From Dance Studio to Medical School: Chanel Ross's Journey

Chanel Ross, a Weber State zoology alumnus, began her journey to a career in medicine when her dance teacher taught her about her muscles. Ross is a great example of how College of Science students’ passions lead them in unexpected paths forward in science and medicine. 

While dedicating hours to competitive dance, Chanel's perspective shifted when her dance instructor began incorporating anatomy lessons into their technique classes. Instead of just executing moves, Chanel started to understand the muscles and how her body worked.

"I actually started thinking more about my body and what it was doing and not just doing all these cool and amazing flips and kicks," Chanel explained. "And so she (Chanel's dance instructor) was the first person that really got me interested in... if I engage this muscle that does this to my body.” 

From that point forward, Chanel's journey demonstrates the importance of being curious and engaging in one's passions. This newfound desire to fully understand how her body worked ignited a specific curiosity that eventually led her to take an anatomy course in her junior year of high school. During her senior year of high school, she enrolled in a medical assisting course which required an externship. Because of her tenacity and success in the externship, the clinic created a formal and ongoing externship for future students.

She continued to demonstrate initiative by sitting at the front of her Weber State classes and proactively and persistently building relationships with her professors. This led to opportunities like becoming an anatomy lab instructor and working on a research project that resulted in a published paper. Her courage to be curious and intentionally engage with her professors was key to unlocking these experiences.

Chanel, now a medical student at the University of Arizona, has found a supportive community that she likens to "Hogwarts." A strong support system from day one was a welcome surprise after a more independent undergrad experience. As a volunteer to review applications for her medical school's program, she better understands what makes a strong applicant, thus making her less nervous and better prepared her for her own residency interviews. "The more I've done them on my side, I realized, they're really just trying to get to know you, and see if you're a good fit for the program," she said. 

In August 2025, she paid it forward again by meeting with Weber State Pre-Medical Professional students to share best practices for applying to medical school. She provided clear expectations and answered student’s questions. Her conclusional advise to students was to first, utilize Weber State’s resources, second, prepare yourself for success, third, be kind to yourself, and finally, enjoy the ride!