How has JAMP helped you as you strive to achieve your goal of becoming a doctor?
JAMP has helped me strive to achieve my goal of becoming a doctor in more ways than I can imagine. The first one would be the conditional-guarantee acceptance into medical school. This was a huge help since it is a competitive process with all the applicants being such great students. Another helpful aspect is the summer internships JAMP provided to me at different Texas medical schools. They gave me the confidence and reassurance that I can succeed in med school. They gain me valuable insight into the study habits that are needed in medical school in order to excel. During my first internship, we were given our own cadaver and that humbling experience let me realize how amazing our bodies are and drove my passion for medicine even more. Lastly, all the material that JAMP provided to help me prep for the MCAT was an enormous help. I was unaware of the cost for all of those and if I was not blessed to be part of the JAMP program, I don’t think I would’ve had that material and been able to be successful on the MCAT.

What advice would you like to offer current or future JAMP students?
Some advice that I would give current or future JAMPers to make sure you stay connected with your fellow JAMPers. There are plenty of other students going through the same things you are and they can provide a great system of support, which includes your JFD! Along with that, the JAMP program selects students who they know are harder-workers and while the path is going to be hard, they know you can do it so keep your head up! You can do it! Another piece of advice I can give is to make sure you volunteer as much as possible! The path to becoming a physician is rough and you can become to feel bogged down with all the class work, losing sight of our fundamental reason for going into this field is serving others.

What aspect of JAMP has been most beneficial to you?
The aspect of JAMP that has been most beneficial to me is the connection I’ve been able to make with other JAMPers. All the students in my class are incredible people, not only because they are intelligent, but they are driven, kind-hearted individuals who want to help others through the use of medicine. Since we all were fighting that uphill battle of MCAT-prep, we were able to grow close and lean on each other throughout the process. Whenever I hit a stump in the road, such as having to retake the MCAT, I knew I had plenty of friends I could call on for support. Now that we’re all going into med school thanks to JAMP, I know I have plenty of great friends I can reach out to if I’m ever having a rough day during these next 4 years.

About Chase:
My name is Chase Ballard and I graduated from Hardin-Simmons University in May 2018 with a B.S. in Biology. I’m from a small town outside Weatherford, Texas called Peaster. Thanks to JAMP, I’ll be attending Long School of Medicine in San Antonio at the end of July to began my journey to become a doctor! Currently, I am leaning towards the field of psychiatry, specializing in pediatrics but I’m going in with an open mind to all fields of medicine. After I complete my residency in whichever field I end-up in, I will be going into the Air Force under their HPSP program to serve as an Air Force physician. If any JAMPers are ever in the San Antonio area, please reach out to me and I’d love to get a cup of coffee with you!