Shiloh Christian

What made you decide to enroll at the University of Maryland?
I decided to enroll at the University of Maryland mainly because of the location and social aspect. UMD is around 50 minutes from where I live, and it was very important for me to find a college close to home. I'm far enough away that I can be independent and live in a different area, but close enough to come home for the weekend when I need a break. I have lived in a small town my entire life and knew that I wanted my college experience to be different. My high school had a total of just over 1,000 students so everyone knew each other. I know at UMD I can determine how big or small my circle is for once in my life. I'm going to be exposed to so many new people from all over the world. I cannot wait for UMD's events such as Maryland Day and the First Look Fair. I know that UMD has so much to offer that will benefit me as a student, whether it's clubs or access to one-on-one meetings with advisors. I'm also very excited about attending many sporting events and possibly rushing. With all the different events and activities to do, I will be able to interact with people of different backgrounds which will allow me to continue being knowledgeable and open-minded.

What major/career path do you plan on pursuing and how did you select that path?
I am currently majoring in kinesiology in hopes of taking part in a physical therapy program. I have always wanted to be in the medical field but never knew which direction to go after. I have always known that I don't want to work in a hospital or have a "desk job." I want to be active while working and interacting with all ages. I view myself as a kind and helpful person who wants the best for others and to see them constantly improving. With all of this in mind, I considered physical therapy and started researching the education and day-to-day life of a PT. However, a certain event happened in my life where I realized that this is the profession I want to go into. My brother got into a serious car accident in late 2018 which resulted in him having intensive orthopedic surgery to reconstruct his shattered elbow. He went through months of physical therapy to regain mobility and to help with ulnar palsy. Seeing his progress was incredible as I got to go to some of his appointments and help him with his at-home exercises. I saw the good and the bad during his journey and I want to be a part of my future patients' journeys as well. I want to be able to give them the help and support they need to get back to their normal life and do the things they love.