The Med School Years

Meet RJ, a now second-year medical student at The Ohio State University College of Medicine who was accepted without taking a gap year. In this episode of The Med School Years, RJ shares how he transitioned from a small, Catholic university (Notre Dame) to a large state school, and how staying organized helped him navigate the med school application process.

He reflects on how his two minors, Latino Studies and History, shaped his path to medicine and strengthened his application. RJ also discusses his early clinical experiences, interview prep strategies, leadership roles, and his growing interest in surgical subspecialties like orthopedics and plastic surgery. Above all, he highlights the power of community and collaboration at Ohio State.

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Welcome to the sixth episode of The Med School Years podcast! In this highly anticipated episode, we sit down with Dr. Joshua McBriar, a freshly minted PGY-1 in Neurosurgery at Lenox Hill Neurosurgery/Zucker School of Medicine. Joshua matched into one of the most competitive specialties, and he's here to share the blueprint for how he made it happen.

From discovering his passion for neurosurgery to strategically making himself stand out throughout medical school, Joshua breaks down the entire journey. He offers invaluable insights on mastering the demanding medical school curriculum, balancing competitiveness, and the pivotal process of applying and "signaling" residency programs. This episode is packed with unique perspectives on overcoming challenges and securing your dream residency!

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

02:00 Making it all happen

06:42 Process of applying to residency programs

10:10 Mastering the balancing act through medical school

12:48 Staying on top of being competitive

15:03 Curriculum at Zucker School of Medicine

22:41 Little research implications

26:05 Signaling programs and getting interviews

30:29 Any specialty surprises

33:57 Showcasing “you” in an application

36:54 Geographical differences

38:40 Living through match day

44:14 Looking forward to residency

45:27 Inspiration & final thoughts

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Welcome to the fifth episode of The Med School Years podcast! In this episode, we interview Cristian Ovies, a 3rd-year MD-PhD student at Weill Cornell Medicine, offering a deep dive into the unique world of dual-degree programs.

Cristian unravels the often-complicated timeline and competitive nature of the MD-PhD dual degree, sharing how he navigated a record number of interviews to find his perfect fit. He also gives us a glimpse into life in the heart of NYC, and explains how his PhD knowledge influences patient care and his MD training integrates with lab work. Get ready to understand the dynamic synergy of an MD-PhD!

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

01:51 Committing to living in NY

04:21 Explaining the MD-PhD timeline

11:27 Finding opportunities to excel your application

16:58 Importance of second looks

22:17 Highlight of the journey so far

30:26 Picking a specialty

35:36 Tackling OBGYN politics

39:31 Forming a successful medical application

44:49 Concerns about residency

50:29 Advice & final thoughts

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Welcome to the fourth episode of The Med School Years podcast! In this episode, we interview Kelsey Mendell, a determined 3rd-year medical student at the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, offering a unique perspective on the DO path in medicine.

Kelsey discusses the key differences and surprising similarities between MD and DO training, shedding light on the often-unfair stigmatism surrounding osteopathic medicine. She also shares her experiences managing the demanding schedule of medical school while working as a fitness trainer, her unconventional journey of attending two Ivy League institutions before choosing a DO program, and her unwavering determination to pursue a career in orthopedic surgery.

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

2:02 Stigma surrounding the DO title

7:00 Similarities between MD and DO

9:27 Life as a medical student

11:02 Effects of transferring colleges

14:43 Unexpected challenges in medical school

23:19 Motivation against the odds

26:11 Applying for specialties

29:16 Importance of balancing life

33:04 Value of OMM training

35:49 Preparing for orthopedics

43:42 Hybrid vs in-person classes

49:39 Transition into diversity

52:35 Advice & final thoughts

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Welcome to the third episode of The Med School Years podcast! In this episode, Sabrina Pescatore, a tenacious 3rd-year medical student at UTMB, on the path to a male-dominated orthopedic residency.

Sabrina shares her experiences navigating a male-dominated specialty, including the subtle (and not-so-subtle) challenges she faces. Discover her empowering motto, "You can hold the leg," and her practical advice for staying resilient. She also delves into the often-overlooked struggle of being a college student-athlete aspiring to medicine without institutional support, and the key to thriving in medical research: choosing projects you genuinely love.

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

1:30 Texas resident and applying with the TMDSAS

3:25 What med school is truly like

4:32 Support & mentorship offered

6:06 Dealing with pressure from all sides

7:37 Tackling a male-dominated specialty

12:14 Being a student athlete & premed

23:30 Surprising things in med school

28:28 Differences between MCAT and step 1

32:00 Nontraditional applicant

38:48 Advice & final thoughts

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Welcome to the second episode of The Med School Years podcast! In this episode, neurosurgery resident Gersham at University of South Florida shares his pathway and strategy into getting into one of the most competitive residencies - and what he would and wouldn't recommend.

We explore the unexpected challenges of transitioning from premed to med school, navigating burnout, choosing a specialty, and the importance of mentorship and mental health along the way. Whether you’re a premed, medical student, or just curious about the journey to becoming a physician, this episode is packed with insights, laughs, and real talk.

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

2:03 Liberal arts college to medical school

4:30 Changing specialties at the last minute

9:11 Importance of quality over quantity

11:06 Out of state rotations & internships

16:05 Staying true to who you are

19:26 Biggest shock of residency

20:20 Figuring out your role in a team

23:38 Advice, authenticity, & interviews

27:17 Neurosurgery pathway & standing out

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Welcome to the very first episode of The Med School Years podcast! In this episode, Drexel medical student Navin shares how his vision for becoming a doctor transformed through medical school—from wanting to be a pediatrician to pursuing interventional radiology.

We explore the unexpected challenges of transitioning from premed to med school, navigating burnout, choosing a specialty, and the importance of mentorship and mental health along the way. Whether you’re a premed, medical student, or just curious about the journey to becoming a physician, this episode is packed with insights, laughs, and real talk.

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

3:42 “I thought getting into med school was the finish line”

7:58 Wearing the white coat for the first time

14:20 When your specialty plans change

20:45 Finding purpose through patient interactions

30:55 Research, away rotations & planning for residency

40:10 Mental health & burnout in med school

51:00 Final advice to premeds: “Go easy on yourself”

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