Going Far: Alumna Kameelah Belgrave is fielding multiple med school offers

Earning a medical degree via DirectConnect to UCF® after graduating from Seminole State College of Florida, Kameelah Belgrave’s future is bright. Her hard work and perseverance have been the fuel to her trajectory.

Belgrave, who earned her Associate in Arts degree, with a Sports and Fitness track at Seminole State in 2018, has four acceptances to medical schools and over 10 interviews to various universities still in progress. “The medical school application process is incredibly involved. I applied to over 20 schools,” she said. Howard University, University of Miami, University of Illinois, Florida International University, Temple University, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Tufts University, Boston University, Tulane University and University of South Florida have offered her an interview, and she has been accepted to the first four. When the time comes to choose a school, Belgrave has a priority list including several facets such as “demographics, the university’s dedication to community, cultural competence, research opportunities and whether the school is pass/fail.”

Of her choice to GO State, Belgrave said, “I chose Seminole State for a few reasons: the DirectConnect to UCF® program, the affordable education tied to me not knowing exactly what I wanted to do after college (I didn’t know I wanted to go to medical school until my second year of college), and the wonderful reputation of this school. My sister, Alexis Belgrave, went here three years before me, and she loved her experience!”

While studying at Seminole State, Kameelah Belgrave grew further into her own understanding of her passion in medicine, Chemistry Professor Deborah Mead being a big influence. “Taking Organic Chemistry I and II with Professor Mead was certainly a highlight of my pre-med journey. Professor Mead is the best professor I have ever learned from in all my educational journey,” Belgrave said.

Belgrave has plans to pursue a deeper element in medicine. “I just love working with kids! I am currently a high school teacher and athletic trainer at a high school, and this age group is just wonderful!” Taking all the education and experience gained in her educational and career journey, she’s slowly stepping away from the athletic trainer realm to a more specialized pediatric medicine.

With such a wide array of possibilities ringing up her phone, Belgrave’s success is sure to inspire all Seminole State College students and alumni alike. She is a testament to what can be ignited at Seminole State College. She shows that discovering and pursuing one’s passion is obtainable. She also wants to let any students who are interested in the medical school journey know that they can reach her on her Instagram  @Klamnoodlesoup.