Jason Sanders
Class of 2000, B.S. in Biochemistry
3rd Year Medical Student, Harvard University
OU's 26th Rhodes Scholar
Q. How did you choose your major?
A. By visiting OU during my senior year of high school, talking with professors, and looking through the course catalog.
Q. What was your biggest academic challenge while at OU? How did you overcome it?
A. Staying focused on my goals and the ‘big picture’ during Freshman year when I was taking mostly introductory courses. I also had difficulty planning an activity for the summer after Freshman year. I overcame these challenges by developing close relationships with several faculty mentors and getting involved in campus organizations.
Q. What was your favorite class at OU?
A. This is difficult! Three stand out—Literature and Medicine; Honors College Summer Program at Brasenose College, Oxford; President Boren’s Introduction to Government
Q. Who was your favorite OU professor?
A. There are too many favorites to name just one!
Q. What are some study techniques, campus resources, or other factors that helped you graduate?
A. I tended to study late at night, if not all the way through it. I tried to have a strong finish to each semester, prioritizing time to hit the books as finals approached. Advisers in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Honors College helped me to chart my academic course, providing valuable guidance about required classes, elective options, and extracurricular opportunities.
Q. What organizations were you involved in at OU?
A. Crimson Club, Pe-et, President’s Leadership Class, Wesley Foundation, Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, College of Arts and Sciences Leadership Scholars Program
Q. How did your degree help you achieve your goals?
A. I am so very proud to be part of the Sooner family. The University of Oklahoma prepared me in countless ways to achieve my goals: rigorous training in the sciences, stimulating humanities courses in the Honors College, and long-term mentoring by faculty and staff are just a few examples. Because of a first-class education at OU, I have been able to pursue a literature degree at Oxford through a Rhodes Scholarship and now a medical degree at Harvard.
Q. What is your favorite aspect of your work in Harvard Medical School?
A. Visiting with and taking care of patients.
Q. What are your future goals?
A. Clinical practice, research, and teaching; Healthcare management and policy; Writing
Q. What one piece of advice can you offer students seeking to graduate in four years?
A. Believe in yourself, keep everything in perspective, and find a close group of friends.