Samia Rahman

Samia is focused on one day becoming a pediatrician. Achieving her goal has required not only maintaining high grades but also enhancing her social skills. She describes how organic chemistry is seen as a “weed out” class, because of the notion that students who can’t excel in that subject aren’t suitable candidates to study medicine. Samia very much did not want to be weeded out, so she dedicated a lot of time and effort to doing well. When she earned an A- on her first exam, “a sense of relief washed over me because of how I reached my goal, passed one of the hardest college classes with a grade I was proud of, and how this felt like a sign for me to keep pushing myself forwards.”

She made a concerted effort to enhance her social skills and overcome her shyness by participating in Model United Nations in high school and attending several conferences. In college, she volunteered at UC San Diego Health and joined the Biology and Bangali Cultural clubs. She also worked as an Intern at Harbor UCLA where she planned a healthcare fair, created seminars for the community regarding heart disease, collaborated with other interns regarding public health issues, and mentored younger students regarding college planning. She is enrolled in Seventh College.

Currently she serves as Head Technical Editor for Saltman Quarterly, UCSD’s undergraduate biology journal. She is also Social Media Chair for the Bengali Student Association, which involves marketing for cultural events, setting up venues, and engaging students with the social media page. To add to her busy schedule, Samia also mentors younger students through the UCSD Mentorship Collective, providing support and helping them plan their classes.

Sonia recognizes that becoming a doctor is a “long, curvy road that requires years of studying and dedication.” She views becoming a pediatrician as caring about the whole child during crucial stages of development, and that good pediatric care will impact children’s health “for the entirety of their lives.” She understands that in pediatrics one needs to take on a variety of roles, “such as teacher and mentor, in order to care for the next generation of brilliant minds.” We believe that her future young patients will be fortunate to be in Samia’s care.