s patients. There, she was once again working with both psychiatrists and clinical psychologists.

Solid in her education thus far and her mental health career goals in sight, Alexa chose to attend Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine (RVSOM).

“Because of its proximity to my family and the school’s track record of matching students into strong psychiatry residency programs, I chose RVSOM,” Alexa says. “The curriculum does a great job of integrating foundational sciences with training in clinical care. I am currently in my gastrointestinal block and am preparing to take my first set of board exams this March!”

After graduation, Alexa still plans to specialize in psychiatry, as the field resonates deeply with her academic background, career experiences and personal interests.

As for how she got to where she is today, she credits our post-bacc program in helping her achieve the critical first step of securing her medical school acceptance. “It strengthened my knowledge of biology, as well as in chemistry and physics—core subjects required for medical education. The mentorship and support from the program staff were also crucial, helping me navigate the complexities of the medical school application process with confidence.”

The results of that confidence is something Alexa wants to pass along to potential post-bacc health program students.

“I highly recommend this program because of its rigorous yet flexible curriculum and the supportive staff it provides,” she shares. “It is designed to prepare you for the challenges of medical school while offering a network of peers and administrators who will help guide you along the way. I would be more than happy to chat with prospective students regarding my experience!”