Zulal Vural – Pre-Health Scholars

Why did you choose to start this business and what inspired you?

I chose to start Pre-Health Scholars because I realized that so many resources in pre-health fields are gatekept and made exclusive. Opportunities like mentorship, shadowing, networking, and real guidance are often limited to students who already have connections or know where to look. I saw how many talented students were working hard but still felt lost simply because the system is not built to be accessible. We wanted to create something that removes those barriers. Pre-Health Scholars was built to give every student a fair chance to learn, grow, and enter healthcare with confidence, regardless of their background or connections. Our goal is to make the path to a health career transparent, supportive, and open to everyone.

Were there any mentors or influences that helped you along the way?

Yes. Some of my biggest influences were the physicians I shadowed. They were generous with their time and guidance, and they always encouraged me to ask questions and learn from every patient interaction. When I first shared the idea of Pre-Health Scholars with them, they immediately supported it. They told me there was a real need for an organization that makes mentorship and opportunities more accessible. Hearing that from people who work in healthcare every day made me realize that this idea mattered and could truly help students. Their encouragement played a major role in pushing me to move forward with PHS and turn it into something real.

Are there resources at UIC that have helped you with your business?

Yes.

UIC has provided several valuable resources that helped us grow. The entrepreneurship events and expos on campus introduced us to people who were eager to grow our organization and add to it. They helped us understand how to structure our organization, present our mission, and connect with potential partners. We also opened an official chapter of PHS at UIC, which gave us a home base and allowed us to reach students directly on campus. Another major support was LAS Career Services. They invited us to present at their Careers in Health Fair, which gave us visibility, allowed us to speak with pre-health students, and helped us build our network.

These opportunities showed us that UIC is a place that supports student initiatives, and they played a real role in helping PHS take shape.

What is your major, and has this major influenced your business, or has your business influenced your major?

I am a Neuroscience major, and my major and my work with PHS definitely influence each other. Studying neuroscience keeps me connected to the science and the patient-centered side of healthcare, which reminds me why so many students want to enter these fields in the first place. At the same time, building PHS has changed the way I see my major.

It made me more aware of how many students in STEM and pre-health programs need guidance, community, and access to opportunities. Working on PHS pushed me to take my major more seriously, to look for leadership roles, and to understand how education connects to real healthcare careers. Both sides keep motivating each other.

What was one of the highlights of your business so far?

One of the biggest highlights so far has been running our STEM club at a Chicago public middle school. We brought a dedicated team of PHS students, and every week we taught science lessons to kids who were curious, excited, and eager to participate. Seeing how engaged they were, how many questions they asked, and how much they enjoyed learning reminded us why mentorship matters. It showed us that when students work together to give back, they can spark real interest in science and make a positive impact on younger learners.

Do you plan to continue after graduation?

Yes, absolutely. I plan to continue Pre-Health Scholars after graduation. I want to become a physician, but my commitment to healthcare goes beyond my own career. I want to help strengthen the field overall by giving more students the support, resources, and mentorship they need to get in. PHS is something I see growing long term, because every student we help becomes someone who can one day help patients and communities. Continuing this work is part of how I hope to make a broader impact in healthcare.

What do you hope for your business to turn into in the future (what’s the “big dream”) ?

The big dream is for Pre-Health Scholars to become something that every student going into a health field wants to be part of. I want it to be a place where students can find support for every part of their journey, from academics to applications to career exploration. I hope it becomes a resource that takes some of the stress off their shoulders and gives them opportunities they would not have access to on their own. My goal is for PHS to help make healthcare more inclusive, more accessible, and more representative by opening doors for students who deserve a chance to succeed.