WCM-Q welcomes high school students and parents to a special Open House

Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) welcomed more than 140 high school seniors and their parents to a special Open House, giving prospective students a chance to learn about studying medicine at WCM-Q and the preparations needed to transition from high school to college.

Organized by the Office of Student Outreach and Educational Development, the one-day event was designed for Grade 12 or Year 13 students and their parents, giving them a chance to learn more about WCM-Q’s admissions process, requirements and application timelines. Participants also learned more about the college’s academic curriculum, outreach programs, state-of-the-art facilities and student life.

Noha Saleh, director of premedical administration, student outreach and educational development, opened the event with a presentation on admissions requirements, timelines and outreach programs available for high school students. The event also included two panel discussions, giving participants an opportunity to hear directly from WCM-Q students, faculty and staff. Attendees also had an opportunity to ask questions during the Q&A sessions that followed each panel discussion.

The faculty panel featured Dr. Amal Khidir, associate professor of pediatrics, Dr. Majda Sebah, assistant professor of chemistry, and Dr. Simeon Scott Andrews, lecturer in chemistry and biochemistry. Dr. Rachid Bendriss, professor of English as a second language, assistant professor of education in medicine, and associate dean for foundation, student outreach and educational development programs, moderated the panel.

Dr. Bendriss said: “We understand that choosing a career in medicine and a college to attend is not easy. We are happy to host this event to provide graduating students and their parents with an opportunity to ask questions, explore their options and gain a better understanding of the opportunities available to them at WCM-Q and in the medical field. I believe the participants benefited greatly from interacting with faculty, staff and students and learning more about the journey to becoming a doctor.” 

The student panel was moderated by Mr. Farhan Aziz, director of admissions at WCM-Q, and featured final-year medical student Reem Al-Janahi and second-year pre-medical students Noof AlMalik and Mustafa Shammout. Their participation gave attendees firsthand information about life at WCM-Q, including the academic experience and transition into the pre-medical and medical programs.

While WCM-Q offers weekly small-scale Open Houses throughout the academic year for prospective students from various high school grade levels, this event was organized on a larger scale specifically for students in their final year of high school and their parents. The weekly Open Houses are capped at 30 participants and include an admissions presentation and a tour of WCM-Q.

The weekly Open Houses will continue throughout this academic year, both on campus and virtually, and are available for registration at: https://qatar-weill.cornell.edu/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=HqrSoLHVtEI%3d&portalid=11.

In addition to the weekly small-scale Open Houses, WCM-Q organizes Medicine Unlimited, an annual, larger-scale community outreach fair offering hands-on, interactive activities for prospective students and their families. The next Medicine Unlimited event will take place in April 2027 as part of the Doctors of the Future Conference. Registration to attend this event will open in early December.