The Premed Years

(00:00) — Growing Up Around Medicine: Hallie describes having two surgical physician associate parents and knowing from childhood that medical school was her path.(04:24) — Division I Fencing Meets Premed: How training at 5:45 a.m., attending class, and working overnight ER shifts defined her undergraduate years.(07:52) — Deciding to Delay, Not Quit: Why Hallie chose two gap years over dropping fencing, and what the full college experience cost her timeline.(09:03) — The MCAT Sucker Punch: Three attempts, one void, 28 full-length practice exams, and a score that moved less than one point.(12:17) — What She Got Wrong About MCAT Prep: The difference between checking off practice tests and actually diagnosing your mistakes.(17:00) — Applying Broadly and Going DO: How she decided to apply to over 40 schools, what happened on the MD side, and why she ultimately found the right fit.(22:43) — DO vs. MD and Orthopedic Surgery: What she knew early about the match landscape for competitive specialties, and how she processed the disappointment.(25:29) — Building a Research and Networking Foundation: Starting research at 19, scrubbing into ORs outside her rotation, and why genuine interest beats strategic positioning.(35:39) — Rewinding to the Application Mindset: Reflecting on what the MD rejections really meant and how her perspective shifted once she was inside medical school.(38:56) — Final Words for the Premed Who Is Stuck: What Hallie would say to any student on their 27th practice exam who is questioning whether to keep going.Hallie took the MCAT three times, voided it once, and logged 28 full-length practice exams before applying to medical school — and her score barely moved a single point. In this episode of The Premed Years, she talks honestly about what went wrong in her prep, what she eventually understood about quality versus quantity in studying, and how that same lesson came back around when she hit Step 1 in medical school. A Division I fencer who worked overnight ER shifts between tournaments, Hallie built a strong application in every dimension except the one score that gatekeeps the process. She applied broadly to both MD and DO programs, processed real disappointment on the MD side, and found her footing at a DO school where she is now in her clinical years with orthopedic surgery in her sights. She also gets specific about what she is doing right now — walking into orthopedic ORs on her own time, introducing herself to every member of the surgical team, and building relationships with genuine interest rather than calculated positioning. This episode is for any premed who is putting in the hours and not seeing the results, and who needs an honest conversation about what it actually takes to get to the other side.What You'll Learn:- Why taking more practice tests without deep review is one of the most common and costly MCAT prep mistakes- How to honestly assess whether you understand a concept versus whether you have simply seen it before- What pursuing a competitive surgical specialty as a DO student actually looks like in terms of preparation and match strategy- How to build meaningful relationships with attendings and residents before your official surgical rotations begin- Why the reasons you choose medicine matter as much as the credentials you build to get there

(00:00) — First Spark: How a hospital shadowing program in high school shifted Justin's view of medicine from negative to hopeful.(00:27) — Immigrant Family Expectations: The doctor-lawyer-accountant conversation that narrowed Justin's focus and why he's grateful for it.(04:34) — Choosing Seton Hall: Why staying close to home and picking a smaller school turned out to be the right call for staying focused.(10:22) — Collaboration Over Competition: How studying alongside classmates pursuing PT, PA, and med school kept Justin on track without the cutthroat dynamic.(16:20) — MCAT Rescheduling Spiral: The honest account of pushing back the MCAT four or five times and what finally made Justin ready to sit for it.(21:52) — Checking Boxes vs. Meaning: Why running around doing every premed activity left Justin with experiences he could barely remember by application time.(23:39) — Applying Late and What It Cost: Submitting two months after applications opened, what that felt like in real time, and how it still worked out.(32:50) — TikTok Origin Story: The mall conversation about Washington, DC that accidentally launched a multi-million-follower social media presence.(35:19) — Social Media vs. Medicine: The pressure to quit one or the other, and how Justin reframed content creation as a hobby rather than a competing identity.(38:52) — Dad's Long-Term Question: The family conversation that settled the debate between full-time content creation and medical school.(42:23) — Closing Advice: What Justin would tell any premed trying to balance a public platform with the demands of the path to medicine.Justin was a freshman in college when a friend's embarrassing geography gap turned into a TikTok video that got 100,000 views overnight. By the time he applied to medical school, he had millions of followers across platforms. He also submitted his application two months late, rescheduled his MCAT four or five times, and took a gap year he never planned on taking. In this conversation, Justin walks through the full arc of his premed path — from a hospital shadowing program in high school that flipped his negative view of medicine, to navigating an immigrant family's expectations, to figuring out that checking off every premed activity was producing experiences he could barely recall when it came time to write about them. He talks honestly about imposter syndrome in his first year of medical school, the time management shift that made studying feel less like punishment, and how he handled the very real pressure from people on both sides — doctors warning him that social media would hurt his career, and followers telling him to drop medicine entirely. His answer to both was the same: stay true to what you actually want.What You'll Learn:- Why rescheduling the MCAT repeatedly is not a strategy, and what finally made Justin commit to a test date- How a smaller undergraduate institution can sharpen focus rather than limit opportunity- Why submitting a medical school application late has real consequences, even when things ultimately work out- How to hold a social media presence and a premed identity at the same time without letting either one define you completely- Why a gap year you did not plan for can become one of the most valuable parts of the path to medical school

(00:00) — Born in India, raised in Canada: How early experiences with navigating healthcare planted the seed for a medical career.(03:03) — Canadian medical school odds: Why the stat-heavy, seat-limited system makes it one of the hardest paths in North America.(06:51) — First application cycle, zero interviews: What went wrong and what "being a perfect applicant" actually cost her.(09:02) — Second cycle, authentic essays, a few interviews: How honesty on paper moved the needle — but not enough.(15:29) — Ruling out India, weighing the US, Ireland, and the Caribbean: How she narrowed her options after two rejections.(19:05) — Researching Caribbean schools: Attrition rates, match stats, LinkedIn outreach, and a campus visit with her mom.(23:26) — The financial reality for Canadian students at Caribbean schools: Private loans, OSAP, and a scholarship that changed the math.(28:21) — First days at SGU in Grenada: The pressure of IMG status, 12-to-15-hour study days, and staying focused on today.(32:13) — The "Caribbean med school is a vacation" myth: Why the stigma is wrong and what the attrition numbers actually show.(37:53) — Adjusting to island life: Grocery runs as the only break, finding a study rhythm, and getting comfortable in a new environment.(41:57) — Words for students considering the Caribbean path: Why a different road is still a real road.After two application cycles to Canadian medical schools — zero interviews the first time, a handful the second — this premed from Ontario made a decision that changed everything: she packed up and headed to St. George's University School of Medicine in Grenada. In this episode, she walks through exactly how she got there, from growing up as an immigrant child helping her family navigate the healthcare system, to a five-year co-op undergrad, a master's degree, a second MCAT, and ultimately the realization that the Canadian system's stat-driven, seat-scarce process simply wasn't going to open for her. She talks honestly about the financial side — private bank lines of credit, OSAP, and a merit scholarship from SGU — and about what it actually feels like to sit down with a tuition bill that size. Once on the island, she found that Caribbean medical school is nothing like the vacation stereotype: class sizes in the 500-to-600 range thin out every term, and she routinely puts in 12 to 15 hours of studying a day. Her strategy for handling the pressure of IMG status, uncertain residency prospects, and being far from family comes down to one discipline: focus only on what today requires.What You'll Learn:- Why Canadian medical schools function as a stats-first filter and what that means for applicants who are strong but not perfect on paper- How to research Caribbean medical schools beyond Reddit — including what data points actually matter for Canadian and US students- What the financial pathway looks like for Canadian students attending a Caribbean school, including private loans, provincial aid, and institutional scholarships- Why the "Caribbean school is easy" stigma is inaccurate and what the real academic demands look like from a current student- How to stay mentally grounded when the pressure of loans, IMG status, and an uncertain match future is constant

(00:47) — Grandfather's Illness as Catalyst: Shemiele traces her interest in medicine to caring for her grandfather in Jamaica and losing him to a stroke.(02:30) — Immigrating in Sixth Grade: How moving to the US opened up possibilities she hadn't considered growing up in Jamaica.(05:37) — Deciding on Medicine in High School: The shadowing experience that confirmed she wanted to become a physician.(09:49) — Approaching Graduation Without the MCAT: Why she didn't know the test existed and how she started piecing the process together.(13:57) — Quitting Her Job to Study: How she structured her MCAT prep during the pandemic and what made her feel ready.(16:42) — Building the Application from Scratch: Using online resources to learn how to structure a competitive application.(21:44) — Six Versions of a Personal Statement: What made the writing process so hard and how she finally got it right.(25:27) — Secondary Burnout and What She'd Do Differently: Applying to 17 schools, finishing only 10 secondaries, and the staggering strategy she wishes she'd used.(51:37) — Learning to Use a Mentor: What she didn't do during the application process and what she now tells the students she mentors.(57:10) — Run Your Own Race: Her closing advice for premed students who feel behind.Shemiele grew up in Jamaica, immigrated to the United States in sixth grade, and became the first in her family to pursue medical school. She didn't know the MCAT existed until she was nearly done with her two concurrent bachelor's degrees. She learned the entire application process through online resources, figured out her personal statement through six different versions, and got buried under secondaries she hadn't pre-written. She also skipped mock interviews and wishes she hadn't. Despite all of it, she earned a medical school acceptance in Florida and is now a third-year medical student who mentors others going through the same process. This conversation is a candid, practical look at what the premed path actually looks like when you're navigating it without a built-in support system — and what you can do to give yourself the best possible shot.What You'll Learn:- Why pre-writing secondaries before your primary is submitted can prevent burnout and missed opportunities- How to approach your personal statement as a cohesive message rather than a list of experiences- What a mentor is actually for and how to use that relationship throughout the application process- Why applying early matters and how to prioritize secondaries when they all arrive at once- How to run your own timeline without comparing your pace to everyone else's

(01:57) — Father's passing at 13: the moment that pointed toward medicine(03:22) — Growing up in Nigeria with no doctors in the family(05:07) — Applying to med school in Nigeria and not getting in(06:53) — Leaving home at 17 on a scholarship to study in the UK(09:04) — Being premed in the UK with no advisor who understood US requirements(10:32) — Why US medical school was always the destination(16:17) — Researching which US schools she was eligible to apply to(19:06) — Building the application largely on her own(22:26) — Why she stopped comparing herself to other applicants(26:38) — A family loss mid-cycle and a collapsing timeline(28:13) — Deciding to apply anyway instead of waiting a year(29:49) — Submitting her primary early while prepping for a late-July MCAT(31:45) — Secondaries submitted on the deadline — the honest account(33:57) — First interview invite, roughly a month after her last secondary(38:41) — Three interviews, three acceptances(39:37) — Choosing a school: full funding and research access(40:08) — Final words for premeds navigating this without a roadmapOre grew up in Nigeria, lost her father at 13, and left home at 17 on a scholarship to study in the United Kingdom. From her first year of undergrad, she was researching US medical school requirements and treating herself like a premed in the US — even when her advisors had no idea what she was talking about. She came to the United States for her master's in public health, worked to cover her living costs, and applied to roughly ten schools — the only ones she was eligible for given her background. Her aunt passed away mid-cycle. Her secondaries went in on the deadline. She had no US prereqs and no premed advisor who had seen a path like hers. She received three interview invites and three acceptances. In this conversation with Dr. Ryan Gray, Ore walks through every major decision she made — how she chose which schools to apply to, how she balanced her personal statement with MCAT prep, why she moved forward instead of waiting a year, and how financial aid shaped her final choice. She is direct, practical, and honest about the parts that did not go according to plan.What You'll Learn:- How to identify which US medical schools you are eligible for when your prereqs were completed outside the United States- Why submitting your primary early matters even if your MCAT score is not back yet- How to think through the decision to apply in a difficult cycle versus waiting a year- What it looks like to build a competitive application without a premed advisor who understands your specific situation- How to stop comparing your application to others when your path has been genuinely different

(00:00) — First spark for medicine: Medical kit, microscope, and a fascination with how life works.(03:01) — Surgical tech discovery: How a quarter-life crisis and financial strain led Karen to a trade-school OR program during a UCLA gap year.(06:58) — Working and studying simultaneously: Managing OR swing shifts and on-call hours while finishing the last two years at UCLA.(12:35) — The seven-year gap explained: Graduating in 2019, pandemic disruptions, and repeated delays to the application timeline.(14:25) — Weighing other healthcare careers: Why nursing and PA didn't fit, and what finally locked in the MD decision.(17:39) — Turning down the first acceptance: The financial reality of a new DO school without federal loan eligibility and a 12.5% private loan rate.(23:53) — Rebuilding the application: Retaking the MCAT, rewriting the personal statement, and changing the entire strategy.(28:31) — Early decision to one school: Why Karen applied to a single out-of-state program and what happened when the early decision answer was no.(34:28) — The acceptance call in Hawaii: What it felt like to hear yes after years of setbacks.(38:09) — Medical school so far: The scope of what an MD degree actually opens up.(42:10) — Final words for struggling premeds: What persistence looks like in practice.Karen path to medical school did not follow a straight line. She left UCLA after financial pressure began dragging her GPA down, spent a year and a half earning a surgical technology certification, worked in hospital operating rooms on swing shifts and on-call hours, and completed a medical mission abroad — all before finishing her undergraduate degree. When she finally applied to medical school, she got in. Then she said no, because the school's private loan interest rate was 12.5% and it was not yet eligible for federal financial aid. She spent the next cycle rebuilding her application from scratch, retaking the MCAT, rewriting her personal statement, and applying via early decision to a single out-of-state school. The acceptance call came while she was standing in an airport in Hawaii. In this conversation, Karen talks candidly about the self-doubt that stretched her timeline, the financial realities that shaped her decisions at every stage, and what finally made the difference in her second application cycle.What You'll Learn:- How a surgical technology program can provide deep clinical experience that strengthens a premed application- Why new medical schools may not qualify for federal student loans and what that means for applicants- How to decide whether retaking the MCAT is worth it when your existing score is already competitive- What changes Karen made to her personal statement the second time that she believes made the difference- Why applying to fewer schools with stronger fit can be a more effective strategy than applying broadly

(00:00) — Welcome and framing: What this conversation is for and who Dami is(00:40) — Growing up in Lagos: How health inequity planted the seed for medicine(02:16) — Medicine vs. public health: Why exposure shapes the choice(04:49) — Athletics first: Arriving in the U.S. and finding track and field before premed(06:13) — Picking a college for D1 throwing, not for premed academics(07:07) — Student athlete as a premed: biology major, math minor, Division I track(09:29) — Premed attrition: Watching classmates — and fellow Black students — drop off(13:48) — Organic chemistry and the weed-out debate: What hard courses are actually for(19:35) — Staying the course: The internal drive that outlasts discouragement(21:05) — The master's decision: Human nutrition at Columbia and what drove it(24:54) — A family health crisis and the choice to pause the application timeline(25:47) — Youth counselor in a juvenile detention center: Two years of meaningful work(27:19) — Clinical hours and COVID: Knowing when enough experience is enough(30:38) — MCAT attempt one, attempt two, and the lesson between them(32:01) — Applying to medical school: school count, MD only, and the DO question(33:09) — Building application support through podcasts, YouTube, and near-peer mentors(34:43) — The hardest part of the process: waiting after interviews(35:17) — Four interviews, two acceptances, and choosing Albany Medical College(37:38) — The first call after getting in(38:35) — Final words for premed students who feel behind or off trackDami grew up in Lagos, Nigeria and immigrated to the United States at 13 to start high school. He became a Division I shot putter and discus thrower, earned a master's in human nutrition, paused his medical school timeline to care for a sick parent, and spent two years as a youth counselor in a juvenile detention center before receiving two medical school acceptances. In this conversation with Dr. Ryan Gray, Dami walks through every major decision point on that path with honesty and specificity. They talk about what premed attrition actually looks like from inside a cohort, why organic chemistry gets blamed for something bigger than one course, what it means to take the MCAT twice and apply when you are genuinely ready, and how to build an application that reflects a life that did not follow a straight line. Dami also shares how he found support — through podcasts, YouTube, near-peer mentors at Columbia's medical campus, and a friend applying at the same time from across the country. This episode is for any premed student who has looked at their timeline and wondered whether the detours are going to count against them.What You'll Learn:- Why watching premed classmates drop off is one of the hardest parts of the process — and how to stay focused when it happens- What organic chemistry and other demanding courses are actually training you to do, and why making them easier is not the same as making the process better- How to decide between applying now and taking more time, including what a master's program or meaningful gap-year work can add to an application- How to build a support system for the application process when you do not have a dedicated premed advisor at every step- Why the internal drive to become a physician has to come from within — and how that conviction carries you through a nonlinear path

(00:00) — From physics to premed: Riley describes deciding to pursue medicine at the end of sophomore year after shadowing in medical physics.(03:37) — Patient transport as a first clinical role: what it taught him about hospital environments and patient interaction.(04:54) — Staying in the physics major: why switching wasn't necessary and how he fit in prerequisites.(08:24) — Building the premed timeline late: summer courses, goal-setting by semester, and the gap year decision.(16:02) — The hardest part of applying: managing secondaries, imposter syndrome, and the waiting game.(22:23) — Three interviews, three acceptances: what Riley attributes his success to.(25:46) — Interview prep without sounding scripted: the three-theme framework and how to make it feel like a conversation.(31:27) — Choosing between schools: how to go beyond the marketing and talk to real students.(35:47) — Advice for mid-college premeds: taking it one day at a time and celebrating smaller wins.Riley didn't walk into college planning to become a physician. He was drawn to physics, considered medical physics, shadowed in that field, and only pivoted to medicine at the end of his sophomore year — after a mentor asked whether he'd thought about becoming the doctor in the department instead. What followed was a deliberate, practical process of building a premed application without abandoning the major he actually loved. He stayed in physics, added prerequisites alongside his existing coursework, and leaned into what made his background unusual rather than trying to blend in with the typical biology-major applicant. The result was three interviews and three acceptances. In this conversation, Riley and Dr. Gray cover the real mechanics of that process: how to find shadowing when you have no network, what patient transport actually teaches you, how to prepare for interviews without scripting yourself into a corner, and how to choose between schools once you have options. It's a practical, grounded conversation for any premed who feels behind or wonders whether their non-traditional path is a liability.What You'll Learn:- Why staying in a non-biology major can strengthen rather than hurt your application- How to build a shadowing network from scratch using a referral approach- What patient transport does and doesn't offer as a clinical experience- How to prepare for medical school interviews without sounding rehearsed- How to evaluate medical schools beyond rankings by talking to current students

(00:00) — Family in medicine: How a neurologist mom and a sister in pediatrics shaped Justin's early interest(03:28) — The chemistry PhD question: Why lab research pushed Justin back toward medicine(07:14) — Duke and the premed decision: Choosing a school and a major with med school in mind(09:40) — Applying straight through during COVID: The stress of a compressed timeline and limited clinical access(14:17) — 37 schools, 3 interviews, 2 waitlists: Breaking down the numbers and the emotional reality(20:58) — Essay mistakes on reread: What Justin found wrong when he looked at his application months later(25:56) — Reapplication in real time: Revising essays, lining up a gap year job, and submitting a second cycle(33:45) — The June phone call: Coming off the University of Maryland waitlist weeks before orientation(37:12) — Late housing scramble: What it looks like to find an apartment after a June acceptance(39:57) — For students still waiting: Holding hope and planning for another cycle at the same timeJustin applied to 37 medical schools, earned three interviews, and landed on two waitlists before finally getting the call he had been hoping for — from University of Maryland — in the first week of June. In this conversation, he is candid about what held his application back: clinical and volunteering experiences that started too late because of COVID restrictions, and experience essays that tried to impress readers with technical organic chemistry detail instead of showing personal growth. He also walks through the parallel stress of watching his girlfriend navigate her own application cycle simultaneously, and the practical decisions they made to try to stay geographically close. Justin reflects honestly on the gap year question — he applied straight through from undergrad and now sees real value in what a year away from school can offer. If you are sitting on a waitlist right now or already thinking about a second cycle, his perspective on holding hope while still preparing a backup plan is exactly the kind of grounded, real-world guidance that is hard to find.What You'll Learn:- Why starting clinical experiences late can limit what you are able to write about, even if the experiences themselves are meaningful- How experience essays go wrong when they try to educate the reader on a research topic instead of showing growth and reflection- What a realistic reapplication process looks like — from rereading old essays to submitting a focused second cycle- How to hold on to waitlist hope without letting it delay your preparation for another cycle- What the logistics of a late waitlist acceptance actually involve, from housing to orientation timelines

(00:00) — Pre-k graduation and "I want to be a baby doctor": Where the idea of medicine first appeared for Riya.(01:07) — Seventh-grade biology and Hashimoto's thyroiditis: The classroom moment that made medicine feel like a real possibility.(02:24) — Hospital volunteering in high school: First clinical exposure, patient interaction, and what sparked genuine interest.(04:57) — Discovering combined BSMD and BSDO programs: How Riya and her mom researched programs in eleventh grade and decided to pursue them.(06:45) — Reflecting on the accelerated path: Whether finishing undergrad in three years meant missing out.(07:15) — The MCAT decision: Why avoiding the MCAT was a meaningful factor in choosing a program.(09:12) — Applying to 23 schools: The breakdown of combined versus traditional applications and getting into four programs.(10:05) — Choosing between programs: Family proximity, location, and the DO philosophy as deciding factors.(10:54) — Why DO over MD: What the osteopathic mind-body-spirit philosophy and hands-on technique meant to her personally.(12:22) — Conditional acceptance pressure in undergrad: Carrying valedictorian stress into a three-year sprint.(13:42) — The hardest semester: o-chem, biochem, and anatomy simultaneously with three concurrent labs.(14:45) — Physical planners and time management: How Riya stayed on top of classes, tutoring, and two research projects.(15:33) — Finding The Premed Years on a two-hour drive: How the podcast became part of her routine.(17:10) — Medical school versus premed undergrad: Why the schedule now feels more manageable.(19:14) — Finding your own study method: Why copying what works for others often backfires.(24:19) — Menstrual health app, a thousand-dollar prize, and a TikTok research project: How curiosity led to unexpected opportunities.(26:54) — Words for the stressed premed: Gratitude journals, getting back up, and holding on to small happy moments.Riya knew she wanted to be a doctor before she could fully explain what that meant. By eleventh grade she was researching combined BSDO and BSMD programs with her mom, and she eventually applied to around fifteen of them alongside traditional schools. She got into four combined programs and chose a three-plus-four DO pathway that let her stay near family during undergrad before moving states for medical school. The cost was real: she finished prerequisites in three years, took organic chemistry, biochemistry, and anatomy in the same semester with three concurrent labs, tutored classmates, and ran two research projects simultaneously. She also drove two hours home most weekends and, on those drives, found this podcast. Now in medical school and studying for Step, Riya reflects on choosing DO over MD, what the osteopathic philosophy genuinely gave her, and why she has no regrets about any of it. She talks honestly about the stress of a conditional acceptance, the trial and error of finding a study method that actually works, and how keeping a gratitude journal got her through a brutal first semester away from family.What You'll Learn:- How combined BSMD and BSDO programs work and what it actually takes to stay in one through undergrad.- Why one student chose a DO program over MD programs she was also accepted to, and what that decision has meant in practice.- How to manage an overwhelming premed course load using intentional time planning rather than sheer willpower.- Why finding your own study method matters more than copying the approaches that work for classmates.- How following genuine curiosity across research, hackathons, and extracurriculars can open doors that a straight-line approach would miss.

(00:00) — Welcome and origin spark: Kiki’s path starts without an “aha” and a teacher’s nudge changes everything.(02:24) — First shadowing, open-heart: A six-hour quadruple bypass leaves her captivated.(03:48) — Type B and present: Owning a goal without over-planning in high school.(04:29) — Balancing D2 hoops and premed: Small-school community and time management pay off.(07:19) — Burnout and a late college switch: Signing in July and embracing a non-linear path.(08:55) — Making premed work: Professors, small classes, and athlete study groups.(10:03) — The grind of student-athlete life: Exhaustion, rigid schedules, and living by the calendar.(11:38) — What gave way: Long-distance friendships and less family check-ins.(13:24) — First app cycle misses: 506 MCAT, six-week prep, content over practice, and low volunteering.(17:17) — Reapplicant moves: Earlier timing, pharmacy tech year, and next-day secondaries.(19:54) — Widening the net: Adding DO schools and securing acceptances.(20:53) — Discovering HPSP: Out-of-state sticker shock leads her to the Navy.(23:39) — Parents’ buy-in and commissioning: From doubts to pride; acceptance to October commissioning.(26:16) — Military match realities: Deployment risk and the “assignment” mindset.(30:29) — Final takeaway: Keep trying—“what’s meant for you won’t miss you.Kiki didn’t have a dramatic origin story—no early illness or single defining moment. A high school anatomy teacher’s question and a mesmerizing first shadowing of a six-hour open-heart surgery nudged her toward medicine. She kept living fully as a type B student who played Division II basketball, learning time management the hard way: rigid schedules, constant travel, and studying through exhaustion. In this conversation, Kiki unpacks being a reapplicant after a 506 MCAT and limited volunteer hours, what she fixed the second time—earlier timing, practice questions over rereads, quick secondaries—and why she initially applied to only two schools. She explains how medical transport and later working as a pharmacy technician broadened her clinical lens. When out-of-state tuition topped $80,000, she took a hard look at Navy HPSP, did her homework beyond recruiter promises, and chose the scholarship—even after getting off a local waitlist later. Kiki shares how she reframed setbacks, how much community mattered, and what realistically concerns her about the military match: deployment and accepting “assignments.” Her closing message to premeds is clear and steady—keep doing the work, stay intentional, and trust that what’s meant for you won’t miss you.What You'll Learn:- How a D2 athlete built time management without sacrificing premed- What went wrong in her first cycle and how she changed it- Why she chose Navy HPSP and how she evaluated the trade-offs- Ways transport and pharmacy tech roles expand clinical exposure

(00:00) — Ear cleaning origin: A childhood earwax ritual lights the first spark for medicine.(01:25) — Writer first, then premed: Entering college for writing before finding patient care through EMT work.(02:10) — EMT on campus: Deescalation, student calls, and heavy mental health moments.(03:27) — Suicide hotline: Human-to-human conversations that clarified her desire to be a physician.(04:10) — Medicine vs therapy: Drawn to anatomy and physiology while honoring psych’s importance.(05:45) — Apocalypse-proof skills: Why medicine felt enduring through pandemics, borders, and war.(07:32) — Query-letter essay: How a creative application and workshop hustle shaped her identity.(08:55) — Premed pressure: Cutting hobbies, feeling locked out of creativity, and the regret that followed.(11:31) — The rat race and AMCAS: Hours, comparison culture, and resisting the 15-activity myth.(15:04) — Rest as training: Reframing hobbies as recovery to prevent burnout and learn better.(15:59) — What stood out: Interviews focused on her writing more than her activity count.(18:19) — Reapplying after COVID: Canceled MCAT, delayed app, and an external nudge to pause.(20:01) — Perspective shift: Time off, returning to writing, and no longer feeling behind.(23:11) — Ready the second time: Growth, humility, and being prepared to start medicine.(24:42) — First acceptance: Relief, joy, and finally buying the book she’d saved for that day.(26:02) — Personal statement redo: From listing achievements to writing about who she is.(27:06) — Med school + novels: Supportive team, deadlines, and writing as catharsis.(28:43) — Step 2 vs deadlines: Balancing dedicated study with book edits on a tight schedule.(30:10) — Dark fiction and stakes: Embracing perimortem themes and high-impact care.(32:24) — Pathology curiosity: Autopsies, TV inspirations, and creative crossover.(33:09) — Can students work?: Policy gray areas and being featured regardless.(33:47) — Zero-sum myth: Why gym, games, and hobbies can make you a better learner.(36:24) — Guilt and games: Mario Kart, streaming, and naming the pressure to always study.(37:13) — Permission to be human: Keep your passions—people, not checklists, become doctors.Vanessa’s path to medicine started with a childhood ear-cleaning ritual and grew through college EMT shifts and suicide hotline work that centered real human connection. In this conversation, she and Dr. Gray unpack the premed rat race—the pressure to pack 15 activities, the guilt of cutting hobbies, and the lie that every minute not studying sets you back. Vanessa candidly shares applying twice, including a COVID-canceled MCAT that delayed her first cycle, the external nudge to pause, and the growth and humility that made her ultimately ready to be accepted. She explains how interviews gravitated to her writing, why her second personal statement focused on who she is rather than everything she did, and how she now balances med school with novel deadlines—treating writing as both catharsis and a job, while preparing for Step 2. Along the way: apocalypse-proof humor, a reframe of rest as part of training, and a clear message to premeds and medical students alike—keep the passions that make you human. Because people, not checklists, become doctors.What You'll Learn:- How campus EMT and suicide hotline roles shaped a patient-first “why medicine”- What changed between a late, COVID-impacted first cycle and a successful reapplication- Why focusing your personal statement on who you are can resonate more than listing activities- Practical ways to protect hobbies in premed and med school without burning out- How interviews may lean into your authentic passions—even more than your hours

(00:00) — Welcome and setup: from premed dropout to med student(00:47) — Corporate grind sparks the spreadsheets vs patients question(01:30) — Rewinding to undergrad premed and the 495 MCAT during COVID(03:15) — Finances and first-gen pressure push him off the path(04:35) — Articles, AI, and volunteering rekindle interest in medicine(06:10) — Leadership draw: why physician responsibility appealed to him(07:10) — Timeline: research job, 2018 grad, 2020 MCAT, business analytics at Fordham(09:05) — Undergrad habits, no planner, and managing ADHD with better tools(11:05) — Corporate wins build confidence (Big Four, Wall Street, AVP)(12:50) — Planning the leap: savings, living at home, loans, and side investments(14:10) — Bridge/SMP at Toro Harlem: structure and guaranteed-seat criteria(16:25) — Working at Citibank while starting the master’s; then going all in(17:55) — Confirming fit: brief shadowing, almost passing out, but more intrigued(18:55) — Harlem community events as a student doctor and seeing disparities(19:52) — MCAT retake to 501–502; Kaplan and official full-lengths(21:27) — SMP mirrored M1 exams; Z-score cutoff and comprehensive exam(22:45) — M1 transition is easier after the SMP run-through(23:35) — Logistics: 3.45 GPA + comp exam = seat; could apply elsewhere(24:25) — Starting a tea franchise in Astoria with partners during M1(25:35) — Brick-and-mortar stress, construction, and opening mid-semester(26:50) — Hardest part: letting go of a six-figure salary(28:05) — Would he change his path? Choosing experience over speed(29:20) — Exploring passions helps future practice and options(30:52) — Keeping doors open: medicine, consulting, and business(31:28) — Parents’ reaction: skepticism to tears of pride(32:34) — Final advice: build confidence and believe in yourselfZarak shares how he walked away from premed after a 495 MCAT and an average undergrad GPA, chased a thriving corporate career, and then found his way back to medicine. A first-gen student, he talks openly about family expectations, finances, and why spreadsheets and commutes couldn’t replace patient impact. He explains the planning that made his return possible: saving while living at home, using loans wisely, and enrolling in a one-year bridge/SMP at Toro Harlem that mirrored M1 exams and offered a guaranteed seat with a 3.45 GPA plus a comprehensive exam. He retook the MCAT to around 501–502 using Kaplan and official full-lengths, and found confidence through improved study systems and corporate-built habits. Now an M1, he’s volunteering in Harlem, reflecting on health disparities, and even launching a brick-and-mortar tea franchise in Astoria with partners—while keeping med school first. Dr. Gray and Zarak dig into letting go of a six-figure salary, rebuilding confidence, managing ADHD with better tools, and why exploring interests outside of medicine can strengthen your future as a physician.What You'll Learn:- How a low MCAT and average GPA didn’t end his med school goals- What a guaranteed-seat bridge/SMP at Toro Harlem required- How he planned the leap: savings, loans, and timing while working- MCAT retake resources he used the second time around- Balancing M1 demands with launching a brick-and-mortar business

(00:00) — Early spark for medicine: Jasmine’s childhood curiosity and desire to help takes root at age four or five.(02:40) — High school split focus: AP sciences vs. seven-hour show choir and a one-week summer health program.(03:55) — Choosing Howard: Proximity to a hospital/med school and an open-door culture sealed the decision.(05:15) — Major, minor, and momentum: Biology major, chemistry minor, and 40 COVID credits accelerate progress.(06:40) — The hardest part: Juggling 21 credits—including biochem and orgo—while working left her exhausted.(07:30) — Working to afford school: From food service to barista to the gym, she logged 26–40 hours weekly.(09:10) — Intentional time use: Doing homework during/after class and finishing tasks before they lingered.(10:40) — When it became too much: Princeton Review course, burnout, and a first MCAT score worse than practice.(13:20) — Regrouping the plan: Graduating early, studying Jan–Apr, and defining a target MCAT within context.(15:15) — Mindset after a bad score: Grieving the disrupted timeline and pausing to finish strong in undergrad.(17:20) — The timeline trap: Why gap years feel scary and Dr. Gray’s note that 75% take one.(19:50) — Building without connections: Deep website research, spreadsheets, and avoiding Reddit/SDN noise.(23:10) — Doors opened by advising: Programs that delivered mentorship and free MCAT materials.(25:00) — School list and interviews: 22 applications (20 MD, 2 DO), a DO fair, and six interviews.(28:00) — First invites and first A: Riding the wave of early interviews and an acceptance during homecoming.(31:20) — Med school reality: First year was brutal, second year harder, and memorization no longer enough.(34:20) — Final encouragement: Keep going, dream big, and be realistic about the path that gets you there.Jasmine shares a candid, practical look at making premed work when time and money are tight. She discovered medicine early, chose Howard University for its hospital and medical school access, and powered through a biology major and chemistry minor—accelerating with 40 credits during COVID. Meanwhile, she worked 26–40 hours a week in food service, as a barista, and at the gym, all while managing 20–21 credit semesters that included biochem and orgo. When a burnout-fueled first MCAT score came in below any practice test, she grieved the lost timeline, graduated early, and reset: January to April dedicated MCAT prep, a clear “good enough” score target based on her strong GPA, and an application strategy built on deep DIY research and school-by-school spreadsheets (not Reddit or SDN). She applied to 22 schools, earned six interview invites, and celebrated her first acceptance during homecoming. Now in medical school, she reflects on why second year felt even harder than first and how shifting from memorizing to true understanding changed everything. Dr. Gray and Jasmine unpack the pressure of timelines, the reality that many students take gap years, and how to keep moving forward when plans change.What You'll Learn:- How to balance heavy course loads with paid work- Handling a disappointing MCAT and deciding when to retake- Setting a “good enough” MCAT score in context of GPA- Building school lists and opportunities without connections- Why medical school study demands differ from undergrad

(00:00) — Avoiding medicine to committing at 22: Sports injuries, engineering Cs, and a hospital trauma that made medicine click.(03:06) — Doubting smart enough: Imposter syndrome, scraping through chem, and possible ADHD.(06:50) — Growing up around violence: Valuing life early and pushing through school and sport.(08:50) — Living in the moment: Lists, weekly survival, and triaging tough neuro topics.(09:45) — Hug the bear: A 15-second resilience mindset from officer training.(11:47) — Perspective check: Why complain about what you prayed for?(14:14) — The four-time MCAT: Premature first attempt, COVID setbacks, and stubborn determination.(16:50) — Study your way: Blueprints, not rules—Anki, repetition, and long-term memory.(19:51) — After a denied cycle: Interviews, honest feedback, and a biomedical sciences master’s with a 3.89.(23:54) — Applying for fit: Targeting schools that accept Black and Brown students and choose your poison.(25:15) — The acceptance email: A surprise Charles Drew admit and all the emotions.(27:17) — MD vs DO vs UAG: Weighing Iowa against family and support in Guadalajara.(28:52) — Med school’s dark side: Stress, sleep debt, and hair loss alongside joy.(31:18) — Commuting to cut costs: EV free charging, 6:20 a.m. departures, and parking lot naps.(33:45) — Rotations on a budget: Housing ideas and staying flexible.(34:25) — Some call them illegal—I call them mom and dad: Caring for patients and family amid fear and hate.(37:20) — Control what you can: Social media backlash, gratitude notes, and missing Obama.(42:02) — Final advice: Step 1 focus and why it’s not failure until you quit.Richard didn’t run straight toward medicine. He tried kinesiology, engineering until Calc III said no, and three years in pharmacy before a volunteer shift at a children’s hospital trauma bay flipped the switch. In this candid conversation, he shares how a B/C student with a 3.3 GPA, possible ADHD, and mounting imposter syndrome found a way forward by focusing on surviving one week at a time.Richard opens up about taking the MCAT four times, what went wrong early (including testing before biochem), and the discipline, repetition, and resource fit he had to build. After a denied cycle with interviews, he strengthened his academic record with a biomedical sciences master’s (33 units, 3.89) and applied to schools aligned with mission and representation. He describes the unexpected acceptance email from Charles R. Drew, the pull of family support as he weighed UAG versus a DO option in Iowa, and why mental health and community had to factor into his decision.We also get real about med school’s costs and stress: commuting to save money with free EV charging, 6:20 a.m. departures, parking lot naps, and the not-so-glam side of hair loss and fatigue. Richard closes with grounded advice for retakers and those who don’t see themselves in medicine yet.What You'll Learn:- How a hospital volunteer trauma experience cemented Richard’s path to medicine- Ways to manage imposter syndrome and build study systems that fit you- What changed across four MCAT attempts and during a biomedical sciences master’s- How to target schools for mission and representation while balancing costs and support

In this episode, Ryan and Allison talk about their experiences as they transitioned into medical school. First off, congratulations to Allison for graduating from her residency training and she’s now out in the “real” world. Links and Other Resources: Full Episode Blog Post Pancakes Every Day! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5RapBjos3I If you need any help with the medical school interview, go to medschoolinterviewbook.com. Sign up and you will receive parts of the book so you can help shape the future of the book. This book will include over 500 questions that may be asked during interview day as well as real-life questions, answers, and feedback from all of the mock interviews Ryan has been doing with students. Are you a nontraditional student? Go check out oldpremeds.org. For more great content, check out www.mededmedia.com for more of the shows produced by the Medical School Headquarters including the OldPremeds Podcast and watch out for more shows in the future! Free MCAT Gift: Free 30+ page guide with tips to help you maximize your MCAT score and which includes discount codes for MCAT prep as well. Hang out with us over at medicalschoolhq.net/group. Click join and we’ll add you up to our private Facebook group. Share your successes and miseries with the rest of us. Check out our partner magazine, www.premedlife.com to learn more about awesome premed information. Next Step Test Prep: Get one-on-one tutoring for the MCAT and maximize your score. Get $50 off their tutoring program when you mention that you heard about this on the podcast or through the MSHQ website. Listen to our podcast for free at iTunes: medicalschoolhq.net/itunes and leave us a review there! Email Ryan at [email protected] or connect with him on Twitter @medicalschoolhq Tweet Allison @allison_mshq or send her an email at [email protected].

Last week’s 8 Pieces of Information Every Premed Should Know got great responses, so we decided to follow it up with today’s episode: medical school tips and, specifically, the 7 things you should know as you enter medical school. Links and Other Resources Full Episode Blog Post Check out my Premed Playbook series of books (available on Amazon), with installments on the personal statement, the medical school interview, and the MCAT. Related episode: 10 Traits You Need to Succeed in Medical School. Need MCAT Prep? Save on tutoring, classes, and full-length practice tests by using promo code “MSHQ” for 10% off Next Step full-length practice tests or “MSHQTOC” for $50 off MCAT tutoring or the Next Step MCAT Course at Next Step Test Prep!

The premed world is full of myths and misinformation. Let’s set the record straight about some of these things today. In this episode, we talk about 8 pieces of information and advice that every premed should hear as they’re going through this journey. Links and Other Resources Full Episode Blog Post Check out my Premed Playbook series of books (available on Amazon), with installments on the personal statement, the medical school interview, and the MCAT. Related episode: What I Wish Every Premed Would Know. Related post: Premed 101: What You Need to Know to Get into Medical School. Need MCAT Prep? Save on tutoring, classes, and full-length practice tests by using promo code “MSHQ” at Next Step Test Prep!

In today’s episode, Ryan talks with Lt. Col (Dr.) Aaron Saguil, the Assistant Dean for Recruitment and Admissions at F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, better known to most people as USUHS (Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences) or, in layman’s terms, the military medical school.  Links and Other Resources Full Episode Blog Post Related episode: Shadowing a Military Physician, HPSP, and More Related episode: Ex-Army Dermatologist Talks About His Path Through UHUHS Need MCAT Prep? Save on tutoring, classes, and full-length practice tests by using promo code “MSHQ” at Next Step Test Prep!

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Zubin Damania, a.k.a. ZDoggMD, a hospitalist, healthcare visionary and internet personality. We talk about his path to medicine, his struggles, and the exciting Downtown Project in Las Vegas, Nevada. Links and Other Resources: Full Episode Blog Post ZDoggMD YouTube Channel Downtown Project Homepage Free Will (book by Sam Harris) My article on Tiger Woods and the Premed Gunner Mentality (at KevinMD.com) Related episode: What I Wish Every Premed Student Would Know Need MCAT Prep? Save on tutoring, classes, and full-length practice tests by using promo code “MSHQ” for 10% off Next Step full-length practice tests or “MSHQTOC” for $50 off MCAT tutoring or the Next Step MCAT Course at Next Step Test Prep!

In this episode, Ryan talks with Dr. Mike McInnis, Chief Educator at Doctors in Training, a small company that focuses mainly on test prep specifically for USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Exam) and COMLEX (Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination) to help medical students pass the boards. Links and Other Resources: Full Episode Blog Post Doctors in Training USMLE webite Step 1 Question Formats /  Step 2 CK Question Formats Step 2 CS Tools / Step 2 CS Patient Notes Related post: USMLE Step 1 Basics: Learn What Step 1 Is All About Need MCAT Prep? Save on tutoring, classes, and full-length practice tests by using promo code “MSHQ” for 10% off Next Step full-length practice tests or “MSHQTOC” for $50 off MCAT tutoring or the Next Step MCAT Course at Next Step Test Prep!

In today’s episode, Ryan talks with Liza Thompson, a former director of the postbac programs at both Goucher College and Johns Hopkins with over 20 years of experience. She currently runs Thompson Advising, an advising company for medical school applicants and postbac applicants. Links and Other Resources: Full Episode Blog Post AAMC Postbac program list Thompson Advising Related episode: Interview with Columbia Postbac Premed Program Related episode: How Do I Pay For a Postbac? Next Step Test Prep: Get one-on-one MCAT tutoring, courses, and other prep materials to maximize your MCAT score. Use promo code “MSHQ” to save!

In today’s episode, Ryan talks with Patrick and Jonathan, both 3rd-year DO medical students at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine. They wrote A Brief Guide to Osteopathic Medicine – For Students, By Students, which is published on AACOM. Links and Other Resources: Full Episode Blog Post Brief Guide to Osteopathic Medicine: For Students, By Students Related episode: Let’s Talk Osteopathic Docs and What You Need to Know Related episode: Common Questions Premeds Have About Osteopathic Medicine Need MCAT Prep? Save on tutoring, classes, and full-length practice tests by using promo code “MSHQ” for 10% off Next Step full-length practice tests or “MSHQTOC” for $50 off MCAT tutoring or the Next Step MCAT Course at Next Step Test Prep!

In today’s episode, Ryan and Allison talk about the 5 keys to successful internship after med school and remember their experiences being interns. Links and Other Resources: Full Episode Blog Post Here is a sample patient list that we put together. Johns Hopkins Study – 12% of Intern Time Spent at the Bedside ACGME Duty Hour Regulations If you need any help with the medical school interview, go to medschoolinterviewbook.com. Sign up and you will receive parts of the book so you can help shape the future of the book. This book will include over 500 questions that may be asked during interview day as well as real-life questions, answers, and feedback from all of the mock interviews Ryan has been doing with students. Are you a nontraditional student? Go check out oldpremeds.org. For more great content, check out www.mededmedia.com for more of the shows produced by the Medical School Headquarters including the OldPremeds Podcast and watch out for more shows in the future! Free MCAT Gift: Free 30+ page guide with tips to help you maximize your MCAT score and which includes discount codes for MCAT prep as well. Hang out with us over at medicalschoolhq.net/group. Click join and we’ll add you up to our private Facebook group. Share your successes and miseries with the rest of us. Check out our partner magazine, www.premedlife.com to learn more about awesome premed information. Next Step Test Prep: Get one-on-one tutoring for the MCAT and maximize your score. Get $50 off their tutoring program when you mention that you heard about this on the podcast or through the MSHQ website. Check out their 10-full length practice tests and save 10% using the code “MSHQ”. Listen to our podcast for free at iTunes: medicalschoolhq.net/itunes and leave us a review there! Email Ryan at [email protected] or connect with him on Twitter @medicalschoolhq Tweet Allison @allison_mshq or send her an email at [email protected].

In today’s episode, Ryan talks with Ben Azevedo, otherwise known as Bow Tie Ben, where he explains why he has such a nickname. Ben is a 4th year medical student who runs a bow tie business, New Orleans Bow Ties, a perfect example of what this show has been preaching about that you need to give yourself a break outside of medical school. Links and Other Resources: Full Episode Blog Post New Orleans Bow Ties Ben on Twitter @BenAzevedo and @NOLABowTies New Orleans Bow Ties on Instagram New Orleans Bow Ties on Twitter New Orleans Bow Ties on Facebook Ben’s Tumblr Page Tulane University School of Medicine If you need any help with the medical school interview, go to medschoolinterviewbook.com. Sign up and you will receive parts of the book so you can help shape the future of the book. This book will include over 500 questions that may be asked during interview day as well as real-life questions, answers, and feedback from all of the mock interviews Ryan has been doing with students. Are you a nontraditional student? Go check out oldpremeds.org. For more great content, check out www.mededmedia.com for more of the shows produced by the Medical School Headquarters including the OldPremeds Podcast and watch out for more shows in the future! Free MCAT Gift: Free 30+ page guide with tips to help you maximize your MCAT score and which includes discount codes for MCAT prep as well. Hang out with us over at medicalschoolhq.net/group. Click join and we’ll add you up to our private Facebook group. Share your successes and miseries with the rest of us. Check out our partner magazine, www.premedlife.com to learn more about awesome premed information. Next Step Test Prep: Get one-on-one tutoring for the MCAT and maximize your score. Get $50 off their tutoring program when you mention that you heard about this on the podcast or through the MSHQ website. Check out their 10-full length practice tests and save 10% using the code “MSHQ”. Listen to our podcast for free at iTunes: medicalschoolhq.net/itunes and leave us a review there! Email Ryan at [email protected] or connect with him on Twitter @medicalschoolhq

In today’s episode, I talk with Dr. Greg Polites, a physician, an educator, and a mentor at Washington University in St. Louis where he teaches the MedPrep program. Links and Other Resources Full Episode Blog Post Check out my Premed Playbook series of books (available on Amazon), with installments on the personal statement, the medical school interview, and the MCAT. Related episode: Common MCAT Prep Mistakes and How to Avoid Them. Related episode: The Extreme Burden of Being a Physician (It’s Worth It). Need MCAT Prep? Save on tutoring, classes, and full-length practice tests by using promo code “MSHQ” for 10% off Next Step full-length practice tests or “MSHQTOC” for $50 off MCAT tutoring or the Next Step MCAT Course at Next Step Test Prep!

In today’s episode, I talk with Allison Greco, creator of the now-closed blog at MD2B. Allison is graduating from Jefferson Medical College (now renamed Sidney Kimmel Medical College). She will start her internal medicine residency at Jefferson in July. Links and Other Resources Full Episode Blog Post Connect with Allison Greco on Twitter: @grecoa3. Related episode: Dr. Pho of KevinMD Talks About His Path and Medicine Today. Related episode: The Intersection of Medicine, Social Media and Technology. Need MCAT Prep? Save on tutoring, classes, and full-length practice tests by using promo code “MSHQ” at Next Step Test Prep!

In today’s episode, Ryan talks with Tony Sozzo, the Director of Student Financial Planning at New York Medical College (NYMC). That’s where Ryan went to medical school and he attributes Tony to being a valuable asset to him and everyone helping students realize that they have more control over this than they realize. With Tony’s great financial planning, NYMC has a default rate of only 0.8%. Links and Other Resources: Full Episode Blog Post www.annualcreditreport.com If you need any help with the medical school interview, go to medschoolinterviewbook.com. Sign up and you will receive parts of the book so you can help shape the future of the book. This book will include over 500 questions that may be asked during interview day as well as real-life questions, answers, and feedback from all of the mock interviews Ryan has been doing with students. Are you a nontraditional student? Go check out oldpremeds.org. For more great content, check out www.mededmedia.com for more of the shows produced by the Medical School Headquarters including the OldPremeds Podcast and watch out for more shows in the future! Free MCAT Gift: Free 30+ page guide with tips to help you maximize your MCAT score and which includes discount codes for MCAT prep as well. Hang out with us over at medicalschoolhq.net/group. Click join and we’ll add you up to our private Facebook group. Share your successes and miseries with the rest of us. Check out our partner magazine, www.premedlife.com to learn more about awesome premed information. Next Step Test Prep: Get one-on-one tutoring for the MCAT and maximize your score. Get $50 off their tutoring program when you mention that you heard about this on the podcast or through the MSHQ website. Check out their 10-full length practice tests and save 10% using the code “MSHQ”. Listen to our podcast for free at iTunes: medicalschoolhq.net/itunes and leave us a review there! Email Ryan at [email protected] or connect with him on Twitter @medicalschoolhq

In today’s episode, I talk with the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Scholarship Program. Back in session 18, we covered the Air Force HPSP Program. Both of these are scholarships that allow you to get medical school paid for and get a monthly stipend through medical school. Links and Other Resources: Full Episode Blog Post Check out the National Health Service Corps website. Check out my Premed Playbook series of books (available on Amazon), with installments on the personal statement, the medical school interview, and the MCAT. Related post: Medical School Scholarships: Get Paid to Study. Related episode: MSHQ Premed Scholarship. Need MCAT Prep? Save on tutoring, classes, and full-length practice tests by using promo code “MSHQ” for 10% off Next Step full-length practice tests or “MSHQTOC” for $50 off MCAT tutoring or the Next Step MCAT Course at Next Step Test Prep!

In today’s episode, I talk with Dr. Norma Wagoner. With almost 30 years of experience in the admissions process, she has served as the Dean of Admissions for multiple medical schools, such as Rush University, University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Medicine, and the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Links and Other Resources Full Episode Blog Post McGill Fact Sheet about the MMI Check out my book about the medical school interview: The Premed Playbook: Guide to the Medical School Interview. Related episode: Tricky Medical School Interview Questions Related episode: Ten Medical School Interview Tips: Go in Ahead of the Rest Need MCAT Prep? Save on tutoring, classes, and full-length practice tests by using promo code “MSHQ” for 10% off Next Step full-length practice tests or “MSHQTOC” for $50 off MCAT tutoring or the Next Step MCAT Course at Next Step Test Prep!

In today’s episode, Ryan talks with TSgt Stephanie Satinsky to discuss the Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP). Stephanie is the Air Force HPSP recruiter for the New England area. Ryan could have gone through this topic by himself, but he wanted to bring in someone who can discuss the program as it is at the present moment. Links and Other Resources: Full Episode Blog Post Listen to Ryan talk about this subject on the Lost in Premed Podcast Health Restrictions on Chapter 5 of 48-123 Medicine and the Military Air Force HPSP Fact Sheet / Air Force Commissioned Officer Training Medical Requirements: Air Force Instruction 48-123 (Search for “5.3. Standards”) Related Episode: National Health Service Corps Scholarship Info Related episode: Will the HPSP Scholarship Be Too Hard with a Family? Need MCAT Prep? Save on tutoring, classes, and full-length practice tests by using promo code “MSHQ” at Next Step Test Prep!

In this episode, I talk with Chris Manual, a senior lead instructor with The Princeton Review, where he has been teaching for 11 years. Links and Other Resources: Full Episode Blog Post Check out MCAT prep options from The Princeton Review. Related episode: Common MCAT Prep Mistakes and How to Avoid Them. Related episode: Should I Take an MCAT Prep Course? Check out my Premed Playbook series of books (available on Amazon), with installments on the personal statement, the medical school interview, and the MCAT.

In today’s episode, Ryan talks with Dr. David Muller, the Dean for Medical Education at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (MSSM) about FlexMed, a program that allows you to apply to medical school as early as high school senior or undergrad freshmen or sophomore, as well as skip most of the traditional premed requirements like the MCAT, organic chemistry, biochemistry, or physics. FlexMed is basically an upgrade of what was previously called HuMed (Humanities in Medicine). Links and Other Resources: Full Episode Blog Post FlexMed Program 2010 Published HuMed Article Some criticism of the FlexMed program Wall Street Journal Article Hang out with us in the Premed Hangout Facebook group! Click join and we’ll add you up to our private Facebook group. Next Step Test Prep: Get one-on-one tutoring for the MCAT, full-length practice tests, and more to maximize your MCAT score. Use promo code “MSHQ” to save!

In this episode, I speak with David Koenecke, the Assistant Vice President of Admissions at A.T. Still University’s Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCOM). Links and Other Resources Full Episode Blog Post Watch this interview on YouTube ATSU KCOM website AACOM: What is Osteopathic Medicine? Related episode: Let’s Talk About Osteopathic Docs and What You Need to Know. Related episode: Common Questions Premeds Have About Osteopathic Medicine. Need MCAT Prep? Save on tutoring, classes, and full-length practice tests by using promo code “MSHQ” for 10% off Next Step full-length practice tests or “MSHQTOC” for $50 off MCAT tutoring or the Next Step MCAT Course at Next Step Test Prep!

talks with Roheet from TheBiopsy.com where he shares with us his premed path. Roheet is currently in a gap year not because he initially chose to, but because he had to reapply to medical school for having not been accepted the first time, although reapplying is not something unusual and which, in fact, was something that Ryan had to go through as well. Links and Other Resources: Full Episode Blog Post During his gap year, Roheet started his not-for-profit org in his hometown that promotes community dialogue through debates on topics of national importance. Check out greatcvdebate.wix.com Check out Roheet’s blog TheBiopsy.com or connect with him on Twitter @thebiopsy Dr. Bryan Vartabedian on Twitter @Doctor_v MSAR Coursera If you need any help with the medical school interview, go to medschoolinterviewbook.com. Sign up and you will receive parts of the book so you can help shape the future of the book. This book will include over 500 questions that may be asked during interview day as well as real-life questions, answers, and feedback from all of the mock interviews Ryan has been doing with students. Are you a nontraditional student? Go check out oldpremeds.org. For more great content, check out www.mededmedia.com for more of the shows produced by the Medical School Headquarters including the OldPremeds Podcast and watch out for more shows in the future! Free MCAT Gift: Free 30+ page guide with tips to help you maximize your MCAT score and which includes discount codes for MCAT prep as well. Hang out with us over at medicalschoolhq.net/group. Click join and we’ll add you up to our private Facebook group. Share your successes and miseries with the rest of us. Check out our partner magazine, www.premedlife.com to learn more about awesome premed information. Next Step Test Prep: Get one-on-one tutoring for the MCAT and maximize your score. Get $50 off their tutoring program when you mention that you heard about this on the podcast or through the MSHQ website. Check out their 10-full length practice tests and save 10% using the code “MSHQ”. Listen to our podcast for free at iTunes: medicalschoolhq.net/itunes and leave us a review there! Email Ryan at [email protected] or connect with him on Twitter @medicalschoolhq

Today, I talk with Dr. Deborah German, the Dean of the University of Central Florida College of Medicine (UCF COM). UCF COM was the first allopathic medical school to be built from the ground up in the U.S. in almost 30 years. Links and Other Resources Full Episode Blog Post Check out my Premed Playbook series of books (available on Amazon), with installments on the personal statement, the medical school interview, and the MCAT. Related episode: Dean of MSUCOM Talks About Mission to Increase Canadian DOs. Related episode: A Look at Carle Illinois College of Medicine with Dean Li. Need MCAT Prep? Save on tutoring, classes, and full-length practice tests by using promo code “MSHQ” at Next Step Test Prep!

In this episode, we talk all about shadowing, which is a pretty common topic for premed students to have questions about. Links and Other Resources Full Episode Blog Post Check out my Premed Playbook series of books (available on Amazon), with installments on the personal statement, the medical school interview, and the MCAT. Related episode: Is It Necessary to Shadow If I’m Already in Healthcare? Related post: Premed Clinical Experience: Shadowing vs Volunteering. Need MCAT Prep? Save on tutoring, classes, and full-length practice tests by using promo code “MSHQ” at Next Step Test Prep!

In today’s episode, Ryan talks with Kate, a 56-year-old 3rd-year medical student at West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, as she shares with us her nontraditional path to becoming a physician. Links and Other Resources: Full Episode Blog Post West Virginia School of Medicine National Health Service Corps AAMC list of postbac programs If you’re looking to connect with other nontraditional premed students, check out our Nontraditional Premed Forum, or join the Premed Hangout Facebook group! Need MCAT Prep? Save on tutoring, classes, and full-length practice tests by using promo code “MSHQ” for 10% off Next Step full-length practice tests or “MSHQTOC” for $50 off MCAT tutoring or the Next Step MCAT Course at Next Step Test Prep!

In today’s episode, I talk with Dr. Victoria Rosner, the Associate Dean and Coordinator of Academic Affairs at Columbia University’s Postbac Premed Program. Dr. Rosner leads the advising team in support of students in Columbia’s postbac premed program. Links and Other Resources Full Episode Blog Post New York Times article about postbac programs Related episode: How Should I Evaluate Postbac Programs? Related episode: Choosing Between an SMP and a Postbac Program. Need MCAT Prep? Save on tutoring, classes, and full-length practice tests by using promo code “MSHQ” for 10% off Next Step full-length practice tests or “MSHQTOC” for $50 off MCAT tutoring or the Next Step MCAT Course at Next Step Test Prep!

In today’s episode, Ryan talks with Ryan Nguyen, a 1st year medical student at Western University College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific. He now blogs at WhiteCoatDO.com., a premed blog that provides a wealth of information about the admissions process. Links and Other Resources: Full Episode Blog Post WhiteCoatDO.com PracticalPremed.com http://calnewport.com/blog/ (Study Hacks) mdjourney.com Examkrackers books Kaplan MCAT Course Netter’s Atlas of Human Anatomy If you need any help with the medical school interview, go to medschoolinterviewbook.com. Sign up and you will receive parts of the book so you can help shape the future of the book. This book will include over 500 questions that may be asked during interview day as well as real-life questions, answers, and feedback from all of the mock interviews Ryan has been doing with students. Are you a nontraditional student? Go check out oldpremeds.org. For more great content, check out www.mededmedia.com for more of the shows produced by the Medical School Headquarters including the OldPremeds Podcast and watch out for more shows in the future! Free MCAT Gift: Free 30+ page guide with tips to help you maximize your MCAT score and which includes discount codes for MCAT prep as well. Hang out with us over a medicalschoolhq.net/group. Click join and we’ll add you up to our private Facebook group. Share your successes and miseries with the rest of us. Check out our partner magazine, www.premedlife.com to learn more about awesome premed information. Next Step Test Prep: Get one-on-one tutoring for the MCAT and maximize your score. Get $50 off their tutoring program when you mention that you heard about this on the podcast or through the MSHQ website. Check out their 10-full length practice tests and save 10% using the code “MSHQ”. Listen to our podcast for free at iTunes: medicalschoolhq.net/itunes and leave us a review there! Email Ryan at [email protected] or connect with him on Twitter @medicalschoolhq

In today’s episode, Ryan talks with Torray, a postbac student at Charles Drew University (affiliated with UCLA) and a former teacher. Like Russel in Session 6, Torray shares his experience as a nontraditional premed student. Links and Other Resources: Full Episode Blog Post Charles Drew Post-Bac Torray’s Research on PubMed Atul Gawande’s Books MSAR®: Getting Started Medical School Admission Requirements Med School Confidential: A Complete Guide to the Medical School Experience: By Students, for Students If you need any help with the medical school interview, go to medschoolinterviewbook.com. Sign up and you will receive parts of the book so you can help shape the future of the book. This book will include over 500 questions that may be asked during interview day as well as real-life questions, answers, and feedback from all of the mock interviews Ryan has been doing with students. Are you a nontraditional student? Go check out oldpremeds.org. For more great content, check out www.m

In today’s episode, I’m joined for the first time by my wife, Dr. Allison Gray. Allison is a Senior Neurology Resident at Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. Links and Other Resources Full Episode Blog Post Check out my Premed Playbook series of books (available on Amazon), with installments on the personal statement, the medical school interview, and the MCAT. Related episode: Top Habits and Attitudes of Humanistic Physicians. Related episode: 5 Reasons to Go to Medical School, and 5 Not To. Need MCAT Prep? Save on tutoring, classes, and full-length practice tests by using promo code “MSHQ” at Next Step Test Prep!

In today’s episode, Ryan talks with Russell, a nontraditional premedical student. He is a 35-year old music teacher with a wife and 3 children. Having decided to pursue a career in medicine late in life, where he got 4-5 interviews, getting 2 acceptances, and going to Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Links and Other Resources: Full Episode Blog Post AMCAS – M.D. Application Service AACOMAS – D.O. Application Service MCAT Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine OldPreMeds.org – Website Dedicated to Non-Traditional Pre Medical and Medical Students Cobra Insurance Kent State IVF Pulmonary Embolism Pernicious Anemia Blighted Ovum D&C If you need any help with the medical school interview, go to medschoolinterviewbook.com. Sign up and you will receive parts of the book so you can help shape the future of the book. This book will include over 500 questions that may be asked during interview day as well as real-life questions, answers, and feedback from all of the mock interviews Ryan has been doing with students. Are you a nontraditional student? Go check out oldpremeds.org. For more great content, check out www.mededmedia.com for more of the shows produced by the Medical School Headquarters including the OldPremeds Podcast and watch out for more shows in the future! Free MCAT Gift: Free 30+ page guide with tips to help you maximize your MCAT score and which includes discount codes for MCAT prep as well. Hang out with us over at medicalschoolhq.net/group. Click join and we’ll add you up to our private Facebook group. Share your successes and miseries with the rest of us. Check out our partner magazine, www.premedlife.com to learn more about awesome premed information. Next Step Test Prep: Get one-on-one tutoring for the MCAT and maximize your score. Get $50 off their tutoring program when you mention that you heard about this on the podcast or through the MSHQ website. Check out their 10-full length practice tests and save 10% using the code “MSHQ”. Listen to our podcast for free at iTunes: medicalschoolhq.net/itunes and leave us a review there! Email Ryan at [email protected] or connect with him on Twitter @medicalschoolhq.

In today’s episode, Ryan talks with Richard Levy, the Executive Director of the National Society for Nontraditional Premedical and Medical Students and the publisher of the OldPreMeds.org, which is the main website for the society. Links and Other Resources: Full Episode Blog Post OldPreMeds.org 10 Things Every Non-Traditional Premed Should Know Pancakes Every Day Video and Original Post MCAT 2013 AACOMAS Instruction Manual If you need any help with the medical school interview, go to medschoolinterviewbook.com. Sign up and you will receive parts of the book so you can help shape the future of the book. This book will include over 500 questions that may be asked during interview day as well as real-life questions, answers, and feedback from all of the mock interviews Ryan has been doing with students. Are you a nontraditional student? Go check out oldpremeds.org. For more great content, check out www.mededmedia.com for more of the shows produced by the Medical School Headquarters including the OldPremeds Podcast and watch out for more shows in the future! Free MCAT Gift: Free 30+ page guide with tips to help you maximize your MCAT score and which includes discount codes for MCAT prep as well. Hang out with us over at medicalschoolhq.net/group. Click join and we’ll add you up to our private Facebook group. Share your successes and miseries with the rest of us. Check out our partner magazine, www.premedlife.com to learn more about awesome premed information. Next Step Test Prep: Get one-on-one tutoring for the MCAT and maximize your score. Get $50 off their tutoring program when you mention that you heard about this on the podcast or through the MSHQ website. Check out their 10-full length practice tests and save 10% using the code “MSHQ”. Listen to our podcast for free at iTunes: medicalschoolhq.net/itunes and leave us a review there! Email Ryan at [email protected] or connect with him on Twitter @medicalschoolhq

In today’s episode, I talk with Eric and Amy from MCAT for Me, a new business aimed at shaking up the world of test prep by providing free MCAT prep. Links and Other Resources Full Episode Blog Post Check out MCAT for Me and their Youtube channel for their free MCAT prep. Free MCAT prep from Khan Academy. Related post: Best MCAT Course (with a Promo Code). Related episode: Should I Take an MCAT Prep Course? Check out my book about the MCAT, co-written with Next Step Test Prep: The Premed Playbook: Guide to the MCAT.

In today’s episode, I talk about choosing an undergraduate school and picking a premed major, two of the most common questions raised by high school or undergraduate students interested in medicine. Links and Other Resources Full Episode Blog Post A great book for scholarships: How to Go to College Almost for Free Check out my Premed Playbook series of books (available on Amazon), with installments on the personal statement, the medical school interview, and the MCAT. Related episode: What Is the Best Major for Medical School? Related episode: Should I Change My Major to Something More “Premed”? Need MCAT Prep? Save on tutoring, classes, and full-length practice tests by using promo code “MSHQ” at Next Step Test Prep!

In today’s episode, I cover some MCAT basics including MCAT prep, the new changes in the MCAT 2015, and a ton of free MCAT resources that will help you on your journey. Links and Other Resources Full Episode Blog Post Check out my book about the MCAT, co-written with Next Step Test Prep: The Premed Playbook: Guide to the MCAT. Related episode: When Should I Register for the MCAT? Related episode: What Prereqs Do I Have to Have to Take the MCAT? Need MCAT Prep? Save on tutoring, classes, and full-length practice tests by using promo code “MSHQ” for 10% off Next Step full-length practice tests or “MSHQTOC” for $50 off MCAT tutoring or the Next Step MCAT Course at Next Step Test Prep!

In this session of The Premed Years I give a brief introduction to the origins of MedicalSchoolHQ.net and why it was started. I talk about why I think podcasting is the next step in bringing great premed information to the masses.Links and Other Resources Full Episode Blog Post University of Florida McGill University Premed Advising HPSP (Health Professions Scholarship Program) ERAS (Electronic Residency Application Service) New York Medical College