The UC Riverside School of Medicine Open House returned as a fully in-person event on Saturday, April 8 for the first time since 2019.
“This is really exciting,” said Kate Dorff, manager of external relations and protocol. “Since we’ve been doing it online for the past few years, we haven’t had the touch point with people who aren’t necessarily a ready to go, eager to be admitted student, so this is more of a community open house.”
The event welcomed approximately 700 guests, including high school students with their families, college students considering careers in the medical field, current applicants to the School of Medicine, and some recently admitted medical students.
“The goal of the event is to get students and community members in the area familiar with the School of Medicine, to give them a good sense of our mission and the various things that we do,” Dorff said.
Attendees learned about the school and its programs through lectures, a medical student panel, tours of the Center for Simulated Patient Care, CPR demonstrations, and more. Representatives from the admissions office and the Pathway Programs answered questions in tents set up on the lawn, and a kids’ corner offered health-themed coloring books, anatomy models, and stethoscopes to younger visitors.
The medical student panel was a favorite among several prospective students.
“It was really informative,” said Neenah Sy, a second-year biology student at UCR. “All of the students were very detailed about their answers and I really appreciated that.”
As someone with an interest in the health field, Sy said she wanted to get a sense of the school’s environment and learn about her potential next steps. “And it was nice that there are little freebies,” she added, referring to the 10th anniversary SOM tote bags, lanyards, snacks, and other items. “It makes it a fun field trip feeling event.”
