Meredith’s story is a testament to embracing life’s twists. She paused her burgeoning science career to pursue rowing at the Olympic trials, then channeled that same discipline and resilience into medicine, officially beginning her medical school journey at age 30. If you’re navigating your own unconventional path, let Meredith’s experience remind you that it’s never too late to lean into your unique strengths and boldly pursue your dreams in medicine.
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.
Meredith’s journey began with a deep appreciation for science, sparked by exceptional teachers and solidified through her academic pursuits in biochemistry and hands-on research. However, her undergraduate years also brought a growing passion for rowing, which started as a club activity but soon evolved into a driving force in her life.
As her success and commitment to rowing increased, the sport began to compete with her academic ambitions. It eventually led Meredith to make the bold decision to pause her education and immerse herself fully in training and competition at the elite level, culminating in her participation at the Olympic trials.
This pivotal period became a defining chapter for Meredith: she looks back with no regrets, recognizing how it gave her a unique source of fulfillment and instilled in her a profound resilience and confidence that continue to guide her medical career and personal growth.
After dedicating several years to elite rowing – including competing at the Olympic trials – Meredith recognized it was time to close this defining chapter. Though leaving behind a sport she loved was bittersweet, she understood it was an opportunity to explore her long-term professional aspirations.
With her athletic career behind her, Meredith thoughtfully considered her future direction. She longed for meaningful work but wasn’t yet certain that medicine was her calling, so she sought experiences that could offer clarity and guidance.
Meredith immersed herself in research positions, intentionally seeking environments that bridged science and clinical relevance. These roles allowed her to blend curiosity, scientific rigor, and a desire to see her work positively affect patients. All this confirmed that medicine resonated with her values and ambitions.
This period of exploration and reflection crystallized Meredith’s decision to pursue a career as a physician.
'Every time you change directions and you start doing something new, you're not starting over from scratch. You still have all those skills that you built up in whatever you were pursuing before.”Click To TweetMeredith explained that her strong interest in basic science led her to pursue graduate-level research after completing her undergraduate studies at Urbana Champaign, rather than applying directly to medical school.
She believed at the time that a career centered on scientific discovery was her ideal path. But through her graduate work and transformative experiences like rowing, she eventually realized that her true passion combined both scientific inquiry and a more direct impact on people’s lives. And this was what guided her decision to pursue medicine.
During this period, Meredith described the challenges she faced finding clinical opportunities after finishing her rowing career, especially due to the restrictions of the pandemic. She decided to return to the Midwest, where she leveraged her connections to apply for various jobs, including medical scribing and lab work.
Ultimately, she secured a research assistant role in a translational lab in Madison. This position provided her with valuable mentorship, practical exposure to clinical settings through shadowing radiologists, and meaningful projects. All of which reinforced her conviction that medicine was the right career path for her.
Meredith began her medical school preparation by thoroughly researching the process and contacting pre-med advisors for support. It was an experience made more meaningful by a chance reconnection with a former advisor who became part of her medical school journey.
Their encouragement affirmed that her unique background made for a compelling application, giving Meredith a boost of confidence as a non-traditional candidate.
Drawing on the persistence and discipline honed during her years in rowing, Meredith approached MCAT preparation and coursework with the mentality that consistent effort and time spent would yield results.
She recognized that the self-motivation and endurance developed through athletics became essential tools for managing the academic rigor and challenges of pre-medical and medical studies.
“If you do anything for long enough, you will be pretty good at it on the other side.”Click To TweetAfter nearly a decade since finishing her undergraduate studies, Meredith faced the daunting prospect of meeting medical school prerequisites as a non-traditional applicant. To her relief, most schools still accepted her original coursework, eliminating the need for repeating science classes – a concern common among career-changers and those with academic gaps.
Instead of returning to formal classes, she adopted a proactive, resourceful approach. She relied on online platforms like Khan Academy to methodically relearn and reinforce foundational concepts at her own pace, starting slowly and building confidence over time. This allowed her to tailor her preparation for the MCAT and regain academic momentum, proving that a time gap does not erase valuable prior learning.
Meredith soon confronted the reality that some application requirements – such as letters of recommendation from undergraduate professors – were tricky to fulfill long after leaving college.
She empathized with the anxiety many nontraditionals feel in having to reconnect with former mentors or face schools that seem to expect continuous academic engagement. However, she found reassurance in the growing flexibility of medical school admissions.
Many institutions, having adapted to an increasingly diverse applicant pool, created special provisions or alternative letter guidelines for those several years removed from college.
Meredith’s experience reassures future applicants that perseverance – and clear, open communication with admissions offices – can help navigate these requirements, and that schools are showing increasing understanding of varied applicant backgrounds.
Meredith outlined her careful approach to the medical school application process. After ending her full-time athletic training in the summer of 2021, she began working in October or November. She took the MCAT the following spring (April), and then decided to wait a full year before actually submitting her application in the next cycle.
Instead of succumbing to the pressure to apply immediately after the MCAT, Meredith recognized that a deliberate pause could pay off.
She understood that having more time would allow her to accrue meaningful lab projects and potentially secure publications, which are key factors that could bolster her med school application. This decision reflects her maturity and long-term vision, qualities often nurtured through her athletic discipline.
Meredith expressed gratitude for using the extra year to focus on professional and personal growth outside the application grind. This time also allowed Meredith to enjoy her work and activities without the overwhelming stress of applications and exams.
By decoupling the MCAT from the application cycle, she could fully focus her efforts, deepen her experience in research, and let her achievements mature naturally. This approach also gave her the freedom to recharge, which is an often overlooked necessity for long-term success in both academics and life.
'I waited another year and applied for the next cycle. And I am really thankful that I did that – that I had that extra year to build up my resume.'Click To TweetInitially, Meredith felt disappointed by the idea of postponing her application another year, driven by the understandable desire to “rush through everything” and reach her goals as quickly as possible. However, as time passed, she felt grateful for having such breathing room.
Her reflections illustrate a shift from impatience to perspective. The extra year gave Meredith “the chance to finally come down off of a stressful 10 years,” a period which included her intense commitment to both rowing and academics.
Letting herself slow down and regain balance ultimately left her feeling better prepared, more energized, and more confident as she faced the next stage of her journey to medical school.
Meredith candidly shared that she was 29 when she submitted her medical school application, turned 30 soon after, and started medical school at 30. Although she initially feared she’d be the oldest person in her class, Meredith soon discovered that many of her peers – though younger – were welcoming, and she naturally gravitated toward those with whom she shared interests and perspectives.
Her experience challenges the notion that age significantly separates non-traditional students from their classmates. Instead, she highlights the diversity of backgrounds and life stages present in medical school. Meredith observed that some of her younger peers brought a level of maturity and self-direction she lacked at their age, offering her a new appreciation for different growth trajectories.
Ultimately, she realized that each student’s path to medical school is uniquely timed and deeply personal – emphasizing the importance of embracing one’s own journey rather than comparing it to a standard timeline.
After years on the East Coast for graduate school and work, Meredith found herself yearning for the support and connection of her Midwest roots. The experience of being far from family – especially as the pandemic surfaced unexpected challenges – intensified her desire to be within easy reach of her parents in Illinois and her sister in Wisconsin.
She realized that in an unpredictable world, proximity to loved ones provided comfort and stability, and shaped her criteria for selecting where to apply to medical school.
Meredith applied primarily to medical schools across the Midwest, but she didn’t limit herself entirely – casting a slightly wider net to include any programs she felt offered unique opportunities or meaningful connections.
By doing so, she maximized her chances while focusing on institutions that genuinely aligned with her lifestyle and priorities.
When acceptance offers arrived, Meredith found herself choosing between several strong options in Illinois and Wisconsin – ultimately drawn to Carle Illinois. She was excited by their innovative curriculum centered on developing “physician innovators,” as well as the supportive atmosphere and framework for academic medicine and research. This blend of mission, opportunity, and location made Carle Illinois the ideal place for her next chapter.
Meredith also observed her younger sister’s ongoing, broader application journey, reflecting on how each premed shapes their path according to individual needs and lessons learned. This demonstrates that the “right” application strategy is vastly personal.
At Carle Illinois, the medical school application process stands apart through its portfolio-based system. This invites candidates to showcase not just academic achievements but also creativity, compassion, and curiosity.
Meredith appreciated the open-ended prompts that encouraged applicants to present authentic representations of themselves. Be it in engineering projects, the arts, athletics, or personal interests, they are offering a holistic snapshot of each student’s unique strengths and passions.
From Meredith’s perspective and what she heard from faculty, this process benefits both sides. On one hand, applicants gain the freedom to highlight meaningful, diverse experiences. On the other hand, reviewers find portfolio artifacts more engaging and less mentally draining to evaluate than yet another traditional essay.
This system signals an institutional commitment to valuing diversity of thought and background, allowing both students and admissions committees to sense early on whether there’s a good fit.
Meredith noted that the creativity and initiative required by the portfolio mirrored the environment and mindset of Carle Illinois itself.
By the end of the application process, she found the portfolio not only a breath of fresh air but also an accurate prelude to life. Being at an innovative, engineering-centered medical program helps ensure that students who thrive there are those who value individuality, invention, and new perspectives.
To learn more about Carle Illinois and its innovative admissions, check out our interview with their team in Episode 386!
Meredith recounted the exhilaration and relief of receiving her first medical school interview invitation, especially after weeks of anxious waiting and early rejections. While most of her interviews at other schools were virtual, she did have one in-person experience, adding both excitement and logistics to her application journey.
In stark contrast to the standard interview process, Carle Illinois forgoes traditional interviews and instead uses a portfolio-based system.
Meredith appreciated how this format invited her to creatively showcase her abilities and interests, moving beyond academic achievements to highlight dimensions like compassion, curiosity, and personal passions.
This approach, in her view, gave applicants greater ownership over how they told their stories and allowed their individuality to shine.
Meredith also relayed feedback from Carle Illinois faculty, who found that reviewing portfolios was less mentally taxing and more enjoyable than reading countless essays. The process deepened their understanding of who applicants truly were, fostering a more dynamic and engaging admissions experience for all involved.
Meredith candidly details how she applied to approximately 32 medical schools but received only a handful of interviews. It is a reality which, she notes, is quite typical in the hyper-competitive world of medical school admissions.
The process, she explains, is unforgiving: even decorated applicants receive more rejections than invitations, and repeated disappointments can erode one’s morale and self-confidence.
She acknowledges the significant expense of applying to so many schools, describing it as feeling like “throwing money down the drain” with every application fee.
Fortunately, she qualified for the AAMC’s Fee Assistance Program because of her income level at the time. This allowed her to apply to additional schools she otherwise would have skipped for financial reasons. This support, she believes, was vital to her success and hopes other eligible applicants will use similar resources.
'If you're over the age of 26 and you don't make much money, there's the fee assistance program from the AAMC.”Click To TweetMeredith also shares the deeply personal feelings of wondering if admissions committees actually review each application and how tough it is when a school you’re especially excited about shows little interest.
The unpredictability and impersonality of the process can be draining. But she underscores the importance of persistence and self-compassion – reminding others that rejection is far more common than acceptance in this journey.
Meredith describes her transition to medical school as an eye-opener. The challenge wasn’t the difficulty of the content itself, but rather the sheer volume that needed to be learned and mastered in a short timeframe.
She quickly realized that success depended on her ability to process and retain a vast amount of information each week, which could feel overwhelming if not managed well.
Drawing on her experience from working a regular job, Meredith learned that she was most productive during the day and far less effective after 5 or 6 pm.
Determined to protect her energy and mental health, she made a conscious effort to not study late into the evening and to treat downtime as genuine, restorative time off – a strategy that helped her avoid burnout.
Meredith underscores how vital it has been to prioritize activities like eating well, regular exercise, and sleep, even amid the academic demands of medical school. These self-care routines have become foundational for her resilience and ability to cope with ongoing pressures, setting an example for balancing ambition with personal well-being.
In her closing advice, Meredith urges future medical students to not hesitate in reaching out for help, emphasizing that many people are genuinely excited to offer support along the way.
She acknowledges that the medical school application process can feel exclusive or gatekept. But she encourages listeners to stay persistent and to recognize that skills and passions from previous experiences – no matter how unrelated – will continue to serve them well in medicine.
'Part of it is checking those boxes that you just need for an application, but the other part of it is really trying to figure out what you are passionate about within that sphere.”Click To TweetEpisode 386: Carl Illinois COM: How to Thrive in the Midst of Adversity
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit
I just received my admission to XXXXX! This is unreal and almost feels like I am dreaming. I want to thank you for all of your help with my application. I cannot overstate how influential your guidance and insight have been with this result and I am eternally grateful for your support!
IM SO HAPPY!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR HELP, IM INDEBTED TO YOU! Truly, thank you so much for all your help. Thank you doesnt do enough.
I want to take a few moments and thank you for all of your very instructive, kind and consistent feedback and support through my applications and it is your wishes, feedback, and most importantly your blessings that have landed me the acceptance!
I got into XXXXX this morning!!!! It still has not hit me that I will be a doctor now!! Thank you for all your help, your words and motivation have brought me to this point.
I wanted to once again express my heartfelt gratitude for your help in providing feedback during my secondary applications. Your guidance has been instrumental in my journey.
Just wanted to share my wonderful news! I received my first medical school acceptance! Thank you for all that you do for us Application Academy!!!
I am excited to tell you that I just got my third interview invite from XXXXX today! I can’t believe it. I didn’t even know if I was good enough to get one, let alone three – by mid-September. Thank you so much for all of your help and support up to this point; I would not be in this position without it!!
I wanted to thank you for helping me prepare for my XXXXX interview. Even in a 30-minute advising session, I learned so much from you. Thank you for believing in me, and here’s to another potential success story from one of your advisees!
I just received an acceptance with XXXXX! This is so exciting and such a huge relief and so nice to have one of our top choice schools! I also received an interview with XXXXX which brings the total up to 20 interviews! Thank so much, none of this would have been possible without you!
