Emily discovered her passion for medicine during a human anatomy class, prompting her shift from exercise science to the premed track.
After applying to 20 MD schools and earning acceptance off the waitlist just before reapplying, she now champions the importance of balancing academics with personal interests as she pursues an orthopedic surgery residency. Let’s learn from her inspiring journey today!
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Emily’s path to medicine was anything but straightforward. Growing up, she didn’t have doctors in her family or a clear vision of becoming a physician. Instead, she entered college as an exercise science major, drawn by her love of sports and curiosity about the human body.
At first, she imagined a future in healthcare or fitness, but medicine wasn’t yet on her radar. That changed during her first semester, when a human anatomy class captured her imagination and set her on a new course. Still, Emily didn’t rush into her decision. She took time to explore, searching online for advice and talking to her college’s prehealth advisors.
When Emily first started college, her understanding of healthcare careers was limited. She knew she was interested in health and the human body, but medicine seemed like the default path. She wasn’t fully aware of other options like physician assistant, physical therapy, or nursing.
“I started working as a scribe, and that helped confirm that I did, in fact, want to be a doctor… Definitely explore all of those.”Click To TweetWanting real-world experience, she became a scribe, which allowed her to see firsthand what life as a physician was really like. This hands-on exposure helped her move from curiosity to conviction, confirming that medicine was the right path for her.
Looking back, Emily realizes she might have benefited from exploring these fields more thoroughly before committing to medicine. She encourages others to take the time to learn about the wide range of healthcare professions available, saying that a broader perspective can help students make more informed decisions about their futures.
Emily’s path as a premed was anything but straightforward. She encountered early struggles in her science courses, earning grades that made her question her abilities. Instead of letting these setbacks define her, Emily made the difficult decision to retake those classes, determined to prove to herself that she could succeed. This choice became a turning point, teaching her the value of resilience and self-advocacy.
College life for Emily was a balancing act. Alongside her demanding coursework, she worked at a catering company, sometimes putting in long hours during busy seasons.
Juggling a job, full-time classes, and the extracurricular activities expected of premed students required careful time management and a willingness to push beyond her comfort zone. Rather than viewing her job as a distraction, Emily saw it as an opportunity to develop skills like organization, adaptability, and perseverance – qualities that would serve her well in medicine.
The pressure of keeping up with high-achieving peers often led to imposter syndrome, but Emily learned to focus on her own progress and lean on her support system. Her journey became less about checking boxes for medical school and more about growing as a whole person – balancing ambition with self-care and maintaining interests outside of academics.
“Imposter syndrome – I feel like everyone I was taking classes with were the smartest people in the whole world. Unfortunately, that feeling doesn't go away, ever.” Click To TweetEmily’s premed journey was marked by moments of doubt, especially when she encountered unexpected grades in her early science courses. Earning a few C’s in classes like general chemistry and anatomy made her question whether she was truly cut out for medicine. These setbacks were discouraging, but Emily refused to let them define her future. Instead of giving up, Emily made the tough decision to retake the courses that challenged her most.
This wasn’t just about improving her transcript – it was about proving to herself that she could rise above her early struggles.
With the support of her peers and prehealth advisors, she approached her studies with renewed determination and a stronger work ethic, ultimately achieving much better results the second time around.
The process of overcoming academic hurdles taught Emily more than just science; it taught her resilience, self-advocacy, and the importance of persistence.
Setbacks are not the end of the story, but rather opportunities for growth and self-discovery.
Emily approached the MCAT with a clear plan and a willingness to put in the work. She dedicated about five months to studying, balancing her time between content review and taking practice tests.
Rather than focusing solely on memorization, Emily prioritized practice questions and full-length exams to build her test-taking stamina and improve her timing. She found that reviewing her mistakes was just as important as taking the tests themselves, using tools like Anki flashcards to reinforce concepts she struggled with.
To align her MCAT with the medical school application cycle, Emily took the exam in January, using her college’s unique J-term to study full-time. This allowed her to submit her applications early and avoid the stress of last-minute preparation.
When it came to the application process, Emily relied on a mix of online resources, advice from prehealth advisors, and feedback from others to craft her personal statement and highlight her experiences.
For Emily, the process was intense and sometimes overwhelming, but her methodical approach helped her stay focused and confident. She recognized the importance of both preparation and self-reflection, understanding that the MCAT and application were not just hurdles, but opportunities to showcase her growth and determination.
“My MCAT studying was about five months long… the second half I did mostly practice questions and practice tests. So I ended up taking 10 – but I found that to be very useful for timing and stamina.”Click To TweetFor Emily, the interview process was one of the most daunting parts of applying to medical school. Despite her thorough preparation for the MCAT, she admits that she didn’t put the same effort into practicing for interviews.
The onset of COVID made things even more challenging, as most interviews were held online, and opportunities for in-person mock interviews were limited.
Emily’s first interview was an MMI, a format she found intimidating, especially without much practice.
Instead of doing mock interviews with advisors or friends, Emily tried to prepare by recording herself answering questions and observing her own habits. While this helped her catch distracting mannerisms, she later realized that practicing with others could have made her more comfortable and confident.
Each interview became a learning experience, and although she received several waitlist decisions, Emily recognized that her interview skills improved with time. Looking back, Emily acknowledges that more preparation could have made a difference.
She also made a point to send thank you notes to her interviewers, believing in the value of gratitude and professionalism, even if it didn’t directly impact admissions decisions.
“Something that I did that was helpful was recording myself, saying answers to questions.”Click To TweetAfter submitting her applications, Emily found herself in a state of limbo – waitlisted at four schools and rejected by one. The months of uncertainty were some of the most stressful of her journey, as she watched others receive acceptances while she waited for news.
The emotional toll was significant, and Emily admits that it was difficult not to let the anxiety overshadow her daily life.
Despite the uncertainty, Emily didn’t sit back and hope for the best. She began preparing for the possibility of reapplying, updating her application materials and reflecting on what she could improve.
She also sent letters of intent and interest to schools, carefully following each program’s guidelines. Emily understood that while these letters might not guarantee a spot, they were a way to express her genuine interest and commitment.
Just as she was about to submit her reapplication, Emily received the news she had been hoping for – an acceptance off the waitlist, followed by another shortly after. The relief was overwhelming, and the experience taught her the value of persistence and patience, even when the outcome seemed uncertain.
Throughout her application journey, Emily learned that it’s easy to let the process of applying to medical school overshadow everything else in life. She found herself constantly preoccupied with her future, often forgetting to enjoy her gap year or focus on her own well-being. Emily realized the importance of stepping back and remembering that her identity extended far beyond her application.
Despite the stress and uncertainty, Emily made a conscious effort to pursue interests and activities outside of academics. She believes that nurturing other passions not only helps maintain mental health but also makes applicants more well-rounded and resilient.
“Just remember that med school is only one part of you and one part of who you are, and there’s more to you than just somebody who’s applying to med school.”Click To TweetEmily encourages future premeds to embrace their unique stories and not let the application process define them.
As Emily approaches the next stage of her medical career, she is in the midst of applying for orthopedic surgery residency. Her decision to pursue ortho is rooted in her early interest in exercise science and sports, as well as her positive experiences during clinical rotations.
Although she initially considered emergency medicine and even explored physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R), it was her third-year orthopedic rotation that solidified her passion for surgery and working with musculoskeletal injuries.
The residency application process brings its own set of anxieties, especially given the competitive nature of orthopedic surgery.
Emily admits that imposter syndrome still lingers, and she feels the pressure of measuring up against other highly qualified applicants. Despite these worries, she remains excited about the future and is determined to continue growing both personally and professionally.
Looking back, Emily’s advice is clear: don’t let being a premed become your entire identity. She stresses the value of balance, self-care, and keeping other hobbies alive, as these will help you thrive both as an applicant and as a future physician.
“Keeping other passions and other hobbies will help you be better as an applicant, and as a medical student – and later as a doctor.”Click To Tweet
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