Did you learn something about yourself writing your primary, secondaries or interview-prepping?

[Kardio]

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I had to think about my own life in ways I never have before. I don’t know if I learned anything new, but I definitely have a more cogent self-image. There’s something to be said about putting together a series of loosely interconnected anecdotes, that only existed in my mind, onto paper.

How about you?

 

[907914]

I had to think about my own life in ways I never have before. I don’t know if I learned anything new, but I definitely have a more cogent self-image. There’s something to be said about putting together a series of loosely interconnected anecdotes, that only existed in my mind, onto paper.

How about you?

Before starting the application process I never really had a reason for why medicine, I just sort of knew. Putting all of that to words and identifying common themes in my activities and thought processes etc. Was difficult to say the least.

Now that I have this beautifully crafted narrative of all these happy little accidents forming into a “why medicine” answer...I can recite the answer, I recognize my answer as a legitimate answer, but I still don’t necessarily recognize it as 100% accurate, not a lie but still incomplete in a way.

I think I have crafted and can deliver an excellent narrative and answer to “why medicine” that will likely yield a successful cycle. No doubts, no qualms, I know I want to do this, I know where I want my career to go. But internally...I really don’t think I know beyond “I just know.”

Anyone else feel something like this?

 

[993444]

I suddenly learned I was one-eighth Native American (joke)

 

[993444]

On a more serious note, I’m a re-applicant. When I read my PS and secondary essays from last year I sort of cringe. They’re not bad.... but they’re just bland. So hopefully that’s a good sign.

 

[Kardio]

Before starting the application process I never really had a reason for why medicine, I just sort of knew. Putting all of that to words and identifying common themes in my activities and thought processes etc. Was difficult to say the least.

Now that I have this beautifully crafted narrative of all these happy little accidents forming into a “why medicine” answer...I can recite the answer, I recognize my answer as a legitimate answer, but I still don’t necessarily recognize it as 100% accurate, not a lie but still incomplete in a way.

I think I have crafted and can deliver an excellent narrative and answer to “why medicine” that will likely yield a successful cycle. No doubts, no qualms, I know I want to do this, I know where I want my career to go. But internally...I really don’t think I know beyond “I just know.”

Anyone else feel something like this?

I think your experience is common. A lot of really smart, good-hearted people I know have expressed a similar sentiment to me.

I feel a bit anomalous, in that my experience in healthcare preceded my urge to enter medicine.

 

[bluepeony]

I think your experience is common. A lot of really smart, good-hearted people I know have expressed a similar sentiment to me.

I feel a bit anomalous, in that my experience in healthcare preceded my urge to enter medicine.

Isn't that pretty common among premeds though? A personal experience being sick or witnessing a family member get sick prompted them to explore and delve deeper into the field?

 

[Kardio]

Isn't that pretty common among premeds though? A personal experience being sick or witnessing a family member get sick prompted them to explore and delve deeper into the field?

For sure it’s common. A buddy of mine nearly died from an infection; for him, it was research (of the pathogen that almost killed him) or medicine (presumably infectious disease). It was a very compelling story.

I happened to work in healthcare as one of my first jobs. I had zero desire to do medicine (or even college) beforehand. That job got me sniffing around. I knew the starting point of my “Why Medicine” essay.

I’ve met a lot of people who were interested in medicine and then worked / volunteered in healthcare to confirm their interests (as I think MemeLord’s saying). I can imagine “Why Medicine” being tougher to answer if your interest began as a more abstract concept (because there’s no ideal “start point” for the essay) which was later validated by clinical experiences.

 

[993444]

I really like @LizzyM point of view regarding someone’s interest to go into medicine. You don’t need to have magical epiphanies or moments or some jaw dropping moments. What matters is testing your interests to see if you really like them and then creating a narrative of what you have done to explore your interest in medicine from the perspective of shadowing, service, and research.

 

[Peter Pan.]

I learned that I can copy/paste wicked good. 😉

 

[deleted972488]

I didn’t learn anything new about myself, but I learned how to articulate these things more concisely and effectively.

 

[Kardio]

I didn’t learn anything new about myself, but I learned how to articulate these things more concisely and effectively.

I definitely had some feely feel moments writing mine. At points, it was a challenge to balance a professional tone with my own emotions.

 

[tessellations]

After I wrote the first draft of my adversity essay, I had a really nice moment where I realized just how far I had come from the particular moment in life I had decided to discuss. That was a really nice realization to have.

 

[907914]

For sure it’s common. A buddy of mine nearly died from an infection; for him, it was research (of the pathogen that almost killed him) or medicine (presumably infectious disease). It was a very compelling story.

You know, what is interesting about you saying this is that I didn’t realize just how common it really is! Over half of students know they want to go into medicine before high school, and like 90% know before the end of college. I wish this survey and more statistics took gap years between high school and college into consideration, but this at least helps paint a picture of how many feel it as a “calling” kind of thing:

happened to work in healthcare as one of my first jobs. I had zero desire to do medicine (or even college) beforehand. That job got me sniffing around. I knew the starting point of my “Why Medicine” essay.

I was in the same boat. Didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life and it wasn’t until I was already on Active duty working as a MED lab tech that I even saw medicine as a potential career

I’ve met a lot of people who were interested in medicine and then worked / volunteered in healthcare to confirm their interests

I think this is the vast majority of premeds. They wanna be a Doctor for some reason, then shadow and volunteer etc. to confirm that. At least, the vast majority of traditional premeds. I have not been this route like you, but I see it very much so.

as I think MemeLord’s saying). I can imagine “Why Medicine” being tougher to answer if your interest began as a more abstract concept (because there’s no ideal “start point” for the essay) which was later validated by clinical experiences.

I did this in reverse. All of my activities pointed me in the direction of medicine in an abstract way really by making me realize what I didn’t want in a career or in my education, then that evolved into what I did want...but it was all some abstract concept in my mind that didn’t really hit until one particular epiphany moment

You don’t need to have magical epiphanies or moments or some jaw dropping moments

Speak of the devil, mine was an epiphany lol But it was a moment of when I knew medicine not really an understanding of why. Does that make sense or resonate with anyone?

didn’t learn anything new about myself, but I learned how to articulate these things more concisely and effectively.

Big mood, bruh. Big. Mood.

 

[Kardio]

You know, what is interesting about you saying this is that I didn’t realize just how common it really is! Over half of students know they want to go into medicine before high school, and like 90% know before the end of college. I wish this survey and more statistics took gap years between high school and college into consideration, but this at least helps paint a picture of how many feel it as a “calling” kind of thing:

View attachment 280416

I was in the same boat. Didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life and it wasn’t until I was already on Active duty working as a MED lab tech that I even saw medicine as a potential career

I think this is the vast majority of premeds. They wanna be a Doctor for some reason, then shadow and volunteer etc. to confirm that. At least, the vast majority of traditional premeds. I have not been this route like you, but I see it very much so.

I did this in reverse. All of my activities pointed me in the direction of medicine in an abstract way really by making me realize what I didn’t want in a career or in my education, then that evolved into what I did want...but it was all some abstract concept in my mind that didn’t really hit until one particular epiphany moment
Speak of the devil, mine was an epiphany lol But it was a moment of when I knew medicine not really an understanding of why. Does that make sense or resonate with anyone?

Big mood, bruh. Big. Mood.

Ah! I totally misunderstood what you had written earlier. I understand now that our stories are more similar (work -> inspired -> medicine)

 

[sundayko]

Yes! I sort of learned what my narrative/story is, which is cool. And I'm so much better at articulating my goals and reasoning for pursuing an MD/PhD program. Similar to others, I inherently knew that this is what I wanted to do, but I had not really been forced to put that feeling into actual words until now. And WHEW, it has been a struggle, but I'm finally getting somewhere.

 

[907914]

Serious question: How many of y’all think that your narrative is genuine narrative versus just spending so much time and telling ourselves it so many times that it is just what you believe and have internalized after the fact?

Edit: not directed at anyone, I might be in this group who knows?

 

[Cornfed101]

Serious question: How many of y’all think that your narrative is genuine narrative versus just spending so much time and telling ourselves it so many times that it is just what you believe and have internalized after the fact?

I think everyone tries to display the best pieces of themselves. The pieces that I selected are genuine, but they definitely aren't the only pieces. My narrative is crafted, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. I think we would all do a little poorly if attached to a lie detector while going through the process. Not because there is any dishonesty, but because we leave out the worst. Even if asked "what is your greatest weakness?" It is disadvantageous to be completely forthcoming.

 

[Kardio]

I think everyone tries to display the best pieces of themselves. The pieces that I selected are genuine, but they definitely aren't the only pieces. My narrative is crafted, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. I think we would all do a little poorly if attached to a lie detector while going through the process. Not because there is any dishonesty, but because we leave out the worst. Even if asked "what is your greatest weakness?" It is disadvantageous to be completely forthcoming.

This is a good summary, and great example, of speaking in an interview. I think a little politicking is appropriate.

 

[deleted987519]

I learned how I add diversity everywhere I go 🙂

 

[mwsapphire]

You know, the thing is for me, I'm really introspective. I don't mean that to sound like I'm bragging- I obsess over my own life to the point of causing myself angst. So, I learned less about myself during this process than I did just killing myself overthinking my senior year of college. ( Looking back on HS and college).

 

[bluepeony]

You know, the thing is for me, I'm really introspective. I don't mean that to sound like I'm bragging- I obsess over my own life to the point of causing myself angst. So, I learned less about myself during this process than I did just killing myself overthinking my senior year of college. ( Looking back on HS and college).

That sounds like your introspection is turning into rumination.

 

[Instatewaiter]

I had to think about my own life in ways I never have before. I don’t know if I learned anything new, but I definitely have a more cogent self-image. There’s something to be said about putting together a series of loosely interconnected anecdotes, that only existed in my mind, onto paper.

How about you?

I learned that I have no patience for bull****

 

[deleted1006988]

Serious question: How many of y’all think that your narrative is genuine narrative versus just spending so much time and telling ourselves it so many times that it is just what you believe and have internalized after the fact?

Edit: not directed at anyone, I might be in this group who knows?

Pretty sure the application process changed my whole identity and personality. Not necessarily a bad thing though.