How Volunteering Changed My Perspective on Medicine
When I first started volunteering, I thought it would be about checking a box. I knew medical schools wanted to see service and community involvement, so I figured this would just be one of those things you do because you “have to.” But the truth is, volunteering ended up shaping my perspective on medicine in ways I didn’t expect. Before volunteering, I often thought about patients in terms of diagnoses,…
How My Family Reacted to My Decision to Become a Doctor
When I first shared my decision to pursue a career in medicine, the reaction from my family was overwhelmingly positive and supportive. My sister, always my biggest cheerleader, immediately expressed her pride in my ambition and reminded me of the times we talked about our dreams when we were younger. My cousins, who had often seen me tackle challenges with determination, quickly followed suit, expressing their belief in my capabilities…
Why I Took Gap Years (and What I’m Doing With Them)
If I’m being completely honest, my gap years weren’t part of some carefully crafted master plan. They weren’t a trendy “self-discovery” break or a cute resume booster. I took gap years because, at the time, I didn’t really have a choice. When I graduated, my GPA, both science and cumulative, was low. I had little to no clinical experience, almost no volunteer hours, and only a small amount of research…
Comparison, Imposter Syndrome, and the Non-Traditional Premed
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve looked at someone else’s journey and wondered if I was already too late. I see classmates who went straight from undergrad into med school. People my age are already in their second year, wearing white coats, posting match day selfies, and moving on to the next chapter. Meanwhile, I’m still here prepping for the MCAT, working, healing, hoping. Still in the “becoming”…
My Experience with the AAMC Fee Assistance Program
Let me put you on to one of the best-kept secrets that’s really not a secret, but doesn’t get talked about enough: the AAMC Fee Assistance Program. If you’re prepping for the MCAT and applying to med schools while juggling bills, rent, groceries, and everything else, this program might just become your new favorite resource. It definitely was for me. When I first heard about it, I thought, “There’s no…