Utah State University, Class of 2000

Christopher Weight, who worked as a farmhand while attending Union High School in Roosevelt, Utah, graduated Cum Laude from Utah State University in 2000, having earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and a Bachelor of Arts degree with Honors in Liberal Arts and Sciences, a minor in Spanish, and University Honors. "The Honors Program was a definite highlight of my education at Utah State," says Christopher. He explains further, that:

[Honors] offered the key to a good education. Because of the Honors Program I had one-on-one interaction with many professors that were later comfortable in writing strong letters of recommendation. Through the Program, I met many other motivated students that expanded my views and encouraged me to pursue excellence. I believe my participation in the Honors Program provided me with the necessary education, the ability to think critically, and the connections that paved the way for admission to several medical schools. There are no drawbacks to actively participating in the Honors Program. In fact, I whole-heartedly endorse participation in the Honors Program to anyone who wants to get more than just degree while attending USU.

I specifically remember several conversations with faculty members--conversations I would had never had were it not for [Honors]. We talked about life, education and even other topics far from the course content. I felt like I was treated like a colleague and the extra work was well worth the effort.

Christopher graduated with his MD from the University of Utah in May 2004, and has begun residency at Cleveland Clinic in Urologic Surgery, ranked in the top two programs nationally by US News. "This old completely public school trained boy," Christopher says, "will be working along side those that went to private-preschools and then on to medical schools such as Harvard, Stanford and Johns Hopkins."