Tristan Carapella ’18

Name: Tristan Carapella

Year: Sophomore

Hometown: Poway, CA

Tell us about yourself:

I’m a sophomore Psychology major on the Pre-Med track. I was born and raised in Poway, California, which is right outside San Diego. I’m pretty active on campus – I am apart of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars as well as Delta Zeta, a social sorority. I have an older sister and younger brother, and a dog that I am absolutely obsessed with (her name is Sadie). 

You’re on the Pre-Med track, what made you decide to pursue that?

When I was little my brother was really sick and he had to have a bunch of surgeries, and I saw how doctors changed his life and my parents’ life. My parents thought my brother wasn’t going to make it and when he did, the relief my whole family felt was incredible. I knew from that point on that I wanted to do that for other families; I want to give others what the doctors gave my family. 

That’s amazing. How is your brother doing now?

He’s doing fine, he’s just like any other little brother now.

You also said you were apart of Delta Zeta, how has that been going for you?

It’s really fun to be apart of this organization and get to meet so many different people through it. We have a lot of exciting events coming up, like the Dance-A-Thon supporting one of our philanthropies, the Starkey Hearing Foundation. I’m excited for this event because I like to dance, and what better way to support our philanthropy then by doing something you love. Big/Little week is coming up so my roommates and I have been preparing for that. I mean it’s been a great experience so far and I’m lucky to be apart of it. 

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

I hope to be in my fellowship, be married, and have at least one child.

Where is the ideal place for your fellowship?

Oh my gosh, that’s such a hard question. I would say somewhere in San Diego, University of California San Francisco (UCSF), or Baylor, or Vanderbilt. Maybe somewhere in the South? I’m really not sure!

Why did you choose to come to USF?

I wanted to get away from San Diego and branch out, live on my own, and become an adult. I thought there’s no better place to do that than San Francisco, and I am so glad I decided to come here. Plus, the really bomb scholarship made my decision a little easier. 

So, you are our Campus Celebrity, but if you could switch lives with one famous person who would it be and why?

MEREDITH GREY. Is that even a question? She has three kids, she’s in a really good research, and she is kind of like a badass. I mean her husband died and she is still thriving as a mom and a doctor. I guess I just see a lot of similarities between us. 

Ok last question, what is your favorite inspirational quote? Just something that keeps you going throughout the day.

It’s a Grey’s Anatomy quote (surprise), and it says, “Have some fire. Be unstoppable. Be a force of nature. Be better than anyone here, and don’t give a damn what anyone thinks. There are no teams here, no buddies. You’re on your own. Be on your own.” This is actually what alarm says when I wake up in the morning, and it just puts me in the right mindset.