Unlocking Potential: A First-Generation College Student’s Journey to Medical School

Caleb Mertus, a senior at Delaware State University (DSU), is on a mission to become a doctor. His journey, marked by a passion for science and a dedication to giving back to his community, has been significantly shaped by his experiences at DSU and the opportunities afforded to him as a participant in Kaplan's All Access License^™ program. Through the partnership between Kaplan and DSU, students receive free access to industry-leading test preparation courses, including the MCAT^®, a critical step towards medical school.

A First-Generation Student with a Dream

Born and raised in Germantown, Maryland, Caleb is both a first-generation American and first-generation college student. His parents, immigrants from Ghana and Haiti, instilled in him and his two younger brothers the importance of education. Together, they all learned about navigating the American education system and figured out challenges such as how to apply for college.

Caleb developed an early interest in science, finding comfort in its logical and problem-solving nature. In high school, his transformative experiences included an opportunity to pursue research at the National Institutes of Health and obtaining the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant designation through which he was able to learn more about clinical procedures and even see an open heart surgery. From that point on, his desire to pursue a career in medicine, specifically cardiothoracic surgery, was solidified.

The HBCU Experience: A Catalyst for Growth

Caleb's decision to attend DSU, a Historically Black College & University (HBCU), proved pivotal in his journey. The sense of community, the camaraderie among students with shared aspirations, and the supportive environment fostered a sense of belonging and empowerment. "My experience at an HBCU...cultivated a community where people who looked like me also pursued very high and prestigious goals," Caleb shares. This environment, he believes, helped him break through perceived limitations and fueled his confidence to pursue his dreams.

Preparing for the MCAT with Kaplan's All Access License^™

Required for medical school admission, the MCAT is a notoriously challenging exam. Initially Caleb planned to rely on ad hoc available resources he could find, such as YouTube and borrowing books from other students, “Prior to hearing about Delaware State University offering Kaplan’s All Access License^™, I didn’t know what I was going to do to prepare for the MCAT. It’s a daunting test. My parents wanted to help and they were supportive but they’ve never been through this process either. I was on my own and a comprehensive course was not in the cards for me.”

Discovering Kaplan's All Access License^™ program offered through DSU proved to be a turning point. The program provided him with free access to a comprehensive MCAT course, complete with expert instruction, structured curriculum, and practice resources.

Describing his experience with the course, Caleb emphasizes the impact of his instructor: “The first day of my Kaplan course blew away a lot of my fears. My teacher was amazing...he made it light but still taught the content in a way where I absorbed so much.” The course not only helped him master the content but also provided him with the strategies and confidence needed to tackle the exam.

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More than Just Test Scores: The Impact of Kaplan's All Access License^™

Kaplan's All Access License^™ provided Caleb with more than just test-taking strategies and content review. It offered him a supportive learning environment, a dedicated instructor who instilled confidence, and a sense of community among his peers.

Through Caleb's dedication and the support he received in this program, he had a remarkable 26-point increase in his MCAT score from his diagnostic to test day, paving the way for him to continue his medical school dreams.

With a strong MCAT score and a wealth of experiences gained at DSU, Caleb is confidently applying to medical schools along the East Coast and has already received multiple acceptances. He envisions a program that provides early clinical experience and opportunities to engage with the community. His ultimate goal is to specialize in cardiothoracic surgery and make a meaningful impact on the lives of his patients, specifically as he looks to give back to provide medical care in rural communities. We are looking forward to seeing how the future Dr. Caleb changes the world just a few short years from now—and hoping his chosen medical school also offers the All Access License^™ so we can support his USMLE^® prep as well.

Encouraging other students to take the courses offered through the program, he shares: “Kaplan’s courses are designed to help all types of students, no matter what your educational background. They will teach you how to take the test and that is a very important aspect. The MCAT, for example, has a specific way to be taken, and if you learn how to take the test along with the content, you will do amazing.”

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A Testament to the Power of Opportunity

Caleb's story is a powerful example of how strategic partnerships and programs such as Kaplan's All Access License^™ can empower students to achieve their dreams. By providing access to high-quality test preparation resources, the program enables students to pursue their dreams of a career in medicine, nursing, law, business, and so much more.

In addition, the program may provide recruitment benefits as well, as Caleb reflects: “Looking back, access to free test prep resources would have been a major factor in my college decision process. Students look for schools that have support resources such as test prep so knowing it was offered at a school coming in would have been a deciding feature in choosing schools.”

Dr. Shonda Poe, Executive Director for the Office of Undergraduate Research, Experiential Learning, and Honors (URELAH) at DSU and a mentor to Caleb, expresses her gratitude for the program: "There is a need for Kaplan’s All Access License^™. Students come into my office with excitement and a gleam in their eyes to say, ‘thank you for giving me a chance. I didn’t know that this was possible.’ It makes a huge difference and they are sincerely grateful.”

Caleb's journey exemplifies the transformative power of education. With the support of his family, mentors, and programs such as Kaplan's All Access License^™, Caleb is well on his way to achieving his dreams and making a lasting impact on the world.

Empower your students for their next big step with Kaplan’s All Access License^™.