Tan Jun Xiang and Goh Wei Sheng are fifth year medical students who form a handful of ex-polytechnic students in NUS Medicine. We find out about what inspired them to embark on this relatively unconventional journey and who were the key people they sought advice from before applying. We also discuss how their polytechnic education has prepared them for the rigour of medical school and the various opportunities one can take to socialise with different people in medicine.