<p>Dear hopeforthebest12,</p>
<p>As an undergraduate at Rhodes doing cancer research 8 hours a week at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, I can honestly say that Rhodes College will be your best choice for your field of study as well as the other things you seem to be looking for. As you may know, St. Jude children’s Research Hospital, the #1 Children’s Cancer treatment and research institution in the world, is located in Memphis just a couple miles from Rhodes College. Because of this and the college’s prestigious reputation, Rhodes has a wonderful partnership with St. Jude for undergraduate students to participate in cancer research called St. Jude Summer Plus. This program is highly selective, but after an application process, several students are selected each year to complete two summers of paid research work in a lab at St. Jude under a mentor and the school year in between for school credit. Many students end up contributing to scientific publications as a result.</p>
<p>After my freshman year, I was planning to begin Summer Plus but was diagnosed with pediatric cancer called Ewing Sarcoma. Needless to say, my life was put on hold. I was lucky enough to receive treatment at St. Jude, and after recovering from cancer I returned to Rhodes last fall. I am now participating in the research program, and I love every minute of it. I’m doing, on an undergraduate level, what many graduate school students would kill to do.</p>
<p>As far as Memphis goes, there is tons to do. From swing dancing on the weekends to going downtown for shopping and barbecue to the Orpheum Theatre for plays, the city is rich in culture and activity. Rhodes academics are rigorous, but the professors are all in love with what they do. I literally spend hours a week in my professors’ offices in conversation.</p>
<p>I can promise you that Memphis is the best place to be for what you want to do. Rhodes won’t let you down. </p>
<p>Maggie Cupit
Rhodes College
Chemistry</p>
<p>(601)757 6247</p>