Hello, everyone!

Congratulations on reaching this exciting point in your medical journey and thank you for considering the Carver College of Medicine.

My name is Quinn Christensen. I am an M4 and the current student body president. I grew up in rural Iowa and attended the University of Iowa for undergrad, so this community means a great deal to me. It is, and always will be, home. Hopefully, before long, you’ll come to see it the same way.

I know that many students considering Carver may not be as familiar with the college or with Iowa City, so I would love to share a little about what makes this place so special to me.

The greatest strength of Carver is its people and the culture they have built. You may have heard of the “Iowa nice” stereotype, and Carver truly embodies it. As you walk through the halls, you get the sense that the students, faculty, and staff genuinely have your back. That spirit is reflected in nearly every aspect of the school.

It is no secret that medical school is hard work, but it becomes much more manageable when you are surrounded by people who understand what you are going through and want you to succeed. From your first day on campus, you'll see that Carver prioritizes collaboration over competition. My classmates quickly became some of my closest friends, confidants, tutors, and most trusted resources. We celebrate one another’s successes, support each other through difficult moments, and approach medical school as something we are doing together.

That student-centered philosophy is also built into the curriculum. Exams are generally held on Fridays, allowing students to begin the following week with a fresh start and enjoy a more relaxed weekend. Carver also emphasizes early clinical exposure, with patient care experiences beginning as early as the first month of medical school. Students start core clinical rotations after only three semesters, several months earlier than many other programs. These experiences allow us to apply what we are learning early and begin developing confidence in clinical settings from the very start.

The supportive environment at Carver extends well beyond the classroom. Free and accessible tutoring and counseling services provide both academic and emotional support throughout medical school. Our administration and staff are also consistently looking for new ways to help students and are exceptionally receptive to feedback and suggestions. 

Carver gives students the freedom to shape their education around what matters most to them. I have watched my friends pursue incredible experiences, from participating in a medical Spanish immersion program in Ecuador to submitting creative writing pieces to journals and volunteering at Hawkeye sports events. Whether your interests lie in research, service, the humanities, or something entirely different, Carver provides countless opportunities to explore them and make a meaningful impact.

Finally, Iowa City is an incredible place to live. It is a UNESCO City of Literature and has been recognized as one of the Greatest Small Cities for the Arts. It is a growing, vibrant community with a close relationship to the University of Iowa, and its personality changes with each season. You can experience the Iowa Wave at a fall football game, watch an electric buzzer-beater at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, explore the arts and literary scene downtown, or enjoy the parks and trails throughout the area.

My time at Carver has been an incredible journey, and I have made countless memories and lifelong friends along the way. There are so many opportunities to make this place feel just as much like home to you as it does to me. And if the opportunity you are looking for does not exist yet, create it! Whatever community looks like to you, you can find it here at the Carver College of Medicine.