The Journey: The Infamous Residency Match

// “Defining myself, as opposed to being defined by others, is one of the most difficult challenges I face.” – Carol Moseley-Braun //

You go through the stressful process of getting into medical school and you think you have jumped your biggest hurdle....ha! Well, actually, for some people this may be true - but for most, you have just jumped the first hurdle. After medical school classes, Step 1, Step 2 CK and Step 2 CS, you now have to go through the process of finding a job you love that equally loves you. This process is called - THE MATCH.

The MATCH process is pretty much the Hogwarts Sorting Hat process in real life. There is a science and algorithm behind it...but explaining it and really understanding how it works is kind of mysterious.

How did you make your rank list?

Making your MATCH rank list is a science and requires finesse (Does anyone really understand this science-NO. Does anyone really have all the finesse-NO).  I say that because you want the audience to be in your favor, yet you don't have any control over what happens once you submit your list.  How the MATCH works is, you first make a list of places that you would like to apply to.  You pay to apply to these places and if they like you application, they offer you an interview.  So you go and interview and then you go back home and you rank all the places where you interviewed from 1 to whatever number while those places are also simultaneously ranking you out of the people that they have interviewed.  You wait for months, the longest and most nerve-wracking months ever, for the Match Day when you determine if your rank matches with the rank of the institutions that you have interviewed.  To be honest the process is not very clear, but that is how it's done.  And on that special day in March everyone opens up their letters to determine where they will be for the next 3 to 7 years of their life.  Now doesn't that sound stressful!!

Why did you chose the Family Medicine specialty? Were you conflicted with any
other specialites?

The MATCH is all about increasing your odds of getting a job!  To do this, I applied for multiple specialties.  I loved OB/GYN, I liked Pediatrics, and Family Medicine would allow me to do pretty much everything I've ever wanted to do.  As a result, I applied to all 3.  On that lovely day in March, I had matched to my Number 1 ranked Family Medicine program. 

How did you feel when you matched at UAMS?

The MATCH process, to be completely honest, is scary and you wait so long after interviews to find out where you matched that you just are happy you have a job once Match Day rolls around.  I applied to OB/GYN, Pediatrics and Family Medicine programs.  I have loved Obstetrics since my OB/GYN rotation in 3rd year of medical school, but I also want to have a family and be present in their lives. I can honestly say that I matched where I am meant to be, and I am so happy and grateful to be a resident in my program.  Family Medicine will allow me to have continuity of care (which I love) and I can also throw Obstetrics in my practice with a more flexible schedule.

The Journey: Where to Apply (College AND Medical School advice)

// “I will not have my life narrowed down. I will not bow down to somebody else’s whim or to someone else’s ignorance. ” – bell hooks //

You have completed or are in your final years of high school or college. You have taken your SAT or ACT or MCAT and have your score. You have cultivated your resume--you know what you look like on paper. Now, how do you determine who to give this information to??

I found it beneficial (for college and medical school and residency, actually), to be strategic when deciding where to apply. The interweb is at your fingertips...USE IT! If you know how you look on paper, it makes sense to be proactive and research what the schools you are interested in are looking for. Here are some helpful websites that list the average entry exam scores for college and medical school.

Average ACT/SAT scores for College

Average GPA and MCAT scores for Medical School - general

GPA and MCAT score grid by ethnicity

Where did you go to medical school?

I went to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, Arkansas (my hometown) where I received my Medical Doctorate and my Masters of Public Health, concurrently.

Why did you decide to go to the University of Arkansas for medical school?

Have you ever heard of in-state tuition???? If not, look it up.  The difference in price for medical schools across the country is absolutely crazy.  I just really didn't see any point going to school out of state and paying a lot of extra money when I had a great Medical School in my hometown that was a "reasonable" (heavy on the quotation marks, because paying for education to me is hardly ever reasonable) price.  Also, being close to home and having the support of family was a great blessing during Medical School.  Medical School is a "breeze" for a small percentage of people; for most, it will be hard work.  Having friends and family for support really helped me get through Medical School.

What other medical schools did you consider?

I applied to Howard University, Meharry Medical College and Ohio State University. My "road to getting into Medical School" was a bit different from a lot of other people because I honestly just wasn't planning on applying to Medical School during the time that I did. If you have a foreign parent, specifically a West African parent, you will completely understand how I applied to Medical School at the last minute because I was told to. (HAHA)  About 2 weeks before the deadline for Medical School applications, my mother walked into my bedroom and asked me "How are applications going? One of the Doctors I work with said his son already put in his application and has an interview date".  My response was "Why, mom?  I'm not applying this year! I am planning on applying next year".  Her response was "No, YOU ARE APPLYING THIS YEAR"...and that was pretty much the end of that conversation.  So I had about 2 weeks to get my application together, get my letters of recommendation from Maine and schedule my interview.  Period!  I had a lot to do in a little bit of time.  So in the end, I applied to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Howard University, Meharry Medical College and Ohio State University.  I happened to get accepted to you UAMS prior to my interviews at the other Medical Schools, so I canceled my other interviews and was more than happy to stay in Arkansas with in-state tuition.

The Journey: My Road To Medical School

// “If I didn’t define myself for myself, I would be crunched into other people’s fantasies for me and eaten alive. ” – Audre Lorde //

As with ALL of these posts, this is my perspective and my journey.  I was blessed to know what that I wanted to be a doctor when I grew up around the age of 7.  With that in mind, my mother (and myself) tailored my entire school career to eventually getting into medical school.  This is not the case for everyone.  That being said, here are some tips that got me to where I am now.  Hope my journey and experiences are able to help!

How did you prepare for medical school? MCAT score? GPA? How did you make yourself competitive?

After graduating from college, I ended up taking a year off.  I know myself and I just wanted the year to enjoy life and decompress.  I took my MCAT about 6 months after graduating college.  I took the Kaplan prep course on campus while I was in college, but it was really hard to focus on my studies and really study for the MCAT, so I really just used the materials and studied for the test on my own after graduation.  Fortunately, I only had to take the MCAT once and I had the rest of the year to enjoy myself.  I made a 29 on the MCAT and I graduated with a GPA of 3.75 (NOTE: This was in 2010, so the expectation for scores and the entire MCAT exam has changed.  Don't use my scores as a benchmark for you).  I believe I was a competitive applicant because I was an African-American Female applying in the South with reasonable scores.  That is not to say that as an African-American I had to do less to get into school, I just know that a lot of schools were "trying" to increase diversity, so I fit the bill.  It also helps to have a good medical school interview.  Some people are born with the gift of eloquence in interviews, and some people aren't...and that's no problem. If you struggle in an area, you just have to work harder.  Practice your interview skills if you have to. Take extra courses or repeat courses to increase you GPA. Retake the MCAT if you have to.  In the end, you just have to do what you have to do to make your application packet as strong as you can.

What are some tips you can give us to prepare for the MCAT?

When preparing for the MCAT, I really think you just have to be focused.  Make a schedule.  Follow your schedule.  Find a prep program that caters to your strengths AND your weaknesses.  Not all prep programs are made equally!  Some are great for those who already have a great foundation and others are great for those who need help creating a foundation.  Take the time to figure out what you need from a program and determine what program you use based off of that.

PRACTICE. PRACTICE. PRACTICE. Practice as many questions as you can in preparation for the exam.  On exam day, you need to be prepared to find the question as quickly as possible, find the BEST answer and finish all of the questions in the allotted time.  DON'T LEAVE ANY QUESTIONS BLANK. You do not lose points for a wrong answer, so it is better to guess in a time-crunch and have a chance at getting a correct answer than it is to not have an answer at all. 

The Journey: Getting to College

// “Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher.” – Oprah Winfrey //

What factors did you look for when choosing a college for undergrad? How did you decide to attend Bowdoin?

Wow, it feels like choosing a college for undergrad was so long ago.  I attended Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine.  When trying to choose an undergraduate program, I knew that I wanted a liberal arts institution and I knew that I wanted to leave Arkansas.  I was a member of a great program in Little Rock called Arkansas Commitment, led by Dr. Thomas Eppley, that helped with the process of finding great colleges out-of-state and navigating the application, acceptance and negotiation of scholarship process. 

Arkansas Commitment

I always knew I wanted to become a doctor, so I was looking for a school that was strong in the math and sciences, with a small to medium-sized feel where I felt like I would be more than just a number and really get attention from my professors, and most importantly I wanted to go to an institution where I felt happy and comfortable on the campus.  I think we underestimate how important it is to visit colleges and really think about how you feel living there for 4 years of your life. 
(NOTE: MAKE SURE YOU VISIT THE COLLEGES YOU GET ACCEPTED TO BEFORE YOU MAKE A DECISION IF YOU CAN! Many colleges have programs where you can experience campus life for a weekend...DO IT!)  

I applied to 16 colleges and was accepted to Harvard University, Yale University, Vassar College, Vanderbilt University, Pomona College, Middlebury College, Washington University, Davidson College, Macalester College... okay I was accepted to all the schools that I applied to, but Bowdoin was the school that I felt the most comfortable and at-home on the campus. My four years at Bowdoin were the best 4 years of my life, to date!

Speedy Cold Recovery: 101

// “I think there are things for all of us to do as long as we’re here and we’re healthy.” – Gwendolyn Brooks //

Now, when it comes to being a doctor, I can prescribe medications ALL DAY! But personally, I am just a holistic first-generation Ghanaian-American who sniffs oils and drinks special drinks daily. 

When I was a little girl, I would get a cold and my mom would make me Lite Soup (its very similar to an American broth based soup with chicken).  She would make the soup so spicy that I would sit on the floor eating it with a large glass of ice-cold water and a loaf of bread next to me.  My nose would run as I was eating and if my lips didn't require ice cubes to be applied to them because they felt like they had burned off, then the soup wasn't hot enough.  
As an intern, cooking is something I have little to no time for.  So instead, I have concocted a holistic regimen that has me over my colds in 24-36 hours. Now, everyone is different...but this method has worked consistently for me. 

1. As soon as I start feeling the tickle in my throat, I start eating Ricola. Besides being Coco Chanels' favorite snack (my puppy), they are great for soothing the throat!

walgreens.com

2. I live for the Olbas Oil inhaler!!!! I sniff this stuff like 20 times a day...especially before walking into a patients' room who I just feel might have something to spread.  I have been using Olbas Oil for years. Initially, we had to have it shipped from Ghana to the US.  Then it made its way to the UK...so our shipping fees were lessened. But now, you can get it in the US at certain Natural Food Stores. 

walgreens.com

3. I drink the same concoction EVERY MORNING!!!! I boil water and pour it over a couple of lemon slices and a bit of fresh cut ginger. When I have a sore throat, I just add a little honey to the mix.  This drink just makes me feel better and gives me energy for the day (I am that doctor who never drinks coffee or energy drinks). It also seems to ward off my colds, and if I do get a cold, I get over it pretty quickly.

So this is my little regimen! Hope it helps, my holistic homies*

In The Know: Medical School Requirements

//  “Take responsibility for yourself because no one’s going to take responsibility for you. I’m not a victim. I grow from this and I learn.” – Tyra Banks //


I am a firm believer that if you put your mind to anything, you can make it happen.  All you need is hard work, persistence, willingness to learn, willingness to ask for help and the gumption to find the information you need.  I can't help with all of those things, although I wish I could, but I can provide a little bit of information and share my experiences. 

COURSEWORK REQUIREMENTS

The most current requirements are a minimum of 1 year of:


1. Physics with lab
2. General chemistry OR Inorganic chemistry with lab
3. General biology
4. Organic chemistry with lab
5. Calculus
6. English
7. Sociology
8. Psychology

GPA and MCAT scores

To give a specific GPA for medical school is unrealistic.  GPA and MCAT scores are bread and butter - in that these are the only standardized ways to compare applicants- but the medical school admission process at certain institutions focuses on the whole picture that is the applicant, and not just the scores.  A GPA of 3.5 or greater is solid.  When looking at MCAT scores, these actually are school dependent.  I spent a lot of time researching the medical schools I was interested in and finding out their average GPA and MCAT scores for accepted students, so I could gauge myself and determine the schools it was worth my money to apply to (remember, you are paying to apply).

The AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges) collects and organizes a lot of this great information.  Check this out:

GOLDEN STATS

EXTRAS

Research prior to medical school IS NOT a requirement, but it doesn't hurt.  Showing that you are interested and passionate about something to the point where you spend your "free time" exploring it is a PLUS (and something medical student interviewers are looking for -- I know-- I interviewed for medical school and interviewed students as well).

Shadowing physicians is also NOT a requirement, but can be extremely beneficial.  It allows you to see behind the "glamour" of being a physician and discover the day-to-day work required and expectations.  Eventually, I want to be able to have an internship that allows students to shadow me...but in the mean time, find a Doctor you know or even one you don't know, and shadow them.  

If you are from Central Arkansas and have a high school student interested in preparing themselves as much as possible for college and beyond, look into Arkansas Commitment. This program can really put you on the path to greatness - with the test prep and guidance provided by the program on top of the connections! Connections are so important, and boy is this program connected. For more info, check this out: 

Arkansas Commitment

The Journey: What Medical School Was Like (Q&A)

Here are just a few of the questions I have been asked about the journey through medical school* As time goes on and I get more questions, I will add to the section.  Also, If you have any questions, email them! 

“It’s not the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you carry it.” – Lena Horne

Take us through your journey in medical school. What was the hardest part?

Now this is a hard question. To start, the overall structure of Medical School is that the first 2 years are spent in the classroom.  At my institution, the plan was for us to learn normal anatomy, physiology, cell biology, microbiology and pathology in the first year. Then we learn how everything can go wrong in the second year. Then we apply what we have learned and continue with hands-on learning in our 3rd and 4th years. They say Medical School is like drinking water out of a fire hydrant....and that is pretty accurate. There is so much information to learn and you just never feel caught up..and any moment that you do feel caught up, you remember that you aren't. That is the cycle until the middle of 4th year when you feel a sense of extreme freedom as you just wait to find out where you MATCH for residency. I can't really pin-point a "hardest" part. Standardized exams are NOT my favorite thing in the world, so Step 1 and Step 2 were hard for me.

You received your MPH (Masters in Public Health) while in medical school? What was the process like?

I honestly believe that if you can make it through Medical School, getting your Masters is a small feat in comparison. My institution was great in that I did not have to pay for my Masters because I was already in the Medical program, but just because I didn't have to pay with money doesn't mean I didn't pay with time. A lot of my friends had a lot more free time in medical school because they didn't have extra classes that I had to go to, but I really think that all Medical Students should take some public health courses.  By doing so, I believe you become a better physician.  You look at the health of your patients' from a different and wider perspective.

How did you feel when you finally got to do rotations? What was your favorite one? Least favorite?

I was so excited when it came to doing an actual rotation.  The 1st and 2nd year of Medical School were full of class work, and by the 3rd year, I was just so ready to get out of the classroom.  The best part of getting to start rotations is that you have actual patient contact, and you begin to see the disease processes that you spent 2 years in a classroom learning in real life!  I really liked all of my rotations, so I found it a bit difficult to settle on one particular specialty.  My 1st rotation was pediatrics, and I just loved the kids.  My 2nd rotation was surgery, and I just loved being in the operating room.  My 3rd rotation was OB/GYN, and I just loved delivering babies and going to the nursery and holding the babies. Do you see the trend??  Yes, that's my personality...I fell in love with everything.  I think my absolute favorite rotation was OB/GYN, and my least favorite rotation was probably Internal Medicine.