Cydney Wong

Pursuing PhD in biomedical engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory University. 

Tell us about your first encounter with MIT's OME Office.
My first encounter with the OME was through participating in Interphase EDGE. This program not only introduced me to my closest friends throughout college and beyond, but also allowed me to begin building a relationship with the OME staff members.

What were your initial impressions?
My initial impressions of the OME staff were during Interphase, and although I didn’t know the staff very well yet, I was thankful for all the events they organized for us to learn about MIT and bond with each other. Over time, I grew closer to many of the staff members.

Did those impressions change over time?
Over time, I grew closer to many of the staff members and found them to be a major source of support throughout my time at MIT when I faced difficult situations or decisions. I could always count on the OME to look out for me!

What programs did you take part in, and how were they helpful?
I took part in Interphase EDGE, MAP, EMAP, and Laureates & Leaders. I’m endlessly grateful for Interphase because it’s where I met my closest friends, and it definitely helped me grow comfortable with the campus and familiar with the resources available to me. MAP was also a great resource just to have another person on campus to talk to and grab lunch with to escape the stresses of problem sets and exams. Laureates and Leaders and EMAP both had a tremendous impact on my academic and professional development. My EMAP mentor helped me plan my graduate school and fellowship applications, and even helped me participate in an amazing internship at his company the summer after graduation. Laureates and Leaders really helped me to build a strong grad school application. I got advice on my UROP, help making a poster to present at a conference, and information about fellowships and programs that really helped me in the application and decision process! They also helped tremendously with GRE prep and application fees, which really allowed me to put my best foot forward in my applications.

What was your most memorable or valuable experience with OME?
My most valuable experience is the community that I found in the OME. I really appreciated being able to pop into the office any time to laugh, cry, or just eat some snacks!

If you had to describe OME with one word, what would it be?
Supportive.

For graduating seniors and alumni: What are you doing right now, post graduating MIT?
Right now I am pursuing my PhD in biomedical engineering at Georgia Tech and Emory University.