UC pre-med student makes the most of college life opportunities
'I definitely made the best choice coming to UC,' student says
By Bryn Dippold
Many University of Cincinnati students plan to join a club or maybe play an intramural sport, mindful of putting academics first. Others view college as a once-in-a-lifetime chance to take advantage of all that campus life has to offer.
Fourth-year neurobiology major in UC's College of Arts and Sciences Ekow Forson has landed firmly in the latter camp. His undergraduate involvement has run the gamut of UC opportunities, and between A&S Ambassadors, Greek life and being a teaching assistant, with his interests are as wide-ranging as his extracurriculars.
A self-proclaimed “people person,” Forson says the clubs and organizations he’s joined have helped him connect to friends with common interests: “Some of the people that I met freshman year I’m still friends with to this day.”
Fourth-year neuroscience major Ekow Forson
Growing up in Columbus, Forson was a tutor and played multiple sports in high school, but Bearcat life wasn’t on his radar — yet.
After touring UC, the campus, academic opportunities and nearby hospitals clinched the decision for the pre-med student with goal of becoming a pediatric surgeon.
In his first year at UC, Forson quickly became involved with A&S Ambassadors, who help with college recruitment events and cultivate relationships with current students, alumni and the community.
“I’ve always been one for mentorship,” he says. “I really enjoyed meeting high school students and letting them know about my UC experience.”
Another organization that Forson joined was the Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students, which directly serves pre-med minority students through mentorship, education and guidance. He now serves as president of the group.
Forson’s UC experience spans colleges. He has a double major in health sciences in UC's College of Allied Health Sciences and an electronic media minor in UC's College-Conservatory of Music. Forson says his time at A&S has made him a more well-rounded candidate for medical school.
Some of the people that I met freshman year I'm still friends with to this day.
Ekow Forson, UC neuroscience student
In addition to academic organizations, Forson is the academic chair and historian for the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and serves as parliamentarian for the UC chapter of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, the governing body of historically African-American fraternities and sororities. Forson was recently tapped into Sigma Sigma, Men of Metro and Phi Rho Chi, all male honorary groups on UC’s campus. He is also the historian for Sigma Sigma.
In addition, he works as a teaching assistant and recently accepted a part-time job with UC Health working in the microbiology lab.
While his schedule is filled with classes and meetings, he manages to keep track of it all.
“Going through college, my time management has gotten better,” he says.
In his free time, Forson likes watching movies, collecting and selling sneakers and staying active at the Campus Recreation Center or by playing intramural basketball.
To incoming students, Forson recommends joining three clubs: one dedicated to your interests, one that you're already familiar with and one dedicated to something completely new that you would like to learn more about.
Forson admits that his level of commitment is high, but he recommends the multi-organizational path.
“If you want to be this involved, I say go for it,” he says. “I definitely made the best choice coming to UC.”
Featured image at top: Projection mapping light show on McMicken Hall. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Creative + Brand
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