Session 585

Caitlin discovered her passion for medicine during her college Co-op program at Northeastern University, where she gained hands-on experience as a medical assistant and clinical research coordinator.

Today, she talks about her journey of applying to 25 medical schools, attending a Pennsylvania school offering a scholarship for primary care, and her plans to pursue residency elsewhere before returning to her state for a four-year commitment to repay her tuition.

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.

Caitlin’s Path to Discovering Medicine

It wasn’t until college that Caitlin realized her true calling was to become a physician. Unlike some of her peers who knew from a young age that they wanted to pursue a career in healthcare, Caitlin’s path to medicine was a bit more gradual.

When Caitlin started college, she wasn’t entirely sure what she wanted to do. She knew she was interested in the sciences and healthcare, but she hadn’t yet narrowed down her focus. That all changed when she enrolled at Northeastern University, which offered a unique Co-op program.

Through this program, Caitlin was able to work full-time in the medical field during her third year of college. She had the opportunity to serve as a medical assistant and gain hands-on experience shadowing doctors. It was during this time that Caitlin truly discovered her passion for the medical profession.

Solidifying Her Decision

Witnessing the daily routines and responsibilities of physicians firsthand was a pivotal moment for Caitlin. She was captivated by the autonomy, flexibility, and impact that doctors had on their patients’ lives. Compared to other healthcare roles, Caitlin felt that the physician’s scope of practice aligned most closely with her own aspirations and values.

By the time Caitlin reached the end of her college career, she had no doubt that she wanted to pursue a career in medicine. The Co-op program had provided her with the perfect platform to explore her interests and solidify her decision to become a physician.

A Proof of Resilience

During the medical school application process, Caitlin was mindful of the potential concerns admissions committees might have about her decision to stretch out her undergraduate education through the Co-op program. She knew that some schools might question whether she could handle the rigors of medical school if she needed to take a more unconventional path in college.

Rather than waiting for this question to come up in her interviews, Caitlin proactively took steps to demonstrate her resilience and ability to manage a demanding workload. While completing her final Co-op placement, Caitlin worked a full-time job and simultaneously dedicated herself to studying for the MCAT.

This experience allowed Caitlin to prove to herself that she could handle the challenges of a rigorous academic schedule, even while juggling the responsibilities of a full-time job. Though the specific question about her ability to manage the demands of medical school did not come up in her interviews, Caitlin’s proactive approach demonstrated her determination and self-awareness.

By taking on this dual workload, Caitlin was able to allay any potential concerns admissions committees might have had about her unconventional undergraduate path. Her willingness to go above and beyond in preparing for the MCAT showcased the resilience and time management skills that would serve her well in the rigors of medical school.

Caitlin’s Interview Experience

One of Caitlin’s favorite parts of the medical school application process was the interview stage. She relished the opportunity to finally discuss in-depth the experiences and passions she had highlighted in her application materials. She found the interviews to be engaging and far from boring, as she was able to enthusiastically share the details of her journey.

Caitlin had a total of three interviews, having declined a fourth offer. She felt that the interviews allowed her to truly showcase her qualifications and personality in a way that the written application couldn’t capture.

By writing about the things she was most passionate about in her application, she was able to have substantive, meaningful conversations during the interviews. Caitlin’s comfort and enthusiasm during the interview process likely played a significant role in her success.

Rather than viewing the interviews as a daunting hurdle, she embraced them as an opportunity to further demonstrate her dedication and fit for the medical field. Caitlin’s positive attitude and ability to eloquently discuss her experiences made a strong impression on the admissions committees.

Navigating the Application Process

Caitlin was able to leverage the resources provided by her university’s premed advising team to help her navigate the medical school application process. She explained that her school had a premed advising team, which very much helped with her gathering of all the information.

Guidance from the Premed Advisor

Caitlin had met with her premed advisor a couple times throughout her third and fourth year of college, and the advisor kind of told her what she should be having ready at what times. The premed advisor provided Caitlin with a checklist and timeline to ensure she was on track with the necessary steps, such as when to take the MCAT and how to prepare her application materials.

Caitlin’s Organizational Approach

In addition to the guidance from her advisor, Caitlin also relied on her own organizational skills to stay on top of the process. She followed a checklist that was helped made by her premed advisor, which was how she was able to gather everything.

Selecting Medical Schools

When it came to selecting the medical schools to apply to, Caitlin was drawn to city-based programs, particularly those in the Northeast. She was interested in Emory University and UC Berkeley, but ultimately chose Northeastern for its location in Boston and the opportunities provided by the Co-op program.

The Most Challenging Part

The most challenging aspect of the application process for Caitlin was the secondary application essays. She describes it as a month-long “grind” while she was working a full-time job that summer.

Caitlin found that staying on top of the various secondary prompts, many of which had an unspoken two-week turnaround, was the hardest part. It required her to carefully craft personalized responses for each school rather than relying on generic content.

To stay organized, Caitlin maintained a comprehensive Google Doc to track her usernames, passwords, and essay responses. She also sought feedback from friends, including a writing major, to refine her secondary submissions. She emphasizes the importance of tailoring each response to the specific school’s mission and priorities.

Timing the MCAT Strategically

Caitlin approached the MCAT exam with a strategic mindset, opting to take the test relatively early, in June before her application cycle. Despite the unconventional timing, Caitlin felt well-prepared for the exam, as she had completed her prerequisite courses by the end of her fourth year of college.

Caitlin’s decision to extend her undergraduate education to five years, thanks to the Co-op program at her university, proved to be an advantage. By the time she was ready to take the MCAT, she had already fulfilled the necessary coursework, allowing her to focus solely on studying and exam preparation.

In the months leading up to the test, Caitlin carefully planned her study schedule, recognizing that she would need to balance MCAT preparation with a full-time job. This proactive approach paid off, as Caitlin was able to take the exam only once and achieve a score that she was satisfied with.

Caitlin’s strategic timing of the MCAT allowed her to shift her focus to other aspects of the application, such as crafting personalized secondary essays, without the added pressure of the MCAT looming.

The Elation of an Early Acceptance

Receiving her first medical school acceptance was a significant moment of relief and validation for Caitlin. She recalled the acceptance arriving in September, early in the application cycle, which provided her with a sense of security and allowed her to approach the rest of the process with less anxiety.

Caitlin was thrilled to have secured a spot at a school she was genuinely interested in. It meant she could now focus her gap year plans on activities that truly aligned with her goals, rather than worrying about reapplying. 

Selecting the Right Medical School

When it came to choosing the medical schools to which she would apply, Caitlin was drawn to city-based programs, particularly those located in the Northeast. She was interested in institutions like Emory University and UC Berkeley.

She ultimately decided on Northeastern University due to its prime location in Boston and the opportunities provided by the school’s renowned Co-op program.

Caitlin’s decision-making process was also heavily influenced by financial considerations. She initially didn’t realize the significant impact that cost would have on her choice. But Caitlin soon recognized the burden of debt, especially for someone interested in pursuing primary care. This realization led her to carefully evaluate the financial aid packages offered by the schools on her list.

Ultimately, Caitlin was presented with an offer from a Pennsylvania-based medical school that included a scholarship for students committed to primary care. Recognizing the value of this opportunity, Caitlin reached out to the other school she was considering, hoping to negotiate a similar financial aid package. However, when the other institution was unable to match the scholarship, Caitlin knew that the Pennsylvania school was the clear choice.

What the Future Holds for Caitlin

As Caitlin looks ahead to the next chapter of her journey, she is excited about the possibilities that lie before her. She has committed to attending a Pennsylvania-based medical school that offered her a scholarship for primary care. However, Caitlin plans to pursue her residency training elsewhere, perhaps even returning to the West Coast where she had a fulfilling gap year experience.

Eager to gain exposure to different healthcare systems and communities, Caitlin is particularly interested in incorporating an element of street medicine and outreach-based care into her residency. This aligns with her long-term goal of specializing in this area.

Debt-free and with a wealth of diverse experiences under her belt, Caitlin envisions a future where she can truly focus on the type of medical practice that aligns with her values and aspirations. This could mean returning to her home state or exploring opportunities elsewhere.

Final Words of Wisdom

Caitlin emphasizes the importance of recognizing past accomplishments as a source of motivation and resilience, even when confronted with setbacks.

She encourages aspiring medical professionals to view obstacles as opportunities for growth and learning. Maintain a positive and proactive mindset to navigate the challenges of the application process with determination.

Links:

Meded Media

Blueprint MCAT