A Journey it was...

"Are you ready to end your journey of trying to get into med school?"Those were the words that ended my process of becoming a med student. Now that I'm here, I can't help but to look back and think about the experiences, the longs nights and tears that brought me here.

Now a few things about me, I am not a traditional student and I am not an straight A student, however when I made my mind to jump on this journey, and a journey it was, I wasn't going to give up so easily.

I started my undergrad education as a pre-nursing student, now I did this charade for about 2 years and truthfully it was the best 2 years of my college experience. People were nice, I had a lot fun, and school wasn't stressful because if I achieved a B or above, I was good.

Now, I had a few pre-med friends that were adamant that I should enter into the pre-med program at school, and I did not want to listen to there advice only because I was intimidated by the professors and the other students. I thought pre-med students could be mean and have a tendency to be manipulative. Once I've created some life long friends who were in that program, I realized not all of them fit that " pre-med stereotype".

After making the switch, I did not have it easy!! I definitely needed to work on my grades, because B's weren't cutting it. So I tried. I increased my by g.p.a by .2 points. This doesn't seem much, but I was happy. I learned from this process to always celebrate the small things, and even though my gpa increase wasn't a lot, I was celebrating . Nevertheless, my grades did not look like a student ready to apply to med school.

Let me give you a snapshot of what my application would of looked liked..... if i applied to med school after I graduated.

GPA 3.09

Science GPA 2.98

MCAT 491

No summer research internship

No Shadowing experience

Volunteered at a hospital : 1semester

Summer internship in Haiti: 3 weeks

...not much

When I graduated College, I wanted to believe that I had what it took to start med school that fall, but I didn't.

I scrambled. I didn't think I had enough experience, grades, etc.. to get into med school. After month of this high stress and confusion, I decided to take time off.

I knew in my heart was still in medicine so I decided to work in health care field. It was nothing fabulous, I was working as a CNA, but honestly it was the best, humbling experience. I definitely gained patient skills from that job. I worked for about a year, and during that year I decided to try my MCAT again, but this time I used help. I decided to take a MCAT prep course, it was helpful to build the confidence and knowledge I needed to tackle that exam once more time.

As that year was ending, I submitted my application, only to receive rejections!!!

Devastation would be an accurate word I would describe the feeling as I revisit that moment. Not only was I devastated, but I needed to think about alternative routes to get into medical school. It was interesting because at that moment, I was referred to apply to a master's program within a medical school. The idea by attending a master's program was to prepare and help me to get into medical school and I had to take that opportunity.

The big take away from going through my Master program, I was able to boost my GPA, make relationships with other doctors, and have an opportunity to interview with a medical school close to home.

At the end of day, my journey to this point, was not easy, but I was able to accomplish my dream. Heading into my 2nd year of med school, its safe to say that this journey is doable.

Most Importantly, going through this process, I wish I knew people who had a similar journey to mine, by creating this blog with my friend and I hope to inspire and encourage other students who would like to embark on this journey. I hope you guys keep reading as we continue our journey in becoming doctors.