A key component of your medical school application is the letter of recommendation. An amazing letter of recommendation for medical school can help differentiate you from other equally qualified applicants. Lukewarm letters of recommendation can land you on the waitlist. Even worse, they can make the difference between an acceptance and a rejection. When I interviewed for both medical school and residency, interviewers often commented on the strength of my letters of recommendation. I’m grateful for the advice I’ve received over the years, and I want to share it with you. In this post, I will outline some strategies that…

View Post

One of the most common questions I get from premedical students is “What extracurricular activities should I do to get into medical school?” Though there are definitely some “check the box” items that all medical school hopefuls should complete, I generally offer this advice to my mentees: Do what you love, and do it excellently! Instead of thinking about what will get you into medical school, think about what you like doing and what brings you joy! As a result, you’ll either 1) have amazing experiences to share in your medical school application and personal statement or 2) realize there’s…

View Post

Choosing to go to medical school isn’t something that should be taken lightly. Medical school and a career in medicine for that matter are part of an incredibly long and challenging journey. It’s a decision that you should make sure to spend a lot of time thinking about. I wrote this post to help walk you through the decision process of how to decide if you should really go to medical school. Contemplation: Should I Go to Medical School? Using the Stages of Change Model as a guide, the question of whether or not to go to medical school falls into…

View Post

The Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) statistics show that roughly 70% of medical school applicants choose to study science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) majors in college. Though STEM majors represent the vast majority of majors chosen by pre-medical students, it is by no means a requirement that premeds study your typical premed majors to gain admission into medical school. In fact, for many medical school-bound undergraduates, a non-STEM major is likely the better option for you to ensure that you maximize your time and educational resources in college.  WHY CONSIDER A Non-traditional premed MAJOR? Benefits of a non-tradition premed…

View Post

Navigating life as a pre-medical student can be tough. There are so many options for doing premed life the “right way” that it can be hard to find what’s right for you. As my time in medical school winds down, I’ve spent some time reflecting on the journey that has gotten me to this point, just a couple of months away from starting psychiatry residency. In this series, I will provide premed advice related to some of the aspects of the premed journey that I think I offer unique insights on. There are SO MANY premed blogs out there that…

View Post