Introduction
This past May, I had the privilege of speaking with Professor Benowitz, Professor of Neurosurgery and Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School and currently part-time professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Pittsburgh. Through our exchange, he provided me with a thoughtful reflection on curiosity, career experience, and wisdom on how to make the most of one’s education.
Background
Professor Benowitz’s path into neuroscience wasn’t planned. He received his undergraduate degree from Cooper Union (NY) and began his graduate studies at Caltech over 50 years ago. But after some independent reading, he became intrigued by the emerging field of neuroscience. Following this newfound curiosity, Benowitz arranged an appointment to visit a professor in that field at Caltech, and after a brief conversation, the professor accepted Benowitz into his research group. (This same professor went on to win a Nobel Prize and could have won a second one for work he had done 20 years earlier.)
Though Benowitz recalled that he had very little relevant background when starting out, he was able to reference his earlier experience and coursework in chemistry, hoping to understand the mystery of how developing nerve fibers navigate to their appropriate destinations during the development of the brain.
-Noted that this level of informality to gain acceptance into a top-ranked graduate program experience doesn’t exist any longer.
Into the Future
When asked what advice he would give to students today, Benowitz offered practical and encouraging guidance:
“Take the coursework that’s available to you—cell biology, molecular biology, neuroscience, computer science—anything related to brain and behavior. If possible, do an honors project in neuroscience or a related field. And if the opportunity comes up, spend time in a research lab. Even taking a year or two after college to do so can make a big difference.”
The statement is clear: getting your hands dirty with real-world experience matters, as doing so paves the path for opportunity, as well as shows admissions committees or future employers that you’re committed to the work.
The Values
Drawing from his time on the admissions committee for Harvard’s neuroscience program, Benowitz shared a valuable insight: strong letters of recommendation based on lab work often carry more weight than perfect test scores. This statement highlighted a key note to consider when approaching the admissions process: show involvement. It’s not always about being the best or ticking every box, but instead, commitment and ability the field you wish to engage in.
Personally, I think it is easy to get lost within the world of expectations. With a constant urgency to “be the best”, I see many, including myself, trying to do everything they can to stay afloat in competitive environments such as college applications. The reality is that the energy to compete often comes from the mindset of seeking success instead of pursuing passion, which is unfortunate, as passion is what true living is all about.
To circle back, I want to highlight the statement that really stood out to me among Benowitz’s words –
“Don’t forget that college may be the only time you’ll have the opportunity to broaden yourself by taking courses in literature, history, and other areas while also having a rewarding college experience.”
To me, his statement was a gentle nudge—a nudge to stay curious, and to live life to the fullest in every moment.