Author Archives: Docstory Contact

Brittany Stelmar, MS2

Leave a reply

Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine
UCLA, B.S. Biology
Age 24
From Moorpark, CA

What does your typical day of medical school at Touro look like?
Lecture all morning, lunch break, and then OMM/pathology/anatomy/histology/neuro labs in the afternoon

How do your classes and lectures compare to those at your undergraduate institution?
Touro uses a flipped classroom, so we’re expected to watch the lecture videos before going to class. In lectures we have clicker questions with clinical vignettes that apply what we learned in the lecture videos. Undergrad at UCLA was never like that, it was always just a straight up lecture with some clicker q’s for attendance points. They’re similar in that they use clickers for attendance though.

What have you liked about the teaching practices at your institution? Alternatively, how satisfied are you with the class structure at your institution? Are there aspects that you would like changed?
I like how involved the professors are with all of us. If anyone gets a sub par test grade, they reach out via email to schedule a meeting and set up tutoring. Touro is extremely pro active about giving people help when they need it. I like the flipped classroom, but it gets overwhelming because of how many videos are assigned. Even if we have an hour of lecture, some professors will assign 3-4 hours of videos to watch beforehand. And if you show up without watching the videos, you have no idea what the clicker questions in class are asking. I wish the video lengths were cut down. I also wish classes weren’t mandatory… because if you’re not caught up on lecture videos, you’re still required to go to class. But you sit through the lecture clueless/unable to answer the questions, which I think is a waste of time… we could use that time instead to catch up with the videos, and then go over those questions later on our own.

Looking back on when you were applying to medical schools and deciding which school was the best fit, what do you think are the most important things to learn about a medical school when you are deciding which school is right for you?
I think location is important, I knew I didn’t want to be in the heart of a huge city to avoid distractions, but I also didn’t want to be completely in the middle of nowhere. I got a nice balance with Middletown because it’s an hour bus/train from NYC so it’s easy to escape when we need to.

Can you give us a brief description of the area surrounding your medical school? What are some things you like and dislike about the city/town you are located in as a student?
Our campus is in Middletown, NY and it’s about an hour north of NYC. I think the location is perfect for us as medical students because it’s a small town that’s not overly distracting… our distance from NYC makes it easy to go in/out via train, bus, driving, etc if we want, but it’s also not overly distracting from school because of the distance.

What organizations or activities are you involved in outside of your regular classwork? Additionally, are there any organizations (even if you aren’t a part of them) that you think are unique to your school?
I’m a member of Sigma Sigma Phi, which is a national osteopathic medicine honors fraternity. I’m also treasurer of the Health & Wellness Club on campus. There’s a ton of clubs on campus for every specialty too.

How much/well have you been able to develop clinical skills alongside your classroom work first and second year? What does your institution do to help you develop clinical skills before the clinical years?
First year was all classroom based. We got exposure in our Physical Diagnosis class and lab with hands-on clinical skills, but our only classroom “interactions” were with our lab partners or with the actors during our graded OSCE’s. There are also health fairs outside of the classroom that a lot of clubs put on, where we give free health screenings to members of the community, and a lot of mission trips, so there’s opportunities to put clinical skills to work.

What is one way your outlook on medicine or understanding of medicine has changed in your time at medical school?
Getting through a year of medical school was exhausting! It gave me a newfound respect for doctors and everything they had to go through to get to the point they’re at.

Are there any resources that stand out to you as most useful to you in self-learning medical school material or for expanding on material taught in class?
I really like First Aid, and I followed along with it all year to help prep my mind for boards too. SKETCHY IS AMAZING for micro & pharm, and I wouldn’t have survived without it. It basically takes microbes, medications, etc and creates a picture storyline out of it, and each symbol and part of the storyline is some sort of characteristic of that medication or microbe that you’re learning about. It makes it impossible to forget things because you can just visualize the whole storyline and all the symbols/characteristics in your head whenever the name of that microbe or medication comes up.

If a young undergraduate interested in applying to medical school came to you seeking advice about ‘which major is best,’ what would you tell them?
I would definitely recommend a science major like biology, physiology, etc. If I came into med school with no background knowledge I think it would’ve made things a LOT harder. It would’ve taken a lot more time having to learn the basics and it would’ve been really hard to keep up.

What is your favorite event of the year put on by your medical school? Tell us a little bit about it.
Winter formal!!! It’s a big formal dance at a fancy venue with really good food & drinks

What do you wish you had known as an undergraduate and/or as a student in the medical application process?
I wish I knew more about D.O. schools and osteopathic medicine. There was a bad stigma against D.O. schools in undergrad because people were never exposed to it, and it wasn’t until I worked as an ER technician alongside many osteopathic physicians that I learned what D.O. schools are really all about. I saw firsthand that D.O.’s were working alongside M.D.’s with the same exact job title, with absolutely no difference in the way patients, nurses, technicians, or any other healthcare professionals addressed or interacted with them. I learned that the only difference between the two was that D.O.’s were trained in OMM, or osteopathic manipulative medicine. I really enjoy my OMM classes, it ties everything together and has been a great supplement to everything else, and it’s definitely a tool I plan on using as a physician. It’s definitely one of the most hands on classes we have too, we diagnose each other in lab and perform treatments like myofascial techniques or HVLA (like cracking backs).

Alexander Worix, MS2

Leave a reply

Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, B.S. General Biology and Spanish
Age 25
From Crete, Illinois

What does your typical day of medical school look like?

Southern Illinois University School of Medicine is unique for being a pioneer of problem-based learning (PBL) so our schedule at SIU varied everyday. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday we started our day with a 3 hour session of what we call “tutor group” which is the foundation to PBL/self-guided learning curriculum. Tutor group consists of a small group of students (5-8 per group) and a tutor group leader (usually a PhD) who come together in order to navigate through a computer program called the Electronic Problem-Based Learning Module (ePBLM). This program contains virtual patients. For each patient we ask relevant questions to take a history, analyze physical exam findings and order ancillary testing for interpretation. From this process we narrow down our differential diagnosis list and develop a list “learning issues” or concepts that need to be discussed within the group for comprehension. We are also expected to relate the basic science concepts to the clinical findings of the patient. After spending the first day navigating through the ePBLM, the other two days are utilized to discuss and draw learning issues on the boards provided to us in the tutor rooms.

In addition to tutor group we would have pre-laboratory lectures for Anatomy and/or Histology as well. The actual labs would take place in the afternoon on either Monday, Wednesday, or Friday.

Tuesday’s are known to be dedicated to clinical skills. Sometimes we would have a lecture about a certain physical exam and/or have an hour long session to practice certain techniques that we learned. These clinical skill sessions are scheduled at random times and usually the class is split up between two consecutive Tuesdays. This means that half of the time there could not be anything scheduled and we would have a free day. This makes Tuesdays very relaxed and offers students an ample amount of time to catch up on learning issues and lectures.

Thursdays are known to be really relaxed as well since the whole morning will consist of “resource sessions” or lectures that would acknowledge our learning issues and confirm that the information we are learning in tutor group is the correct information. In addition to activities on campus we also have required hours to complete with our physician mentors. We have a minimum of 12 hours per unit to complete and students like to utilize Tuesdays and Thursdays to complete those hours.

How do your classes and lectures compare to those at your undergraduate institution?

Coming from someone that graduated from a very large state university, I would say the vibe is totally different from college in a positive way. At the University of Michigan I felt that I was just a number and I was competing with hundreds of students to “beat the average.” Now I am at a medical institution with only 74 students in my grade. There is a lot more one-on-one time with faculty and we are able to build relationships with them since they have roles as tutor group leaders. In addition, faculty want to see every single student become successful and make it through medical school. They would be willing to meet with you outside of class and sit down with you in order to explain concepts in a more clear and straight-forward manor.

I would say that my classes and lectures do not compare to my undergraduate institution at all. Previously stated, SIU SOM is centered on a problem-based/self-guided learning curriculum. At this school you can not rely on going to lectures every day to receive the information you need to know which is how I would describe undergrad; all lectures. But this curriculum provides students freedom to attend to their own personal learning style. We are not given a required resource list because they want us to use what works best for us. This means using books that have more pictures than text or vice versa, watching videos, listening to audio, drawing concept maps, etc. As long as we understand all the information the professors want us to know then that is all that matters at SIU SOM.

However, in terms of the resource sessions or “lectures” that we do get, I would say that they are pretty different from undergrad. I believe undergrad is all about weeding out people and having them compete. My undergraduate institution wanted us to learn every single step of glycolysis, every single step of the TCA cycle, the origin/insertion/blood supply/neural innervation/agonist/antagonist of every muscle, etc. At SIU SOM it is completely different. They only want you to know all the clinically relevant information. For example, we are expected to know the regulation enzymes in biochemical pathways and the points where certain pathologies took place or where medications work. 

What have you liked about the teaching practices at your institution? Alternatively, how satisfied are you with the class structure at your institution? Are there aspects that you would like changed?

I am very much an advocate of the idea of tutor group at SIU SOM. Tutor group gives us the opportunity to discuss high yield content. I always believed explaining concepts to others was one of the best ways to study the information and that is exactly what we are doing in tutor group. In addition, we are not only learning about concepts in tutor group, however, we are also building our clinical skills. By the end of the first year at SIU SOM I would say that the majority of my class and I feel confident on taking a complete and focused history, know how perform a comprehensive head-to-toe physical exam under 45 minutes while analyzing the pertinent findings, and have a good basis on what ancillary testing to order for a certain chief complaint.

The only thing I would like to change about the curriculum is making sure that the faculty and students in tutor group identify individuals with different learning styles. There is an expectation in tutor group that every student has to lead discussions during every session. Some students may have a quiet nature when it comes to academics and like to listen rather than contributing to a discussion. However, when everyone is evaluated as a tutor group member, it could be conveyed as if those students are “not good medical students” solely due to the fact that they do not talk as much as the dominant students.

Looking back on when you were applying to medical schools and deciding which school was the best fit, what do you think are the most important things to learn about a medical school when you are deciding which school is right for you?

When I applied to medical school I thought the most important factors were to be happy with the curriculum and the COST. I know a lot of students want to base their medical school choice off of location and/or rankings, but it is not worth the extra debt or dissatisfaction with the curriculum. One of my options included a state school in Michigan that was 1) close to my alma mater and 2) had more to offer than SIU. However, the cost for out-of-state students was $100,000 per year and barely offered any free aid. The first year of medical school at SIU SOM calculated a cost of $50,000 which included tuition, room, board, moving expenses, etc. I knew that the extra $50,000 per year would not be worth the stress. It made no sense to be in more debt in order to attend an institution that was going through a curriculum change and was placed in a more “exciting” area. At the end of the day I would be receiving the same type degree.

Also when applying to medical schools I was not going to get bogged down with medical school rankings. SIU SOM is an unranked institution but I chose them because they are nationally known for their clinical preparation. I always hear stories about a graduate from SIU SOM being picked to be chief resident solely due to the fact that they graduated from SIU. In addition, SIU students still attend really amazing residency programs all over the country.

In terms of academics, I knew that I wanted an organ-based curriculum, early exposure to patients and clinical skills, and a more relaxed schedule. SIU had all of that. The first year of the curriculum is separated into CRR (Cardio, Respiratory, and Renal), NMB (Neural, Muscular, and Behavioral), and ERG (Endocrine, Reproduction, and Gastrointestinal). It was essential for me to have this type of curriculum because it only made sense to integrate everything early before entering M2 year (the year of pathology) and for the USMLE Step 1. In addition, I knew that I would love SIU SOM for their clinical skills once I heard that students started to take histories with standardized patients on the second day of medical school.

Can you give us a brief description of the area surrounding your school? What are some things you like and dislike about the city/town you are located in as a student?

The first year at SIU SOM takes place in Carbondale, Illinois at the Southern Illinois University undergraduate campus. It is nice to have the first year on an undergraduate campus because it offers an environment that most students will be familiar with. It is a small town, yet it is a college town. Therefore it offers the basic essentials for the majority of students in the class. I am originally from the Chicagoland area and it indeed was a huge change to what I am used. However, I was able to adjust quickly since I was going to be very busy anyways. Carbondale also offers many different attractions like great hiking, beautiful wineries, breweries, restaurants, etc.

Once you make it through M1 year, M2-M4 year happen in the capital of Illinois; Springfield, IL. I personally was more excited to move out of Carbondale to Springfield because it is more of a city. However, a lot of people in my class are from rural Illinois and really appreciated the nature-like experience Carbondale had to offer. Also I believe that having Abraham Lincoln everything around is not as enticing to some people in my class as I would expect.

What organizations or activities are you involved in outside of your regular classwork? Additionally, are there any organizations (even if you aren’t a part of them) that you think are unique to your school?

With the first year of medical school being physically separated from the main SIU SOM campus in Springfield, it was very difficult to be involved in organizations. However, we still had volunteer opportunities, a “satellite” family medicine interest group at Carbondale, intramural sports teams, and other experiences. I do not think it is a disadvantage to not be as involved during the first year of medical school because M1 is pretty demanding and requires a lot of focus anyways. In general there are a lot of interest groups and organizations such as American Medical Association, Student National Medical Association, Latino National Medical Association, etc.

How much/well have you been able to develop clinical skills alongside your classroom work first and second year? What does your institution do to help you develop clinical skills before the clinical years?

SIU SOM has a reputation with multiple residency programs for being a clinical-heavy medical institution and really preparing our students to train after graduation. We are even known to be pioneers of the “standardized patient.” Beginning from week one of medical school we learn how to take a complete history and perform a comprehensive head-to-toe (HTT) physical exam. Clinical skills are assessed through Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs), Clinical Competency Exams (CCXs), and the end-of-year comprehensive physical exam where we have to perform the full HTT physical exam in under 45 minutes.

What I appreciate the most about the clinical curriculum are the CCXs. These exams require a medical student to take a focused history and physical exam on a standardized patient and retrieve all pertinent data in order to take to the computer lab. At the computer lab we generate a list of differential diagnoses, write up a history of present illness (HPI), compile all the pertinent positives and negatives, and order ancillary testing to rule out/confirm diagnoses on our list. It provides early preparation for USMLE Step 2 CK and CS early in our medical education.

In addition, I really love the physician mentor program. Everyone is matched with a physician mentor and you are required to complete 12 hours of shadowing per unit with them. The school influences interactions with real patients by having each student take a history, perform a physical, and complete an actual history and physical write-up on a real patient each unit.

What is one way your outlook on medicine or understanding of medicine has changed in your time at medical school?

Before starting medical school I thought that medicine was about memorizing information and learning about all these random facts that do not have any relationship to anything. However, in medical school I have learned that these random things do have a relationship with the science behind it. In addition, I have learned that multiple symptoms studied in clinical medicine do have a mechanism of action explained by the basic science we learn during the first two years of medical school. It was completely mind-blowing and pushed me to learn more in medical school.

I have also learned that medicine is definitely not all about the science when treating the patient. Communication and making sure you have the full trust of the patient is even more important. This allows a great physician to gain all pertinent information needed in order to provide the best healthcare to their patients.

  

Are there any resources that stand out to you as most useful to you in self-learning medical school material or for expanding on material taught in class?

I would say that having a USMLE Step 1 resource by your side throughout the first year is essential. Medical school is about teaching students Step 1 topics plus more detail and at times I found it hard to grasp the bigger picture. I did have First Aid around my first year but I barely used it. I am talking about resources like Boards and Beyond and/or Dr. Najeeb. I caught myself multiple times being lost in the details and began to memorize certain concepts. Boards and Beyond DEFINITELY helped me see the “bigger picture” to those concepts and allowed me to learn for comprehension and not memorization.

If a young undergraduate interested in applying to medical school came to you seeking advice about ‘which major is best,’ what would you tell them?

I would tell them that any major is okay. Just as long as you know how to balance the demands of being a pre-med student with other school requirements then that is fine. Even majoring in a non-science major could be more appealing to admissions committees and more do-able. However, I would also say that the major you pick should not be as demanding as taking a load of pre-med courses. My institution did not have a pre-medical track so I decided to major in General Biology and Spanish. If I was able to go back in time and give advice to my undergrad self then I would tell him to not be super ambitious and major in two completely opposite concentrations. My time at the University of Michigan consisted of me struggling to meet the requirements of the Spanish concentration, General Biology concentration, and the requirements of the college itself. It was really demanding and even had to stay almost every summer in order to make sure I graduated on time. It collided with studying for the MCAT for the first time and that did not end well at all.

What is your favorite event of the year put on by your medical school? Tell us a little bit about it.

Definitely the MEDICAL SCHOOL WINTER BALL! It was so much fun as a first year medical student because we were able to meet all the upperclassmen for the first time. It was also a good time to network, make new friends, dress up, and see everyone deviate from school mode in order to have some fun.

What do you wish you had known as an undergraduate and/or as a student in the medical application process?

I wish I had known that the admissions committee would judge your past academic performance just as much as your current academic performance. I was going into the admissions process thinking that they would look at me based on my most recent statistics from my post-bacc program but that definitely was not the case.

As an undergraduate student I wish that I knew that there was absolutely no rush to do medical school right away. There is a stigma in pre-med culture which says that the correct time to start medical school is right after undergrad. I do not think that any student needs to stick to that mindset. Because of this way of thinking I ended up taking multiple science classes at once and rushed the MCAT when I was not ready. It ended up being a waste of money and stress. On that note, I am so thankful for my post-baccalaureate program because it gave me the extra training and boost to my background knowledge. Without the two extra years I took to complete this program I would not 1) be in medical school at the moment and 2) be successful in medical school.

Annie Yau, MS1

Leave a reply

Weill Cornell Medical College
UC Berkeley, B.S. Molecular and Cell Biology
From Cerritos, CA

What does your typical day of medical school look like?

We start the day at 8AM either PBL, small group discussions, or lecture, and run through 1PM. Our afternoons are anatomy labs during the first semester, preceptorship , electives, or free time to study and nap. In the evenings we often have student groups, host activities, and these are great places to grab food and hang out with others who share your interests. Afterwards I’ll go to the gym, meet up with friends in the city, or catch up on emails and work. I go to class as often as I can because I’m terrible at watching lectures online and it gives me a reason to not sleep in. First year has a lot of down time, and I’ve used a lot of that to explore my interests through shadowing and working with the WCCC student run free clinic.

How do your classes and lectures compare to those at your undergraduate institution?

I’m used to having a lot of variety in my undergrad classes because I always kept my science and humanities classes evenly balanced each semester. In medical school, everyone is learning the same material so it can feel more heavy and monotonous. On the other hand, the material is always interesting unlike some classes in undergrad, so it is easier to stay engaged and excited about learning.  

How has your approach to learning and/or studying changed since you were an undergrad?

I have to be a lot more consistent with my studying just to keep up with the amount of material and the fast pace.

How would you describe the unique culture at your school? Are there special events or activities that you consider very representative of the culture at your institution? What influence has this culture had on your experience in medical school thus far?

We have a class of just over 100 students so it helps make our class very tight knit. Most of us live in the same building during the first year, which also helps bring us together. My classmates here all have amazing backgrounds and all bring something unique to the class dynamic. The culture here is pretty low-key, probably because we’re all distracted from the stresses of medical school by being in New York. Having a close class has made the first year of medical school and living in a new city so easy to transition into.

Can you give us a brief description of the area surrounding your school and the things you do for fun? What are some things you like and dislike about the city/town you are located in as a student?

We’re in New York City and it’s one of the best cities to spend your medical school years in. There is always something going on and it’s always an exciting time. There are museums (which you can visit with the Art and Medicine elective), Central Park a short run away, theater/live shows that we get discounts to, and endless trendy foods to try. I’ve been here a year and feel like I’ve only uncovered the surface of what New York has to offer. There aren’t too many negatives, other than I’m still adjusting to the winters as a native Californian.

What resources have been most useful to you in self-learning medical school material or in expanding on material taught in class?

I use Pathoma and First Aid to supplement the lectures and make sure I know the important take home points.

What seemed to be important topics or points of interest during your interviews? Were there particular aspects of your application that your interviewers focused or recurring themes between interviews?

My interviewers did a good job covering the most important aspects of my application. Interview day seemed to stress the relationship Cornell has with the city and vice versa. Cornell has a tri-institutional relationship with Memorial Sloan Kettering, Rockefeller University, and also a relationship with Hospital for Special Surgery, which makes for abundant research and clinical opportunities.

What is one thing you would do differently if you could go back to your undergraduate years or the time between undergrad and medical school? (This is open ended…can be related to academics or anything non-academic)

I would have bought more season tickets to Cal basketball games.

Given the number of obstacles we face en route to a career in medicine, everyone at some point feels doubtful of themselves. How has this affected you and what has helped you persevere through these sorts of feelings?

Having a good support system was key, because there was essentially no premed advising at my undergrad at the time. I had many doubts and had to ask others for help in this very complicated and unfamiliar process. Remembering to not compare myself to others was the best way to stay resilient.

How do you maintain your mental health while balancing school, work, family, and other social obligations?

Having a strong support system, meditating when I can remember to, and working out. Once you get into medical school everyone just wants you to succeed and it’s a huge relief. The pass/fail curriculum is also a godsend.

Austin Wininger, MS3

Leave a reply

Indiana University School of Medicine
UCLA, B.S.
Age 24
From Danville, CA

What was the most difficult adjustment you had to make going from second to third year?

This jump was the most difficult educational barrier I have faced. There is dramatically more self-studying with no clear best resource to use. Despite feeling like I gained a tremendous amount of clinical knowledge, my first NBME exam taught me that I did not prepare adequately for this formative assessment.

Additionally, clinical evaluations can be subjective, so learning how best to approach faculty in regards to feedback and constructive criticism definitely took an adjustment. I was not the most vocal student during 1st and 2nd year, so I had to break out of my shell to build the confidence to seek this information out.

Can you describe the basic structure of rotations at your institution?

IUSM has 8 core clerkships during 3rd year (Surgery, IM, OB/GYN, Psychiatry, Family Medicine, Anesthesia, Pediatrics, and Neurology) with surgery, pediatrics, and IM each being 2 months long. Every rotation has an NBME exam, except family medicine and anesthesia, which use a department exam. There are very few lectures and didactics, and typically these were only a minor supplement to the information that you need to know for the NBME. Grading is P, HP, H. There are some assignments (quizzes, H&Ps, researching a clinical question) that are due for a grade, but >70% of grade is determined by clinical evaluations and the NBME exam.

Are there are any resources that stick out to you that helped you through exams/a particular rotation? An alternative question, how did you approach learning the material necessary for a given rotation?

I used Online Med Ed (OME) and UWorld the most. OME is very good at hitting the highlights for each specialty and explaining what you need to know. When using UWorld, I would complete all the questions regarding whatever clerkship I was on prior to the NBME exam. I also referenced various books during each clerkship (FA, BRS, step up to medicine), but the bulk of my studying revolved around those two resources.

How would you describe your role as a team member during third year clerkships?

This depends greatly on the clerkship and hospital you are placed. For example, you could do psych at the children’s hospital and not do many patient interviews on your own, or do it at the VA and see many patients on your own. Typically, you are functioning at an intern level and seeing patients first and presenting to a resident or attending, with the goal being to see how you can improve your interviewing and physical exam skills to build an adequate differential diagnosis.

What advice would you give to a student that is starting their third year rotations but is still unsure what specialty interests them?

Always be open minded. Don’t give up on a specialty based on one bad day or one preceptor. I knew going into 3rd year that I wanted to pursue some kind of surgical field, but I still enjoyed every rotation and built lifelong relationships with residents.

How did you approach asking for feedback from preceptors throughout a rotation?

We all know that feedback is critical to improve as a med student toward functioning like a resident and then an attending. Getting feedback during 3rd year is not easy. Most residents and attendings try to avoid this. Make sure to be vocal about wanting feedback and making a point to meet privately to discuss feedback. This will let them know you are truly invested in your education.

What rotations were your favorite and why? What features of a clerkship make a particular rotations stand out from others?

For me, whether I liked a rotation or not really came down to how I was able to get along with the residents and staff I was working with. I go to work every morning in a much better mood when I enjoy the people I work with. For example, I heard horror stories about OB/GYN and how mean some of the residents could be, but honestly this was one of my most enjoyable rotations. Overall, I enjoyed being in the operating room the most, so surgery and neurology (neurosurgery) were my favorite.

How did you balance clinical responsibilities with studying?

Make a point to do UWorld for each rotation. Watch all the OME early during a rotation. It is impossible to study as much as you did 1st and 2nd year, but aim for an hour per night. One thing that I realized early during 3rd year is that when your clinical duties are done for the day and the residents dismiss you, you should leave and use this time to study.

Did your career goals change during third year rotations, and if so, what particular experiences led to your decisions?

No, 3rd year confirmed that I wanted to pursue a career in surgery. In fact, during my neurology rotation at the very end of 3rd year, during which I did only neurosurgery at the VA, I really started to feel confidence in the OR that confirmed my inclinations for surgery.

Are there opportunities to personalize your third year rotations that you believe are unique to your institution? (i.e. different site opportunities, elective opportunity within clerkship)

Yes, IUSM has 9 campuses throughout the state, all of which house rotations. Additionally, the downtown Indianapolis campus has 4 hospitals, including a county, children’s, and VA hospital. The ability to work in a community setting and in a major city with level 1 trauma gave me a great foundation of clinical knowledge.

What is one way your outlook on medicine or understanding of medicine has changed in your time doing various rotations?

I had very little clinical experience going into medical school. What 3rd year taught me was how dramatically you can change a patient’s life and how much trust the patient has in their physician. Surgery elucidated this the most to me and that is why I hope to one day become a surgeon.

Steven Tohmasi, MS2

1 Reply

UC Irvine School of Medicine
UCLA, B.S. Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology
Age 24
From La Verne, CA

What does your typical day of medical school look like?

During first year, we usually have our basic science classes from 9-12 with afternoon classes on occasions. We also have mandatory small group sessions (either clinical foundations, ultrasound, or simulation) once a week for 3 hours. These sessions are where you learn clinical skills (i.e. how to interview a patient and perform a complete physical exam) directly from a preceptor. Our school also uses an online podcast system, so every lecture is recorded and can be viewed at home whenever you want. This is a nice tool for independent learners or those who simply prefer to watch lectures from the comfort of home. If you commute, having the option to podcast helps a lot because you are no longer obligated to come to campus every day.

How do your classes and lectures compare to those at your undergraduate institution?

In regards to class structure, the first two years of medical school feel pretty similar to undergrad. You attend lecture and learn material from a PhD or MD who has done work in the subject you are being taught. You also have access to lecture slides and textbooks to help prepare you for exams. The critical difference between undergrad and med school is the volume of material you are responsible for knowing. You will often hear the analogy of med school being compared to drinking out of a fire hose. This could not be more true. Despite this, the workload is definitely manageable if you work hard and manage your time wisely.

Looking back on when you were applying to medical schools and deciding which school was the best fit, what do you think are the most important things to learn about a medical school when you are deciding which school is right for you?

At the end of the day, getting into any medical school is an achievement to be proud of. Any med school in the US will put you in a great position to pass your boards and become the physician you dream of being. But if you are fortunate enough to obtain multiple acceptances, I believe that some of the main things you should consider are:

Tuition/cost of living, location, interview day impression (did students seem happy here? Could you see yourself succeeding here?), are 1st and 2nd year pass/fail, recorded lectures (is class attendance mandatory?), potential student organizations/research/community programs that you are interested in joining.

Can you give us a brief description of the area surrounding your school? What are some things you like and dislike about the city/town you are located in as a student?

Located in sunny Southern California, Orange County offers endless opportunities for fun. When we aren’t studying for exams, my classmates and I enjoy soaking up the sun as much as possible! Our med school campus is less than 15 minutes away from the ocean. Even if you’re not an avid beachgoer, there are tons of other outdoor activities near the Irvine/Newport Beach area. There are many great hiking/running trails (Crystal Cove ~10 mins) and many restaurants/bars nearby. Also, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Big Bear are only 1.5 hours away and are great destinations for weekend trips!

What organizations or activities are you involved in outside of your regular classwork? Additionally, are there any organizations (even if you aren’t a part of them) that you think are unique to your school?

UCI is at the forefront of incorporating ultrasound education into the medical school curriculum. Each year, around 30-40 med students will spend the summer between their 1st and 2nd year teaching ultrasound internationally and conducting ultrasound-related research. This year, we have teams traveling to Panama, Tanzania, Switzerland, and Indonesia to teach medical professionals how to use point-of-care ultrasound. I am personally very excited to be spending Summer 2018 in Switzerland where my team and I will be teaching an ultrasound course at the University of Basel Medical School.

How much/well have you been able to develop clinical skills alongside your classroom work first and second year? What does your institution do to help you develop clinical skills before the clinical years?

One thing that stood out to me about UCI during the application process was the PACE program, a longitudinal clinical experience during 1st and 2nd year. In PACE, med students spend one half day a week seeing real patients with a preceptor in clinic. It serves as a great opportunity for us to strengthen our clinical skills before we start 3rd year rotations. I feel that the extra practice we gain interacting with patients in PACE will help us excel during our clinical years.

If a young undergraduate interested in applying to medical school came to you seeking advice about ‘which major is best,’ what would you tell them?

It’s simple, choose the major that interests you the most. We tend to perform at our best when we are fascinated by the material we are learning. At the end of the day, admissions committees don’t really care about what you major in as long as you perform well in your classes. Also, everything you will need to know to become a great doctor will be taught to you in medical school. So, take advantage of your opportunity in college to explore your existing passions or discover new ones.

What do you wish you had known as an undergraduate and/or as a student in the medical application process?

As an undergraduate, the prospect of getting into medical school seems like a daunting one. Most premeds are constantly misled to believe that it takes a spotless GPA and perfect MCAT to even get one’s foot in the door. While grades and MCAT scores are highly important, they are not the be-all and end-all of med school admissions. In fact, most med schools have now incorporated a holistic review of all applicant files. So, in college make it a priority to create the perfect balance between school and those things in life that you’re truly passionate about.

Will Tobolowsky, MS3

Leave a reply

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
UC Santa Barbara, B.S. Microbiology
Age 24
From Los Angeles, CA

What does your typical day of medical school look like?

Pre-clinical years: Begins with lecture at 8AM, usually there are 3-6 lectures a day with small group sessions and virtual microscopy (pathology) sessions mixed in. Mondays and Wednesdays usually end around 3PM. Tuesdays and Thursday end around 12PM. On either Tuesday or Thursday, I would drive to an outpatient clinic to work with patients or have a clinical skills session until 5PM. Friday usually ended around 1-2PM. All of the lectures/small groups were for one course only (unlike undergraduate where you take many classes at once).

Clinical years: Start time is variable and based off of what you are working in (surgery, psychiatry, internal medicine, etc.) Usually the morning begins with rounding and checking on all of the patients and creating a plan for the day. Then the rest of the day is spent taking care of patients/working in the OR/documenting important changes in the medical chart.

How do your classes and lectures compare to those at your undergraduate institution?

They are very similar. The biggest difference is that class is focused on the same field vs. in undergraduate where you might go from math to philosophy to a biology class. So, you have at least 4-8 hours of dedicated learning time per day in say cardiology, or renal, anatomy, or biochemistry. Basically, this means if you fall behind you will seriously struggle. Most classes run 2-4 weeks and have a total of about 40-60 lectures (about 15 per week roughly but varies). In college one class usually meets 3 times a week for 10 weeks = 30 sessions (UCSB is on a quarter system). So basically, just imagine condensing an entire quarter class or a little more than half a semester into a few weeks. Of course, you aren’t taking 5 classes, so it is absolutely manageable, especially since all of the information is fresh. But like I said, beware of falling behind. All or most of the lectures are usually taught by different people, so there is a lot of variety in terms of teachers, which I personally liked.

How has your approach to learning and/or studying changed since you were an undergrad?

Not much, I took written notes in undergrad and continued to do so in medical school, as an example. Most of my classmates type their notes as they did in college. Basically, stick with whatever works for you as long as it isn’t an unsustainable or unhealthy method. Every day when I got home, I found it helpful to go over as many lectures from the day as possible by going through the slides or lecture notes (which are sometimes provided by the person who gave a particular lecture). Anything I did not finish I reviewed over the weekend. Also, it is a good idea to spend some time each weekend going over study materials for USMLE Step 1 (which is kind of the MCAT equivalent required to get your license and consists of 3 parts taken throughout your graduate education). Your score plays a big role in what specialty you go into. Therefore, studying for it early on will help you get a higher score, AND may help you do better in your classes if you choose to review things that you’re also learning in your classes.  

How would you describe the unique culture at your school? Are there special events or activities that you consider very representative of the culture at your institution? What influence has this culture had on your experience in medical school thus far?

My school has a ton of unique culture and exciting special events (Olympics, networking events, Drinks and food on Fridays, etc.) There is way more opportunities than time you have to spend being involved. In fact, it is a little overwhelming how many opportunities there are. My suggestion is to find specific events or groups that you like and stick with them. I’d say it is also okay to focus on your studies, your rotations, and maintaining important hobbies (like running or playing the piano for me personally).

Can you give us a brief description of the area surrounding your school and the things you do for fun? What are some things you like and dislike about the city/town you are located in as a student?

East Baltimore.

Bad things: Lots of crime, a dangerous area especially at night, not a lot of nearby food options if you do not have a car.

Good things: Tons of really great dining options and nightlife options if you have a car or are willing to pay for a ride.

Important note: I wouldn’t let an area influence your choice of medical school too much. Remember, you’re going to medical school to hopefully 1) help people, 2) learn. “Bad” areas often have hospitals that have very well-trained doctors, nurses, and staff who are ready to deal with some pretty serious situations, and it is in these populations that help is often needed. As a side note I am not suggesting that the staff are better if the area is dangerous, but I do think that certain hospitals see more of specific types medical emergencies and problems. If you go to school in a super fancy and nice area, you may end up limiting the types of things you end up seeing and learning. Again this isn’t a universal truth or anything, but just something to think about.


What resources have been most useful to you in self-learning medical school material or in expanding on material taught in class?

Sketchy Medical: Microbiology and Pharmacology. Give this resource a full and fair chance. It is amazing for microbio and pharm and will make learning some very memorize-detail heavy subjects fun and easy!

Pathoma: My go to resource for learning pathology. By the time you take USMLE Step 1 you should have watched it at least twice in my opinion. Once with your classes, and once during your dedicated study period (usually 8 weeks) for Step 1.

First-Aid for the USMLE Step 1: Get this book early. Annotate as you go along in your classes and familiarize yourself. This book is basically a list of all the things you need to know. However, it is pretty horrible for learning things for the first time, after all it is a review book, and therefore you should use it as a checklist to make sure you understand all of the topics mentioned. Your classes will cover most of the material, but they make skip over some picky details that aren’t really clinically relevant, but nonetheless get tested frequently. Once USMLE Step 1 comes around you can consider getting a new more updated version of the book. By then you should be pretty familiar with the book and should not seeing many concepts or subjects for the first-time.

USMLE Rx: A question bank of 2400 or so questions that test high-yield concepts and topics in First-Aid. I recommend doing this question bank during your courses as a way to familiarize yourself with board-style questions. It will also help you in your classes. For example, during Neurology, you can do the 300 neurology questions. Not only will you score yourself some points on your school’s exams, but you will also prep for the future!

U-World: The best question bank in my opinion. I highly recommend saving this until your second year when you get closer to taking Step 1. This is the question bank that most people do during their dedicated study period. It is very well done, super detailed, and an amazing learning tool.

What seemed to be important topics or points of interest during your interviews? Were there particular aspects of your application that your interviewers focused or recurring themes between interviews?

I don’t really remember too much; my advice is just to be yourself (unless you’re not a very good person). Jokes aside, try to let your personality and passion for whatever may interest you come through.

What is one thing you would do differently if you could go back to your undergraduate years or the time between undergrad and medical school? (This is open ended…can be related to academics or anything non-academic)

Not much. My experience was what it was (good and bad), and I am grateful for that.

Given the number of obstacles we face en route to a career in medicine, everyone at some point feels doubtful of themselves. How has this affected you and what has helped you persevere through these sorts of feelings?

Usually I try to re-direct my doubt as motivation to push myself to learn more and help my patients more compassionately.

How do you maintain your mental health while balancing school, work, family, and other social obligations?

I make sure to set aside time to spend talking with my family, and time spent with my friends. If you ever feel doubtful or that you may be depressed etc., just reach out! medical school is challenging, and no one is going to judge you for talking to a therapist (also no one will know to begin with unless you want them to as medical records for students are often separate and private from other students/staff).

Chris, MS2

Leave a reply

Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine
Undergraduate at University of Colorado
Age 26
From Denver, CO

What does your typical day of medical school look like?

7AM wake up. 8-12 I’ll watch the days lectures and make my study guide. 1PM-4PM  there are required classes usually twice per week. Evenings are usually for free time. Sometimes I spend a couple hours reviewing difficult concepts from previous days. I sleep by midnight.

How do your classes and lectures compare to those at your undergraduate institution? 

I enjoy being taught mostly by clinicians in medical school. It helps keep things in clinical perspective. Class structure is more team focused and there are small group/mock patient cases + work ups. This helps break up the monotony of lecture. Other than that, lectures are pretty standard. 4-6 hours of lecture per day. Maybe 1/3 of the class shows up on a regular basis. Most of the differences compared to undergraduate for me and many of my classmates are in regards to study techniques rather than actual class structure.

How has your approach to learning and/or studying changed since you were an undergrad?

Undergrad was all about memorizing and regurgitating facts on the exam, then promptly forgetting. There is a lot of memorizing in medical school too (drug names, mechanism of action, terminology etc), but my main focus was keeping things as big picture as possible and learning it REALLY well the first time through. Our exams are composed of mostly 2-step questions that require more than simple fact recall. So, I would memorize all the important facts, then develop tons of flow charts for each class of diseases and understand how to differentiate between each differential diagnosis based on symptoms, lab results, imaging etc. It made things more fun to learn and also stuck with me rather than being forgotten right after the test. Also, having just completed Step 1, I can say that developing a working knowledge of key concepts during M1/M2 was invaluable for me during Step 1 review. It is amazing how fast things came back during review.

Looking back on when you were applying to medical schools and deciding which school was the best fit, what do you think are the most important things to learn about a medical school when you are deciding which school is right for you?

First, you need to have a good understanding of what is important to YOU. Then, research those things…but heres my personal view: 1.) Class size/Culture…cutthroat or cooperative? It would suck to be the only cooperative person in a cutthroat class and vice versa. 2.) Hospital size and quality of facilities…make sure the hospital sees a broad spectrum of patient populations and gives you access to all the major (and minor) specialties. 3.) Location…this includes rent prices, things to do, city versus rural. All important things! Believe it or not, there is a lot more to life than just medical school and you want to be in a city that you can thrive in.

Can you give us a brief description of the area surrounding your school? What are some things you like and dislike about the city/town you are located in as a student?

VCU is in the heart of Richmond VA. It is a city rich in culture but also known for its striking poverty and racial challenges. These unique circumstances challenge students and clinicians to work with people from all walks of life. Likes: I’m a huge history buff, and Richmond is the place for it. Also, tons of bars and food. Lastly, I like that it’s a small city rather than somewhere like Manhattan. Dislikes: really not a whole lot that I dislike. Like any city, there are some dangerous areas surrounding the school, but I’ve never seen or had any problems. Oh…and humidity. How I hate the humidity.

What organizations or activities are you involved in outside of your regular classwork? Additionally, are there any organizations (even if you aren’t a part of them) that you think are unique to your school?

I Did some summer research with the department of toxicology. Other than that, I am married and spend most of my free time with my wife.

In retrospect, which classes in undergrad do you think were the most useful coming into medical school?

ANATOMY. Why it’s not a requirement for admission baffles me. Also, having a good base in physiology would be very beneficial.

What is a unique aspect of education at your medical school that has been valuable to you thus far as a medical student?

I mentioned above that Richmond has a lot of residents that live below the poverty line. Starting in early MS2, we have the opportunity to join clinicians on house calls around the city and see patients that cannot make it to the hospital or doctor. Being inside the homes and neighborhoods of our patients gives a unique perspective and helped me develop a greater appreciation for the challenges many people face when it comes to balancing life challenges and their health.

What is one way your outlook on medicine or understanding of medicine has changed in your time at medical school?

The house calls have helped me see that as doctors, we are responsible for providing medical care but more importantly, we need to adjust it based on the capabilities/limitations that our patients face. Many cannot afford medications, some people are illiterate, others don’t have any means of transportation etc.

If a young undergraduate interested in applying to medical school came to you seeking advice about ‘which major is best,’ what would you tell them?

Probably biology or something similar…but it really doesn’t matter as long as you complete the pre-med courses and really excel in them. That being said, I’m not sure it would be wise to pick something completely unrelated to science.

What do you wish you had known as an undergraduate and/or as a student in the medical application process?

Once you get into medical school, nothing on your resume matters. You get a clean slate (whether that’s a good or bad thing depends on the applicant). Also, I wish I spent less time being neurotic and asking anyone I could for med school advice. Just enjoy time off before you start, and regardless of what anyone says is the “best way” to do things, find your own way and run with it and work as hard as you can.

What is one thing you would do differently if you could go back to your undergraduate years or the time between undergrad and medical school?

I was actually very happy with my path to school. I took a gap year in which I worked as an EMT, got married, and just enjoyed life as a normal 24 year old. I’m a huge proponent for gap years!

Sam Teles, MS1

Leave a reply

USC Keck School of Medicine
UCSB B.S. Biological Sciences
From Ranchos Palos Verdes
Age 24

What does your typical day of medical school look like?

I’ll wake up around 6:30-7:00, and start studying until around noon. Our classes are recorded and put online, so I usually will study Zanki flash cards for a couple of hours then watch the recorded lectures. I’ll go to the gym for about an hour early in the afternoon when I get tired of studying, then study again until dinner around 7. After that, I’ll hang out with friends or my girlfriend for the rest of the night and usually go to bed a little after 11:00.

How do your classes and lectures compare to those at your undergraduate institution? 

Classes are much more dense but are less bogged down in biochemical details. You’ll have to learn about a lot of diseases and know what the risk factors are, how it progresses, and how it manifests. However, you don’t necessarily need to know the nitty-gritty details at a molecular level to the same degree we learned in undergrad classes like O-Chem. We generally have no more than 4 hours of lecture a day, and they are webcasted, so you can watch them at home at 2x speed if you want. The vast majority of students do not attend live lecture and choose to only webcast. There are also PDF notes written by the lecturer for each lecture, and they can be anywhere from 3-12 pages of dense notes you need to know for the test. They are very detailed and if you just study the notes very diligently you’ll be well prepared for the test.

How has your approach to learning and/or studying changed since you were an undergrad?

I never physically write anything down, which is new for me since I took hand notes in undergrad. Now, Zanki flashcards, webcasting lecture, and various school resources are the staple of my study habits. There is easily 10-20x as much material than undergrad, and much of it is straight up memorization. In undergrad, I got by with studying way less by really trying to understand the core concepts and apply them to new problems. In medical school, you have to work much, much harder to do that because the amount of material is so much heavier.

Looking back on when you were applying to medical schools and deciding which school was the best fit, what do you think are the most important things to learn about a medical school when you are deciding which school is right for you?

Deciding where to apply is one of the most important parts of the process. Personally, I applied to a few UCs and USC in state, then broke each school down each out-of-state school by looking at how many out-of-state students apply, how many out-of-state students get interviews, and how many of those students matriculate. That gives you a good picture for which out of state schools actually give out of state applicants a fighting chance. Then, you of course have to play the GPA and MCAT game and look at each schools mission statement. For example, I’m Jewish, and parts of my app were anchored to that, so I didn’t apply to schools that had a strong Catholic/Christian mission statement. At the end of the day you should apply to mostly schools within your range, with a few reaches and a few “safeties.” However, there are no “safety” schools, because if your stats are way above a school’s average, they probably won’t accept you because they assume you will be accepted to a more competitive school and go there, and schools don’t like to accept students that won’t matriculate because it makes their acceptance rate look bad.

Can you give us a brief description of the area surrounding your school? What are some things you like and dislike about the city/town you are located in as a student?

The surrounding area of East L.A. has a lot of poverty. It’s home to an at-risk population of mostly Latinos, but our campus essentially has 3 hospitals: Keck Hospital (Private), Norris Cancer Center (huge private cancer hospital), and LA County hospital. It’s important to be able to see how all three operate and the populations they serve. Being able to see patients at County is special because these are people who are grateful for your help and for someone that will listen to them. You don’t get that as much at private hospitals with patients from a higher socio-economic class. Sometimes, they only want to talk to the doctor or surgeon and as a medical student who can’t offer much to them, you’re kind of left out. So being able to make a difference with people at County simply by paying attention to them is special and probably the best part about where our campus is located. There are neighborhoods within 15-20 minutes of campus that are nice and trendy to live in as well, like Silverlake, Los Feliz, Echo Park, as well as places like Alhambra and Monterey Park which have huge Asian populations and delicious restaurants.

What organizations or activities are you involved in outside of your regular classwork? Additionally, are there any organizations (even if you aren’t a part of them) that you think are unique to your school?

I’m in the Health, Technology, and Engineering program at USC, which is pretty unique. It pairs medical students with PhD engineer candidates with the goal of innovating in the healthcare space. Each week, an engineer or physician entrepreneur will come in to speak to us about a product he or she designed and talk about the process of needs finding and patents and such. Sometimes we’ll have lectures on how hospital billing works, or quality improvement, or how to bring a product to market. It’s a good opportunity to explore the medical world beyond being a clinician and see how other people have used their medical knowledge and training to advance the medical field through tools or software.

In retrospect, which classes in undergrad do you think were the most useful coming into medical school?

Immunology was the most helpful because a lot of med students didn’t take it in undergrad and struggled with it a little bit.

What is a unique aspect of education at your medical school that has been valuable to you thus far as a medical student?

The faculty really pay attention to the students here and make real changes based on student feedback.

What is one way your outlook on medicine or understanding of medicine has changed in your time at medical school?

Everyone needs to have a high baseline medical knowledge to practice competently. However, you’ll really go above and beyond if you go the extra mile for your colleagues and patients, and if you can keep a positive personality while doing it.

If a young undergraduate interested in applying to medical school came to you seeking advice about ‘which major is best,’ what would you tell them?

Anything you choose, you just need to do the pre-reqs for medical school. The majority of people in my class were science majors in undergrad, but there are also people who have degrees in theatre, english, etc. Do whatever major you’re passionate about and do well with the science pre-reqs and that’s all it takes.

What do you wish you had known as an undergraduate and/or as a student in the medical application process?

Make sure you talk to people who actually practice medicine. The most important thing is to know what you’re getting into, and to know what a typical day-to-day life looks like for a doctor. All of the application stuff will take care of itself, just make sure to do everything you can to put yourself in the best position by choosing the right schools to apply to and spending a lot of time struggling with your personal statement. Have a mentor read it, have friends read it, and make sure your personal statement strongly represents your voice.

What is one thing you would do differently if you could go back to your undergraduate years or the time between undergrad and medical school?

Make sure you enjoy your time as an undergrad, that’s the only time in your life where you’re gonna be living with your best friends and have that amount of free time. Always prioritize putting yourself in the best position to succeed but also make sure you have a life worth living and making lifelong memories with your friends.

Emily He, MS1

Leave a reply

Rush Medical College
USC, B.A. Biological Sciences, M.S. Global Medicine
Age 24
From Cerritos, CA

What does your typical day of medical school look like?

Our schedule depends on the day of the week. We are broken up into morning and afternoon groups. A normal class day for me would involve an 8am quiz from the self-study material in preparation for the class. These sessions are under the flipped classroom model in which we no longer have lectures for class. We get self-study packets that are based around a patient case. We get a video presentation of an actor with a certain chief compliant, the patient chart, and then the rest of the packet provides our material ranging from microbiology and immunology of various disease processes, pharmacology to treat potential diseases related to the case, pathology and histology of the organ systems, anatomy of the body that’s involved, and various other subjects depending on the case such as genetics of family inheritance, psychology if the patient is experiencing alcoholic withdrawals, and the clinical skills to test for different related illnesses.

Our flipped classroom setting meets twice a week for the hard science material and once a week for clinical skills. Each class is a group of 16-17 students and within the class, we work with a smaller group of 4 or 5 students on interactive case-based activities to apply what we learned from the self-study packets.

After class, the time is yours. You can research, study, volunteer, or explore the city. If I had to put down a “typical class day”, it would be wake up at 7:00am (snooze the alarm until 7:30), quiz at 8am, class from 8:30am-12pm, lunch from 12-1pm (there is almost always a lunch talk with free food) and I study until around 5 or 6:00pm. For the rest of the night, I have extracurriculars, grab dinner with friends, binge TV with my roommate, and do random house chores.

How do your classes and lectures compare to those at your undergraduate institution?

Because our medical school has flipped classroom and no lectures, the style is very different from college. My undergraduate classes provided me with not only the foundational skillset to understand the basic science of our material but also the work ethic to study the large amount of information that we are given. My advice would be to go into studying with an open mind. Don’t be afraid to change up your study habits. Even if it was working before, try something that’s new and more efficient. Talk to your friends, ask around, and see what works best for you.

What have you liked about the teaching practices at your institution? Alternatively, how satisfied are you with the class structure at your institution? Are there aspects that you would like changed?

Rush has recently gone through a curriculum change where it remodeled its curriculum to have a flipped classroom. Initially, it was overwhelming to have a huge breadth of information from every discipline ranging pathology to pharmacology into a single case. Even now, I still struggle with the amount of information that we need to know. But looking back at our previous blocks, it’s exciting to know that we have an understanding of diseases from the micro level to the macro level and a clearer understanding of how to apply these integrated fields into clinical care.

Looking back on when you were applying to medical schools and deciding which school was the best fit, what do you think are the most important things to learn about a medical school when you are deciding which school is right for you?

My main advice is to know what you are looking for. When I was applying for medical schools, it was very important for me to grow as a student and as a person. I have lived in Southern California all of my life and even though I was tempted to stay, I knew it was important to push myself to explore something different. Because I would be venturing out of my comfort zone, it was incredibly important for me to find an institution that was supportive and aligned with my passions. I found that at Rush. When I came for my interview, I felt a sense of warmth from the faculty and students. Even now for our clinical rotations, one of my attendings always addresses her emails to us as her colleagues. These may be little things but they foster an environment of collaboration and support from students and faculty. I don’t feel like just a number. I feel like my passions can be supported here and they have. It is important to consider what is important to you. Do you think this place will support you? Can you see yourself living here? Medical school is hard and you want a place that will foster your growth.

Can you give us a brief description of the area surrounding your school? What are some things you like and dislike about the city/town you are located in as a student?

Rush is in Chicago, so there is a big city feel surrounding the area. I love how there are many choices of coffee shop options near us since we are close to Downtown and Millennium Park. Also, as students, you get unlimited public transportation so getting to and from places is very easy. The main concern for my parents when I was moving to Chicago was the safety. We didn’t know much about Chicago besides vaguely hearing that it is unsafe. Like most big cities, there are areas that are unsafe. But Rush is not in those areas or the places in Downtown that are close to the school and my apartment. When we first started school, Rush did an amazing job in talking about safety and brought in Chicago PD to talk to us. I’ve never felt like my safety was in jeopardy during my time here.

What organizations or activities are you involved in outside of your regular classwork? Additionally, are there any organizations (even if you aren’t a part of them) that you think are unique to your school?

Research, free clinic volunteer work, suture and intubation team, student professional interest groups, Asian American student organizations. One of the main things that drew me to Rush and what I love most about the school is its overwhelming commitment to the community. Every aspect of volunteer work always goes back to the community. For example, the extra food from the hospital and cafeteria kitchens that have not been served are packaged and delivered to the Franciscan Homeless Shelter. Initiatives like these at Rush empower me to continue giving back the community.

How much/well have you been able to develop clinical skills alongside your classroom work first and second year? What does your institution do to help you develop clinical skills before the clinical years?

We started hands-on patient care during our 3rd week of school. During each semester, we are immersed in a different clinical setting. In the past year, my clinical placements have been primary care, urogynecology, and this semester I’ll be working in orthopedic oncology spinal surgery. My friends had been able to gain OR experience in ENT, anesthesiology, and many other surgical specialties. Rush does an amazing job exposing students early on and emphasizing the importance of clinical skills. We are also routinely tested on clinical exams that correspond to each block. For example, for the MSK block, we had to learn all of the associated clinical tests.

What is one way your outlook on medicine or understanding of medicine has changed in your time at medical school?

I learned that medicine is becoming more and more integrated. No single healthcare discipline can do it on their own. During the past year, we had Interprofessional Education (IPE). We were with the same small group of 6 or 7 first year students from different graduate colleges at our institution. Some disciplines include nursing, medical lab science, speech pathology, audiology, health administration, cardio perfusion, OT, PT, and many others. In our group, we met every month to work on interdisciplinary cases and learn the importance of integrative patient-centered care.

Are there any resources that stand out to you as most useful to you in self-learning medical school material or for expanding on material taught in class?

Besides the usual resources like Sketchy and Pathoma, I have found that my classmates were the most useful. Because our curriculum is flipped classroom, there is no one resource that has it all in one place. Our faculty and upperclassmen really encouraged us to share notes, information, and resources. It’s important to talk, share, and teach each other. Our class is very collaborative where we have a Google drive and GroupMe message group for our entire class where we share notes, helpful resources, reminders, and other helpful tips.

If a young undergraduate interested in applying to medical school came to you seeking advice about ‘which major is best,’ what would you tell them?

If you are interested in science, pursue a major that fulfills most of the pre-med requirements for medical school. Then for a second major, minor, or masters, you can explore your passion and find what else interests you. Studying science is always great, but it’s also great to explore other topics to add depth to your knowledge and provide a different perspective so you can bring something different to the table.

What is your favorite event of the year put on by your medical school? Tell us a little bit about it.

My favorite event has been the Chicago Bulls games. Rush are the official healthcare team for the Chicago Bulls and the Chicago White Sox. The stadium is walking-distance from our school. One time, I got free tickets in the library, walked with friends to the game, and then came back to campus for our backpacks. These games have been new and exciting, especially watching a new NBA team since I’ve been mainly a Lakers fan.

What do you wish you had known as an undergraduate and/or as a student in the medical application process?

I wish I knew that everything would work out. I had a lot of doubt and always worried if I wasn’t doing enough. It’s hard to stop comparing yourself, but comparison is never really helpful. In the application process, know yourself, be proud and supportive of your friends, and you’ll get through the application cycle together.

Neela, MS1

Leave a reply

UC San Diego School of Medicine
From Los Gatos, CA
UCLA, B.S. Psychology
Age 23

What does your typical day of medical school look like?

We have lecture at 8 AM every day, but because it’s never mandatory, I usually wake up at 8 AM, chug a disturbing amount of coffee, and videocast the lectures from home at 1.5x speed. This allows me to pause when a concept is more difficult and warrants a few repetitions or to skip ahead when I can quickly read the slides to get the information I need. It also allows me to spend some quality time with my cat, Fitz! On the days we do have mandatory class, it’s usually PBL (Problem Based Learning) or POM (Practice of Medicine). Both of these classes are with small groups of 8-10 students and very interactive, so I don’t mind walking to class and being present. On those days, I’ll often hang around on campus after class and study in MET, the shiny new building that UCSD med students call their second home. At night, there’s almost always time to hang out with friends, even if the time spent is in between studying lectures in someone’s apartment. Lastly, I will brag that there have been a few glorious days when I drove to Windansea Beach, set up a blanket, and studied next to the ocean.

How do your classes and lectures compare to those at your undergraduate institution?

The lectures are actually very similar–typically, a clinician from that particular field will present the lecture for an hour, and I write notes directly on the slides using my iPad. So far, I have only had to buy one textbook throughout the entire year because usually all the information you need to know is on the slides. Sometimes, the presentations aren’t always organized to my liking, so after lecture I’ll have to consolidate the information into tables or a flowchart. One incredible thing about most medical schools is that they are now Pass/Fail. This means I can focus on what seems most high-yield or most relevant from each lecture and spend far less time learning minutiae. This also means that I am significantly less stressed out than I was in undergrad. I have also become a much more efficient studier–now, when I listen to a lecture, I am actively picking out what seems most relevant in real-time and even scribbling mnemonics or memory hooks in the margins of the slides.

What have you liked about the teaching practices at your institution? Alternatively, how satisfied are you with the class structure at your institution? Are there aspects that you would like changed?

My professors are extremely approachable and actually enjoy it when you talk to them about their research or their jobs. Because many of them are currently practicing physicians, they provide us with fascinating clinical vignettes that are highly relevant to our future careers and that get us excited to start practicing medicine! Sometimes, I have felt that the lectures weren’t my best studying resources, and I have instead chosen to use resources like Pathoma or SketchyMed to learn the material. This isn’t necessarily a reflection on our lecturers, however, but instead speaks to how awesome those resources are. If you haven’t checked them out yet, I highly recommend looking them up! We also have a lot of small group classes, including PBL, POM, and discussion groups to go over clinical cases relevant to the current block. The small group classes are great opportunities to get to know both the instructing physician and your classmates very well. The clinical case and PBL small groups are especially helpful because they get you thinking more like a doctor and less like an undergraduate.

Looking back on when you were applying to medical schools and deciding which school was the best fit, what do you think are the most important things to learn about a medical school when you are deciding which school is right for you?

For me, the number one most important factor was happiness. When I went to Second Look for the schools I was accepted to, I was paying close attention to the current first years and asking them questions about their lives outside of medical school, their social lives, their mental health, etc. What really struck me at UCSD was that the first years seemed really, really happy–WAY happier than I thought possible at a medical school. They all did cool things outside of school: they surfed, they went to breweries, they had game nights with their friends, they went to Padres games, and the end result was that they were ecstatic that they had chosen UCSD. I think it’s important to remember that medical schools in the US offer pretty much the same things–PBL, POM, Pass/Fail, and small group case-based learning are all facets of pretty much every curriculum. It’s important to ask about these things, but in my opinion, they are not the most important things to consider. Find out how happy the students are, because it’s a definite indicator of how you’ll be feeling for the next four years of your life. And if you are content and feeling fulfilled, I promise you that things like rankings and prestige will not matter one bit. Likewise, think about it–if you’re miserable, will being able to say “at least I go to the #1 school” make you happier?”

Can you give us a brief description of the area surrounding your school? What are some things you like and dislike about the city/town you are located in as a student?

San Diego is the BEST. At UCSD, you’re in close proximity to some of the best beaches in the world (at least in my humble opinion). When you’re feeling stressed, nothing makes you feel better than going to Dog Beach with your best friends, setting up a blanket, and playing with 30 different dogs. As annoying as this may be, there is seriously nothing I dislike about San Diego!

What organizations or activities are you involved in outside of your regular classwork? Additionally, are there any organizations (even if you aren’t a part of them) that you think are unique to your school?

At UCSD, we have a Free Clinic so awesome that almost every single student is able to participate in it. I manage the neurology and psychiatry free clinics with some of my fellow students, and it is by far the most fulfilling thing I have done in medical school. The patients are incredible teachers, and it is a genuine honor to be able to learn from them. If you come to UCSD’s Second Look, I really recommend touring the Free Clinic and learning more about it.

How well have you been able to develop clinical skills alongside your classroom work first and second year? What does your institution do to help you develop clinical skills before the clinical years?

UCSD does a lot to help us become more clinically competent as first year. We have POM (Practice of Medicine) every other week, in which a physician facilitator teaches us physical exam skills and gives us plenty of opportunities to practice. We also have GOSCEs, which are opportunities to practice skills like interviewing and physical examination on standardized patients (paid actors, basically), who are so convincing that I sometimes forget the experience is simulated! We also have ACA–basically, we’re paired with a physician that practices somewhere in the San Diego area, and each week or so, we shadow them. Our ACA preceptors will usually give us opportunities to practice interviewing and examining their patients as well. Finally, I mentioned Free Clinic above, but it bears mentioning again. At Free Clinic, we usually see 1-2 patients per visit, conduct the entire interview and physical exam, and then present to the attending. Then, we see the patient again with the attending and see how the real thing is done. So overall, we get lots of opportunities to develop clinical skills!

What is one way your outlook on medicine or understanding of medicine has changed in your time at medical school?

This is a really hard question! I think that before, I saw medicine as memorizing a bunch of facts about diseases and then applying those facts with patients. To be fair, you do need to be able to memorize and apply facts to be a successful doctor. But I think I underestimated how much of medicine is an art. Patient interviewing and physical examination are really, really hard and require so much practice. The experience so far has given me even more appreciation for what doctors do every day and for the sheer amount of training and practice that go into one short fifteen minute patient visit.

Are there any resources that stand out to you as most useful to you in self-learning medical school material or for expanding on material taught in class?

Pathoma and SketchyMed hands down!

If a young undergraduate interested in applying to medical school came to you seeking advice about ‘which major is best,’ what would you tell them?

I would tell them to choose a major based on what they’re actually interested in, not based on what they think looks good. Some of my classmates were English majors, history majors, and physics majors. No matter what, you have to take the same pre-med prerequisites as everyone else, anyway! I chose to major in psychobiology because I love psychology and have always found it to be so fascinating. I used to be insecure about the fact that a lot of my friends had way harder majors, but today, I’m glad I took classes that I loved and that have stuck with me to this day.

What do you wish you had known as an undergraduate and/or as a student in the medical application process?

 I wish that I had realized that getting into medical school is hard, but it’s doable! Lots of people led me to believe that I could never get in or that I’d be setting myself up for failure by applying. As a result, I became deeply insecure about my abilities. I’m grateful that my friends and parents always stood behind me and encouraged me every single step of the way, until I believed that I could do it. Sure enough, I did it, and you can do it too!