Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts
Session 560
Callie talks about her journey to medical school. It details her path from wanting to be a doctor as a child through attending the Air Force Academy, becoming an intelligence officer, having a family. Ultimately, she got accepted to medical school while balancing military and family commitments.
For more podcast resources to help you with your medical school journey and beyond, check out Meded Media.
Listen to this podcast episode with the player above, or keep reading for the highlights and takeaway points.
Callie’s Early Dream of Becoming a Doctor
From a very young age, Callie knew that she wanted to become a physician. Even as a child, her dream was to attend medical school. She was so focused on this goal that she pursued opportunities in high school to get a head start on her medical career.
Callie earned her Associate’s degree while still in high school, showing an early dedication to her education. Through earning college credits, she aimed to position herself well for acceptance into medical school after graduation. Taking on an advanced course load demonstrated Callie’s commitment to her dream even at a young age.
This early focus served Callie well as she navigated challenges throughout her journey. When obstacles arose, she was able to fall back on her passion for medicine that began in childhood. Callie’s associate’s degree highlights how she took proactive steps from a young age to pursue her lifelong dream of attending medical school and becoming a doctor. Her early dedication helped pave the way for her future success.
A Detour Through the Air Force Academy
When Callie had the opportunity to attend college after high school, she was faced with an important choice between pursuing her medical dreams immediately at a state school or taking a different route through the Air Force Academy. While the Academy presented a new direction, it ended up providing valuable experiences that would later aid Callie on her journey to becoming a doctor.
Callie shares that the Academy has a rigorous engineering-focused curriculum as a behavioral science major. And this made it difficult to complete the traditional science prerequisites needed for medical school. The demanding coursework detoured her directly from the premed track she had envisioned. However, her time serving as an intelligence officer and earning an advanced degree helped Callie develop important leadership, time management, and problem-solving skills.
Though the Academy presented initial obstacles for Callie’s medical aspirations, it opened new doors that would prove useful later on. She gained opportunities to serve her country through the Air Force. While the detour redirected her path, it did not deter Callie from her ultimate goal. After completing her military commitments, Callie was able to draw from her experiences to strengthen her application as a nontraditional student pursuing medicine.
In the end, the Air Force Academy presented both challenges and advantages for Callie that shaped her longer journey to medical school admission. While it diverted her pre-med studies, it cultivated valuable strengths and gave her career experiences that would aid her acceptance. This chapter proved that unexpected detours can still lead students toward their dreams with perseverance.
Navigating a Transition to Reserves and Continued Medical School Pursuit
After completing her active duty commitment, Callie faced another transition point as she joined the reserves and started a family. However, she remained dedicated to pursuing her medical school goal.
Even while stationed overseas in Germany, she sought out opportunities to take prerequisite classes online to keep her science knowledge fresh and work towards applying. This demonstrated her perseverance in continuing her medical education in spite of obstacles.
When stationed in Louisiana, Callie saw an opportunity to apply to LSU Health Shreveport nearby. She had her daughter in 2020 amid the pandemic, but was motivated to submit her application as soon as medical schools began accepting online courses.
Though now balancing commitments as a reservist, wife and new mother, Callie remained focused on achieving her dream. Her dedication shone through as she took the MCAT just three months postpartum, showing grit even when faced with difficulties.
“There are women out there that have not received the quality of care that I have… I can be that person for those people out there.”
Callie’s story highlights her adaptability and persistence in navigating life changes while still moving forward on her medical school pursuit. Through challenging transitions, she continued to advance step by step towards her goal.
Balancing Military Service and the Pursuit of Medical School
Throughout her journey, Callie had to adeptly balance her commitments to the military with pursuing acceptance to medical school. As an active reservist, she worked closely with her leadership to arrange her duties in a way that supported both obligations.
Callie shares that as an IMA reservist, she has 48 half-days of work to complete each year. By maintaining the same position and commander from active duty, she was able to structure her schedule flexibly around her medical school classes. Her leadership also understood her goals and helped accommodate her training needs.
For annual training requirements, Callie notes being able to get waivers under certain conditions. Strong communication with her chain of command allowed them to support her medical education goals.
Callie also discusses conversations with her pilot husband about potential orders interfering with school. Their retirement timeline was strategized to avoid this, showing planning and teamwork between their careers.
Overall, Callie’s story demonstrates the coordination required to balance military service with academic pursuits. Through open communication and flexible scheduling with understanding leadership, she was able to successfully pursue her medical dreams while honoring her service commitments.
Navigating Medical School Applications Without Mentorship
Callie faced many challenges applying to medical school as a non-traditional student without guidance. She shares that when she applied the first time, she had little clinical experience due to difficulties shadowing during the pandemic. As someone out of school for many years, she was unfamiliar with all the resources now available.
Callie notes that it didn’t occur to her to reach out to the medical school for mentorship. As one of the oldest students in her class, she realized all the YouTube videos and podcasts she could have utilized to study for the MCAT but didn’t know existed. Applying without this support network was an obstacle.
“There are people that can help me… it just didn’t occur to me. So, I brute forced, essentially, my way through getting into medical school.”
After not getting an interview the first attempt, Callie took it upon herself to gain more experience shadowing on base and make personal connections. However, she reflects that it would have been beneficial to receive mentorship along the way.
Callie’s story highlights the importance of guidance for non-traditional applicants. Without institutional support, her path was more difficult to navigate independently. Medical schools could better serve students from varied backgrounds by providing dedicated mentoring resources.
Leveraging Life Experiences in the Medical School Application and Interview Process
As a non-traditional applicant, Callie faced unique challenges in gaining acceptance to medical school. One advantage she possessed, however, was a wealth of diverse life experiences to draw from throughout her application and interviews.
When crafting her personal statement and resume, Callie highlighted leadership roles in the Air Force and responsibilities as an intelligence officer. She demonstrated how these cultivated valuable skills applicable to a medical career.
During her interview, Callie connected with panelists through finding shared backgrounds. Discovering a pediatrician on the board allowed discussion of her passion for working with children. Relating to a former Air Force member also created rapport.
“Find those places where you can connect with those interviewers on a very personal level to make that connection so that they remember you.”
By leveraging personal anecdotes and seeking common ground, Callie was able to stand out authentically from her experiences. Where some view non-traditional backgrounds as deficits, Callie showed how they provided compelling stories for evaluators.
Her experience underscores the importance of spotlighting how life events have shaped applicants. Rather than seeing obstacles, medical schools should appreciate diverse perspectives that enrich the profession.
Balancing the Demands of Medical School with a Growing Family
Taking on medical school alone is a tremendous challenge, but Callie faced the additional hurdle of balancing her education with expanding her family. She shares giving birth to her daughter during her first year of school, which she acknowledges was “brutal.”
Juggling the demands of pregnancy, new motherhood, and the intense coursework of the first semester proved physically and mentally draining for Callie. She had to navigate issues like wearing a respirator in anatomy lab due to her pregnancy.
Now with two young children, Callie relies heavily on support from her husband, mother, and mother-in-law to help with childcare. Their help allows her to focus on her studies while still being present for her family.
Callie’s school also lacked a parental leave policy initially, requiring her to advocate for herself and future students. She worked with the administration to establish new family-friendly guidelines.
Callie’s story shows the determination required to take on medical education as a mother. While incredibly challenging, she persists in the pursuit of her dreams through community support and resilience against obstacles. Her experience highlights the ongoing need for policies supporting student parents.
The Need for Robust Parental Leave Policies in Medical Schools
Callie’s experience pursuing medical school as a new mother exposed gaps in support for student parents. When she gave birth during her first year, her school lacked any formal parental leave guidelines. This left Callie without clarity on how to balance maternity responsibilities with her education.
After facing uncertainty and advocating for herself, Callie recognized that many other student mothers at her institution had negative experiences without proper policies. She took action to address this issue.
Callie worked with her state medical society and school administration to establish the first parental leave policy for both female and male students. This set an important precedent of inclusiveness.
Her story highlights that medical education standards must evolve to accommodate modern student demographics. With nearly 10% of graduates having families, accrediting bodies like LCME and COCA should require schools to demonstrate robust parental support plans.
As future physicians, students will care for patients from all walks of life. Medical curricula must reflect this diversity and equip all learners, regardless of parental status, to complete their training successfully. Callie’s advocacy is making a difference for current and future student parents.
Final Words of Wisdom
“Find people that you can surround yourself that will boost you up and kind of pull you through on those days where you need it the most.”
As a non-traditional student who faced many hurdles on her journey to medical school, Callie has gained valuable perspective to share with future applicants. When asked for advice, she emphasizes the dual importance of community and self-belief.
Callie stresses surrounding oneself with people who can offer encouragement during difficult periods. As she experienced firsthand, pursuing medicine while juggling other responsibilities takes immense effort. Having a support system to turn to on challenging days can make all the difference.
