To say that senior Clarissa Chen had an incredible weekend at the DECA State competition in early March would be an understatement. DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) is a national organization that develops future business leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. Not only did the DECA President spend the weekend competing, but while sitting at the DECA banquet dinner, she received a life-changing email from the University of Illinois at Chicago, her top college choice. She opened it and “literally started crying in front of 1800 kids.”

After a rigorous application process that included multiple essays and an interview, Clarissa was accepted into the highly competitive and prestigious Guaranteed Professional Program Admissions (GPPA) for medical students, a program with a 5-10% acceptance rate. As a GPPA student, Clarissa not only secured admission to the pre-med undergraduate program but also guaranteed a spot in medical school at UIC! The graduate application for med school is so rigorous that many pre-med students take a gap year to reach the qualifications. GPPA eliminates this process for Clarissa — she’s already in!

Twelve hours later, her name was called from the podium at the DECA ceremony. She had qualified for the National DECA competition in Anaheim, California, in April. “I had an incredible weekend. I mean, it was crazy. I could not stop jumping around,” Clarissa said.

My prayer is that in medicine, I will be an instrument through which God’s abundant love will overflow to all His people.”

The Academic Pathway of a Doctor

Timothy’s rigorous excellence-driven program of academics prepares students like Clarissa to gain admission to selective colleges and universities. From AP to Dual Enrollment courses, students can graduate from high school well on their way to earning a college degree. Clarissa took advantage of earning college credit in high school. In her senior year alone, she took 6 AP courses.

Although she enjoyed her challenging classes, it was an internship her junior year at Northwestern Hospital in Winfield, a Level Two Trauma Center, that was a major catalyst for her desire to go into medicine. Clarissa’s internship gave her the opportunity to work in different departments including pediatrics, cardiology, and post-surgery recovery. But it was when she shadowed in the emergency room that she felt a spark. She observed medical professionals working calmly in the midst of chaos and pressure.

“Before I even introduced myself to the person I was shadowing, we were running down the hallway towards a patient coming in with a heart attack,” she remembered. “It was surreal.”

The internship was her first experience in a professional medical setting, but it had a profound and lasting impact on her. “After that internship, I knew I needed to commit to medicine,” she said.

Inspired by the internship, Clarissa volunteered in the West Surgery department at Northwestern in Winfield the next summer, helping patients in the recovery unit. She wheeled post-op patients around, prepared rooms for new patients, and organized patient folders, all while observing surgeons, nurses, and technicians working seamlessly.

More Than Classes

Not only did Clarissa’s pathway to medical school include rigorous coursework, but it also included an array of extracurricular activities that made her a well-rounded student. Clarissa is a naturally gifted leader and took advantage of every opportunity that Timothy Christian High School offered. She got involved in clubs and sports, she served as the President of DECA, Spanish Honor Society, and orchestra. She was the Vice President of the National Honor Society, was part of the chapel committee, a chapel band member, and even found time to play tennis. Plus, she was part of the back-to-back State Champion ACES team (she placed 2nd in English and 4th in Biology individually).

How did she do it?

“Time management,” she said simply.

She credits her parents' support and the teachers at Timothy. In fact, Timothy teachers are so supportive of students like Clarissa being involved in more than one activity they often work around different scheduling conflicts. High school is a time when students should explore new activities and interests. It’s just one more way Timothy can help students develop and hone their God-given gifts and talents.

All for the Glory of God

Clarissa readily admits that God’s goodness is truly the only thing that has kept her grounded. “Timothy's chapels are a breath of fresh air that bring me back to God,” she says.

No matter if she was playing in the orchestra, sitting in an AP class, or serving as the President of DECA — her teachers always created a Christ-centered community.

“It’s no secret that the teachers at Timothy are some of the kindest ones out there,” she says. “When I’m having a hard day, instead of harsh criticism, I’m met with kind understanding and prayer. I think the abundance of love that the teachers show their students at Timothy is reflected in the close relationships that form.”

And now, Clarissa is ready to launch. “It’s amazing how God’s plans fall into place without us even knowing,” Clarissa said. “He’s been working in my life from the very start, providing me with the Timothy family and teachers who challenge and pray for me. He’s put so many events and people in my life to show me a clear path to medicine. My prayer is that in medicine, I will be an instrument through which God’s abundant love will overflow to all His people.”

High School Open House November 4