A Note On The Personal Statement

     As I've been trying to plan out what I want to write about for those of you preparing to apply to medical school, I came to the realization that I had not yet touched on one of the most important parts, the personal statement. I'll be honest, I've been avoiding this topic for a bit because it was honestly something that I personally struggled with, but as it is important I wanted to discuss it a bit.

The Struggle of The Personal Statement

     

     I'm sure I wasn't the only one that struggled with writing their personal statement because, like me, many pre-meds don't have a single defining moment that influenced their decision to pursue a career in medicine. For many of us, the decision was a culmination various interests, personal experience, and curiosity. So, how can one capture that in one essay? It's rather difficult. Apart from that, the personal statement creates quite a bit of pressure because it is one of the first things that your potential medical school will read and may use to decide whether you have what it takes to become a doctor. But, with all of that involved, writing a good personal statement is still possible. 

Telling Your Story

     The best thing that I can advise you to do is not to think about what medical schools would want to hear, but rather to tell the story of what made you want to pursue this career and what keeps you motivated to continue with it. Your story certainly doesn't have to be extraordinary (i.e. You didn't have to have an epiphany while serving at a mission in India.), but I recommend that you try to make it as unique to you as possible. For me, it took quite a bit of thinking, but when I finally pieced together my story I was very proud of it.

Writing Tips

     During the process of writing my own personal statement, I came upon a few tips that helped me. So, I wanted to share the ones that I remember.

  1. Make It Engaging

      You have to remember that the admissions person that is reading your essay has read hundreds of others. If it is boring, you won't be memorable and your essay might get overlooked. Focus on keeping your reader engaged throughout the essay (with an emphasis on a strong beginning and end) by telling your story in an engaging way. I wrote mine as if I was telling an actual story and I think that is what helped mine stand out (or at least I assume so).

2. Keep It Short

     Going along with the first tip, essay readers have read several personal statements before picking up yours. If you happen to make yours as verbose as possible, I'm sure they'll get annoyed. Try to say what you have to say with as few words as possible. You'll be forced to ensure that you are utilizing quality over quantity and essay readers will be thankful you opted out of using every word in the dictionary.

3. Read Samples

     Taking the time to read what other people have written for their personal statements can be incredibly beneficial. For one, you'll be familiar with the general format of a personal statement and through reading several of them you'll be able to learn what makes them engaging. I read quite a few before attempting to write my own. Of course, this tip doesn't mean to go out and copy what someone else has written, but instead utilize them to get in the mindset to write your own unique statement.

4. Try To Avoid Pre-med Cliches

 
       A subject people will gravitate to when writing a personal statement for medical school is talking about a sick person they have encountered in their life that made them decide to pursue medicine. Another topic is talking about how you want to save people. Truth is, we all might've had that influential "patient" and we all want to save people. That's why we are pursuing medicine. I am not saying these aren't valid reasons, but that they tend to be overused. Try to write your statement with less of a direct focus on these topics and on instead focused on you. Also, be specific to medicine. There are many jobs that would allow you to help people, so why are you choosing medicine in particular.

     With all of that in mind, I advise writing from the heart. If you are pursuing this career, you are definitely passionate about it. If you approach your writing with this in mind, it'll definitely show through. 

     I hope you are having a great start to your week and I'll talk to you soon!

~Genesis<3

     

Worth and The Medical School Application Process

     The topic of this blog post came from a conversation that I had with my friend Alissa (My med student friend) about some of the questions the pre-med student that she advises had. One of the questions that the student asked was about feeling judged during the application process and that is what I want to explore a bit today.

Before Applying

    For most premeds, a common element in our preparation for our medical school application is the worry about everything we do being good enough. Are my grades good enough? Is my MCAT score competitive enough? Do I have enough volunteer hours? Was my volunteer site good enough? The list is never ending. Also, if you are like me and you go through a pre-health advising committee, the list of things you need to be a strong applicant is incredibly daunting. For us, the committee had broken down whether or not we should apply this cycle based on our numbers ( GPA, Science GPA, and MCAT score). Then each number was broken down into three categories: Red , Yellow, and Green. As you went from red to green, your chances of getting accepted were greater. For the yellow category (Where my numbers were), the numbers were right in the middle. My numbers were good, but by no means extraordinary. So, you can imagine my mild stress before even starting the application. 

During The Application Cycle

     As you are filling out your application, you really start to feel how much scrutiny will go into your application. You list all your grades, your extracurriculars, and then come up with something worthwhile for your personal statement. If all goes well the first two rounds, the interview is the ultimate test. Here, you'll have to show why medical schools should decide to accept you and you must do this within the limits of one interview. The scary part is you don't know exactly what they'll ask to gauge whether or not you're a good candidate. Then afterward, you'll hope that you said everything just right.

Looking Back From The Other side

     Now that I am standing where I am, It's crazy to think how I made it through everything. There were some weeks (following my first interview) that were very rough as I hadn't heard much from anyone, but I think that what helped me make it through was believing I had made the right choice. I knew that there wasn't a 100% chance that I would get in, but I knew that I had never wanted anything more in my life and that I wouldn't stop trying until I got it. I went in knowing that if this year didn't work out, I would try again next year. I am not sure that everyone that applies to medical school goes in with that mentality, but I do think that regardless you need to believe in yourself no matter what the odds say. The dean of my future med school said that this year they had 7,900 applicants, They Interviewed about 500 applicants, 300 applicants were accepted, and 160 will be attending at the Chicago campus. Crazy huh? What I want you to remember if you are about to take on this journey, Don't be intimidated by the numbers. Pour your heart into it, and I believe your passion will show. Also, having everything perfect on your application doesn't always mean that it'll work out. So, why stress about it? Medical schools have an idea of what they should be looking for, and that is something different for each one. So, as the AMCAS goes out next month keep that in mind.

     I wish everyone luck on their pre-med journeys and if you are just reading this blog for fun, I hope you've gotten a better sense of how daunting the journey to becoming a doctor can be. Have a great rest of your week and an even better weekend. I will talk to you soon!

~Genesis<3

Applying to Medical School

     This past year has definitely been a crazy one, and of course that all had to do with the fact that I was applying to medical school. Now that I've pretty much completed the process, I wanted to share my "review" of the medical school application process.

     I did make a video about this, and that will go into the general overview of the process. This post will mainly be dedicated to explaining some of the things that I mentioned in the video and giving you more of a sense of the timeline (I'm a visual person, so this is for my other visual people).

     

Timeline

     (All beginning in the year prior to medical school entry)

May: The primary application is available online

June: Primary application (along with supplementary materials) should be sent out by the end of the month.

July: Secondary applications are sent out to applicants by the end of the month. Applicants can also begin sending in their secondaries as soon as they are completed.

August: If the secondary application was sent in early, applicant might be invited for an interview.

September: Interview season begins.

December: Deadlines for most secondary applications.

March: End of Interview Season.

April: By April 30th, you can only have a spot saved for one school. If you have multiple acceptances, you will have to cancel the ones for the schools you will not be attending.

Things Mentioned

Primary Application: This will be the first "round" of the application process. If you are applying to allopathic (MD) schools, you will be filling out the AMCAS. If you are applying to osteopathic (DO) schools, you will be filling out the AACOMAS. The primary application is a general application that is sent to all of your selected medical schools, so it is mainly focused on your background information, personal statement, extracurriculars, and letters of recommendation.

Secondary Application: The secondary application is sent out individually by each medical school. Every school has different requirements for their secondary but for most schools, the secondary is mainly a set of supplementary essays set by the school. At this point, schools want to get to know you a bit more beyond your grades. 

Interviews: In order to be considered for acceptance, each applicant must complete an interview. Despite being intimidating, interviews are a great thing because you'll literally have a foot in the door. If a school is inviting you to interview, this means that they are already interested, but that they would like to get to know you in person to see if you would fit in the environment of their school. For interviews, I would say that of course, you have to bring your A-game but at the same time have fun. You should be seeing if the school is a good fit for you. After all, you'll be the one studying there for the next four years.

Acceptance: If all goes well, you will be getting a big white packet in the mail offering you a place in the entering class and instructions for the next steps. At this point, you respond to their offer and you save yourself a place at the school.

     I hope that this post gives you a better breakdown of the application process. I know it is rather general, but I think it gives you a general overview of what to expect. I hope that you had a great week and I'll talk to you soon!

~Genesis<3

Never Doubt Your Brilliance

    
























   





      As much of my medical school application process has come to a conclusion, I wanted to share a little story with you guys about something that happened to me on my journey.

     Last year, I was going through the pre-med process and part of what my school offered pre-med students was the opportunity to apply for a committee that helps you along with applying to medical school. As a member of the committee, you got assigned an advisor who you met with every month to go over materials for your application and gain guidance over the application process. This program wasn't new to me as I had gone through it the cycle before when I was considering applying for medical school my Junior year. Senior year I re-entered the committee and was all set to meet with my advisor starting Spring semester. 

     At this point, I personally felt that I had kicked fall semester's butt. I had spent the bulk of my summer studying for my MCAT retake in early September (which I happened to get a score I was happy to apply to schools with), I was working 15-20 hours a week, volunteering, and I managed to pull off a 4.0 for the semester. When spring semester started, I was feeling really optimistic and although I was a tad bummed I wouldn't have the same advisor ( the previous cycle I was paired with the head of the committee who is such a great person and one of the kindest men I've met) I was excited to start working towards my medical school application. That's where Dr. F comes in. 

Dr. F. was the advisor I was paired with for the semester. A Biology professor with curly gray hair, rather cold blue eyes, and a typically serious demeanor. Our first meeting was definitely memorable. I arrived at her office a few minutes early (for anyone that knows me I have a habit of being early for everything) and was prompted to wait outside her door while she prepared for our meeting. When I finally entered, it was a typical first meeting. We shook hands, I sat down, she asked me to talk a bit about myself ( I don't like this question as I never know what they really want to know), and then we reviewed my file. We discussed my numbers and extracurriculars for a bit and then she gave her opinion, she thought I was average. I remember her saying, " I am a very blunt person and I won't sugar coat any of this" as she proceeded to tell me that I had a chance but to prepare myself because a lot of students don't get in. She also was really pushing me to pursue a D.O. Degree instead of M.D. because they typically require a lower MCAT. I had applied for a research position and she basically told me I had a slim to none chance of getting it and when I told her I worked at a clothing store, her disapproval was very apparent (unnecessarily so in my opinion). 

     At that point, we went over my gap year plans and she told me my best bet was to pursue a certification program to get a job that would allow me to gain more patient experience. I just remember nodding and asking for her advice while trying to piece together what I could do now that my previous ideas were burning in a trash bin somewhere. We concluded our meeting, agreed upon the time for our next session, and I headed on my way. I remember walking home desperate to arrive as the heaviness in my chest was very apparent. The short walk to my apartment felt eternal and when I finally shut the door behind me and reached for my phone to call my mom, I knew the tears would shortly follow. Through tears, I told my mom how everything had gone, what the advisor had said, and how I didn't know what I was going to do. 

    I was scared. It felt like Dr. F. had taken a knife to the canvas where I had drawn out my path and all I was left staring at were the pieces blowing around unable to be mended. For a girl that always likes to have a plan, this was a nightmare and even worse because it concerned what I had just spent the past three and a half years trying to build. I remember my mom coaching me through, reminding me that everything would be fine and to not be afraid. She is amazing at reminding me to refocus and she was exactly what I needed at that moment. I took a deep breath, tried to set a starting point for my next move and said,"It'll be okay. I know I haven't come this far to stop now." 

     The remainder of the semester I worked my butt off, I planned my gap year as best as I could, and the following meetings with Dr. F. went alright. She even at one point stated that she was "impressed" with my progress. The semester ended ( I finished with a 3.8), graduation came ( graduated cum laude) followed by application season with the fear and insecurity instilled in me by Dr. F. a demon present along the way. 

     Now, if you've read any of my other posts, you know everything went well. I was accepted to two really great med schools. One of which didn't even look at my secondary before interviewing me ( which means they didn't even need any of Dr. F's suggestions to think I was a great candidate) and the other one was one of my top choices here in Chicago.  

    Looking back on it, it was silly for me to even be afraid of the process, but as a pre-med it's easy to fall into the trap because people like Dr. F. will try to tell you that you might fail. But, I am here to tell you that people like Dr. F. aren't always right. I honestly believe that when something is meant for you, nothing can keep it from happening. All I had to do was work very hard and persist to get there. It's crazy to think that I could've avoided many months of worrying if I had only focused on my journey instead of keeping Dr. F's words at the back of my mind, but regardless I made it through.

     I'm not going to say getting into medical school is easy because it definitely isn't. But, I will assure you that it isn't impossible. I wanted to share my experience with Dr. F. so that you won't doubt your abilities because someone else thinks less of you. You are a unique person and medical schools are looking at you as a whole. So, if your are applying this cycle, don't fret. Stay on your course and don't let anyone steer you astray because you are more brilliant than you think. Good luck!

~Genesis<3

 

Accepted Part 2!

     Well, I know where I left off last Tuesday was with my anticipation of news from my most recent medical school interview. If the title didn't already give it away to you, I am happy to announce that what came in the mail was a big packet of good news! Coincidently, the day the post about waiting for news went up, I received my acceptance letter in the mail.

     For me, this is absolutely incredible. My entire pre-med career I knew that I wanted to stay in Chicago for medical school, so now that my chance is here, I am so thrilled! Now, I am most definitely celebrating this, but there are two things that I do want to explain about my acceptance. One, this medical school does have multiple campuses, so there is a possibility I might be sent somewhere other than Chicago, but on our interview day, the dean said that our session was still early in the application process ( I believe they are interviewing candidates through March) and that it is very likely we will be placed at our preferred campus.  Two, for this school I do have to do a pre-matriculation program before starting medical school. I wasn't exactly thrilled to read this in my letter but upon doing more research, it is something that the school apparently emphasizes for underrepresented minorities in medicine. I am a Hispanic woman, so I very obviously fit the bill.

     To be honest, I was tentative about wanting to share that piece of information, but I know I want to be completely honest about my journey to medical school and as I will begin this 6-week program at the end of May, it isn't really something I will be able to hide haha. Also, I kind of want to blog all the cool things I will be learning in the program as from what I read it will preview the classes I will be taking in medical school. Does it suck that I will have to give up six weeks of my summer? Of course! But honestly, I don't exactly mind it. I could be sitting here contemplating about whether or not I wanted to blog about being waitlisted at the school I was seriously excited about, but thankfully instead I am writing about how I was accepted. So, today I am counting my blessings, and deciding that for me this is all good:)

     I hope you are having a great day and that you had a very happy holiday! I will be posting something on Thursday, so stay tuned:)

 ~Genesis<3

   

   

The Waiting Game

     So, we are coming up on almost three weeks since my interview and let me tell you, I cannot wait for the next couple weeks to go by. I checked the application status portal today, and it says the school has reached a final decision and I should be expecting mail within the next two weeks! Despite the fact that this decision is a big one for me, I've been relatively calm. I'm not gonna lie, I've been scoping out apartments in the Chicago neighborhood that I believe I would like to live in if I do end up going to that school, but hey, a girl is welcome to dream right? 

     I think the day dreaming is only amplified by the fact that my best friend just found her apartment in the city and the thought of us being in the same city next year seems like a dream come true. Realistically, I know that I probably won't have the time to go out as much as I would like considering I will be an ever busy medical student, but just the idea of it delights me.

    Honestly, If I don't get into this school, the other school where I was accepted out-of-state is a really great school and I am through the moon excited that they've already accepted me. I'd say one of my least favorite parts of this entire process has been the waiting game. I am such a planner that I love to know what is going to happen next and obviously, this whole process is a matter of waiting and seeing what happens. It has definitely tested my patience, but it has shown me that the best things are worth waiting for and you've got to stay patient:)

~Genesis<3

Acceptance!

Now, before you get confused, this post isn't a follow-up of the interview I had last week, but rather the result of an interview that I had late September for which I received notice the middle of last month.

Not going to lie, the beginning of November was a little rough for me. I had a little snafu with the Medical Assitant externship I was in (This is a bit of a private story, so I don't want to elaborate on it at the moment.), I had been feeling uneasy about one of my really good friendships, and my medical school news seemed to be at a quiet halt. To say the least, I felt rather lost. I remember driving home from work one night and just breaking down because I just didn't know what to do with myself anymore. As usual, amidst my frustration I began to pray asking God for something to help me make it through this. I thanked him for getting me this far and asked for the strength to keep positive about the process. Two days later, I was invited to interview at one of my top choices in Chicago ( the interview I had last Tuesday), and a week later I received a big white envelope from the school where I had interviewed at the end of September.

In my self doubt ( and apparently utter ignorance of medical school acceptances), I took the envelope from my father saying, " Oh, this is probably them saying that they had the pleasure of interviewing me, but that they aren't going to consider my application any further." To my surprise, the opening of the letter greeted me with the words that every medical school applicant hopes to read, Congratulations. The letter communicated that after consideration, the medical school had determined that I had the qualities necessary to make an excellent medical student and with great pleasure would like to offer me acceptance into their medical school. I was in shock. This was the moment I had dreamed of from the moment I decided to become pre-med and the moment that helped me push through the obstacles in the past four years. I looked up from the letter and all I could say to my ever curious father was a quiet "I got in." Of course, what followed were celebrations, texts to my best friends, happy tears on my behalf, and the realization that I had made it. I was going to have the chance to be a doctor.

I'm sure you're wondering where all the doubt comes from. Well, in my opinion, my interview with the school was definitely not my strongest. It was the first experience I had with a medical school interview and while I had thouroughly prepared to answer why I wanted to pursue medicine, I felt I wasn't ready to answer the random "character questions" the school threw at me, especially when one of my interviewers ( who was definitely playing devil's advocate) challenged every answer I gave. I had tried my best and I still left the school discouraged in my performance. Also, in chatting with my fellow interviewees of the day, I didn't think I measured up with the competition. There were students who were doing research at places like Yale, graduated from Stanford, and here I was just a Chicago girl who had a passion for medicine. Well, apparently I underestimated myself.

My point of this entire post is to show you that you should never doubt yourself, and especially don't compare yourself to others. Everyone has something that sets them apart and schools do recognize that. Don't think that you need to have a 4.0 GPA, have saved babies in Africa, or have discovered the cure for cancer to get into medical school. What you need is the dedication to pursue your dream and the passion to show others that you can do it. I am just a girl that worked her butt off at a great university, struggled but yet succeeded on the MCAT, and put her heart into her application in hopes that medical schools would recogize her passion. Thankfully, they did.

So, if you are still going through this journey, keep fighting, put your best foot forward, and believe wholeheartedly that you have what it takes. Life may just show you that you do:)

~Genesis<3