Asia and Ashley Matthews, recent graduates of Xavier, have achieved the pinnacle of educational achievement in medicine.
The students of 2012 are stepping up to the global plate this year with exceptional achievements in education. But two young women have achieved the impossible with their exceptional grades in a field that is treacherous terrain for most.
Asia and Ashley Matthews graduated from Xavier University and both are promising scientists. Asia graduated with a dual degree in chemistry and pre-med and had aspirations of attending the University of Massachusetts Medical School in their dual medical program that would allow her to graduate from its rigorous, “selective” 8-year program with a Ph.D. and an M.D.
But with the hundreds of applications they receive each year that they widdle down to 40 candidates and only choose “between seven and ten” students, there was an extremely low chance of her being chosen…much less her sister.
But their academic prowess showed to be unmatched in the nation with BOTH young ladies being chosen for the program. Their mentor and professor, Dr. Terry Watt told WWLTV:
“It’s exceedingly difficult to get into an MD/PHD program and the odds that both of them would get in anywhere were extremely low,” he said. “We’re all very proud of them for the effort they put in to do it. It’s well-deserved.”
Our hats go off to Asia and Ashley Matthews! They are the story of the year and the inspiration for all students, but mostly African American girls who are almost completely unrepresented in various fields of medicine, especially research. Check out their story. YES WE CAN!
-J.C. Brooks
May 16th, 2012 at 9:38 am
Awesome Ladies. Keep up the good work. Glad This and That reports the positive stories as well. Thank you for sharing.
May 16th, 2012 at 10:20 am
With so much bad news out there, it is heartwarming to read such a wonderful story. Hats off to the girls!
May 20th, 2012 at 8:27 am
This brings tears to my eyes. Ohhh I know their parents are sooooo proud