Appetizers

Starting with some basics.

 Fun Starters

Getting to know the human side.

 Main Course

A quick deep dive into the day-to-day student life.

Tell us about yourself and what you're studying.

I am an introvert who enjoys reading, playing video games and board games, and taking care of my plants. I am studying medicine, currently finishing my third year of medical school, and I aspire to become a surgeon one day.

How did you end up in your field? What do you like about it?

I’ve always wanted to do something that helps others because I believed in turn it will provide me with fulfillment and purpose. Few areas can have a significant impact on others’ life such as medicine. Plus I’ve always liked biology and enjoyed learning and the school environment. So putting things together I figured medicine is the best choice for me.

What classes are you taking right now? Which is your favorite and why?

I am currently in clinical rotations, my favorite rotation was surgery because I enjoyed doing things with my hands.

Let's say the school day just started, what's a typical morning look like?

Typical morning is waking up and doing some exercise and then eating a quick breakfast of instant oatmeals. Then heading to the clinical site wherever I am assigned.

Cool, then what does a typical afternoon look like?

My afternoon is spent reading patient notes and helping with whatever task I can.

How are your classes/exams and how do you keep up? How many hours per week do you spend studying or doing assignments?

First two years of medical school we had an exam about every two weeks, lots of studying in the library, anywhere from a couple of hours a day to more than 10 hours a day.

Weekends involve some studying and some relaxation such as going on a hike with friends or skiing. The third and fourth year is less structured and more depends on what clinical site we are assigned.

 Dessert

Now for some juicy insights in the tea room.

What's the most challenging thing about your grad program?

There are various difficulties associated with medical school and it affects everyone differently. The time commitment is one of them, as it can typically take from seven to more than ten years from starting medical school to finally finishing training. It also involves constant learning and testing, both book learning in classrooms and hands-on learning in clinical sites.

What are some characteristics that help someone succeed in your grad program specifically?

Resiliency, having a good support system, passion for the field.

Any advice on how to stand out and get into your grad program for those just starting off?

Showing a dedication for medicine, being able to answer why medicine? Why can’t it be a scientist? Teacher? Engineer? And out of all these specialties, what is it that makes medicine the one choice for you. Along with having the experience to back up your answer.

What's something that surprised you about grad school?

How much it has taught me and how much I’ve grown as a person.

Any last thoughts, advice, or recommendations for someone who wants to get into your grad program?

If you are considering medicine, it is important to start preparation early, as it can be a long application process.