Med School or Not?

Med School or Not?

By Mikayla TsaiEducation
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Med School or Not? episodes

  • Working Hard and Playing Hard: Work-Life Balance x Med School


    Welcoming back Devon McAuley to the podcast - a med student at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.



    He makes sure to section out 1-2 hours of free-time every day…no matter his hectic schedule. In reality, medical school is whatever you make it to be, and there's no reason to be "losing out" on your 20's. Join us, as we chat about strategies to avoid burnout, ways to recharge during the busiest of days, our love of running, and the value of going at your own pace - not anyone else's.

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    29 min
  • What it was really like, working the ICU Step-Down Unit


    I spent six months working in the thoracic surgery ICU Step-Down Unit, and in this episode, I take a moment to reflect on it all — the mess, the magic, and the mistakes.



    I chat about what my role as a Patient Care Associate (PCA) involves in this high-pressure, fast-paced environment, while weaving in powerful patient experiences that have left a lasting mark on me, memories I’ll carry for life. This was undoubtedly the most challenging yet rewarding experience I've ever had. From 12-hour shifts to watching a patient walk again, I witnessed what true optimism, endurance, and courage look like.


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    23 min
  • Wearing Multiple Hats: It's all about authenticity.


    Naomi Rajput is a Pre-med attending Northeastern University, who juggles multiple hats.



    While we haven't known each other for long, what immediately stood out to me was her authenticity - in immersing herself in the things she's truly passionate about. In reality, there's no singular mold to be followed when it comes to preparing oneself for medical school. With the goal of reducing administrative burden in medical practices, she's Co-Founded Eden, a digital healthcare startup. She is also working in pediatric research which examines motor speech disorders in children. Furthermore, her love for music has led her to perform 40+ showas across the Massachusetts area. Furthermore, we also chat about our experiences moving around countries growing up and how that has shaped our current perspectives with regard to the medical field.

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    39 min
  • From Concept to Creation: What this podcast taught me (speech)


    The Women's Research Engagement Network (WREN) is a group at Northeastern University dedicated to promoting and celebrating women in research across the disciplines. The WREN Summit is the first interdisciplinary research conference in the nation specifically focused on highlighting the achievements of undergraduate women. This year, the theme was storytelling.



    I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to host a workshop at the Summit in talking about how this podcast came to be, key takeaways, and ways to utilize storytelling within a professional setting. Co-marketing director Gillian Mastrocola also spoke about the design process and what drew her to this passion project. This episode features the talk we gave at this event!


    Throughout this journey, I realized that I don't have to be the most eloquent speaker nor the most qualified. This podcast is simply a platform for others to voice their experiences. In listening to other people's stories, it has also helped me shape my own.

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    19 min
  • Chatting With a Pre-med Student-Athlete: Fostering a resilient mentality in remaining positive through setbacks


    Jessie Hunt is an undergraduate Pre-med who majors in chemical engineering and is captain of the Northeastern Women's Division 1 Soccer Team, who led the Huskies with 2 game-winning goals and 22 points!



    In this episode, she discusses how having to deal with setbacks during games has enabled her to foster a resilient mindset and positive outlook on life. In reality, college is simply too short to not enjoy every single moment - and Jessie lives by that rule, in highlighting the importance of balance between soccer and academics.

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    25 min
  • Early admission into med school: The FlexMed Program


    Tamara Muñoz is a third-year undergraduate who is already medical school bound - accepted into the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai through the FlexMed Program.



    The FlexMed Program is open to undergraduate sophomores of any major, seeking early admission into the Icahn School of Medicine. Once accepted, students no longer need to take the MCAT. Join us, as we chat about the diverse and interdisciplinary qualities that Icahn has to offer, aspects of Tamara's application that enabled her to stand out, her involvement in leadership, and the special people who drew her in pursuing this path.

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    29 min
  • The Unconventional Gap Year: Teach For America


    Most people opt for one gap year…ever heard of anyone take four? Ivy Dang did, and it was one of the best decisions of her life.



    A current medical student at UMass Chan Medical School, she spent her gap years as a High School chemistry teacher volunteering for Teach For America - a nonprofit organization focused on achieving educational equity that targets children in underserved areas across the United States. Most of her students came into class not knowing how to add, work with decimals or read a grade-level text…and they were 16 years old. Outside the classroom, many faced significant challenges within the home, while others had to juggle multiple jobs to support their families.


    Despite these obstacles, Ivy persevered and found this experience transformative - ultimately shaping the direction of her medical career.

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    24 min
  • Working with rats in research: Does early life stress influence our tendency to help others?


    I'm thrilled to welcome Dr. Jocelyn Breton, a postdoctoral researcher at Northeastern University's Brenhouse Lab. She earned her undergraduate degree from Middlebury College and attained her PhD from UC Berkeley. Her research examines how early-life stress, particularly maternal separation, affects neural and behavioral development in rats, and how early adversity influences empathy-driven helping behaviors.



    Join us, as we break down each step of her experiment, discuss the topic of euthanasia, what drew Dr. Breton to this niche field, the process of embracing mistakes, and more!

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    37 min
  • Meet the Team: Let's chat about the podcast, shall we?


    Six months ago, I remember wishing to be like all the other Pre-Med students I'd pass by in the halls - accomplishing tasks with such drive and purpose with a concrete goal in mind. Although I could pull of good acting, I no longer knew what I was working toward - a truth I was afraid to admit.



    Making a podcast was a whisper of an idea until I met Gillian and Morgan who helped me bring it to life. From the weekly Zoom calls, to sketching Spotify profile pictures on the fly - we chat about each step of the design process, the backstory behind this podcast, how to take criticism with grace and a whole lot more!

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    32 min
  • What is D.O. Medical School?


    While most are familiar with the M.D. (doctor of medicine) degree, have you heard of the term D.O.?



    D.O. stands for Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine - an alternate route to medicine that share striking similarities to the M.D. route - a virtually identical med school application process, a four-year med school curriculum…and the list goes on. Joining us, is Devon McAuley who is a Boston University graduate and headed to the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM).


    This episode is packed with punch, as we highlight the history behind D.O. medicine, its emphasis on community service during undergrad and their commitment in serving the rural and underserved communities - among other things!


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    26 min

About Med School or Not?

From the publisher's feed

For the longest time, I was on the fence about medical school and felt the constant pressure of having to make a decision right away. After all, it felt good to have something concrete to work toward because I knew along the lines of what was expected of me. Besides medicine, there are so many career paths within the realm of science which we will explore. In this podcast, we'll be breaking down the med school application, get a glimpse at a surgeon's day in the life, cover advice on making the most of one's gap year, gaining insight on overcoming procrastination, and so much more! Can't wait for you guys to give it a listen.

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