Today we speak with Kevin Jacome, a senior biology, pre-med major from Mt. Laurel, Burlington County, who rents a house off campus with friends. Kevin will share his #PROFspective with us on what it’s like to be a Rowan University student and how he’s getting the most out of his college experience as a Rowan Prof.
Name: Kevin Jacome
Major: B.S Biology in the College of Science & Mathematics
Minors/concentrations: Pre-med
Year: Senior
Hometown: Mt. Laurel, NJ (Burlington County)
Transfer Student: Yes, I transferred from Burlington County College right before it became RCBC.
Commuter: Technically yes, since I rent a house off campus. But I do not consider myself a commuter. I walk to class and back every day.
Off-Campus resident: Yes, I live in a house on Hamilton with 5 other guys.
Athletic clubs: Intramural Soccer
Social clubs: Tau Epsilon Phi fraternity Recruitment Chair- E-board member
Do you have an off-campus job? I wait tables at TGI Friday’s Mt. Laurel.
Why did you choose your major? I love biology and am fascinated by the way the world works. I also knew that a biology major would be an intelligent decision to acquire the necessary prerequisites to apply to medical school.
One reason why you chose Rowan? I chose Rowan mainly because it has two great medical schools. Upon visiting Rowan, however, I immediately got a sense for Rowan’s welcoming atmosphere. I loved it here. The campus is the perfect size for me, the science professors are excellent and care about their students, and the medical schools have the same exact atmosphere. I love that I am close to home, but still far enough away for me to gain independence and get the most out of my college experience.
My Typical Day as a Rowan Student
Hello, and welcome to a day in the life of Kevin.
On a regular day, at 8 a.m., I go through the expected struggle of leaving the cozy cocoon I call my bed. After approximately 20 minutes of scrolling through my phone and debating staying in bed for eternity, I begin my day with the breakfast of champions: Lucky Charms and a croissant. Take notes, people. After getting ready for the day and packing the necessary notebooks and equipment for the day I begin my 15 min walk to Science Hall, which has become my second home over the last year and a half. I have taken my core bio, physics, organic chemistry classes, and upper level bio electives over the past year and a half here at Rowan. I think my favorite upper level lab bio elective was Microbiology with Dr. Gregory Hecht. Don’t get me wrong, it was a tough class, but I learned so much about microorganisms and did an incredible lab on their antibiotic resistance. In that class alone I learned how to culture bacteria and apply staining and other lab techniques that aid in differentiating between species of bacteria. It was amazing.
After my classes conclude, I grab some lunch at the Student Center cafeteria where I stuff my face until I force myself to stop and start being academically productive. I then start my homework and studying for my MCAT (standardized test for medical school admissions.) Toward the end of my day, usually on Thursdays, I make my way over to James Hall for my fraternity executive board meeting. I am the recruitment chair for my chapter, so I am in charge of contacting new potential members, organizing events, and participating in executive actions in the fraternity.
On Saturdays, I go to my MCAT prep class from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and then commute about half an hour to TGI Friday’s in Mt. Laurel to wait tables from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. or 12 a.m. Sundays are for homework and my fraternity meetings at 4 p.m. Once my typical day is over, I walk back to my house and prepare myself a hearty college dinner consisting of some sort of protein or microwaved food
, while watching Bob’s Burgers. Once I’m done, I make time for more homework or necessary studying. On a rare night, I have the chance to unwind with some Xbox, Netflix, or meet some friends on campus to hangout. Finally, I make my way back into my cocoon to reset my circadian rhythm and prepare myself to get back into the groove of things the following morning.
We are #RowanPROUD and we are Rowan Profs! Not exactly sure what a Prof is? It’s our owl mascot, Whoo RU. Read about him here.
Story organized and photography by:
Jen Green, senior public relations major