Residency Application Advising

My name is Autumn and I am a first-year Anesthesiology Resident at Brigham & Women’s Hospital.

I joined Motivate MD in 2022 because I am passionate about mentoring and uplifting students as they apply to medical school and residency. My goal is to promote transparency around the application process by outlining expectations of what the process entails and creating realistic timelines that are catered to the unique needs of individual applicants. I aim to use my experiences to provide support to pre-medical and medical students, fostering hope and confidence as they pursue their journey towards becoming a physician.

Educational background: With an upbringing centered around service and a passion for working within marginalized communities, I was fortunate to embark on my undergraduate education at the University of Chicago, where I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences with a specialization in Endocrinology and a minor in Health and Society. My passion for advocacy and service led me to Rush Medical College. With a focus on utilizing education to promote empowerment, I had the opportunity to participate in positive change at Rush and lead efforts in implementing longitudinal initiatives within the community. Through these initiatives, I learned that I can use my platform to serve as an advocate and a leader and make impactful and sustainable change. I am inspired to continue rebuilding trust, reshaping patient perspectives, and re-writing the narrative that has been written for underserved patient populations.

I’m a New Jersey native, and a current fourth-year medical student at Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine. I graduated summa cum laude from the University of Kentucky, where I studied neuroscience and competed in collegiate horseback riding. I’ll be heading back to UK to complete my anesthesiology residency. Outside of medicine, you can usually find me golfing, playing pickleball, or experimenting with new recipes in my Ninja Creami.

Neil Parikh, a Southern California native, graduated magna cum laude from UCLA in 2018 with a B.S. in Biology and a B.A. in Economics. He worked as a financial analyst at DaVita Kidney Care (2018-2020) before applying to medical school as a non-traditional candidate, scoring in the 98th percentile on the MCAT and receiving over a dozen interviews at top medical schools. Neil chose to stay close to home, matriculating to and graduating from the University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine with an MD/MBA dual degree in 2025. Neil subsequently matched at UCLA for anesthesiology residency, where he is currently a PGY-1.

In medical school, Neil scored a 260+ on STEP 2 CK, was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society, and served as president of three student organizations. He has authored 50+ publications, abstracts, and presentations across multiple specialties, including ENT, neurosurgery, anesthesiology, cardiology, and global health. A dedicated mentor, Neil served on USC's admissions committee for four years, reviewing applications, interviewing candidates, and helping determine final admissions decisions. Passionate about paying it forward, Neil enjoys helping premed and residency applicants achieve their goals. In his free time, he enjoys running marathons, cooking, and spending time with loved ones.

I am a first-year preliminary resident in Internal Medicine and will begin Dermatology residency later this year. I was a non-traditional applicant to medical school and found the process to be incredibly daunting! I am passionate about helping applicants craft their stories in a way that retains their unique voice.

Dr. Silverglate is a Diagnostic Radiology resident at Duke University. During medical school, he worked with NYU’s Admissions Ambassador program that helped students decide on where to attend medical school and how to navigate the application process. After mentoring younger medical students throughout medical school, he joined MotivateMD to provide the resources, knowledge, and guidance he would have wanted when applying and interviewing for medical school and residency.

Hi! I’m Sammie. I graduated from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine this past May. I'm completing a transitional year next year before starting my Diagnostic Radiology residency at Cornell. I’ve worked with applicants through mentoring, interviewing, and personal statement editing, and I enjoy helping people clearly tell their story and feel confident in their application.

I’m Carmen, a MotivateMD coach who offers app advising, essay editing, and interview prep services.

As an interview coach, my goal is to help applicants show up as themselves. I focus on helping you communicate your motivations and experiences with clarity (not scripts), so you can handle follow-ups and curveball questions with confidence. Expect practical structure, honest feedback, and lots of reps so that your best answers sound natural because they are.

As an essay editor and app advisor, I believe that the strongest applications are the ones that feel unmistakably human. I’ll help you find the through-line in your story, keep your voice intact, and turn vague statements into specific moments that actually show who you are. My goal is for your personal statement and secondaries to read like the best version of you and not a template.

I'm looking forward to working with you!

My name is Natalie DeRoche, and I graduated medical school from Wake Forest University School of Medicine in North Carolina. I am excited to continue my training as a Family Medicine resident at Wake Forest! Applying to medical school can feel overwhelming, and I love helping students build confidence in their stories, strengthen their applications, and ultimately find the schools that fit with their goals.

Dr. Kumar is a General Surgery resident. He graduated from Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine after completing a SMP at the same school. Throughout his graduate career, he has mentored students in various areas, including medical school applications, MCAT preparation, and career planning. “One of the main reasons I am passionate about mentoring is that I used such resources throughout my pathway to success and would like to give back, in the same manner, someone had done for me.”

Educationally Karan has completed a BS in Biology and Psychology, a MS in Interdisciplinary Biological and Physiologic Sciences, and a DO. He is an avid researcher working in both wet labs and qualitative research.

Taylor graduated cum laude from a competitive 6 year BA/MD in 2019. She has over 10 years of experience serving on medical school admission committees both in medical school and residency. In addition, she also currently serves on the admissions committee for the UNC Gillings School of Public Health. In addition to her in UME, she also has participated in residency recruitment. She has extensive experience screening applications, selecting candidates for interviews, interviewing candidates, and participating in the final ranking of candidates. As a current colorectal surgery fellow, she is actively involved in both undergraduate and graduate medical education. Her kind, honest, and collaborative approach, along with her experiences, allows her to form an effective partnership with students.

Hello! My name is Ajibola Bakare (Aji), and I am a IM resident at the Conway Regional. I attended medical school at Tulane University School of Medicine and completed my undergraduate degree at Transylvania University, where I majored in Biology and minored in Chemistry. I also have experience serving on an admissions committee, which has given me insight into the medical school application process. I look forward to helping guide you on your journey to becoming a physician!

Darshi is a Resident Physician in Internal Medicine at Yale, and completed a combined MD/MPH degree in 4 years from Stony Brook Medicine. She has a background in biomedical engineering, medical innovation, public health, translational/clinical research, and arts in medicine.

With a rich history in STEM, pre-med, and med applications mentoring, she is dedicated to sharing her valuable experiences and helping craft aspiring medical students their unique stories, thereby reciprocating the support she received from others throughout both the premedical and medical journeys.

Hi! I'm a fourth year med student at Pritzker UChicago. I received my undergrad degree in Public Health at UC Berkeley. I'm passionate about high value care, FQHC quality improvement, and gastroenterology. In my free time I love hiking, eating at restaurants, and going to concerts!

Hey, I'm Nithisha! I am a fourth-year medical student at Rowan-Virtua SOM who recently matched in Internal Medicine. At Motivate MD, I am an advisor, editor, and interview prep coach.

Born and raised in Syria, I was inspired to pursue medicine by my physician parents and developed a passion for health equity. I earned my undergraduate degree in Biology from Georgia Tech, where I started working with underserved communities. At Einstein, I continued this mission through free clinics, global health work, and rural initiatives, alongside research in cardiology and artificial intelligence. I am dedicated to mentorship and joined Motivate MD to provide transparent, supportive guidance to aspiring physicians.

Hi! I’m Tara, a fourth-year medical student at Johns Hopkins University and incoming interventional radiology resident at Harvard Medical School/Massachussetts General Hospital. I studied neuroscience at Brown University and the University of Cambridge before starting medical school. I’m passionate about mentorship and have worked as a tutor, TA, and mentor for pre-med students at Morgan State University. My goal is to support you and help you put your best foot forward in this process.

Hi all! My name is Emily, and I’m a board-certified Neurologist and current Movement Disorders Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania.

I found my calling for a career in medicine after I had spinal surgery as a teenager. Through my experience as a patient, I was inspired by the healing power of medicine and wanted to pay that forward as a physician. I received my undergraduate degree in Biology from Lafayette College and was heavily involved in the Community Outreach program. I took a gap year before medical school and worked as an Emergency Room Scribe in New Jersey, which was a great way to gain exposure to numerous medical specialties in a day’s work. I matriculated at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University after being drawn to the school’s focus on community service and humanism in medicine. I matched in Neurology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia and served as Chief Resident during my final year. Currently, I am a Fellow in Movement Disorders (Parkinson’s Disease, tremor, etc.) at the University of Pennsylvania.

During medical school, I worked as a peer tutor as well as a problem-based learning group leader for post-baccalaureate students. I also volunteered as a mentor for teens in Camden, NJ who were interested in pursuing careers in STEM. As a Neurology resident, I served as Chief Resident which gave me a front row seat to the other side of residency application and interviews. I am excited to use all of the knowledge I’ve gained about applying and interviewing to medical school and residency to helps others at Motivate MD!

I am a first-generation physician, and I want to be the mentor for others that I didn’t have during my application cycle. As a mentor, I aim to help applicants tell their unique story to find their perfect fit for medical school or residency. The application process can be daunting, so let me be your cheerleader to remind you why you already have the skills to be a great physician.

Hi! I am currently a Neurology Resident. I have experience editing personal statements for medical school and residency. Additionally, I have served on committee(s) for interviewing residents for residency. I'd love to help out!

Fourth-year medical student who recently matched into neurology, passionate about mentoring and supporting future physicians.

Hi all! My path to medical school and residency was 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 completed medical school at Rush Medical College in Chicago, IL where I spent my time outside the classroom engaging in reproductive health advocacy, medical student education and curriculum development, and providing medical care to unhoused individuals through a traveling Street Medicine team.

I am now completing my residency training in OBGYN at a hybrid community-academic program caring for diverse and medically-complex patients in an underserved urban hospital setting.

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 and residency applications, and I look forward to having that opportunity to support you on your journey in medicine!

Hi there! My name is Sarah Batt, and I am a pediatrics resident at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. I’m originally from rural Pennsylvania and attended Canisius University in Buffalo, NY, where I majored in both Biology and Psychology with minors in Neuroscience and Neuropsychology. I then moved to Phoenix, AZ to attend Creighton University School of Medicine, where I graduated summa cum laude in 2025. During my time at Creighton, I also had the valuable experience of serving on the Admissions Committee, reviewing applications and conducting interviews of applicants just like yourself!

Throughout my journey in medicine, I have developed a strong passion for mentoring, advising, and teaching. From serving as president of the Pre-Health Club at Canisius to tutoring and mentoring medical students at Creighton through their coursework, clinical rotations, and USMLE Step exams, I have had the privilege of supporting students at every stage of their pre-medical and medical school journey. I have also had the opportunity to guide students pursuing other pre-health fields, including those pursuing dental, veterinary, and physician assistant programs.

As the first person in my family to graduate from college and one of only a few from my small rural town to pursue medicine, I understand firsthand how challenging it can be to navigate this path. I joined Motivate MD to help make the journey to a career in healthcare more accessible by providing individualized support, honest insight, and encouragement, so you can confidently put your best foot forward. I look forward to working with you!

Hi there! My name is Jessica and I was raised in California and went to UCLA for my undergraduate degree. I moved to Long Island, NY to complete medical school at Stony Brook University and am currently in NYC completing my residency in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) at NewYork-Presbyterian Columbia & Cornell.

For me, becoming a doctor was never about a single ‘aha’ moment, but about a series of experiences that kept leading me to medicine and about steps that revealed that becoming a doctor was even possible. I started by wanting to understand people—why they behave the way they do, what drives them, what holds them back. That curiosity led me into psychology and years of work on an eating disorder helpline. But over time, I felt limited in how much I could help. I wanted to be able to not only listen and understand, but also diagnose, treat, and walk with patients through their recovery. Working in diverse environments—whether it was mentoring teens, supporting people in crisis, or even my odd jobs outside of healthcare—taught me resilience and adaptability. Medicine felt like the way to bring all of those threads together: the curiosity, the service, and the ability to make a tangible difference in someone’s life. And completing prerequisites for a dietetics degree showed me how close I was to medicine and showed me that it was even a possibility for me. So I became a doctor because I wanted to bring both science and humanity together in caring for people. Psychiatry, in particular, is where I can do that most fully—combining my background in psychology with the tools and training of medicine to support patients through some of their most challenging moments.

Before medical school, I graduated at the top of the class while completing dual Bachelor of Science degrees in biochemistry and mathematics, demonstrating both academic excellence and a deep commitment to analytical thinking and problem solving.

During college, I worked for two years as a baker while simultaneously balancing rigorous coursework before transitioning into a role as a medical assistant in pediatrics for two additional years. These experiences cultivated strong interpersonal skills, adaptability, and a deep appreciation for patient-centered care long before entering medical school.

Rather than taking a traditional gap year, I completed undergraduate studies early in order to pursue analytical chemistry research in Germany. While abroad, I contributed to water analysis research and published two scientific papers, all while navigating the challenges of completing medical school interviews across multiple time zones—often interviewing eight hours ahead late into the night. I successfully gained acceptance to three medical schools during the first application cycle, an experience that now fuels a passion for helping future applicants navigate the often stressful and overwhelming admissions process with confidence and clarity.

In medical school, I have continued to pursue scholarly work and mentorship. I published pathology research focused on granulosa cell tumors and remains passionate about integrating scientific inquiry with compassionate patient care. In addition to academic pursuits, I have mentored first- and second-year medical students throughout their didactic years, providing guidance on study strategies, adjusting to medical school, academic success, and wellness.

Medical School: Ohio State University Undergrad: University of Notre Dame Dr. Nalin is a radiation oncology resident at MD Anderson Cancer Center. During medical school, he was actively involved in tutoring, mentoring, and coordinating academic programs for medical students. Dr. Nalin joined Motivate MD to utilize his teaching, leadership, and communication skills to guide students through the medical school and residency application process

Dr. Silverglate is a Diagnostic Radiology resident at Duke University. During medical school, he worked with NYU’s Admissions Ambassador program that helped students decide on where to attend medical school and how to navigate the application process. After mentoring younger medical students throughout medical school, he joined MotivateMD to provide the resources, knowledge, and guidance he would have wanted when applying and interviewing for medical school and residency.

Hi! I’m Sammie. I graduated from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine this past May. I'm completing a transitional year next year before starting my Diagnostic Radiology residency at Cornell. I’ve worked with applicants through mentoring, interviewing, and personal statement editing, and I enjoy helping people clearly tell their story and feel confident in their application.