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It’s never too early to know that medicine is the place you were meant to be. We can help you get a jumpstart by helping you make educated decisions about your journey, classes, MCAT studying, and extracurriculars from the start so that you can enjoy the process without the confusion.
There’s a lot of boxes that premed students need to check to prepare for medical school and there’s no singular right way to get everything done. Whether it’s deciding if you want to take a gap year, self-studying biochemistry for the MCAT, or applying to go straight into medical school — Our advisors can help you create an individualized plan to balance your academic and personal life.
Medical school applications differentiate activities into very specific categories: research, clinical vs nonclinical volunteering, employment, non-clinical employment, leadership, tutoring, shadowing, and more. So what do you need? Can you still pursue your own interests? How do you build your story and your extracurricular cocktail? Our advisors have successfully done all of the above and will not only help you find your path, but can share their experiences as well!
A lot of a student’s success during an application cycle depends on their strategy. Do you have questions on how many schools to apply to? Whether to apply to DO or international programs? There’s a lot of decisions to make and we can help you to narrow down a list that will give you the best return on your investment.
Are you preparing to apply to medical school soon? We have your best interest at heart, will be open and honest about your competitiveness as an applicant, and help create a game plan to put forward your best application. The application cycle is a stressful and hectic time, developing a strategy will make all the difference.
There’s never a right way to become a doctor! Many students come from non-traditional backgrounds but have been just as successful as their traditional peers who have known they’ve wanted to be doctors since elementary school. Let us help you pave the road for the most seamless transition.
Getting into medical school is hard. As a matter of fact, only 40% of applicants matriculate into medical school in a given year. We can help take the stress off your shoulders by helping you analyze what went wrong in the previous cycle and help build a strategy to help you reach your goals.
You want to be a doctor but is that it? Maybe you have a knack for business. Maybe you see yourself testifying on Capitol Hill on behalf of the medical community in the future. Maybe you want to pursue a PhD and pursue research. Let’s talk through the options and figure out what is the right decision for you.
Dermatology Resident
Former Medical School: University of Illinois College of Medicine
Pediatric Resident
Former Medical School: University of Minnesota Medical School
OBGYN Resident
Former Medical School: Pritzker School of Medicine
Dermatology Resident
Former Medical School: University of Illinois College of Medicine
MS4
University of Minnesota Medical School
Hi! My name is Sam, and I am a medical student at the University of Minnesota Medical School, located in the Twin Cities. Prior to medical school, I studied biology and global health at the University of Wisconsin- Madison. Outside of my studies, I participated in research, volunteered at a non-profit organization focused on women’s health, served as a hospice volunteer, and spent a summer interning at a rural family medicine clinic. I also stayed connected to my childhood passion of figure skating by coaching private skating lessons for both children and adults. Helping skaters overcome their fears and build confidence overtime, by maintaining a fun, encouraging learning environment, was the most rewarding part of being a coach. My experiences as a skating coach, as well as my gratitude for my own mentors, motivated me to volunteer as a mentor for pre-medical students through the American Medical Student Association during my first year of medical school. As a first year medical student, I also received mentorship from a second year medical student through my school’s peer mentorship program. My role as a mentee heightened my appreciation for the support and guidance that mentorship provides, and I now serve as a mentor for two first year medical students through this program. I absolutely love being a part of the Motivate MD team and look forward to working with you!
MS4
The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine
Hi! My name is Akosua and I am a fourth-year medical student at The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. I received my Bachelor’s degree from Northeastern University in 2016 and graduated summa cum laude. Mentorship has been and continues to be an important part of my life. In college, I was part of an organization called Empowering, Encouraging, Eliminating Barriers in which I was a mentor to high school girls interested in STEM careers. As a first-year medical student, I was paired with a UChicago undergraduate student through the Minority Association of Premedical Students and have been mentoring her since then.
The summer after my first year, I was paired with a student who was completing a pipeline program here at Pritzker and I have been mentoring her since then. I have also acted as a mentor informally to several undergraduate students who applied during the 2020-2021 cycle, all of whom have been accepted to various medical schools.
I was a non-traditional applicant. I took two years off after undergrad to engage in research at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. My projects focused on exploring the effects of a global, systemic injury in rodent models to mimic premature birth in humans. I was able to publish a few original science and review papers during this time.
In 2021 I took a year off to complete a Master’s in Public Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. I am incredibly excited to be a part of the Motivate MD team. I know firsthand how important it is to have guidance during this process and look forward to helping you with your pre-med journey!
MS4
University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
My name is Jamie, and I am a medical student at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine (CCOM). I completed my undergraduate education at Loyola University Chicago with a degree in Exercise Science. I took 1 gap year before starting medical school. During my gap year, I continued working at a hospital in Northern Chicago as an Emergency Room technician, while completing research in T-cell mediated cancer therapy. Currently, I am working on my manuscript for publication of a systematic literature review on various prediction models for severe illnesses caused by COVID-19. I have always valued the impact that my mentors have had on my own journey to medical school, so I want to help other students in the same way. During my undergraduate years, I worked with the writing center on our campus to help students brainstorm ideas, cohesively write a paper, and edit grammar and punctuation to polish off their papers. I also helped out in the pre-med office where I gained extensive insight into the application process and what goes into making a competitive applicant for medical school. Since starting medical school, I have become a pre-med mentor for undergraduate students at the University of Iowa who are interested in pursuing a career in medicine, and I help direct them in their path and the application process. I am also a CCOM peer mentor, where I am paired with a first year medical student to assist them with their transition to medical school through building connections and fostering a sense of community. Finally, I currently do one-on-one tutoring for first year medical students at CCOM to help aid their success in their classes as they transition to life in medical school!
MS4
Duke University School of Medicine
Hello everyone! My name is Khaila, rising fourth-year medical student at Duke University School of Medicine (DUSOM). I also went to undergrad at Duke, where I was a cheerleader and received a Bachelor’s with distinction degree in Psychology in 2019. I decided not to take a gap year and loved the community, curriculum, and mentorship so much that I chose to become a Double Dukie!
As a first generation medical student, mentorship has been the foundation of my journey to MD. As such, I have always valued education and equitable access to information. I put on my first mentor hat in undergrad providing academic and college advising to local middle and high school students. In DUSOM, I now have many mentorship hats: executive board member of the Duke Medical Advisory Program, First-Generation Low-Income Med mentor, Duke Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students mentor, Duke Health Profession Recruitment and Exposure Program mentor, and Durham Learning Center literacy instructor.
I truly enjoy building meaningful relationships with mentees, understanding their goals and motivations, and providing the necessary assistance and resources to help them succeed. I know the pre-med experience can be full of unknowns, and the guidance of a mentor can be an invaluable part of the process. I am so excited to be a part of the Motivate MD team and your support system on this journey!
Internal Medicine Resident
Former Medical School: Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine (BCOM)
My name is Emma and I am currently an internal medicine resident and went to medical school at Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine (BCOM) in New Mexico. While I was born in AZ, I grew up in Albuquerque, NM and graduated summa cum laude from The University of New Mexico (UNM) with a BS in Medical Laboratory Sciences. After graduating college, I relocated to Baltimore, MD where I worked as Clinical Laboratory Scientist for two years prior to beginning medical school. I enjoy writing and am humbled to have had two articles published in 2020 as well as currently contribute to the Motivate MD blog. At BCOM, I have created the Burrell-Aggie Mentorship Program which is a program created specifically for NMSU Pipeline and pre-medical students. I hold mentorship to the highest regard as none of my own family members were doctors or even in the medical field, so I learned as I advanced along my journey. I had always wished I had a mentor guide me through the pre-med years, medical school application process, and early years in medical school, so my goal is to be that mentor for students. I know what it feels like to be uncertain whether you are making the right moves and decisions in the pre-med realm. If this feels like you right now – I am more than happy to assist in any facet of your medical school journey!
Anesthesiology Resident
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
Hey Everyone! My name is Anuj, and I am an Anesthesiology resident at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. I formerly attended the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine. Prior to beginning medical school, I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Connecticut in Physiology and Neurobiology, and followed that with a Master in Physiology at Georgetown University.
Throughout my collegiate education I have followed one rule – pursue your passion and find yourself in every activity; I truly believe these are the activities that hold the most meaning. Growing up right outside of Boston, Massachusetts, arguably the city of champions, I have always gravitated towards sports – I enjoy not only watching, but also playing sports including football and baseball. I devote a lot of my free time biking, hiking, and spending time in the general outdoors. Having this being my hobby, I naturally combined it with my undergraduate and graduate degrees, but also my passion in medicine, and further participating in many extracurricular, research, and leadership activities. I devoted much time into Special Olympics of Connecticut and Maine enjoying spreading the joy of sports, but also working with this unique population advocating for awareness in medical discrepancies through clinical research. As for research, I lived out my dream and participated in several research projects at the National Football League (NFL) – even getting to go the NFL Headquarters in NYC for the Award Gala! Further, I continued to explore my interests and have published several research articles and projects pertaining to medical innovation, public health issues, and recently, the Novel COVID-19 Virus. I have conducted research at Boston Children’s Hospital, but also through recognized fellowships grants as a medical student, and with national, and international research teams.
I found mentoring as a great passion of mine – as a first-generation medical professional, I found early on that mentorship is key. This includes a person to serve as a mentor, but also help with editing and general advice! I have been fortunate to have great mentors, and I look forward to passing that on to the students I have the pleasure working with. I throughout medical school served as a tutor and teaching assistant in several courses. I am thrilled to be part of the amazing team at Motivate MD, and am excited to be a resource for you as we work towards journey and goal.
MS4
Nova Southeastern University, Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine (NSU-KPCOM)
Hi! My name is Nada and I am a medical student at Nova Southeastern University, Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine (NSU-KPCOM). I also attended NSU for undergrad, as part of their 7-year BS/DO program. Following medical school, I hope to match into general surgery and ultimately specialize in transplant, an interest that stems from two summer internship experiences at the Medical University of Graz, Austria Transplantation Department. I currently serve as a mentor to two second-year medical students at NSU-KPCOM, and have been simultaneously working with Motivate MD to help pre-med students achieve their goals. As the first individual in my family to get into medical school, I know exactly how it feels to try and navigate the system alone, and I want to do my part in ensuring that others don’t have to endure the same. I look forward to meeting you and helping your dream become a reality!
MS1
Yale School of Medicine
Hi! My name is Rhys (pronounced like “Reese’s Pieces”) and I am an incoming M1 for the 2022 year at Yale School of Medicine.
I have upwards of 9 years experience mentoring peers, most recently aiding students through the premedical path at my undergrad. I also have worked as an executive function/planning tutor for Los Angeles area high school and college students. Earlier in college, I worked as a research aide/teaching assistant helping students leverage “writing-to-learn” in order to improve their understanding of complex concepts.
After graduating Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelors of Science in Biomedical Engineering and Health Policy from the University of Southern California in 2021, I took a gap year primarily to scribe at a pediatric clinic to boost my clinical experience hours and to continue to work on a philanthropic start-up I co-founded while at USC.
At USC, I had multiple research experiences ranging from biomedical device research in a hybrid wet lab to policy analysis. I also was heavily involved in pro-bono consulting for non-profits and social enterprises.
I have personal experience approaching the common “Why Medicine?” question from a non-traditional angle (engineering major/activities and low clinical hours compared to non-clinical), tying in a non-standard major “X factor” extracurricular into the overall theme of an application, and expressing interest in dual degrees/interdisciplinary medical careers (policy, public health etc).
I look forward to helping you plan for and execute your unique path to medical school!
MS2
Creighton University School of Medicine
Hi! My name is Sarah, and I am a medical student at Creighton University School of Medicine in Phoenix. I am originally from rural Pennsylvania. I attended Canisius College in Buffalo, NY where I majored in biology and psychology and minored in neuroscience and neuropsychology, graduating summa cum laude from the All-College Honors Program. While at Canisius, I volunteered as a NICU cuddler, worked as an emergency room scribe and a medical assistant in an urgent care, participated in a Remote Area Medical clinic and Costa Rica medical service trip, and worked on social psychology research. I also was a cheerleader.
While at Canisius, I enjoyed serving in multiple leadership and mentoring roles. I became a tutor for biology and psychology and a biology teaching assistant. Additionally, my last two years, I was president of the pre-health club on campus. As president, I established and organized a mentoring program with junior and senior pre-health students serving as mentors to freshmen and sophomores with similar interests as well as facilitated a mentoring speaker series that allowed medical, dental, veterinary, and physician assistant students to provide mentorship to all four classes. In addition to establishing the program, I served as a mentor, helping pre-medical students plan their course schedules, find clinical and volunteer experiences, and begin building a strong medical application. Since beginning my journey at Creighton, I have served as a volunteer mentor to pre-health students in Arizona, joined the Admissions Committee at Creighton as a student interviewer, and have loved my time editing, advising, and doing interview prep for pre-health students through Motivate MD!
As a first-generation college graduate from a rural area with no family members in medicine, I understand how hard it can be to navigate the pre-medical path. Inspired by the amazing mentorship that I received in undergrad, I would love the opportunity to support you on your journey into medicine!
The University of Washington School of Medicine
Hello! My name is Sriram and I am a medical student at the University of Washington School of Medicine! My journey with mentoring started with seeing my peers struggle in class and feeling as though I could help them find alternative ways to both effectively learn and enjoy the material they were being taught. Whether it was connecting basketball analogies to general chemistry or dance analogies to cell biology, as a tutor, I was able to help my students not only improve their grades but learn to love learning. As I progressed through college, I started to receive many questions from younger pre-med students on what they should be doing to best prepare themselves for medical school. As a result, I joined and co-led the Pre-Health club at my school and through virtual live panels and interviews that occurred a few times throughout the school year, I was able to help many students using my experiences as a guide.
In terms of my research, I co-led a project in the field of sudden cardiac death in athletes with the primary goal of exploring if using transthoracic echocardiograms (TTE) as a primary screening tool for male basketball athletes provided any additional benefits for detection of structural heart disease associated with sudden cardiac death. We found that over 99% of TTE’s performed did not identify any heart abnormalities in the student-athletes so other pre-screening techniques could be used in low-income communities with more confidence. This proved to be key when talking about expanding pre-screening to as many communities as possible. Being a student-athlete my whole life, this research is truly important to me and I plan to continue with it through medical school.
Austin AV, Sugumaran S, Drezner JA. The Role of Diagnostic Echocardiography in the Cardiovascular Screening of High School Student-Athletes (Abstract). Clin J Sport Med, 2020.
I understand how difficult the pre-med process can be and getting into medical school can seem like a daunting task. However, I really believe that with proper planning and taking the process one step at a time, I can help you set yourself up for success in the medical school process! I look forward to the opportunity to help in any way I can!
MS2
NEOMED
MS1
New York Medical College
Hi! My name is Kira and I’m currently a first-year student at New York Medical College. Since I majored in English Literature in college, it’s always been important to me to incorporate my love of the humanities into my career in medicine. Throughout undergrad, I made it a priority to seek mentorship from and mentor other students who were pre-med while pursuing a discipline seemingly unrelated to medicine. I also spent two years in undergrad as a peer writing tutor where I helped fellow students with all sorts of writing assignments and papers. After graduation, I spent two years working in clinical research before beginning medical school.
I currently serve as Advisement Coordinator for the Pre-Med division of JOWMA, an organization for observant Jewish female physicians, medical students, and pre-medical students. There, I help pre-medical students anything and everything related to getting into medical school. I also am part of the Medical Educators Society at my school, where we aim to help our fellow students excel in their pre-clinical courses.
I strongly believe in doing what you love as a pre-med, whether it’s related to medicine or not–I participated in many non-science related extracurricular activities throughout undergrad. As an advisor, I am here to help you incorporate your unique interests into your application and journey to medicine!
MS3
Duke
Hi everyone! My name is Julie, and I’m a medical student at Duke University. I did my undergrad at Rice University where I majored in Cognitive Sciences. In college, I was passionate about volunteering and community engagement and was involved in activities such as Splash, an educational outreach program, Patient Discharge Initiative, where we connected ED patients to social resources, and Alternative Spring Break. In medical school, I am excited to be a part of a group that helps transition individuals facing homeless into stable housing.
I also loved being a part of my college community and was an advisor for new students for three years. I helped welcome and introduce students to Rice by providing academic advice, being a friend and confidant to them, and checking in throughout the rest of their college career. It was incredible seeing each and every student’s growth and I enjoyed playing a supporting role in their journey. I was able to have a similar contribution while mentoring several underclassmen this past year for medical school applications and interviews. I also pursued research, and although I mainly worked in a cancer biology lab, I am published on a paper exploring aggression in healthcare workplaces. Aside from my academic interests, I love dancing and was a part of my school’s Bhangra team and South Indian Classical Dance team! Currently, I’m excited to be choreographing for my medical school’s annual parody musical!
MS2
Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
Hello! My name is Michaela Farrell, I am a second-year medical student at the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University. Prior to medical school, I worked as a scribe in the emergency department for several years, and then in my gap year worked as a nursing assistant in the ICU. During that time, I also worked as a respite care provider for an individual with a TBI, volunteered in different community projects, and did research in the efficacy of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy in HER2+ breast cancer. My current research is in environmental sustainability in healthcare, where we are working on implementing different practices to reduce the negative impact healthcare has on our planet. I am also involved with the organization Girls on the Run as a running coach to elementary school girls. I have plenty of experience with the application process, as I applied during two cycles, one of which was prior to the pandemic and one during. I have previous experience in advising students applying to medical school unofficially through my undergraduate university as well as through my job as a scribe, in which many coworkers were applying to school and asked me for advice about the process. My friends and family have also referred many people to me to advise them about the application process.
MS2
Tulane University School of Medicine
Hello, Hello!!! My name is Ajibola (Aji), and I am a medical student at Tulane University School of Medicine (TUSOM). I completed my undergraduate degree at Transylvania University (Transy), a small liberal arts college in Kentucky. At Transy, I majored in Biology and had a minor in Chemistry. While I have served as a mentor to my younger brothers all my life, it was in college that I got to hone my mentorship skills. I served as a mentor to incoming first-year students from various backgrounds, providing them with the necessary resource and support to help with their transition into college. In addition, I also served as a peer tutor and assisted fellow students with their chemistry assignments.
After graduating from college, I joined a research lab at the University of Arkansas to pursue a Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular biology. My research work on the involvement of the mitochondrial genome in the development of the early-onset neurodegenerative disease, Leigh syndrome, resulted in several first-author publications. During this period, I mentored several undergraduate students, some of whom were honors students. Under my mentorship, these students were able to successfully design and execute research projects that culminated in an honors thesis.
Since starting medical school, I have been heavily involved in assisting two pre-meds with their medical school application. Both students have had a successful application season and will be enrolling in medical school in the fall. As a non-traditional applicant, I understand how stressful the process is, and I have been lucky to have had great support along the treacherous path to medical school. It is for this reason that I am excited to provide the same level of support and guidance to other future physicians through Motivate MD. I look forward to working with you and helping you on this journey!
MS1
University of California San Diego School of Medicine
MS2
Long School of Medicine
I am currently finishing up my first year at Long School of Medicine, located on the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio campus. Prior to medical school I attended UT Austin, where I majored in Biology. However, I have always had a passion for the arts, particularly writing and films. Spending hours crafting stories allowed me to develop the ability to communicate effectively in written formats and create colorful essays that engross readers, even when the topic itself is not the most interesting. During undergrad I freelanced as an essay editor for senior high school students as they prepared their college applications, which was a very rewarding experience for me as I was able to assist students with constructing essays that told their unique personal stories during their quest to gain admission to their dream universities. Although the application process for undergrad is quite different from that of medical school, having gone through the medical school application process myself, I believe that it will allow me to offer advice on how to navigate through this competitive and complex process. Medical school applicants dread the thought of being rejected or waitlisted and having to re-apply. I was unfortunately one of those applicants after my first attempt applying to medical school. I remember feeling very defeated after failing to receive an acceptance, but in retrospect I see that my trials have given me a deeper insight as to some of the strategies medical school applicants can use to improve their applications.
MS4
Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
Hello! I am rising fourth-year medical student at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons planning to apply into neurology this upcoming fall. I have extensive mentoring and advising experience both prior to medical school, when I served as a peer advisor for my undergraduate institution’s pre-health club, and as a medical student, continuing to advise undergraduates on essay writing, interview preparation, and general application and career advice. I also work as a mentor in the local community, tutoring and advising 8th grade and high school age students interested in the health sciences. I have significant research and publication experience beginning as an undergraduate and continuing throughout medical school, having published four first-author manuscripts while contributing to multiple others. Prior to medical school, I spent a gap year as a National Institutes of Health Post-baccalaureate Intramural Research Training Award fellow, a role in which I studied Alzheimer’s disease proteomics and metabolomics. Currently, my research focus has shifted towards neuroinfectious diseases and contributions of infectious exposures to lifetime dementia risk. In addition to clinical medicine, I have a strong interest in public health and anthropology that informs my research and clinical pursuits.
MS1
University of California, Irvine School of Medicine
Hello! My name is Uma and I am a medical student at the University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine. I graduated from Duke University Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Neuroscience and minors in Biology and Psychology. I have over 5 years of experience working with pre-health students applying to college and graduate admissions and I am excited to guide you on your medical school application journey!
During my undergraduate years, I was involved in clinical Neuroscience research as well as volunteer work at the Duke Children’s Hospital. After graduating from Duke, I took a gap year where I worked as a Medical Technician at an allergy clinic.
As a first generation medical student, mentorship has been pivotal to my journey and I am excited at the opportunity to assist others. In my role as a mentor, I have enjoyed building relationships with mentees, understanding their goals, and providing customized assistance and resources to help them succeed. For many people, the medical school application process can be daunting, but I believe that it can also be an exciting time to showcase your application to the admissions committees. I am very passionate about storytelling and I believe that every person has a unique narrative to share. I am looking forward to working together to best present your story to schools and help you stand out on your path to medical school!
MS3
University of Washington School of Medicine
Hello! My name is Leah and I am a 3rd-year medical student at the University of Washington (UW) School of Medicine.
My love for teaching has been a common thread throughout my educational journey. I began peer mentoring early entrance undergraduate students by the time I was a sophomore in college. I spent several summers teaching enrichment classes about philosophy, robotics, and debate for children aged 4-12. After graduating from UW in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, I spent a year as an instructor, teaching MCAT test preparation courses and advising pre-medical students.
In terms of other extracurriculars, I was involved in a plethora of research projects, ranging anywhere from quality improvement (finding ways to improve physician hand hygiene compliance!) to bench research about the neuropathology of aging. I was also a UW student senator, president of our school’s suicide awareness advocacy group, and a volunteer at multiple homeless shelters. Although my pre-med extracurriculars were kind of all over the place, I believe they spoke to the person I was – a growing, changing human being that was pursuing all the things she was curious and passionate about. I truly believe there is a story behind everybody’s pre-med journey, and I am excited to help future doctors articulate theirs!
One unique aspect of my application: as an early entrance college student, I started my undergraduate at UW at 16 years old. Because of this, when I applied to medical school, people frequently questioned my maturity level and readiness to become a physician. Interviewers’ first impressions are so critical to an applicant’s success and often set the tone for the interview itself. I have extensive experience carefully phrasing essays and interview responses so that I can re-direct interviewers away from their initial impression and toward my achievements, life experience, and resilience. If for any reason, you are worried about what interviewers will think of you before they even get to meet you, I would love to help!
While staying true to your story and the person you are, I am committed to keeping you one step ahead, so that you can walk into interview day confident and ready for anything.
MS3
University of Nevada Las Vegas School of Medicine
My name is Jabre Millon, I am a medical student at the University of Nevada Las Vegas School of Medicine. I was a track and field athlete all four years of undergrad before graduating from USC in 2015. I completed a post-bacc at Keck Graduate Institute in 2018. I am a three time re-applicant! Aside from the post-bacc, I worked non-health care jobs and volunteered plenty during my four gap years. I’ve been a part of the Motivate MD team for a little over a year now. I also mentor premed students through programs developed by my school, other on campus organizations and anyone who receives my contact information from a mutual connection. The students I meet come from diverse backgrounds, and I am always happy helping them leverage their strengths in their application and on their path to medical school. I had plenty of struggles in my premed career ranging from my GPA to extracurricular activities to personal conflicts. Im passionate about ensuring future premeds don’t have to endure the same struggles I did! I look forward to meeting and working with you all.
MS2
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM)
MS3
Penn State College of Medicine
Hi! My name is Chris, and I am a medical student at the Penn State College of Medicine. I went to undergrad at the University of Pittsburgh, where I studied Microbiology and Business. Outside of school, I enjoyed volunteering at a free clinic in Pittsburgh, helping connect underserved patients with housing, food, and educational resources in the community. As a medical student, I am excited to continue working with underserved teens and adults both inside and out of the clinic.
While in undergrad, I was a peer tutor and mentor for three years, mentoring students in their pre-medical studies and how to succeed in their biology and chemistry classes. I also worked as a teaching assistant in both science and business classes, where I mentored students from a variety of unique backgrounds. As a medical student, I continue to mentor local college students through a student group and tutor high school and college students online in biology, chemistry, and genetics. I love mentoring students and helping them navigate the stressful and often uncertain path to medical school. When I was applying, I did not have any mentors to help me, so now I enjoy offering my advice to students, hopeful to offer the knowledge I gained from my own successes and failures. I am excited to be a part of the Motivate MD team and help you all succeed!
MS3
Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Hi, my name is Charmi Rana and I am a medical student at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. I graduated from Rutgers University – Newark with a bachelor’s in Biology, minor in Psychology and an Honors Distinction. Throughout undergrad, I did research in a biology lab, held multiple leadership positions, shadowed physicians, and volunteered extensively in the community, in both clinical and non-clinical settings. I mentored freshmen and sophomores who were pursuing the pre-med track through Honors College and a pre-health organization. I edited and reviewed their scholarship essays and applications, helped them create class schedules, and assisted in finding volunteering opportunities. I also held an on-campus job where I assisted students in registering for classes and created academic workshops for freshmen on topics such as time management, how to get involved on campus, etc.
I have definitely experienced my fair share of struggles while applying for medical school. Upon failing to receive an admission during the first cycle, I decided to take a gap year where I further improved my MCAT score and clinical experiences by working as a scribe and a medical office assistant and volunteering in hospice care. After evaluating how I can improve my portfolio, I applied as a re-applicant during the next cycle and fortunately, received multiple interviews and acceptances. My experiences have taught me that with determination, perseverance, and continuous self-reflection, one can truly achieve the goals they aspire towards. I received a lot of support from my advisors and mentors who served as an incredible resource throughout my journey in undergrad and beyond. I hope I can utilize my experiences to help you in your journey to medical school as well!
MS2
Medical College of Georgia
Hi my name is Megan A. and I’m a medical student at the Medical College of Georgia! During college I have spent most of my time outside school working as an EMT for the past 3 years. I gained a lot of clinical experience through my time on the ambulance and it really confirmed my desire to pursue a career in the medical field! During undergrad I also led peer groups for freshman chemistry classes during which I provided support and encouragement to students in their first year of chemistry. I also tutored elementary students in a trailer park community and led a service organization for freshman students during college. These opportunities have allowed me to gain confidence and experience in mentoring other students and I hope to use the lessons that I learned in helping premed students achieve their goals! I had many doubts during my journey towards medical school and there were many times I wanted to quit. I am so glad that I didn’t and I hope I can provide the encouragement and support to help premeds believe in themselves and their dreams! I am truly looking forward to working with all of you!
MS1
California Northstate University College of Medicine
MS3
Rush Medical College
Hi all! My name is Haley and I’m a medical student at Rush Medical College in Chicago, IL. My path to medical school has been challenging to say the least and I feel incredibly honored to be able to use my experience to advise others on their own journey to medicine. I graduated from the University of Wisconsin with my bachelor’s in Sociology and certificates in Gender & Women’s Studies and Global Health. In college, I most enjoyed being involved in my community which led me to experiences such as working with students at an adult English Second Language school, volunteering as a medical assistant in a free clinic and serving as a support advocate on a crisis helpline. After graduating, my passions for service and mentorship led me to dedicate a year of service with AmeriCorps in Louisiana where I was a 3rd grade math instructor and near-peer mentor. I know from my own experience just how crucial it is to have reliable mentorship and advising while navigating the complex process of medical school applications, and I look forward to having that opportunity to support you on your journey to medicine!
University of Arizona, College of Medicine Phoenix
Hey everyone! My name is Emma Kar and I am a medical student at the University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix who is interested in pursuing a future in surgery. My journey to medicine is a bit unconventional. Born and raised in Arizona, I completed my undergraduate years in the state of Washington at Gonzaga University, receiving a B.S. in Mathematics. Much of my research experience was in the mathematics realm, involving medical imaging and simulation technology, resulting in my first publication.
Mentoring was very important to me during my undergraduate years, as I cherished the opportunity to work with peers as a math tutor, a resident assistant, and an admissions ambassador. One of the most fruitful experiences for me was assisting our honor’s college with reviewing applications and running interviews each year. Through this experience, I was able to expand my knowledge as a mentor and advisor by gaining the perspective of members on an admissions committee. I learned how these individuals analyze applicants using only academic stats, a few essay responses, and an hour-long interview conversation.
I also take pride in being a reapplicant to medical school. While I initially had only intended to take one gap year working as a fifth-grade teacher, I ended up taking two years off. This gave me the time to strengthen other areas of my application while expanding my clinical experiences working as a clinical research coordinator on the Covid-19 vaccine trials. In medical school, I continue to find ways to incorporate my math background into my research and stay active in the community by mentoring local high school students. Needless to say, I am grateful for my untraditional journey to medicine and I love being able to help other students discover the best ways to showcase their unique journey as well.
As your mentor, I promise to use my insight, experience, and connections to help you to the best of my abilities! I hope that by working together we can craft an application that demonstrates an honest, holistic perspective of why you will make a great physician!
MS2
University of Arizona, College of Medicine Phoenix
Hi everyone! My name is Adina and I am a medical student at the University of Arizona, College of Medicine Phoenix! Having just gone through the medical school cycle during COVID-19, I am very well versed in all things application-related. I graduated with honors as the only recipient of the Franklin Henry Award from UC Berkeley in May 2020 with a degree in Integrative Biology. During my one gap year, I worked as head medical and surgical assistant at a dermatology office in the Bay Area, leading the mentorship program for all undergraduate interns including mentoring and advising for pre-med and pre-PA students.
Coming from a family with no members in medicine, I understand the struggles of navigating the complex pre-medical pathways successfully. At UC Berkeley, I loved serving in multiple leadership and mentor positions including President of the Integrative Biology Students, Director for the Campus-Wide Pre Health Student Council, Vice President of the American Medical Women’s Association, and really valued helping students with class scheduling, gaining research, and clinical experiences. As a previous campus representative for an MCAT test prep company, I have over 3 years of experience and extensive training with MCAT scheduling and study plans. Outside of pre-med classes at UC Berkeley, I was very passionate about my clinical research at UCSF (including one acknowledgment in Nature) and my sorority involvement! In my free time, I enjoy fitness, healthy cooking, and playing mahjong!
I am here to advise you, support you, and be your #1 cheerleader. I will bring my unparalleled positive energy, extensive experience with extracurriculars/clinical hours, meticulous goal-setting, and friendship to our sessions! I want to help you tell your story and make sure you are as prepared as possible for a successful application cycle, including helping cultivate resilience with any challenges that are presented. I look forward to working with you!
MS4
Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston
My name is Nicholas Verdini and I am currently a medical student at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, MA! I grew up in Lynn, MA and went to high school and college in the area. During my undergraduate time, I had multiple involvements in mentoring. I served as a mentor for incoming first-year undergraduate students to help with their adjustment to college. Additionally, I served as a fellow for the Science Living-Learning Community at my college, which involved mentorship for first-year science majors at the college. After college, I worked at the National Cancer Institute for two years through a scholarship program for low-income students. There, I conducted research on CAR T-Cell therapy for pediatric leukemia, as well as performed research on bladder cancer imaging modalities. This past summer, I researched the role of sociodemographic and social determinants of health have on rates of COVID-19 diagnosis. Since starting medical school, I have mentored students from my undergraduate college in applying to medical school. Additionally, I mentor first-year medical students in the Community Service Learning program at the school. I do not have medical professionals in my family, and went to a small college that did not have a robust pre-medical advising program. I hope to be able to provide advising and mentorship to those seeking to attend medical school, regardless of their family’s professional status, where they attend college, or their financial status. I look forward to working with you!
MS2
TCU & UNTHSC School of Medicine in Fort Worth Texas
Hi! My name is Sereena J. and I’m currently a medical student at the TCU & UNTHSC* School of Medicine in Fort Worth Texas. I earned my B.S. in Neuroscience & Behavioral Biology from Emory University in 2019. To stay motivated on my path to medicine, I TA’d for Biology and Human Physiology and I joined my school’s on-campus Emergency Medical Services program, which allowed me to become certified as an Advanced-EMT and volunteer within the Atlanta area for three years. I studied abroad twice in college (France and Denmark) and took a gap year afterwards to give myself a mental break, build some savings and life experiences, and spend time with my family before I sold myself to medicine for good!
Since high school, I’ve been active as a mentor in multiple settings. Related to medicine, however, I began mentoring pre-meds during my junior year of college and formally took on mentorship roles around the summer of 2020. I’ve provided guidance related to scheduling and balancing different science courses, obtaining research and shadowing opportunities, study strategies for the MCAT, and have even helped students solidify their AMCAS school list and applications. I currently serve as an ambassador for my school’s admissions committee, so I also have a bit of experience calming nerves before a medical school interview. I didn’t have too many mentors I could look to when I went through the process–I know how cold the water is and would love to help students wade their way through.
I spent a year in undergrad researching Huntington’s Disease and a semester researching neurologic disorders and presenting a case on Multiple Sclerosis. In medical school, I’m actively pursuing a project centered around infertility and I maintain a research-advocacy hybrid relationship with a virtual lab in Boston focused on improving maternal and child well-being.
If you take anything away from an interaction with me, I hope it will be that if you’d like to pursue a career in medicine, nothing will stand in your way, no matter any flaws you may be hyperaware of in your application. I look forward to aiding you on your journey through medicine!
*Texas Christian University and University of Texas Health Science Center School of Medicine
MS2
Loyola Chicago Stritch School of Medicine
Hi everyone! My name is Alexis, and I am an M2 at Loyola Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. My long and winding journey to medicine began at thirteen when my mom suffered sudden cardiac arrest outside of a hospital and ended up living to be the first to survive without brain damage at that hospital due to the application of the novel hypothermia protocol. After her recovery, I recognized the significant lack of CPR education within my community and began working to implement sustainable community CPR training programs alongside the American Heart Association.
At just thirteen, I had no idea this formative experience would help guide my future career aspirations. This influenced me to pursue further education in psychology and chemistry at the University of Oregon where I truly developed a love that thrived where the physical sciences and behavioral sciences intersected. After my first year of college, I still had no idea what I wanted to do but had a strong underlying passion for service, so I took a leap and worked and lived on the Navajo Nation in construction and community building. This was so far out of my comfort zone but illuminated so many health disparities between populations living just miles away from each other. It spurred in me a desire to form a foundation in medicine grounded in culturally competent patient care and led me to pursue a Master’s degree in Clinical Global Medicine at USC Keck School of Medicine. This program offered so many unique opportunities to learn how to be a better patient advocate through hands on, didactic, and research experiences. Through my research at USC Keck School of Medicine and LAC+ USC Department of Pediatrics, I began to better understand the morbidity and mortality associated with certain indicators of health in neonates. From this, I published and presented upwards of ten abstracts and two manuscripts at national and international Pediatric conferences and was given the opportunity to guide others in their research endeavors. I continued to ponder the global and cultural relevance of this research, and eventually travelled to Panama to work in infant health delivery and education alongside a rural indigenous community. During my two gap years I took time to travel (and rest!) while working in a local community hospital and an adolescent psychiatric facility, both of which were hit hard by COVID. This experience and many others truly guided my desire to go into resource limited medicine and work within a diverse community to provide culturally appropriate care.
As a medical student I love getting the opportunity to develop and grow alongside other students and work alongside the admissions department at my school–offering insight regarding the community that Stritch has built for its students. In the past I have worked as both a tutor and a teacher, and currently am a Barre instructor, so I find such satisfaction in teasing out the intricacies and strengths of each individual to put each piece of the puzzle together in a way that allows the overall image to shine brighter.
MS2
Western University of Health Sciences
Hi there! My name is Shilpa Nath, and I am a medical student at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, CA! I started tutoring as a child, and since then, I have mentored, advised, and taught all different age groups and demographics in a wide variety of subjects. I am so excited to bring all my skills to Motivate MD to help make your medical school dreams a reality!
I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Biology, with a minor in Global Health, from UC San Diego. I was heavily involved as an undergraduate, in which I spent the majority of my time doing service work in my community with people with mental illnesses, the socioeconomically disadvantaged, autistic youth, sexual assault survivors, and the elderly. I also contributed to two gastroenterology research publications, served as a board member for several health-related undergraduate organizations, and worked as a tutor for my university.
My path to medical school is unique in that I am a first-generation college graduate and medical student, completed my undergraduate degree in three years, self-studied for the MCAT, and applied to medical school during a pandemic. I would love to help anyone that has any questions about these topics, or anyone that is looking for a mentor or advisor that can accurately and empathetically guide them through the medical school admission process. I will be your biggest supporter and cheerleader through your pre-medical journey!
MS3
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM)
Hello there! My name is Raj Patel and I’m a medical student at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM). I was born in London, U.K., grew up in South Florida, and completed much of my educational journey at the University of South Florida in Tampa, FL. Here, I graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science and later with a Master of Business Administration specializing in Healthcare Management. Throughout my college career and beyond, I’ve enjoyed giving back to my peers through mentorship and advising. Much of this has been influenced by my dynamic interests in leadership, research, and service which gave me a unique position on balancing a challenging pre-med curriculum with substantial extracurricular activities. I’ve mentored several pre-medical students and have helped successfully develop student leaders and strong candidates. I’ve always been a passionate student researcher in the fields of neuroscience, infectious disease, and surgery. To date, I’ve published several peer-reviewed journal articles and a few book chapters. I was also fortunate to be awarded several research accolades for my work and have had the opportunity to present my findings at the local, regional, and national levels. At USF, I served in numerous leadership roles ranging from Senator for the College of Arts and Sciences, President of the largest multicultural student organization on campus, President of the university’s alumni honor society, among others. I also gained valuable work experience on campus as a Graduate Teaching Assistant, Resident Assistant, and Campus Ambassador for The Princeton Review. These roles also opened opportunities to interact with younger students starting freshly on their college journey and offer them advice as they navigated their early days. As a first-generation college student, I know some of the common challenges faced especially with limited access to mentors for guidance along this arduous journey. I’d love for the chance to help you navigate your pre-med journey and simplify your track by offering some of my advice through the unique path that I took when I was once in your shoes.
