When Devere Knight first went to college, he didn’t plan on becoming a doctor. “I studied what I enjoyed—the sciences—and figured I’d sort out the career part later,” he said with a laugh. “Probably not the best idea looking back.”
After graduation, Devere began a promising career in biotech. He loved the innovation and structure of his work, but something was missing. “I remember telling my parents that even though I was happy, I didn’t feel fulfilled,” he said. “My mom reminded me that the happiest she’d seen me was when I was working in the hospital.”
That conversation became a turning point. A physician he met through his jujitsu gym encouraged him to shadow and gain clinical experience. “Once I started walking that path, everything just felt right,” he said. “Step by step, I knew I was where I was supposed to be.”
Devere returned to take his prerequisite courses, studied for the MCAT, and eventually earned his place at the Jacobs School of Medicine at the University at Buffalo, where he’s now completing his second year.
During his early procedural training at Jacobs, Devere discovered a passion for urology, a field that blends surgery, anatomy, and patient relationships.
“I didn’t know much about urology before medical school,” he said. “But when I did my procedural rotation, I loved it. There’s a great balance between clinic time and operating room time. You get to perform procedures, but you also manage patients long-term.”
Now the vice president of the Urology Interest Group, Devere is building connections and mentorships with specialists in the field. “I like anatomy, I like procedures, and I like talking to patients,” he said. “Urology checks all those boxes.”
As part of the first class under Jacobs’ “Well Beyond” curriculum, Devere and his peers are helping shape the future of medical education.
“We’re like the guinea pigs,” he said, smiling. “There’s a lot of feedback built into the process. What surprised me most was how open the school is to student input. We give feedback, and they actually act on it—even during the same semester.”
His involvement extends beyond the classroom. Devere serves on both the Curriculum Committee and the AI Committee, helping the school navigate the future of technology in medicine. “AI isn’t going anywhere,” he said. “We’re developing ethical guidelines so that when we use it, we’re doing it responsibly and transparently.”
For many nontraditional students, one of the biggest fears is reentering an academic environment after years in the workforce. But Devere felt ready.
“Balancing my full-time job, taking prereqs, and studying for the MCAT actually helped me build good habits,” he said. “When I got to medical school, I already had a system for time management.”
Jacobs’ learning community model also made the transition easier. “It’s kind of like Harry Potter,” Devere joked. “We’re divided into families with learning specialists. They meet you where you are—helping you refine your study methods and build on your strengths.”
Still, there were challenges. “The collaborative learning model is great, but it took me some time to adjust,” he admitted. “Sometimes I’d leave group sessions with pieces of information and have to link them together later. But the teamwork has helped me grow—and I feel like I know almost everyone in my class.”
Devere’s love of anatomy has followed him into research. His current project uses photogrammetry—a technology similar to Google Street View—to create 3D digital models of cadaver dissections.
“It’s like a virtual dissection guide,” he explained. “You can walk through each step of an anatomy procedure in 3D, almost like a surgical simulation. It’s an incredible way to combine traditional anatomy with modern technology.”
He hopes the project will not only enhance anatomy education but also help surgeons rehearse complex procedures. “I was so excited when I saw the project listing,” he said. “I thought, ‘This is the coolest thing I’ve ever seen—I hope I get it.’”
For students preparing to showcase research or clinical experiences in their residency applications, resources like Residency Essay Editing can help transform complex stories into clear, compelling narratives.
Outside the lab, Devere stays deeply involved in the Buffalo community. As part of his service-learning curriculum, he volunteers at Big Big Table, a pay-what-you-can community café.
“It’s not what I imagined I’d be doing in medical school,” he said. “But it’s been one of the most meaningful experiences. You meet people face-to-face, see their challenges, and realize how much healthcare is connected to social needs like food and housing.”
He also mentors local high school students through Black Men in White Coats, a program that exposes minority youth to careers in medicine. “Representation matters,” he said. “Many of these students have never met a doctor who looks like them. We talk about time management, accountability, and life skills—not just medicine. Even if they don’t go into healthcare, I want them to walk away believing they can achieve anything.”
When he’s not studying or volunteering, you’ll find Devere on the mat practicing Brazilian jiu-jitsu and MMA.
“It’s my therapy,” he said. “Jiu-jitsu is like chess with physical consequences—it’s all strategy and discipline.”
He first discovered the sport after an injury ended his college athletic career. “I just walked into a gym one day,” he recalled. “They took me in like family, and I haven’t looked back. It’s where I met mentors, including the physician who inspired me to pursue medicine.”
His passion for the sport continues to open doors. “Every time someone sees jiu-jitsu on my CV, they ask about it,” he said. “It’s a great conversation starter—and it reminds me to always stay active outside medicine.”
For those preparing for interviews, finding ways to highlight personal passions can make all the difference. Practicing through Residency Mock Interviews can help applicants bring those stories to life with authenticity and confidence.
As Devere enters his next phase of training—finishing preclinical studies and preparing for Step 1—he’s excited to return to the clinical setting. “I worked as a patient care tech in a step-down ICU,” he said. “Even though I was just a tech, it felt meaningful. I can’t wait to go back to the hospital with more knowledge and make an even bigger impact.”
He’s also reflecting on how to approach the future residency process. “I’ve started keeping notes and reflections,” he said. “When it’s time to apply, I’ll have all those experiences ready for my personal statement.” For structured guidance, he recommends scheduling a 1:1 Residency Advising Session with Carlos Tapia to create a personalized plan early.
When asked what advice he’d give to others considering medicine—especially career changers—Devere didn’t hesitate.
“Don’t be afraid to bet on yourself,” he said. “People will tell you it’s too late or that you can’t do it. But if you know this is your path, trust yourself. Every time I took a step toward medicine, it felt right—and that’s how I knew I was exactly where I needed to be.”
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit
I just received my admission to XXXXX! This is unreal and almost feels like I am dreaming. I want to thank you for all of your help with my application. I cannot overstate how influential your guidance and insight have been with this result and I am eternally grateful for your support!
IM SO HAPPY!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR HELP, IM INDEBTED TO YOU! Truly, thank you so much for all your help. Thank you doesnt do enough.
I want to take a few moments and thank you for all of your very instructive, kind and consistent feedback and support through my applications and it is your wishes, feedback, and most importantly your blessings that have landed me the acceptance!
I got into XXXXX this morning!!!! It still has not hit me that I will be a doctor now!! Thank you for all your help, your words and motivation have brought me to this point.
I wanted to once again express my heartfelt gratitude for your help in providing feedback during my secondary applications. Your guidance has been instrumental in my journey.
Just wanted to share my wonderful news! I received my first medical school acceptance! Thank you for all that you do for us Application Academy!!!
I am excited to tell you that I just got my third interview invite from XXXXX today! I can’t believe it. I didn’t even know if I was good enough to get one, let alone three – by mid-September. Thank you so much for all of your help and support up to this point; I would not be in this position without it!!
I wanted to thank you for helping me prepare for my XXXXX interview. Even in a 30-minute advising session, I learned so much from you. Thank you for believing in me, and here’s to another potential success story from one of your advisees!
I just received an acceptance with XXXXX! This is so exciting and such a huge relief and so nice to have one of our top choice schools! I also received an interview with XXXXX which brings the total up to 20 interviews! Thank so much, none of this would have been possible without you!
