Testimonials
Networking – leading to a job in biotechnology:
Joinin
g an organization like SMD encourages one to network in life and to take initiative when opportunity arises. One needs to get his name out there and establish connections to become successful. Receiving advice from those who could have possibly been in similar situations as you in the past can also help one make better decisions for the future. Also, I never would have interned at the Paul Hom Asian Clinic if I haven’t heard about it from individuals such as [SMD Alums] Alvin Lau and Sun Wong. An old alumni from the Alpha class by the name of F. Chu motivated me into going into the biotechnological field back when times were rough. Now I am currently finishing up on my Master’s thesis at Cal State East Bay on gene-silencing in upregulated genes of P-deficient white lupin plants. And I am also working at Roche Molecular and Diagnostics in the R&D division as an Associate Scientologist. I also have to thank [SMD Alum] Mr. Prewitt for telling me about Biotech Bay and his company, BioSpace.com.
Alexander Lee
Kappa Class, Spring 1999
Brothers for life:
I left UC Da
vis 5 years ago, and the SMD guys are still my best friends. Years after you graduate, and you become successful, you will still be in constant touch with the brothers you got to know at SMD. That quote that goes something like, “You’re only as good as who you hang out with”, remains true today.. And we are all successful in our own ways. Having the Fraternity experience, with the social experience, while excelling at school. How can you go wrong with that? Even though I did not pursue Medicine, I do not regret one second of the time I spent with the SMD brothers. I now work as a Wealth Advisor at Morgan Stanley, helping affluent individuals make their investment decisions. Thanks to SMD, I have a life long line of connections and a superior network, that I know will help me to excel in whatever I want to accomplish. Now you just have to ask yourself one question.. Would YOU like to be part of an elite Fraternity?
JR Pablo
Kappa Class, Spring 1999
A pre-dental student’s perspective in a pre-medical fraternity:
As a pre
-health during my first year in college, I joined SMD simply to meet friends who shared the same interest and goal. As expected, through SMD, I was able to build a network of friendship that would help me in many aspects of the college experience. From gathering practice exams for countless classes to finding hook-ups for internships such as the Imani Clinic, I was able to maximize the effectiveness of my study as well as the strength of my extracurriculars. Holding a fraternity office as the fundraiser also enabled me to realize what leadership meant to me personally and how it directly related to servitude. Of course, along with many of the strengths SMD possesses, like any other organizations, it also has its weaknesses. It would be a lie to say that we are all best friends with one another, but, it is also through these conflicts among us that we learn to understand and appreciate one another better. After all, who has become close friends with someone else without ever disagreeing with the person? Overall, I’d have to say that SMD has definitely enriched my college experience through the social diversity and the academic network it offers. As a college senior, I’m currently interviewing with dental schools and finishing up my double majors in biology and psychology. As I move on in the pursuit of dentistry, I will always cherish my undergraduate experience with SMD and look forward to maintaining contacts with the fellow brothers.
Kevin Lin
Rho Class, Spring 2002
Once confused, and now more motivated than ever to become a doctor:
The decision
to join the brotherhood of Sigma Mu Delta was and remains one of the best decisions I’ve made in my undergraduate career at UC Davis. SMD’s impressive achievements during its history at UC Davis is a testament to the brotherhood’s dedication to promote strong medical school candidates and committment to excellence. Before I crossed into the brotherhood as a first year, I was confused and lost in the premed maze; following my pledge term and activation, the path became clear and I felt foolish for letting two quarters go before making the decision to pledge. Sigma Mu Delta has laid a strong foundation for me, and furthermore has ignited my passion and committment to medicine.
Anthony Saetern
Rho Class, Spring 2002
An opportunity to make a difference and become a leader through brotherhood:
I rushed 
SMD simply because I wanted to be involved. I heard over and over again from older UCD students that being involved was what made their college experience memorable. Through the fraternity I learned the importance of volunteerism through SMD-organized community service events; I developed strong bonds with my brothers through the memories of both joyous and difficult times; most important of all, I was given the opportunity to become a leader as the community service chair and then as president of the fraternity. It’s funny because I didn’t even plan to become president – and who knows, you can earn such a position too. Ultimately my experience made me not only a much stronger applicant compared to my peers, but it also fortified my confidence – I became a much stronger person. And lastly, as you progress through college, your friends will come and go; I admit that I lost touch with many of my dorm friends. But your brothers will be always be there – from the day you start pledging to beyond your time in college.
Chris Alferez
Tau Class, Fall 2002
Surrounded by brothers who “bring out the best in one another”:
Sigma M
u Delta provides a more engaging environment for one to learn about the medical field than any other organization on campus. You are surrounded by brothers who have the same academic goals as you and truly want you to succeed. Rather than seeing one as competition, the brothers of Sigma Mu Delta constantly help one another out and try to bring out the best in one another. I pledged and crossed in the winter of 2004, and have since taken up the position of historian and social chair. Through my involvement in the fraternity, I have learned what brotherhood really means. To have guys whom you can count on or to just chill with, it’s a once in a lifetime experience. Many people have said that pledging was one of their greatest memories in college, why not make it yours as well? Get the inside track on the medical field, meet unique individuals, experience brotherhood, have fun…rush Sigma Mu Delta!
Huyen Nguyen
Phi Class, Winter 2004
Learning to how break your limits and to perservere through the worst times:
Coming to 
college as a loud-mouthed senior from high school, I always knew I wanted to be a part of a fraternity and after looking around at all the various ones I felt that Sigma Mu Delta was the best one for me. The thing that appealed to me most, aside from the awesome brothers, was the fact that SMD puts such a great deal of emphasis on academics which is obviously essential for getting into med school and not only that but the fraternity also helps with all the other little details I need to realize for my dream of becoming a doctor. As hard as the pledge process was, I would not have skipped it even if I knew ahead of time how difficult it was going to be because it taught me how to persevere even through the worst of times and break through limits I never thought I could surpass and it absolutely brought me closer to my bros.
Chip Alcantara
Psi Class, Spring 2005
Received back more than expected:
Coming to 
college, I was lost with what classes to take, and confused as to what would give me an edge when applying to medical school. The successful history of SMD lured me into pledging and what I have received in return is much more than I had ever expected. I interpreted professional fraternities to be nothing more than clubs or study-group type organizations; yet, I soon realized that the emphasis on brotherhood and dedication were equally cherished by SMD brothers. Now, as an active member of the fraternity, I have an invaluable network of friends that will help one another achieve our goals in medicine or other such fields. I look forward to carrying on our strong traditions this fall as a new active.
James Jones
Psi Class, Spring 2005
Brothers are always there for you:
Rushing 
SMD was a decision based on a desire to surround myself around academic elites striving to attain the same goals that I had for the future, hoping for help and the ability to support others through the long excursion ahead.As a brother I have seen what our first cardinal principle states, Brotherhood. No matter the circumstances, there will always be a brother to fall onto when you need anything, a place to stay, a person to help with classes, or just a person to just chill with at any random time during the day.Crossing into SMD has probably been the most interesting and worthwhile thing I have done thus far in my academic endeavors. It is with great pleasure that I encourage you to rush SMD to see for yourself what this fraternity has to offer.
Than Nguyen
Psi Class, Spring 2005
Guidance through the long and difficult journey to professional health school:
I original
ly wanted to join SMD because I wanted to join a fraternity that has a tight-knit group that wasn’t overly large and intimidating. Even though SMD is a “Pre-Medical” fraternity, there are many others in the fraternity that are pursuing other related health fields, and even though I am not strictly pre-med, that did not stop me from rushing, pledging, and crossing SMD. So, if you are interested in rushing or even pledging, then I strongly suggest those interested should come out to find out what SMD is all about and what the benefits are of being a brother of SMD. The pledge term was definitely one of the most memorable experiences of my undergraduate career, and the friendships built with those you pledge with grow tremendously during and after the term is over. It was definitely an adventure to me, with each day bringing new surprises, but it is something that I am proud of being a part of. Even though I recently crossed, I look forward to contributing my time into the fraternity to keep it alive, like all of those here with me now, before, and in the future. The long road to becoming a professional in the health field is a long and difficult journey, but it is better when you have the guidance of those who are pursuing the same goals in life.
Steven Tang
Psi Class, Spring 2005
Learn what it takes to get into medical school:
Before I r
ushed Sigma Mu Delta, I only speculated about being a pre-medical student. I didn’t know a thing about the how process works. After I pledged, not only did I learn more about getting into medical school, but I also learned that this fraternity is willing to do whatever it takes to make me a stronger candidate for any profession I wish to seek. Although I’m still a young undergrad, I feel more confident in the classroom and in the real world. My experiences with Sigma Mu Delta is absolutely unforgettable, practical, and above all, fun.
Warren Wong
Psi Class, Spring 2005
Joining was the Best Decision:
Joining Sigm
a Mu Delta was by far the best decisions I have ever made in my college career. Not only was pledging memorable but it was life transforming. Rushing Sigma Mu Delta transformed me from a “regular pre-med student” into a dedicated, responsible, compassionate, driven individual. The fraternity provided me with research positions, internship positions, leadership positions and most importantly the fraternity provided me the tools to drastically improve my grades. So I invite you to join and be part of a brotherhood dedicated to Academic excellence…….a fraternity dedicated to the well-being of its brothers.
John Daliva
Alpha Epsilon Class, Spring 2007
Finding Brotherhood:
Having joine
d Sigma Mu Delta during the winter of my freshmen year, I have since come to realize the strong inherent bonds between all the bothers of SMD. I truly believe that this is just what one needs during this arduous journey through the pre-medical process. I was initially drawn to SMD after attending Information Night, where Doctor Thuy Do was presented and was amazed at the power and vastness of the SMD alumni network (considering that there are alumni all across the United States). I continued to be astounded during Professional Night for reasons surrounding the fact that alumni, whom were now doctors in their respective specialties, feel so strongly about their SMD ties that they will come back to educate the rest of us as we dream and aspire to one day feel the success of becoming one of them. Being a pre-medical student is not without its difficulties and it should be realized that much depends on the individual and not the group. However, it is an understatement to say that I truly appreciate having a brotherhood to turn to with common goals as we all go through these trials and tribulations together. As an ending note, I would like to say that I am not a person who spends my time on things I deem not worthwhile. With SMD, however, my active participation and dedication speaks for itself.
Andy Hou
Alpha Eta, Winter 2008
Immense Opportunity:
Coming out of high school, I was one of those guys that just kind of sat around and still managed to get straight A’s, pass all of my AP tests, and be an active member of Key Club as well as the drum major of the marching band to keep myself well-rounded. I was pretty sure I wanted to go into the medical field, but I had no idea of how to go about it, nor was I completely motivated to seek out that information. I spent the first two quarters of my freshman year just going through the motions and doing other things unrelated to my future goals: just going to class, eating, sleeping, working at the DC – essentially doing the bare minimum. After hearing about Sigma Mu Delta, I decided to go to rush week and check it out. That turned out to be the best career-oriented decision I made during my time at UC Davis. Hearing all of the alumni speak and hearing how the fraternity inspired and helped them get to where they are now as health professionals and even professionals in other fields convinced me to try it for myself. I was not disappointed. After entering the fraternity, I found myself bombarded with opportunities with research, clinical experience, leadership, community service, and shadowing. I ended up holding the offices of Historian, Financial Chair, Vice President, and Pledge Master; I was a research associate at the UC Davis Medical Center through the Emergency Medicine Research Associate Program; and I have worked at the Paul Hom Asian Clinic as both a patient advocate and, currently, a Co-Director of the Patient Assistance Program. As you can see, the fraternity provides an immense volume of opportunities for pre-health students in all aspects of life. Not only did it provide me with the chance to hold all of the aforementioned positions, but it connected me with a network of brothers that would do just about anything for one another, and as I leave UC Davis after having graduated, it should go without saying that I would probably be nothing without this fraternity.
