Before ever even setting foot on campus as a student, Nicholas Ratnesar ’29 is already plotting out his four-year game plan at Methodist University. The incoming Wright Scholar, Pre-Med major, and men’s lacrosse recruit from Fuquay Varina, N.C., is arriving with the intention to challenge himself, serve others, and grow into the kind of person he’s always wanted to be.
Before ever even setting foot on campus as a student, Nicholas Ratnesar ’29 is already plotting out his four-year game plan at Methodist University.
The incoming Wright Scholar, Pre-Med major, and men’s lacrosse recruit from Fuquay Varina, N.C., is arriving with the intention to challenge himself, serve others, and grow into the kind of person he’s always wanted to be.
What some might see as stress (balancing, athletics, academics, and ambition) is exactly what fuels Ratnesar.
“Methodist University was one of the few places I could go to get the academics I need and also still play the sport I love,” he said. “It just feels like the perfect fit.”
Ratnesar’s decision to pursue Pre-Med came to him at an early age. A near-fatal complication during childhood left a lasting impression, and then years later, his father’s shoulder injury triggered his curiosity about the medical field and the way it impacts people’s lives. For Ratnesar, his goal of becoming an orthopedic surgeon is about delivering care and making decisions that truly matter in helping those that seek it.
While academics played a key role in his journey to MU, so did the chance to compete at the collegiate level. Though he picked up a lacrosse stick only during his freshman year of high school, he fell in love with the sport. So, when the chance came to take his skills to the next level, Ratnesar said the Monarchs’ coaching staff sealed the deal.
“Shoutout to Coach Ryan McKay,” Ratnesar said. “He’s the kind of leader I want to help shape me into the person I want to become.”
Off the field, Ratnesar has just as many goals. He plans to join the Pre-Med Club, dive into undergraduate studies, and get involved in the Fayetteville community that caters to his own family’s military background. Still, he knows that juggling a fully loaded schedule and extracurriculars will require balance. It won’t be easy, but that’s not what he’s after.
“Being a part of the Honors Program makes me want to connect more and do more,” he said. “Sometimes I go a little too hard, but I feel most fulfilled when I’m busy. As long as I find my rhythm, I know I’ll be well.”
With New Student Orientation and move-in just weeks away, lacrosse workouts to come, and a full course load set, Ratnesar’s first semester is sure to be a big one, but he wouldn’t have it any other way. His playbook for a future in medicine, a chance to serve, and a community of like-minded peers, all starts right here at MU.