Talking Admissions And Med Student Life

Levon, who is in his third year here at #UUSOM, chose Forensic Pathology as his elective rotation. We talk about what interested him in Pathology, and what a typical day looks like as a Forensic Pathologist. We revisit the story of how he thought his friends had prank-called him with an acceptance to medical school, and finally, how his passion for the Swedish band “The Sound” contributed to his ban of all MGM properties in Las Vegas.

“In the past we’ve been more focused on our tourism and our retirement communities, but the new goal of this community is to be more focused in the sciences and technology.” Nestled in St. George Utah, Dixie State University is a community style campus that welcomes it’s roughly 9000 students with an inviting landscape and walking campus. We talk about how #DSU got its name and why shifting the community focus to the sciences and technology has become important. Finally, we talk about the Dixie Pre Medical Alliance (DPMA) and what opportunities they offer students to assist in preparing for med school, as well as the resources available in the premed advising office.

“I always thought I wanted to be an OB/Gyn. My path has kind of always led me through women’s health and I got on my rotation on the first day and it was kind of just meant to be.” Alex grew up in Utah, but headed to #Harvard to pursue a degree in Anthropology. We talk about the differences between Harvard and medical school, and how her degree in Anthropology has aided her in medicine. We discuss the Utah baby name phenomenon and finally, how it felt to go into her OB/Gyn rotation after years of dreaming about it.

“There’s a point in school, especially here, where you just feel like you have to learn for yourself and you have to keep up with the learning and teaching for yourself and not with what everyone else is doing.” Anish grew up in Sandy, Utah and headed to Baltimore to attend John Hopkins #JHU for undergrad.  We talk about what it was like to live in Baltimore and how taking a gap year in between undergrad and medical school could have made a difference for him.  Next, we talk about his experiences as one of the youngest members in his medical school class, as well as different relationship models and why it’s important to find one that works for both parties.  Finally, we close our discussion with a Taco Bell #tacobell analysis too.

“Have something that you do that gives you a different identity.”Dr. Dwyer is in his sixth year of a nine year education and training path.  We talk about the Triple Board Residency Program and what attracted him to it, and how he mentally prepared for five days of interviewing.  We compare and contrast Salt Lake City to the Twin Cities, and finally, we discuss Ultimate Frisbee and how it played a part in his medical school application.

“I’m excited to be in a hospital with people that I love working with, everyone’s been so supportive in my fourth year rotations.”During her Second Look Day visit at UUSOM, Chesy’s interest was sparked in a new and upcoming program called EPAC (Education in Pediatrics Across the Continuum), sponsored by the #AAMC. We discuss what the program is, how the competency based training is different from timed training, and what applying to the program entails. Finally, we talk about how her fourth year has been different compared to her classmates as an EPAC participant, and what the new year brings as she begins her Intern Residency year after graduating from medical school early.

“I spent my time doing things that mattered to me, and in the end, I think that’s really what admissions committees want. They want to know you when you’re applying; they want to see who you are.”As Elynn prepared to apply for medical school, she didn’t take the typical pre-med route by getting involved in a premed club, but rather did things that were important to her that reflected who she was as a person. We talk about the three items she found helpful in her application journey, as well as how being involved in athletics not only assisted her goal in becoming a physician, but gave her insight when working with patients. Finally, we talk about her interest in Family Medicine and how her third year rotations have strengthened that desire, and the benefit of training in a rural area verses a higher patient population location.

“I knew that third year was going to be demanding and I have a personal life outside of medical school which is also demanding.  I decided that I didn’t want to be miserable for an entire year, so I was just going to pick a few things on every rotation that I enjoyed about it and be hyper focused on those things so that I could be happy and try to convince myself that I loved what I was doing, and it’s worked so far.”While it is healthy to have a goal or focus about what you may want to do, third year rotations present opportunities to learn things you may have never considered.  Travis and I discuss what the students see as the most difficult rotation, and some tips on how to make it through long hospital days.  We talk about how third year experiences may impact decisions, and finally, what is “psy-cation”?

“If you focus so much on doing the things that you think you need to do, you’re going to lose touch with who you are and what makes you unique and interesting.” As a Pre Health Professions Advisor, Liz is often asked what major is the “best” to get into medical school.  We talk about the concept of “Parallel Planning” and creating a professional development pathway, as well as the biggest mistake made by students planning a career in healthcare. Finally, we discuss the premed club at #uidaho and student involvement within the community of Moscow, Idaho.

“When you get the questions wrong, I actually learn the most from them because I will never get that question wrong again.”While on 3rd year rotations or clinical rounds, “pimping” is something many medical students fear.  We discuss what exactly pimping is and how it helps one to learn and grow, as well as how involved a third year medical student is in the operating room (OR) during a surgery rotation.  Finally, Pete talks about his preparation for the Step 1 exam, offering some tips that helped him study and prepare, as well as his collegiate baseball career.

“I realize that if I found something at some point that I was really passionate about, I can always work towards it. Medicine is very open, there are always those possibilities.” As a third year student in a Nephrology rotation, “liquid gold” is a valuable teaching tool. We talk about Parvathi’s experiences in Nephrology and what rounds are like, how continuing to pursue your hobbies while studying is important and what it’s like to date a classmate. Finally, we discuss how third year impacts the field of medicine you choose to go into.

“To really make groundbreaking change, you have to have new discoveries” Lorne chose the MD/PhD program to not only learn how to be a clinician, but to participate in research that will have an impact within the medical community. We talk about his background in research, what an average day is like for an MD/PhD student, and the research that he is performing now in his third year of the program. Finally, we talk about his experiences at Princeton during his undergrad years and what it was like to transition to UUSOM.

“We have a pretty solid group of people here. The faculty is great, the students are awesome, I hang out with my friends still every day during the summer and you just kind of become a family.”With the summer break between first and second year med school drawing to a close, Erika reflects on what her most memorable experiences were as a new medical student. We discuss why it’s important to develop a study plan, the pros of having exams or quizzes every other week, and her ELO experience. Finally, we talk about the path she chose to follow over her summer break and why her decision to attend #UUSOM was based on a “feeling”.

“The people just felt like my people. They were, in my opinion, down to earth and interested in having a life outside of medicine.”As the end of her medical student journey draws near, Liz takes a few moments to reflect back on her time here at #UUSOM and what her future holds. We talk about her way of learning, what she would do differently, and why interpersonal skills are important to learn early on as a medical student. Finally, Liz shares why she chose to go into Internal Medicine and what drew her to the University of Washington for her residency.

“I realized that this was something that was not going to fit my personality the way I saw it going forward.” Ryan had a natural mind for the sciences and the assumption was by those who knew him that he would become a doctor. It was when we took the MCAT together that he had a clarifying moment, leading him to pursue what interested him. We talk about the pressure he felt to become a doctor, how even with a high score on the MCAT he knew it wasn’t the right career path for him, and what type of work he has been enjoying since. Finally, we discuss his attraction to New Zealand and what it’s like to live there.

“I wasn’t prepared for how emotional the couples match process was. It’s been stressful; you make a lot of compromises.” Riann and Knut started dating during their first year of medical school and were recently matched in the couples match program. We talk about the process involved, why it’s important to reach out to others that can help you plan a strategy, and tips on how to keep the relationship going during a busy season of interviewing during the fourth year. Finally, we discuss the importance of having decent fellowship options as a couple.

I know that Ophthalmology is for me because I sort of went into everything else saying this is what I’m going to do, and then ruled it out based on that.”Tina entered med school with an interest in Ophthalmology, but decided to keep an open mind and experience everything as if it were a potential field of interest. We talk about her early match experience, what specifically drew her to Ophthalmology, and how to overcome the anxiety of operating on a patient who is awake. Finally, we discuss what sub-specialties are available and future ideas to bring into the field.

“Medicine is really a way of life, being a physician became part of my identity.”When Noelle entered medical school, she initially thought psychiatry would be the field of choice. We talk about what attracted her to dermatology, why it is important to use your resources early on in a competitive field, and what surprised her in her medical school journey. Finally, we discuss what “senioritis” is like for a fourth year medical student and her experience volunteering at the Sundance Film Festival.

“As I look back on medical school and all the happy memories that I have, they all have to do with my classmates.”With his fourth year in medical school nearly behind him, Ben is looking forward to the future, but will never forget those that made an impression upon him that will last a lifetime. We discuss important factors to look at when interviewing for medical school, how a cancer patient sparked his interest in plastic and reconstructive surgery, and what fourth year looks like for one pursuing the plastic surgery field. Finally, we talk about how to find balance with family life and hobbies while in med school.

“It is important to keep an open mind and go into each rotation feeling like you’re going to give it your all.”The final year of medical school is one filled with transitioning, mentoring, interviewing for residency and getting a refresher on how to be an intern in residency. Katie and I talk about the differences in interviewing for residency and medical school, her involvement in the Board Review course, and how she prepared for her third year rotations and the impact they had on her decisions. Finally, we discuss fourth year and why it’s important to keep on track.