Alyssa’s Journey: From Seton Hall to Medical School

When Alyssa DeAngelis arrived at Seton Hall University, the Pre-Professional Advising Center (P-PAC) was just beginning to take shape. As the center evolved into a comprehensive hub offering MCAT preparation, workshops, events, mentorship, individualized advising and experiential opportunities, Alyssa experienced its growth firsthand. Her journey reflects how intentional advising and meaningful experiences at Seton Hall can shape a successful path to medical school.

Undergraduate Experiences at Seton Hall

As a Biology major, Alyssa embraced the rigor of Seton Hall's academic curriculum, building a strong foundation for her future in medicine. Beyond the classroom, she actively sought opportunities that allowed her to grow as a scholar, mentor and future physician.

As a Teaching Assistant for General Biology, Alyssa developed the ability to communicate complex scientific concepts to first-year students while adapting her approach to diverse learning styles. This role deepened her passion for mentorship and reinforced the value of individualized support in student success.

She also served as a KNOW MORE Peer Educator, facilitating educational programs focused on sexual violence prevention, alcohol and substance use awareness, bystander intervention and self-care. Supporting peers through sensitive and challenging conversations helped Alyssa become a trusted and dependable presence within the campus community.
In addition, Alyssa gained hands-on research experience in a bone metabolism laboratory, where she learned the importance of collaboration, critical thinking and the role of research in advancing medical knowledge.

Clinical Experience and Service

Outside of campus, Alyssa worked as a Patient Care Technician in the Intensive Care Unit, collaborating closely with nurses and physicians to record vital signs, perform glucose checks and EKGs and assist with dressing changes. This experience reinforced the importance of patient-centered care, teamwork and attentive listening.

She also volunteered in hospice care, providing companionship to patients during some of their most vulnerable moments. This deeply meaningful experience taught her the value of empathy, presence and the profound impact of compassionate care.

The Role of P-PAC

“Being at Seton Hall University while P-PAC was growing gave me a unique perspective,” Alyssa reflects. “I saw how much of an impact structured advising can have. The support I received, whether through personalized advising, MCAT prep workshops or simply having someone to talk through challenges, helped me stay focused and confident as I prepared for medical school.”

The individualized advising Alyssa received played a critical role throughout the medical school application process, offering goal-directed guidance, consistent support and encouragement during the most overwhelming moments. She also highlights the continued growth of the center: “It’s so exciting to see P-PAC now offering free UWorld subscriptions and even funding international shadowing experiences. The resources available today truly make a difference for students pursuing health professions.”

Medical School and Giving Back

Now a second-year medical student at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine (HMSOM), Alyssa remains deeply connected to Seton Hall. She partners with P-PAC to develop the HMSOM Mentorship Network, an initiative that connects Seton Hall pre-health students with medical student mentors to provide insight into the medical school journey, application strategies and professional development.

Alyssa has recently begun her clinical rotations and actively participates in research in anesthesiology, dementia and hospice care. She presented a research poster at the HMSOM Medical Student Research Day in 2025 and is preparing to present with the mentorship team at the USC 2026 Innovations in Medical Education Conference. Through HMSOM’s longitudinal clinical placement program, she gained early patient experience working closely with a family medicine physician in an outpatient setting and developed a strong appreciation for social determinants of health through the Human Dimension program.

Looking Ahead

Alyssa’s journey from witnessing the early days of P-PAC to mentoring the next generation of future physicians demonstrates how vision, guidance and perseverance come together to create lasting success. Her story serves as a powerful example for current Seton Hall students navigating their own paths toward careers in medicine and the health professions.

Categories: Alumni, Education, Health and Medicine