Talking Admissions And Med Student Life

"One of the things we were really interested in was matching at programs that were collegial with really friendly cultures." James and Laura met during undergrad at Utah State University. Initially James was the only one who had plans for medical school. When Laura discovered her love of medicine, they both hoped they would be accepted at the same school. We discuss Laura's jump from pre-pharmacy to medical school, winning funds from Bench to Bedside, what it's like attending medical school as a couple, and finally the process of couples matching into two competitive programs.

"It wasn't just me trying to be a doctor, my whole family, my wife and my kids, they just loved the idea and were supportive and kind." Kyle started medical school at 34 with full support from his wife and kids. It wasn’t until his psychiatry rotation that he realized where he wanted to be. With a background in social work, Kyle came to understand that the experiences from his past were an important part of his future. We discuss how that journey transpired, what makes medical school a different challenge than regular university, and finally how it feels to first anticipate your match results, then work through the emotions of finding out where you will spend the next several years of your life.

“It’s no secret that I love surgery, I’ve loved surgery since before medical school.” Natalie comes from a family of surgeons but wasn’t sure that she would take the same path. It wasn’t until after withdrawing from an acceptance to law school, and moving to Utah for art and snowboarding that she realized her true passion was to become a trauma surgeon. We discuss how that journey transpired, the similarities between surgery and art, and finally how Natalie plans to use her social media as a means to educate and positively influence people on the subject of healthcare.

“I have met some of the best people of my entire life and made some of the best friendships I think I ever will make among my classmates.” It was her physician mother who inspired Jordan to pursue a life in medicine. Much of her childhood was spent watching her mom touch patients’ lives and build meaningful relationships with peers. Now it’s her turn to do the same. In this episode, we talk about that journey. Jordan shares her experience preparing for medical school, how customer service skills transfer to patient care, and finally, she talks about the tight bond formed between classmates.

“The Uber of Ophthalmology.” As a child of a Foreign Service member, Ian grew up in Beijing, China. We talk about his experiences there, and what it was like to move to Provo, Utah to attend Brigham Young University. We discuss how the Foreign Service application compares to medical school applications, and his innovative ways of making money as a med student. Finally, Ian voices his thoughts on how ophthalmology makes a big impact in a short amount of time and why he’s interested in pursuing the field.

“The best thing about Anki is that you study every day; if forces you, you’ve got to do your reviews every day.” It was during Second Look Day that Nick heard about the Anki app from a second year student here at UUSOM. Having previously used the app in undergrad, he wasn’t a big fan but decided to take a look at how it could help him in medical school. We talk about what the program is and how it’s become a powerful study tool for him. He shares what makes a good or bad flashcard and finally, what he feels the best thing about using the app is.

“I want to do more; I want to know what those numbers mean, I want to have that impact on people.” Kristen had always wanted to be a doctor, but fell in love with systems biology engineering in undergrad and later landed a job as a Technical Program Manager. While presenting at a conference, she was asked if she understood what the numbers she was presenting meant in terms of how they relate to treating a patient, and it was then that she realized she wanted to do more. We talk about her career as a Data Engineer and the places she experienced because of it. She shares what it was like to have a husband in The United States Air Force looking for order options while trying to match with med school applications, and finally, what it was like “learning how to learn” as a non-traditional student.

“I started studying for the MCAT and kept coming to the fact of why am I doing this?” Will was on the path to medical school, studying for the MCAT and volunteering, when he realized it wasn’t the path he wanted to take. He talks about how this realization came to be and what the shift towards pursuing dentistry instead was like. We discuss the differences in the MCAT and DAT, and finally, the similarities between applying to medical school and dental school.

“It never felt quite right; it always felt very close to right but not quite there.” Cecelia, having grown up in Utah, became interested in science while she was dancing for a company in San Francisco. We talk about her decision to go back to school, why she initially chose physical therapy and how she realized it wasn’t the right fit for her. Finally, she shares what it was like to fit in returning to school to complete additional pre-requisites, having a baby and preparing to apply for medical school all at the same time.

“It’s all about the deep breath.” At 15-years-old, Brett had spinal fusion surgery that he received permission to record. Seeing the footage confirmed his desire to become a doctor. He talks about his surgery experience and what it was like to go back to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles a year later to spend time in the OR with his surgeon and see the same surgery he had been through. He shares what his connection is to Kevin Costner and what it was like to be the youngest “jacketed member” of the Ski patrol. Finally, we talk about how he ended up at the U for undergrad and became “Swoop”.

“I feel very lucky in the sense that being older, being non-traditional; once I actually determined that’s what I was going to do, I didn’t doubt it.” It was during a senior film project in Africa that Sam started to think about what other possibilities were out there for him to experience. We talk about that trip and how it began to steer him in a different path from where he was going. He discusses balancing a career in digital media while preparing to apply for medical school and why he chose to pursue activities that fit his narrative. Finally, we discuss how knowing your strengths can help you as a non-traditional student.

“I wasn’t so much scared of the work or the work ethic of going into medicine, I was more timid if it was what I really wanted to do and if I could withstand it emotionally.” Alejandro had always been interested in biology and science, but it wasn’t until he started volunteering at the VA that he found his passion for helping others. We talk about how that impacted his journey and solidified his path to medical school. He reveals his thoughts on the strategy behind applying to the Early Decision Program, and finally, we discuss his time spent in the BioImmersion program and how that helped him prepare for medical school.

“It was the single most difficult thing I’ve ever done in my life and I never would have gotten through it if it wasn’t what I wanted.” Taylor and Doug knew of each other in undergrad, but it wasn’t until their first year of medical school that a friendship formed and finally, a relationship. We talk about the pact Doug made with several of his classmates in anatomy lab and how it was eventually broken. They both discuss the study habits they developed while in their first year and why it was important to maintain them. Finally, they share how they navigated the possibility of not couples matching and what they compromised on in submitting their rank list.

“Nobody will understand what it’s like to go through medical school other than the people going through it with you; to have someone in a relationship with you whose going through the same thing, it’s unbelievable.” Parvathi and Anish met during their first week of medical school, but were only friends as both were in other relationships at the time. We talk about what it was like to move from friends to dating during their second year of school and why it was nice to be in a relationship with someone experiencing the same thing. We discuss their strategy for couples matching and finally, what the benefits were of attending the same residency interview days.

“Just as you’re figuring out something, it changes on you.” Peter and Annie met in junior high school, but didn’t start dating until a few years later. When Peter decided to apply for med school, Annie knew that she would stand by his side and support him throughout the journey. We discuss how applying for med school compared to applying for residency, and how it was important to be flexible with constant changes. She explains how setting low expectations as a spouse created less disappointment and finally, her involvement in the Medical Student Alliance (MSA).

“Am I really going to derail the path that I’m on right now to line up with somebody else?” Antigone and Ira have different versions of how they met, but it was the journey here to UUSOM that brought them together. We talk about what it meant to be a couple in med school and the big decision that Ira made to line his path up with Antigone’s. They share how it felt to spend a year apart, and finally, how their fourth year was “organized chaos”.

“Try to put them first and reduce the stressors in their life.” Zach met his wife Tenley, while she had taken a year off to improve her application for medical school. We talk about what it was like to go through the process of transitioning from a regular job life to a medical student life, and how it was important to keep the lines of communication open when frustrations occurred. He shares the ways that made her a priority to help reduce her stress, and finally, the types of ideas he offered when it came to selecting a path for residency.

“It’s really nice to come home to someone or to hang out with someone that gets it.” Madison and Noah met for the first time in the beginning of their first year of medical school and got to know each other well when they were grouped together in anatomy lab. We talk about what it was like to become the first “official couple” in their class and how long it took them before they started thinking about couples matching for residency. They share the most important aspect of couple matching and finally, what it was like to have their parents meet for the first time on Match Day.

“The first year was hardest for me just because I wasn’t sure if I need to help him balance his studying or if I just needed to support him studying nonstop.” Danielle met her husband while they were both student ambassadors at Weber State University pursuing medicine. In this episode, we talk about her experience embarking on the med school journey as a spouse. She shares how she was able to support her husband through endless amounts of studying with their “work hard, play hard” moto, and how she was able to manage the loneliness that may sometimes come with it. Danielle also discusses the importance of quality family time, helping her husband find his passion through clinical rotations, and finally the excitement and celebrating of Match Day.

“Having an aspirational figure I could kind of see that this was a career that I wanted and then exploring other options and then and then ultimately deciding that both research and the physician track were what I wanted to do.” Alex grew up watching her mother work as a physician-scientist and knew she wanted to follow in her footsteps. We talk about the path she took to get there and why it’s important to have a broad perspective as an MD/PhD. She discusses the ways she found balance in life and school, and finally, we talk about the Physician Scientist Training Program and why she feels it is a good fit for her future.