I have wanted to be a doctor for a very long time. It was always a desire in the back of my mind, never verbalized. You see, I used to believe that you had to essentially be a science nerd to become a doctor. Science, me? Science was always my worst subject. Didn't really like Earth Science, Chemistry, Biology, OR Physics in high school. So I temporarily shelved my intrinsic desires to focus on another interest of mine-Psychology. However, when I took Human Biology here at Wright State 2 years ago, I realized something: not only do I really want to become a doctor, but I truly feel like it is something I am supposed to do. So I combined my love of human health and human behavior, and haven't looked back since.
As a psychology major, I am pursing the Behavioral Neuroscience concentration, which involves amazing brain and behavior classes such as Behavioral Neuroscience I and II, Behavioral Neuroscience Methods, Drugs and Behavior, Clinical Neuroscience, and Human Behavioral Endocrinology. Between these and explicit pre-med classes, my schedule is kept pretty full.
Since early summer, my focus has been on applying and getting accepted to medical school. I took the MCAT on May 31st, 2008, after 8 weeks of self-study. I submitted my AMCAS application on June 22nd, and it was processed on July 9th. I submitted my secondary applications to 5 Ohio schools soon after. Many people struggle when writing their personal statements, because it is so open-ended. I suggest writing from your heart, and showing a bit of vulnerability. For example, I discussed my Grandmother's passing on March 17th, 2008, as it was an enormously challenging experience for my family and me. My Grandmother's unconditional love, sense of humor, and pride in higher learning has helped shape who I am today. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think of her and miss her. Yet I am also grateful for the nearly 21 years I was lucky enough to have her in my life. I also talked about my own experience in the hospital as a patient, and how serving at a free clinic has had an impact on me.
I interviewed at Ohio State on September 17th, Wright State on October 8th, and Cincinnati on October 13th. I also scheduled interviews in November for Toledo and NEOUCOM, which I ultimately cancelled upon finding out I was accepted to Ohio State. Since then, I have been accepted to Cincinnati as well. In terms of preparing for interviews, I focused on making sure I knew my primary and secondary applications very well. I also researched each school and thought of questions I wanted to ask. I also examined myself: why do I want to be a doctor? What are my strengths and weaknesses? The entire application process can be a bit stressful and long, but through faith and hard work, the end result-finding out you are accepted-is very worth it. I know that the next eight years will be intensely challenging. I know there will be times when I say "what did I get myself into?" and "I'm never going to learn all this". But I know that ultimately, I will answer to Dr. Hoover and be able to diagnose and treat all different sorts of individuals and make their lives better.
If I could offer advice to undergraduates who want to pursue medical school-I would say: challenge yourself. Take classes that are hard, and work hard. Find a clinical setting where you can learn, grow, and help others. Get to know people different from you. And do something fun, for yourself! Me? I love to run, and have participated in 23 local races this year-from 5K's to two Half Marathons. I also love movies and get way too excited when a highly anticipated one is about to premiere.
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