2:44 p.m., May 16, 2008--Here's what a few of the hundreds of NUCLEUS students--past and present--say about their time in the program.

“Through NUCLEUS, I am able to attend medical career awareness workshops and research conferences across the country. I saw, firsthand, how other individuals achieved their goals and listened to their experiences up close. I have also had the rare opportunity to present my research at these conferences. Due to my attending research conferences via NUCLEUS, I was able to commit to future research much more strongly than when I was a freshman.” --Obi Mmagu, a senior whose goal is to become a medical oncologist

“I received great mentorship from the leadership of the NUCLEUS program. The NUCLEUS program also provided networking opportunities and introduction to summer enrichment programs. I attribute a great deal of my undergraduate success to the NUCLEUS program and staff.” --Anissa Brown, AS '99, who is in the Emerging Leaders Program at UD, will receive her doctoral degree in May. She is working for National Institutes of Health.

“It is always helpful to have an established support network, as well as a venue to meet and interact with students of a like mind.” --Kholiswa Laird '04AS, now a doctoral student in chemistry at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County

“No matter where I end up, I will never forget how key NUCLEUS was in helping me get there. It will be my payment to those who helped me, to help those who follow me.” --Candice Tolud, AS '03, currently a student at the University of Pennsylvania School of Optometry

“Without Nucleus I would have been lost and ill-equipped to deal with the challenge of getting into medical school.” --Cy Wilkins, HS '06, now studying medicine at Jefferson Medical College

“NUCLEUS coordinates with other colleges in the biology/chemical/technology fields to talk to students about what it takes to get into graduate school and how to prepare at the undergraduate level. The program also ensures that students maintain a certain level of excellence by making sure that grades are kept up, providing mentoring, scheduling time with teaching assistants [and] one-on-one's with advisers to ensure that this level is maintained.” --Chris Hamilton, AS '08, who has entered UD's master's program in computer science