Session 587

Andres, an MD, PhD student, shares his unexpected journey to medicine, initially aspiring to be a chef. Despite initial rejections, he improved his application through research and a master’s program. Andres emphasizes the importance of genuine passion, effective interview skills, and clear career vision, ultimately leading to his acceptance at a prestigious program.

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Listen to this podcast episode with the player above, or keep reading for the highlights and takeaway points.

From Chef to Physician Scientist

Andres never imagined he would one day become a physician scientist. Growing up, his sights were set on a different path – he dreamed of being an Iron Chef, working in the culinary world and owning his own restaurant. It wasn’t until he started taking classes at his local community college that his trajectory took an unexpected turn.

Andres recalls how a humanities course called “The Human Form” opened his eyes to the wonders of the human body, sparking a newfound fascination with anatomy and physiology. This, coupled with his volunteer work at a pediatric bone marrow transplant unit, solidified his desire to pursue a career in medicine.

An Unexpected Path to Medicine

Andres did not have any prior interest or family members in healthcare before his unexpected journey to medicine. His parents were actually surprised when he told them he wanted to try to become a doctor, as it came out of nowhere for them.

He had no family members in the medical field, except for his great-grandfather, who was a German Jewish physician that had fled to Colombia during the Holocaust. Andres says that learning about his great-grandfather’s medical legacy did play a role in priming him to think about honoring that family history, but it was not an initial driver.

His interest in medicine truly sparked from his humanities and anatomy classes, as well as his impactful volunteer experience at the pediatric bone marrow transplant unit. Prior to that, Andres had no plans or inclinations towards a career in healthcare.

Andres’ Evolving Path to the MD-PhD

Andres’ decision to pursue an MD-PhD program was not an immediate one. It evolved over time as he became more involved in research during his undergraduate and graduate studies.

Andres explains that towards the end of his undergraduate career, he became heavily involved in research, initially to improve his medical school application. He started working in a lab doing spinal cord injury research, and he found that he genuinely enjoyed the work more than he expected.

As Andres continued his research during a master’s program at Tulane University, focusing on colorectal cancer, he realized that he was spending more time on research than he had anticipated. He started to recognize that he had a genuine passion and aptitude for scientific research, not just a means to strengthen his medical school application.

It was through discussions with mentors that Andres began to seriously consider pursuing the dual MD-PhD degree. They encouraged him to explore this path, as they recognized his enthusiasm and talent for research. Andres then had to weigh the pros and cons of the longer training time, but ultimately decided that the MD-PhD program would allow him to fulfill his goal of becoming a physician-scientist.

Bridging the Gap Between Chef and Physician-Scientist

Alex explains that the transition from wanting to be a chef to pursuing an MD-PhD can seem quite puzzling to people at first glance. However, he eloquently draws parallels between the two seemingly disparate fields. He highlights how the skills and mindset he developed in the culinary arts actually prepared him well for a career in medicine and research.

Andres notes that both cooking and scientific research involve following “recipes” – whether it’s a recipe for a dish or a protocol for an experiment. In both cases, the more you practice and refine your techniques, the better you become. He also points out that the attention to detail, problem-solving, and creativity required in the kitchen are highly transferable to the lab and clinical settings.

Furthermore, Andres emphasizes the nurturing aspect of both professions. Just as he found joy in cooking for his family, he discovered a similar satisfaction in caring for patients during his volunteer work. The desire to help and support others is a common thread that connects his culinary aspirations to his medical pursuits.

Strategies for Mastering the Academic Challenges

Transitioning from his initial struggles in undergrad to excelling in graduate-level coursework was no easy feat for Andres. As he explains, academics was a “whole different beast” that required him to make some significant adjustments.

The first step, Andres says, was figuring out his ideal learning style. He realized that in his earlier academic pursuits, he hadn’t taken the time to truly understand how he learned best. So when he started his master’s program, he made a concerted effort to experiment and find the methods that worked for him.

Andres also credits his genuine love of learning as a key factor in his success. Despite not being the strongest student academically in the past, he found that his deep fascination with science and medicine made studying and mastering the material much more enjoyable and rewarding.

Another crucial mindset shift for Andres was seeing himself not as just a student, but as a rising professional. One of his mentors advised him to stop thinking of himself as “just a student” and instead embrace the identity of a “professional student.” This small but powerful change in perspective helped Andres approach his coursework with a greater sense of purpose and ownership.

Navigating the Premed Path

As a non-traditional student, Andres faced a steep learning curve when it came to the premed journey. Unlike his peers who had been on the premed track since high school, Andres had to figure out the process on his own. 

Looking back, Andres acknowledges that his initial approach was not the best. He admits that he thought he could figure it out on his own, but quickly realized that was not the case.

Seeking Guidance and Support

Andres quickly realized that he needed to be more proactive in seeking out resources and guidance. One of the first things he did was join organizations that had a strong track record of helping students get into medical school, such as the American Medical Student Association (AMSA).

Andres emphasizes the importance of having a clear plan when joining these types of organizations. He explains that the most important thing is to know what you’re going to get out of them, whether that’s connecting with physicians, admissions directors, or others who can provide valuable insights into the application process.

Another key strategy was maintaining his relationship with the Health Sciences Office at his undergraduate institution, the University of Central Florida. Even after completing his graduate studies, Andres continued to rely on their expertise and support.

Andres also took the initiative to reach out directly to medical school admissions departments, asking for advice and guidance. He notes that these offices are often receptive to helping students.

Finally, Andres turned to online resources, such as YouTube videos, to supplement the information he was gathering. He advises aspiring premed students to approach these sources with a critical eye, evaluating the credibility and potential biases of the content.

Andres’ Persistence Through Three Application Cycles

Unsuccessful First Attempt

Andres applied to medical school not just once, but three times before finally achieving success. Looking back on his first application cycle, he identifies several factors that contributed to his initial lack of success.

For starters, Andres admits that he applied late in the process, without even having his MCAT score back yet. Additionally, his undergraduate GPA was on the lower side, sitting at just 3.1. Andres acknowledges that this was not an ideal starting point for a medical school application.

Beyond the academic metrics, Andres also recognizes that he simply did not understand the application process well enough at that time. He lacked the self-awareness and self-reflection that are so crucial to crafting a compelling personal statement and effectively communicating one’s passion for medicine. He had not yet developed the level of insight into his own journey and motivations that would later prove pivotal.

Realizing the Need for Change

For his second application cycle, Andres believes schools were more willing to offer him interviews because he had addressed the logistical aspects of his application. He had submitted his materials earlier, organized his application better, and demonstrated a clear desire to improve by pursuing a master’s degree, which showed his genuine passion for the field.

Additionally, his improved academic performance during the master’s program, even if it hadn’t fully translated to his undergraduate GPA yet, was a positive factor in earning those interview invitations.

Andres explains that the application cycle can feel like a delicate balance, where applicants try to showcase their strengths and fit the mold, while also maintaining their authenticity. He admits that at times, he erred too far on the side of trying to conform, rather than fully embracing and conveying his unique perspective and journey.

Third Time’s a Charm

After his second application cycle resulted in a waitlist and two rejections, Andres knew he needed to do more to demonstrate his unwavering commitment to a career in medicine. 

Rather than giving up, he decided to go back to the University of Central Florida and enroll as a degree-seeking student to take additional graduate-level courses, while also taking on a role as a lecturer at the local community college.

Alongside his academic and teaching pursuits, Andres made a concerted effort to revamp his clinical experiences. He was regularly shadowing physicians and volunteering at the pediatric bone marrow transplant unit that had initially inspired his interest.

For his third application cycle, Andres believes the key difference was his ability to clearly articulate his passion for the physician-scientist path. He was able to demonstrate a deep understanding of how the MD-PhD program aligned with his goals and experiences.

Navigating the Dual Interview Process

As Andres navigated the interview process for MD-PhD programs, he noticed distinct differences between the interviews conducted by the medical school faculty versus the graduate school faculty.

Andres explains that the MD interview tended to feel more formal and intimidating. He describes it as “a lot more stiff” and “more strict” compared to the MD-PhD program interview. In contrast, the interview with the graduate school faculty had a much more relaxed and conversational tone. Andres found that they asked more genuine questions about his interests and hobbies, rather than the more rigid, probing questions he encountered during the MD interview.

He attributes this difference to the nature of the two programs. Andres believes the medical school interview was focused on assessing his fit and potential as a future clinician, whereas the graduate school interview was more concerned with evaluating his suitability as a research collaborator and colleague.

Andres suggests that this disparity in interview styles reflects the distinct cultures and priorities of the medical school versus the PhD program. The medical school interview, he surmises, is designed to identify students who can thrive in the more isolated, hierarchical environment of clinical training, while the graduate school interview seeks individuals who will contribute to the more collaborative, intellectually stimulating research community.

Getting the First Acceptance

When Andres finally received his first acceptance call, he was caught off guard, as he had been busy gardening at the time. Ignoring the initial calls, he eventually answered and was overjoyed to hear the news from the admissions director.

Andres immediately celebrated by buying a cake and sharing the exciting moment with his roommate, before excitedly calling his parents to share the long-awaited achievement.

Final Words of Wisdom

Andres emphasizes that the rigorous application process, though challenging, was ultimately a transformative experience that shaped him both personally and professionally. He encourages aspiring premed students to embrace their unique backgrounds and perspectives, rather than trying to fit a mold.

Andres’ story serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and self-discovery. By staying true to his authentic interests and experiences, he was able to overcome the obstacles in his path and achieve his dream of becoming a physician-scientist.

Links:

Meded Media

Blueprint MCAT

American Medical Student Association (AMSA)