My Pre-Med Journey

My inspiration.

Why I chose medical school? I get asked a lot!

I appreciate life and always looked up to those who fought so hard to preserve it.

My mother is one of my biggest inspirations. She is a Registered Nurse and has been for over 10 years. I grew up watching her study day in and day out, all while working and raising 3 children. Her journey made me believe that anything is possible.

Another vivid impression was when I needed medical assistance after experiencing a really sharp chest pain during a pre-season basketball workout. I visited the doctors office and I was told I may have just been dehydrated. While getting a sports physical not too long after, I was told that I had a heart murmur. I was restricted from performing in any strenuous activities until further tests were ran. It was determined that my heart murmur was “innocent” and wouldn’t/shouldn’t cause me any problems. During that time, I was blessed to have a cardiologist who genuinely cared about me beyond my ailment. He would talk to me about school, sports, and future goals, all while ensuring I received the best medical care possible.

Education has always been important to me.

I realized my academic potential early on in elementary/middle school. My father would pay my siblings and I VERY WELL for report grades: $10 for every A, $5 for every B, $3 for every C, and zip for D’s or F’s. The grand prize though, was earning Straight A’s, which would be $100. I would almost always bring home all A’s! My father then stopped paying me and told me that now that I have proven that I can make these type of grades, it would be expected that these are the grades I always bring home!

Through middle and high school, I fell in love with the sciences. I would find it very easy to pay attention in those courses, regardless of how difficult they were.

Continuing on to college, things took a slight detour. I was no longer one of the “smartest” or “hardworking” kid anymore.. Pretty much everyone was working just as hard or harder than me, or so it seemed.

Morehouse classmates

I found it difficult throughout to grasp certain concepts as quick as others and I felt I had reached my peak academically.

I didn't give up.

I ended up pursuing a masters degree in biomedical science to prove to myself and medical schools that I could not only pass these upper level science courses, but also excel in them! During this time, I worked extremely hard on other aspects of learning like time management, effective study habits, and maximizing my study time.

Graduation day - Barry University's School of Podiatric Medicine

How did I apply myself?

There were/are times where I genuinely do not feel like studying anymore when I know I need to. In those times I always think back to the sacrifices my mother and father made for me and my siblings to be where we are currently. I always say, “I should be as successful or more successful than my mom and dad” due to the sacrifices they’ve made for me!

Also, I tend to surround myself around people who have a strong work ethic like myself. That way, when there are times I may want to stop or give up, they are right there next to me to make sure I keep going and vice versa.

University of Toledo School of and Life Sciences White Coat Ceremony

Advice?

Be prepared.

I would tell someone who is contemplating studying medicine to become familiar with the process of applying to medical school and understand what is asked of you as an applicant. Create a timeline/plan for the entire process...from studying for the MCAT to preparing their actual application and completing all necessary components. Reach out to someone who has done it, ask plenty of questions, and soak up whatever knowledge you can about the application process. Although each persons application process is different, there are certain jewels you can receive that will make the process a lot easier to navigate and a lot less stressful.