Landon Nichols, 18, of the Liberty area north of Roland attended the six-week Headlands Indian Health Careers Program at the University of Oklahoma (OU) in Norman from June 10 through July 31.
The son of Terry and Debbie Nichols, Landon was one of three Oklahomans in the course and he was the only Oklahoma Cherokee in the program. He said other students were from states such as New Mexico, North Carolina, Alabama, and Arizona.
According to program information, the Headlands course is described as an "intense academic enrichment and reinforcement program consisting of mini-block courses in calculus, chemistry, physics, biology, writing and other communication skills." During the course, he also had to give a 10-minute oral presentation about the Cherokees.
Landon agreed about the intensity of the course. "It was definitely intense," he said, adding that he was sometimes in class from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
His parents also pointed out how strict the program was. His parents had to drop him off at the Norman campus, and Landon was not allowed to have a vehicle on site. His only mode of transportation was the bus. He also wasn't allowed to come home on weekends - his parents had to visit him.
But through the program, Landon was able to get a peek at a doctor's life. Each week, Landon said he had the opportunity to shadow doctors. He even got the opportunity to shadow the type of doctor he wants to become - a doctor of radiology. At one point, Landon also got to meet the provost of OU's medical school.
Landon's father said the program is supposed to help students when they apply for medical school - which is Landon's goal.
On Monday, Landon packed up and headed to Carl Albert State College (CASC) in Poteau, where he received a scholarship to attend. He ranked sixth academically out of his senior class of 107 students, his mother said.
But he may already have a head start over other freshmen going away to college for the first time. As well as attending the Headlands course, Landon has completed 18 college hours thanks to concurrent enrollment in high school through CASC. After his first semester, he expects to have 39 college hours. He said he plans to stay at CASC for one year and finish his associate's degree before moving on to OU.
Landon indicated that attending the Headlands course will help him get a leg up on others applying for medical school, when that time comes.
According to the Headlands course information, the courses were designed to increase the student's background and skills so he or she is better prepared for required college-level math and science course work in pre-health program.
