Follow Mandy’s journey as a first-generation premed student, highlighting her determination through academic challenges, personal loss, and taking the MCAT three times during the medical school application process. She shares practical strategies and advice for aspiring premeds on managing time, gaining clinical experience, and building supportive communities.
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Mandy’s realization that she wanted to pursue medicine solidified during her senior year of high school. Her involvement with HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) offered her the valuable opportunity to shadow physicians, allowing her to witness the daily work and patient interactions that define the medical profession. This experience, combined with her mother’s early encouragement to take a biomedical class through Project Lead the Way, sparked her fascination with science and healthcare.
Although Mandy initially considered becoming a lawyer, her mother recognized her passion for science and gently guided her toward medicine. These formative experiences – hands-on exposure to medicine, supportive family influence, and engaging coursework – helped Mandy envision a future as a physician and set her on the premed path.
Mandy’s transition from high school to college as a premed student was marked by new challenges in time management and adapting to less structure. Accustomed to a fixed high school schedule, she initially overloaded her college courses but managed to excel academically through hard work and determination.
Over time, Mandy developed effective strategies using tools like Google Calendar, time blocking, and the Pomodoro method to organize her workload and maintain balance. Support from her mother and college advisors also played a crucial role in helping her navigate and thrive during this pivotal period.
Mandy explained the Pomodoro method as a time management technique where you set a timer for a specific period of focused study – such as 50 minutes – followed by a 10-minute break. She emphasized that this method, which can be adjusted to various time intervals, helps maintain productivity. It ensures regular breaks, making it easier to stay focused and avoid burnout during long study sessions.
As a first-generation college student and premed, Mandy nurtured a strong relationship with her advisor by being proactive and engaged. She frequently visited during office hours, accepted opportunities to work in her advisor’s lab, and openly shared her academic goals and challenges.
She also actively sought mentorship beyond her assigned advisor, reaching out to potential mentors through cold calls and emails. She leveraged her smaller university’s accessible community to build connections that supported her premed journey.
“I did have to cold call, cold email, just all the uncomfortable things to try and find other mentorship… something that's kind of necessary for someone who's a first generation medical student.” Click To TweetMandy’s grandfather was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia during her college years, a difficult period that deeply affected her both emotionally and academically. Balancing grief with challenging courses like organic chemistry and physics, Mandy’s grades started to slip. But she leaned on her professors and advisor for support. She found comfort in their encouragement and willingness to help, which gave her the strength to continue her premed journey despite the personal loss.
Mandy switched her major from neuroscience to biology. She chose what she loved, not what would stand out. She says your path should fit your interests, not just your resume.
“You don't have to major in something crazy just to try and stand out… your path and the things that you do – extracurriculars – will really speak for you.”Click To TweetShe also believes there is no perfect timeline or perfect premed student. Do what works for you.
COVID-19 made clinical opportunities hard to find. Mandy found shadowing by reaching out to doctors after class and sending emails. Mandy worked as a CNA and a patient care technician in hospitals throughout college. She earned her CNA certification during the COVID-19 lockdown. She often held two jobs, balancing hospital shifts and, later, work at a vet clinic.
Mandy also spent time as a lab worker. These roles gave her lots of clinical hours. Her experiences taught her how to be adaptable and resilient, preparing her for medical school.
Mandy took the MCAT three times. Her first score was lower than practice tests. Nervousness played a role. On her second try, she did better. She took it a third time, hoping for an even higher score, but the result was almost the same. Her advisor said not to retake it just for a small improvement.
Mandy improved by doing more practice questions instead of only reviewing content.
Her advisor was very helpful, guiding her through each application step. Luckily, her MCAT did not come up during interviews. No one asked why she took it three times. Mandy was glad she did not have to explain it.
Choosing to not take any gap year, Mandy applied to both MD and DO schools. She did not apply in Texas. She looked for schools with a close community and supportive campus feel. Location and cost mattered to her. She wanted to stay near her support system.
Mandy was very excited to get her first interview. She prepared with mock interviews at her school. She also looked up common interview questions and practiced how to share her story.
Mandy was asked to give a real scenario where she used creative thinking in health care. The question came right after she discussed her clinical jobs. She felt caught off guard because her roles did not often require creative solutions. She politely asked for time to think and took a moment to recall a fitting example before answering.
Mandy applied to about 10 to 15 schools. She got five interview offers. She was accepted at her chosen school and turned down two interview invitations.
Mandy wanted a school with a close, supportive community. She liked the school’s friendly atmosphere and genuine interest during her interview. Being close to home was important for her support system.
Financial aid was a key factor in her decision. She thought carefully before turning down other interviews and chose the school where she felt she belonged.
Mandy said her first semester was very hard. The amount of material felt overwhelming. She described it as “drinking from a fire hose.” Mandy had to learn new study habits. She focused on practice questions and better time management.
Eventually, she learned to trust her own process. This challenge helped her grow and prepared her for the rest of school.
Mandy regrets taking the MCAT three times. Her advisor told her two tries were enough. She felt extra stress from taking it again.
“If I could do it again, I would probably submit my applications a little sooner.”Click To TweetMandy also wishes she submitted her applications earlier. Early applications can help with rolling admissions. Looking back, she is happy with her final school choice.
Mandy loves being an admissions ambassador. She enjoys giving tours to new students, and answers their questions and encourages them. Helping others on their journey is very rewarding for her.
After her grandpa died, Mandy faced deep grief and burnout, which made her question if she could continue on her premed journey.
Right before her MCAT preparation, she wondered if all her hard work was for nothing. During these hard times, Mandy leaned on her family and friends. They supported her with pep talks, encouragement, and a listening ear, helping her push through her doubts and keep moving forward.
Mandy says to keep moving forward, even when it feels hard. Trust that you are on this path for a reason. Remember your achievements and how far you have come. Hard work and persistence pay off. Believe in yourself.
“You have gotten to where you are today, not because of luck… you are here for a reason… you are going to be able to do whatever you want to do, as long as you put the work in.” Click To TweetMandy says support is important – reach out if you need help. You are capable of great things if you put in the effort.
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