In 2024, U.S. News & World Report distinguished Quinnipiac as one of the nation’s best medical schools serving rural areas; having graduates in primary care; and as one of America’s most diverse medical schools.

On April 11, admitted students and their families took the next step in the medical school decision process with a visit to Quinnipiac Netter’s home on the North Haven Campus. They toured state-of-the-art facilities, learned more about the school’s passion for educating diverse, patient-centered physicians, and even experienced New Haven-style pizza that’s sustained the studies of many future physicians.

Steve Paik MD, EdM, associate dean for student affairs and admissions, helped to welcome admitted students and their families.

“This is an opportunity for all of our admitted students to get an in-depth experience of what our school does, to meet our students, and to get the context they need to find their fit. They’re getting an understanding of our culture, how we teach, and what our curriculum is. We’re giving them the information to make the best-informed decision for the medical school that they’re going to choose,” said Paik.

The day included faculty and administration presentations, a fourth-year medical student panel talk, a faculty panel session, tours, a Student Interest Group Fair, and separate meet and greet opportunities with faculty and staff.

For many admitted students, including Oluwatoni Falana, this visit was the first time immersing themselves in the experience of being a part of the Quinnipiac Netter community. Falana, who will attend Quinnipiac Netter next year, said her application interview helped to make her choice.

“When I started looking at medical schools, Quinnipiac wasn’t really the number one on my radar. But after my interview experience, I remember telling my dad I really loved the interview. The person I interviewed with made me feel comfortable, and even the medical student I spoke with had only great things to say about the school,” Falana said.

Falana traveled from Long Island, New York to visit Quinnipiac Netter on April 11 with her sister and her father.

“I’m very proud of her,” said her father, Clement Falana. “Like she said, after she went through the interview, she told me, ‘Dad, I love it.’”

Falana said she was also drawn to Quinnipiac Netter by the school’s mission statement.

“It seems like they really care about diversity and inclusion, and not only building physicians that care only about academics but also care about patients,” Falana said. “Quinnipiac is also big on clinical experience and that’s something I really like, having that interaction with patients.”

Another visiting dad, Mohamad Hassanipour, said he was very glad his son, Sahamd Hassanipour, will join Quinnipiac Netter as a first-year medical student in the fall.

“His sister, my daughter, is a pediatric doctor, I’m a scientist, and my wife is a chemist, so we are a family of science; and I love this. I read about Quinnipiac, and it’s amazing to see it,” Hassanipour said.

Sahamd Hassanipour said he feels Quinnipiac Netter is a medical school where he will be supported as a student and can contribute to the community.

“I think what first drew me to Quinnipiac was hearing about how centered the faculty were around students. Hearing how it was a place where the students really came first made me appreciate the school. After coming to the interview session and learning from Dr. Paik and everyone else there, I really felt like Quinnipiac was designed for the students to do as best as possible, and I really appreciate that aspect of it. I can’t wait to hopefully contribute and be a part of that,” he said.

During the day’s lunch break featuring an amazing array of New Haven-style pizza, admitted student and Arizona native Isabella De Vilieger said she’s excited to attend Quinnipiac Netter next year.

“I just love how small and community-focused the school is and the emphasis they place on students’ wellbeing,” said De Vilieger.

Romir Raj of Glastonbury, Connecticut said he came to experience Quinnipiac in person to help narrow down his medical school choice and was finding the great sense of community he’d been hearing about.

“I got a really good sense about Quinnipiac from other people who really liked coming here for medical school. Now that I’m here, the people are super friendly. Everybody has been incredibly welcoming,” said Raj.

Lauren Alvarez of Burlington, Connecticut said having the opportunity to visit Quinnipiac Netter was a big step toward closing in on her final decision.

“In undergrad, I had an advisor who told me he felt I would fit in very well at Quinnipiac. I like the sense of community and also the fact that everyone here is super supportive and go out of their way to help each other, which I think is very unique for a medical school experience,” said Alvarez.