Life as an International Medical Graduate

“The serenity of the lulling ocean is a wondrous thing to behold..more precious than the gems coveted and covered in platinum or gold...” ― Oksana Rus

When I first came to the realization that I would not be attending medical school in the United Kingdom or the United States I was honestly originally disappointed and my current university became my alternative, my last shot, my last chance. However, now as I move along through my third year, I’m happy and proud to attend my school and being closer to becoming an International Medical Graduate (IMG).

If there is one major piece of advice I can start with it would be the importance of being and staying POSITIVE!
Being from a Caribbean island myself, moving to another island was not really a culture shock for me as it was for so many of my American and Canadian classmates. I attend medical school in a country that is still developing where there were days when the electricity went off, days when the super heavy rain will cause the water in your apartment to turn brown, and days when you get to the local store and the milk was already sold out. So many of my classmates would complain, and I won’t lie there would be days here and there where I would be fed up with some aspect of my life there, but I've been reminded more than ever that complaining and being negative is your worst enemy. Strive to be positive and surround yourself with positive people, it makes a huge difference!
On a side note for those of you who have specific items that you want that you can’t get on the island, ship it to the island. Just be mindful of the duties that will be placed on what is brought in, but if it is something that you really need (and is reasonable to ship) to help get you in the right mindset or feel comfortable then I wouldn’t hesitate.

Studying in medical school is completely different compared to what it was in undergraduate school and getting back into studying after being away from school for some time is difficult. For anyone like me out there that has taken time off from school it can be especially difficult to get back into the swing of studying. I personally had a 4 year gap between getting my undergraduate degree and beginning medical school. My break was mainly due to financial constraints but in the end I am so thankful for the great hands on experience I obtained during that time. However, you quickly learn that medical school is a whole new ball game in and of itself and your old study habits will need some tweaking.

I recommend that you try to find your study style as early on as possible; you want to stay on top of your studying, trust me it will pile up all too quickly if you do not. If what you did in undergrad isn’t working for you in medical school, don’t get caught up in the fact that it isn’t and don’t be afraid to ask for help. If what works one semester doesn’t work for another, don’t dwell on it, work to change it! Explore what resources the school may have for  helping students find new ways to approaching the material.

In the beginning of medical school I felt that I had to study every waking moment, and I often felt guilty (yes guilty) for taking breaks. BREAKS ARE A NECESSITY! Breaks will keep you sane! I would even feel guilty for going to bed at a particular hour, thinking “how can I go to bed so early?” (early being 10pm). Then I realized trying to study while you’re about to pass out is not effective studying and you are just better off getting the rest you need and tackling it once you have had some sleep. Take it from a person who hasn’t had caffeine in almost 8 years! I started taking naps in medical school (when I could) so that I could recharge and get back to the material once rested. 

I hope this helps you set realistic study goals for the upcoming semester and prepare for your move to the Caribbean if you will soon be an IMG. Feel free to share your thoughts and ask questions in the comment section below!



-Carmen is a medical student at Ross University in Dominica.

The Road to Becoming a Doctor

This is a guest post by a friend of mine who recently got into medical school. I can't begin to express how excited and happy I am for her and proud of all the hard work she put forth to get where she is now. 

The Road To Becoming A Doctor

I knew this day would come – the day when I would have to take the dreaded 4-lettered test that most pre-meds groan when uttered – MCAT. I had always excelled well in class and its exams, but never with standardized tests. I knew this from taking the SATs and ACTs for my entry into college. How was I getting just average to slightly above average scores on these tests? Surely, I am smarter than that?

I had a high school friend, pre-med like me, who did ridiculously amazing on her MCAT. I was proud of her, but yearned to learn her secret. Take a MCAT prep course she said. So I did. I was bound to strive and succeed like her.

The class was very beneficial for me in its interactive program and set schedule to prep me to score well. I attended all the classes (via my computer screen), took mini tests in between work and school, and studied all the textbooks provided by the organization. 

I signed up to take the test when I thought would be a good time, compelling me to buckle down and study hard. It is very important to have a set schedule and keep to it. Additionally, register for your “ideal” test date and see if there are locations convenient for you. Some dates aren’t available at certain places nor are the dates always available for when you want to take it, especially since those dates go fast like hot cakes. While I got the date that I wanted, I didn’t get the location as all testing centers nearby were either booked up or unavailable. As a result, I ended up having to drive approximately 5 hours away to my testing center and I decided to drive down the night before, so I wouldn’t be tired from driving. However, I did meet a tester who tested with me that day who drove in that morning from 5 hours away.

I was stunned when I got back my test results. I felt defeated. Perhaps the MCAT was telling me I was not cut out to be a physician after all. I felt stressed during test day. My first attempt gave me motivation to try again. I changed my study habits: I took more practice tests, worked on understanding the concepts, reinforced high-yield test questions into my brain, and plastered equations and “cheat sheets” all over my house. I wrote in a notebook concepts I didn’t understand and reviewed them all every day.

I registered my second attempt early (fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me!) and got a more convenient location (90 minutes away!) I felt more at ease going into the test despite being in a waiting room with about 30 blatantly nervous people – Not all of them are taking the MCAT I reminded myself to keep myself calm.

When I got my results back, I was relieved I made a great improvement but still unsettled with the score – While it’s not where I’d like it to be, it is still a competitive score nonetheless.

I took the MCAT in 2013 because between the year 2013-2014, the test was the shortest it has ever been in history. The writing portion of the test was eliminated (thank goodness!) as many med schools weren’t really looking at that score as it was intended for.

Now, the MCAT has undergone a dramatic change to reflect the change of medicine and hone into concepts that future doctors will need in succeeding in medical schools. 

The MCAT 2015, which will begin in April, has 4 sections (instead of 3): biological sciences, physical sciences, critical analysis/reasoning skills, and social/behavioral sciences (which tests over sociology, psychology, biochemistry, etc). Unlike the current MCAT which was approximately 5-6 hours or so, the new MCAT will be two hours longer. 

I think this change will be beneficial for medical schools in identifying qualified applicants who will succeed at their institution. I can imagine schools will heavily rely on this new test as more and more applicants are coming in (50,000 applicants for 2014 according to AAMC). Personally, I just hope I never have to endure that test.

Learn from me: the key to your success with the MCAT is to study hard, but study smarter.

Maximizing Your Holiday Break

"It came without ribbons.  It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. Maybe Christmas doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas means a little bit more."- Dr. Seuss

Merry Christmas and a happy Boxing Day from The Bahamas! I pray most of you were able to spend the holidays with your loved ones and didn't have any flight delays. Well now that you're home for a limited time, there are a few things you can do to maximize your holiday break without loosing the information you spent all semester learning. Don't worry, I'll be joining you, so not to worry you won't be the only one getting "work" done during vacation.

1. Reconnect with Your Textbooks and Lecture Notes

Yes, you read that correctly. I know you're on holiday, however it doesn't mean you must neglect everything you spent learning even if you worked so hard during the semester not to think about school.
Personally, there were times during the semester that I found myself falling behind in reading assignments and Najeeb video watching, especially during my hospitalization, that I would like to catch up on. Now is the time to get all of that "catching up" out of the way and give yourself that advantage of preparing for the new semester.
Set a schedule of some sort, setting time aside for family gatherings, friend hangouts and for fete's and ensure there's enough time to review material you just didn't get during the semester. By reconnecting with your textbooks and lectures notes, you'll remain connected with your study routine, which will mean you won't have a hard time readjusting when you return to school in the new year.

2. Reconnect with Life 

Now is the time to work on all those things you found yourself "pinning" on  Pinterest and to help out around the house, seeing you do have a bit more free-time at the moment. Be sure to make the most of this new found free-time and treat yourself nicely. 

3. Reconnect with Reasons Why You Want To Be A Physician

Seeing I won't be roaming the wards until my third year, I always look forward to being home so that I can shadow a Physician or get as close to patients as I can. This time last Christmas I spent my days in the morgue shadowing a Pathologist. Shadowing a physician allows you to make the connection between the pre-clinical courses you're learning and the clinical aspect you'll soon delve into. It also provides a great understanding into the day-to-day activities of a physician and allows you to learn practical skills. You can also gain a mentor from the process, so ask around see whether or not it's possible for you to shadow and make the most of it.

4. Reconnect with Sleep

You've earned it!
I know during the semester there were many times when I just wanted to hit the snooze button and have a day of just sleeping. Needless to say I wasn't as lucky to do so, but after my travels yesterday I took full advantage of the Christmas feast my mom prepared and found myself in a coma shortly thereafter. Best sleep I've had for weeks!
We all know sleep is essential, and if you didn't go out and find that episode of The Big Bang Theory on Netflix or something entitled 'The Einstein Approximation' and see for yourself the consequences lack of sleep can cause, and then go ahead and "attempt to view your work (refer to #1) as a fleeting peripheral image so as to engage the superior colliculus of your brain"-Sheldon, Big Bang Theory. 

5. Reconnect with Capturing Family Moments

Since you would be well rested, make sure to capture every moment you can! From the family games, to the girls night out. I don't know about you, but I enjoy decorating my room away from home with photos of friends and family that were taken during the holidays. Sadly, this semester I haven't had time to print any or to take any new ones. I've seem to have fallen into the trap of storing photos or posting on social media rather than choosing photos and complimentary picture frames. Oh how lazy the digital age is making humanity! Try not to fall into that trap, but to commemorate the holiday season with photos of silly faces to the generic studio poses. 

Whatever you decide to do this holiday, ensure you're happy, surrounded by loved ones and you're reflecting on the true meaning of Christmas-which is Christ.
I'd love to hear whether or not you're planning on doing any of the above on your time off, so feel free to post in the comment section below. 

Hiatus

“Thus began a break of undetermined length and meaning.” 
― Jacob Slichter, So You Wanna Be a Rock & Roll Star: How I Machine-Gunned a Roomful Of Record Executives and Other True Tales from a Drummer's Life

It is official! The examination period has begun, and so has my hiatus from my bi-weekly blog posts. I have my first phase examination of my second year in Medical school in T-48 hours and it's testing over everything as it relates to the respiratory system. 

This year our testing format has changed from 60 multiple choice questions (MCQs) and short answers totaling a value of 30 points to 60 MCQs and 15 extended matching questions. I don't know about you guys, but I'd prefer the short answer questions, because it really tests how much you know and understand which can either be in your favor or against it depending on how you've prepared for the examination. 

My second phase examination is on the 16th of the month so immediately thereafter I'll be releasing new posts that deals specifically with signing up for the USMLEs and obtaining that ECFMG certification for non-US medical school applicants. 

To everyone studying for examinations, I wish you all the best and many productive nights! See you after the 16th. 

The Journey of Getting Into Medical School

“Have faith in God and your abilities. You can make a difference in the world.” 
― Lailah Gifty Akita

As days turn into months and months into years, it's amazing how our journey changes. Imagine the feeling of being accepted into the program you've been working so hard for, and finally starting on that path. It's one filled with sweat and tears and all worth it in the end. 

Our stories are different, and our reasoning for wanting to study the varying forms of medicine also differs, but I'm sure our commonality is the fact that we dedicated time, money and our efforts to studying for admissions examinations, experienced the stressors associated with creating a masterpiece called "The Personal Statement" and survived our fair share of interviews. 

I recently read an article posted on KevinMD which gave some insight into the journey of getting in medical school for the non-traditional student. If you don't know what the difference is, a non-traditional student refers to anyone who didn't enter a 4-year university post high school graduation, due to other circumstances and who may have worked or taken classes at a community college in order to  fulfill the prerequisites for the MCAT/DAT/VCAT. I have the utmost respect for non-traditional students because they find ways to balance a job and a family life with the demands of school and they are pursuing their dreams. 

Mr. Perez mentioned the importance of a healthy body and a healthy mind, which I've learned is vital to getting the most out of studying. It's amazing how a simple change in food choices, from one of fast food and junk to a healthier balanced one can not only boost your immunity but provide so much energy, if done correctly. 

Take a read of the article and tell me what you think. I'll be continuing the "How-to" series next week with more regular posts and a repost on the MCAT and the new changes. 

The Early Bird

“I am glad I was up so late, for that's the reason I was up so early.” 
― William Shakespeare, Cymbeline

If you haven't noticed by now, most of the photos that set the mood for my posts have been from my trip to Europe, or my adventures during my first year, here in Trinidad and Tobago and the quotes relate to the overall theme of the post or the photo itself in some way or another.  

If it's anything I've learned whilst traveling through Europe and now more importantly through my second year of medical school, it's this: in order to get the best seat, a good breakfast, and to enjoy the peace and serenity that comes with the wee-hours of the morning you must arise from your slumber early. Otherwise you will have to deal with the consequences such as; waiting at the back of the line for entry into museums, hustling with the rest of the population that decided to sleep in for a maxi or train, and just hurry throughout the morning, bypassing the beauty the world offers in order to arrive at your destination on time. 

William Shakespeare's quote was definitely speaking truth for me, seeing that for me staying up late in my first year was a norm. What happened on most occasions was that, if I spent the night (which usually meant) from 10 p.m.- 4 a.m. studying, I would have no excuse to not have a proper breakfast, to fit in an hour (at most) of physical activity- which equated to a run around the hospital campus and be back in time before my flatmates arose and hogged the showers and to be out the door and in class before the lecturer arrived. A week of this was draining! I'm sure you can imagine. 

As a pre-med/pre-dent/pre-vet/ student you should be realizing now throughout your undergraduate courses that the sooner you start preparing and applying for your specific entrance examinations and applying to your desired professional schools the better it is in the long run. 

Early preparation reduces the amount of stress that is associated with procrastination, it gives you ample time to review your application, personal statement and resume and to make any necessary changes well in advance. It also allows you to request the necessary documents from schools such as transcripts or status letters and  letters of recommendation from professionals you may have shadowed, organizations you may have volunteered at or hospitals in which you conducted research with and to ensure your application packet is not lacking anything as the deadline approaches. 

Getting in the habit of early preparation and going to bed a little earlier in order to begin the day, is a practice I dreaded as I read the recommendations of other medical students that blog.  However, I'm now enjoying the benefits of starting my day a few hours earlier and I encourage you to give it a try. 

Since first year, most of my classes, began at 8 a.m. which was different from what I had grown accustomed to over the past 4.5 years of working firstly as a night-shift tech, then switching to an evening shift tech. It meant that I had to utilize my time differently in order to get the maximum benefit and to adjust my sleeping pattern. 

Learning how to maximize your days is a practice you should consider adopting now rather than waiting for graduate school to start, so that as you transition into your med/dent/vet or graduate school life you would be able to quickly adjust to the demands of your course curriculum and the future demands of your profession. 

Greatist.com is one of my go to sites for fitness motivation, healthy recipes and just to get some quick educated leisure reading in. It posted a while ago, an article on how to be a morning person that I tried. Not everything you read is gospel, and not everything you read will work for you; nonetheless, some things are worth trying like their suggested "Action Plan". This allowed me to visual the things that were my priority, needing to be done now rather than later, and a task that I've now adopted. Give the article a read and let me know what you try out! 

All the best as you consider and hopefully make the necessary changes to become a morning person! Don't worry you'll still be a night owl, the medical profession especially will grant you the opportunity of being alive while others snooze so don't you fret. 

How To Apply To Medical School Part III: The MCAT

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” 
― Winston Churchill

Happy Wednesday morning! 

Today's "How to" will cover preparing for the MCAT.  To apply to medical schools in the Caribbean that aren't U.S. based the MCAT is NOT required, however if you've sat the examination you can mention that either on the application itself (if there is a spot) or on your resume. 

Before I delve into how to prepare for the MCAT, I would just give a little background on the examination for those who are curious and who may not know what it is. The MCAT stands for Medical College Admissions Test, and it's just that. It's similar to the SAT but it's specific to the sciences (Chemistry, Physics and Biology) with a verbal component. Although I've never sat the actual examination, I've registered and studied for it during my course of applying to U.S. medical schools and went through the pressure of practice examinations at different times. 

The MCAT website is what I resorted to time and time again during my course of medical school application, because I found it to be very comprehensive and detailed. The examination is usually sat your junior year of undergrad or for the non-traditional student, as soon as you've covered the material on which you will be tested. It can be taken in January, March and April-November. This is nice because you're able to sit the exam, receive your results and re-sit if you weren't pleased with your score. 

When I first studied for the examination I tried doing it on my own, with notes from lectures and my textbooks. I noticed that for me this was not beneficial-which was evident by my practice exam test scores. After seeing this and talking to friends, I decided to study smart since I didn't have the funds at the time to register for a Kaplan course, I utilized material from friends who sat the examination and who had review materials. This allowed me to get through the material and stick to a schedule.  

So what really works? It all depends on the kind of student you are. Are you able to finance a review course? Can you do without an in-class review session but can afford study materials? Luckily, the amount of MCAT study material is endless and with YouTube and other sites that offer free videos for review sessions, one can cheaply and effectively study for the MCAT without spending more than the cost of registering for the exam if you are smart. 

Kaplan Review Sessions

I was able to study and work at the same time which also meant I could afford the MCAT prep courses through Kaplan. I used two different options on two different occasions. The MCAT On Demand and the MCAT Classroom Anywhere. Kaplan once you're registered for one of their programs sends you a nice package of review books and a schedule that gives you everything you will need to cover the material. 

I chose the MCAT On Demand option first when I worked the night shift. During downtime I would have access to videos of lectures and access to explanations of concepts. This allowed me to study without any restrictions. 

The MCAT Classroom Anywhere was almost like going to a class. There were scheduled days for lectures and we would have to log in at a certain time before the sessions began. I liked this method more because I was able to ask questions in real time and get the answers either from the lecturer or a TA or another student. 

The materials I received from Kaplan made understanding concepts easy, and the material less intimidating to study. The practice questions were extremely helpful in measuring how I studied and my progress. 

ExamKrackers

I received these materials from a friend and although I didn't use the books (because I had the Kaplan Review books) I did use the audio, which allowed me to listen to any subject anywhere. 

These review materials are more animated and makes learning fun with mnemonics and concise and clear explanations. 

These were the main review materials I used in conjunction with textbooks from undergrad to assist in my MCAT preparation. Overall, the main thing required for studying for an examination like this one, is discipline. You can have all of the review materials in the world, but if you don't have the discipline to actually stick to a study schedule and to put in the work months in advance you won't receive the score that would set you apart from other applicants. It's important as well to relax the day before the examination and to get a good night's rest. Some persons go to the spa, read a book for leisure and even watch a movie and enjoy a meal with friends before the examination. Feel free to treat yourself before the examination with a break. 

Have you sat the MCAT already? How'd you study? What would you recommend to others? Feel free to leave a comment of your study tips for standardized examinations. 

I am not receiving any compensation from Kaplan or ExamKrackers for my review of their material. The material was purchased with my own money, unless stated otherwise. 

HELP! I'm Drowning!

Is it only me, or can anyone else relate to the feeling of panic and anxiety when you played Pac-Man? The stress that was related to trying to eat as many fruits (wait! were they fruits?) before being devoured, always made me reconsider the urge I got to play the game.

As a second year medical student, I constantly find myself warding off stress, trying to find another way to effectively manage the maze of school work and reading that just seems to pile up overnight.

What I've come to learn is this, the feeling of drowning and being overwhelmed is natural and rather than neglect the body's signals to take a break, it is best to take time every now and again to just relax.

Mental rejuvenation is something I have come to value and treasure. It gives me time to just "breathe" and to forget about my 'to-do' list and to reconnect with myself and my purpose rather than remaining in a fog of anxiety. The following are a few things I've found that helps me relax and to rejuvenate.

1. Music

There are so many free apps available where you can either download music or simply listen to created playlists and the genres range from rock to classical. For me since I'm outside of the U.S. and Pandora is unaccessible, 8tracks has allowed me to listen to playlists based on my study mood. 

2. Hiking

Being in Trinidad and Tobago I've managed to hike three different parts of the country and I've found it to be mentally stimulating and physically challenging based on the hike. The view at the end is so worthwhile. After a few hours (preferably early morning) it's as if an internal clock has been reset and I'm able to tackle material with a new mindset and clearer understanding. I try to relate what I'm learning to my level of physical activity, so now that I'm studying respiration, hiking at even a slight incline I try to visualize the changes my body is experiencing as a way of understanding the theory presented in lecture. 

3. Cooking

I love cooking. Give me a clean kitchen with nice working appliances and I would be as happy as a kid in a candy store. I'm more of an experimental cook. Mixing of herbs and various ingredients and being able to experience the smells and tastes and the overall end product plated gives me a certain amount of satisfaction as well as relaxation that my friends cannot understand. Try out a new recipe and see if it's relaxing. 

4. Going on an adventure

Even though medical school is an adventure in and of itself, I try and schedule various adventures which allows me to experience Trinidad and Tobago from the view of a local rather than a tourist and it gives me a new insight into the culture. Almost religiously in my first year here I found myself enjoying decadent desserts and trying out new flavors of teas and coffees at a little coffee shop near campus called Tablespoon Coffee House & Dessert Shop. I even dubbed Thursday's as Tablespoon Thursdays. I did find myself answering objective questions while I was there but the atmosphere was very relaxing and I was able to people watch at the same time, which I found to eliminate the stress of studying. This year, my goal is to have different adventures, finding the best doubles place, or the best place for roti near campus. We'll see what happens though. 

5. Pinterest

I've found myself wasting so much time  on Pinterest since I've joined mainly because it's so easy to get carried away pinning any and everything. So I decided to set time aside at least once a week to allow myself to get carried away in my imaginary world creating new boards and pinning things that caught my eye. 

I hope these few things gets you thinking about setting time aside to relax and to rejuvenate your mind in order to make the most of your studies. It's easy to ignore the body's signals, but it's just as easy to listen to them and to just take a break. Let me know what you do to relax in between classes. I'd love to hear from you!

How To Apply To Medical School Part II: Writing a Resume and Personal Statement

“Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.” 
― Louis L'Amour

Welcome back to another entry into the "How To" Series. Since I'm currently up to my neck in reading and PBL objectives that must be done, this post is going to be short and sweet-well that's my aim anyway.

The photo decorating this post was taken in Zurich (in a bathroom) and I found it quite humorous. Since I'll be talking about writing your resume and your personal statement, I thought it was one of the more appropriate photos for this post.

As a non-traditional medical school applicant, my resume gave my application the "umph" it needed and it was a requirement for some of the schools I had applied to. I found that the biggest challenge I had with writing my personal statement was accurately relaying my thoughts to the reader in a way that wouldn't be misleading, or too convoluted. It took me a few months (yes months!) to perfect my personal statement and to be satisfied with my final submission

When writing your personal statement don't be discouraged if you begin and you find yourself with a million and one stories to tell or on the other hand, not sure what to say. We all get it 'all wrong' in the beginning (gang falsch). After a few days of contemplating what picture you want to paint to those who will be reading your personal statement, you start ironing out a few wrinkles. However you may still be wrong (falsch) in the construct and flow, but you're making progress nonetheless. Taking time to research what a good personal statement entails or simply taking time off from working on your piece, you're almost getting it right (fast richtig) and with more proofreading and constructive criticism from friends, family members or professors, you finally end up with a piece you can be proud of and ready to submit. Yes! You will get it right (richtig) at some point or the other, but first you must dedicate the time to just start writing "no matter what!"

Resume Writing

Step 1 

Start with a strong bold heading of your name and contact information. There are so many templates on the web that can make this step the easiest of them all. 

Step 2:

Follow a general outline, being sure to include things like: 

a) Education

b) Work Experience

c) Professional/Teaching Experience

d) Licenses/Certificates/Accreditations

e) Awards and Honors

f) Publications/Presentations

g) Pre-Med Societies

h) Volunteer Service

i) Extracurricular Activities

Step 3

Review your final piece. Your resume is one of the shortest reflections of yourself you can create. It gives a chronological outline of your life (to an extent) and it should be accurate and true. Try to ensure there are no gaps in your resume and take a second or third look at it before submission. There are multiple sites that require help for resume writing, Johns Hopkins even has a neat little PDF outlining how to construct a good pre-med resume. Feel free to check it out. 

Personal Statement

As much as I love quotes, I would advise you when writing your personal statement NOT to use them as your introduction. Most personal statements requires you to describe yourself and why you would make a great medical student and future doctor. For me the hardest part was showing my passion for medicine and illustrating why I felt medicine to be my calling.  This article gave great insight into things to consider before sitting down and writing your personal statement. Since its quite a detailed article, I'm just going to add three simple things that I found helpful when writing my personal statement. 

Thing 1

Be able to answer the question "why do you want to become a doctor?" Take the time to reflect what really drew you to the field of medicine. Once you can honestly answer this question you will find it easy to at least construct an introduction. 

Thing 2

Create an outline (similar to what  you would do if you were writing an essay for an English class) of what each paragraph would likely entail. This can be done in bulleted form or simple headings such as "Paragraph 1, II..". This will give you a visual idea of what you should include in each section and would help keep you on track. 

Thing 3

During your draft and editing phases, whenever you have someone proofread your personal statement, or as you complete a paragraph and before editing, go through a checklist that asks the following questions: 

1. Is the opening paragraph personal?
2. Do you start with action or an image?
3. Does the essay show rather than tell?
4. Did you use any words that are not usually a part of your vocabulary? (If so, get rid of them.)
5. Have you used the active voice whenever possible?
6. Have you overused adjectives and adverbs?
7. Have you eliminated clichés?
8. Have you deleted redundancies?
9. Does the essay sound interesting to you?
10. Will the ending give the reader a sense of completeness? Does the last sentence sound like the last sentence?

The above is just an example of things you can include. I used this during my process and it made it easier for my friends and family who proofread my personal statement to offer suggestions on what sections needed improvements. 

All the best as you begin this step of your medical school application. It seems like an insurmountable task at the moment, but hang in there, get to writing and in a matter of weeks you'll be able to check another task off of your 'to do' list. 

How to Apply to Medical School Part I: Pre-Med Requirements

“I think you will agree that life's plans are not always tied up in neat little packages. Occasionally we find ourselves at unexpected crossroads with more than one opportunity from which to choose. Time itself is often the best indicator of which decision to make, for it can tell so many thing that are now hazy.” 
― Linda Lee Chaikin, Tomorrow's Treasure

Hello my fellow night owls and medical sciences enthusiasts! Ever since I embarked upon applying to medical school (and there were many attempts) I've been asked by friends and other Pre-Med majors what is the ideal way of applying to medical school in a timely matter and ensuring you're granted an interview and potentially an acceptance. From these questions came the idea for this new series "How to Apply to Medical School" specifically at the moment,Caribbean based medical schools. 


Part One of this series will focus on applying to medical schools in the Caribbean that are not affiliated to the United States; meaning they are not American based medical schools and the degree you will be awarded upon completion will be a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (M.B.B.S.) versus the Medical Doctor (M.D.) degree awarded at American medical schools. 

In addition to my advice, there will be guest contributors to each subsequent part of the series. Their advice, tips and tricks and overall experience with the process will be featured in the "Words of the Wise" section of the blog so be sure to check that section out after stopping here. 

Now with all that being said, let's get started. 

What are the requirements for Medical School?

Before I seriously considered applying to medical school, I can recall older siblings of my friends discussing how they had to register as a "Pre-Med" student at their college with equated to an insanely large amount of science classes and lab sessions all to ensure they met the requirements for their medical school application. 

After I did my research for the medical schools I was interested in attending and talked to some friends that interviewed for medical schools, I learned that your undergraduate major does not matter. What matters the most is that when you apply, you are a well-rounded individual who knows that medicine is what you want to study and that you are capable of fulfilling the necessary requirements for the school of your choice. 

Had I known this when I applied to college, I do believe I may have majored in either English, or Humanities and taken the necessary science courses. 

Below is a list of courses most medical schools require. It is important for you to do the research for the schools you would like to apply to for medical school and to see what their pre-requisites are for admissions and take those courses. 

a. General Chemistry (I &II with labs)

b. General Biology (I & II with labs)

c. General Physics (I & II with labs)

d. Anatomy and Physiology

e. Molecular and Cellular Biology

f. Microbiology

g. Organic Chemistry (I & II with labs)

h. and/or Biochemistry

i. Precalculus/Calculus

j. and/or Statistics

When I had applied to the University of the West Indies, because I had completed a degree, I submitted my transcripts from undergrad supplemental to my national examination results, which I sat senior year of high school. The university requirement were provision of the following:  

• (and/or) An academic certificate (test results of the -GCE, CAPE (CXC) CSEC (CXC) exams), 
• A professional certificate or diploma, 
• Transcripts from awarding institutions, and a 
• TOEFL exam score for those whose first language isn't English. 

It is quite common at the University of The West Indies, for students to get accepted out of high school based on their -GCE, CAPE (CXC) and CSEC (CXC) examination results without having to pursue an undergraduate degree prior to admission to medical school because the medical degree received is considered an undergraduate degree in and of itself. 

What if I satisfy all of the pre-requisites?

This is the moment where you can jovially pat yourself on the back for being one step closer to satisfying your medical school application. 

Now that you have checked the pre-requesities off of your "to do" list (that in and of itself deserves celebrating), next up, daunting as it might appear, is for you to maintain a competitive grade point average (GPA) throughout your undergraduate years. A competitive GPA ranges between a 3.7-3.8. 

The application process can be a tedious and overwhelming process, however, if you plan your time wisely and work on it early, rather than waiting, you can avoid the frustration that comes with procrastination and last minute planning. 

Until Wednesday...take the necessary steps to ensure you are meeting ALL requirements to fulfill your dream of becoming firstly a medical student and secondly a GREAT doctor. 

The Journey

"Once you start studying medicine, you never get through with it."-Dr. Charles Mayo

The above quote is one of the many that decorates the walls of Mayo Clinic's lobbies and is sporadically displayed on monitors throughout employee entrances and exits, between the institutions updates and latest news for its employees. 

My journey for studying medicine began with the inception of the thought that I could be of service to those in need-medically. As I grew in age and knowledge of the opportunities, I played with the idea of being a veterinarian, a pediatrician, even a cardiologist. The more interested I became and the stronger my passion for medicine grew, I found myself researching the steps I would have to take in order to become a doctor.

Fast forward a decade, and like Jonah, I've strayed from my initial 5 year plan for myself and my calling and attained a Biology degree and a degree in Clinical Laboratory Science with 4.5 years experience in the field of Laboratory Medicine.

I doubt that Jonah for one minute got a good night's rest after fleeing the calling to preach and deliver Ninevah. Well I didn't. With each degree, I prayed for God to show me his plan and purpose for my life and if I were to become a doctor, for it to be made clear. Like Gideon I got just what I had prayed for-an acceptance letter to not one, not two but three medical schools after thinking my applications were discarded and not even given a second look. 

January-May 2014 marked the completion of my first year of Medical School, and now as I prepare to start year 2, I can say that it has been a rewarding journey overall.

At the ending of the semester, right before our Phase Examinations, I was afforded the opportunity of watching the leatherback turtles lay their eggs and venture back to the active ocean from which they emerged. Seeing the journey of the leatherback placed an emphasis on my journey to where I am today. The fact that despite remarkable and at time, disappointing strayings from my original plan for my academic and medical career, I am right where God wants me to be. 

As the application process for medical school begins for some, and the first year of postgraduate/or professional school unfolds for others I will be starting a series entitled "Tips for Applying to Medical/Dental/Pharm/Vet School" followed by a series on "So it's your first year in ____ School. What to Do Now", so be sure to check back often for pointers and for guest posts in the "Words of the Wise" section, where students just like you, will be giving advice and what they've learnt from their application process. 

The Hike

“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.”
― Eleanor Roosevelt

Sluggishly I emerged from the warmth and comfort of my bed and silenced my blaring alarm. It was now 5 a.m. on a Sunday morning. Such an ungodly hour to have to rise in my opinion, especially since I spent most of the night *limin' with friends. The time had come for me to get ready to hike my second waterfall in Trinidad since my arrival to the island for Medical School. The Rio Seco Waterfall, is listed as an "easy" hike, with a distance of 1.25 miles, but the waterfall is worth the hike. Or so most TripAdvisor reviewers said, this is what I would be finding out-just how challenging this hike is. 

My friends and I made our way from our lodgings at the Joyce Gibson Inniss Hall on the Mt. Hope compound, down to the University of the West Indies Main Campus where the rest of the eager hikers were gathered. As many yawned, and tried to mentally and physically awaken their senses, my mind ever so often posed the question "Why did you sign up for this...today?" Luckily, I didn't have time to dwell on the question or to change my mind. We gathered into the 'maxi' (24 seater bus/jitney) and made our way to Rio Seco Waterfall. 

The maxi driver was kind enough to drop us off up the hill, eliminating some of the winding, steepening terrain we would have encountered. The hike started off as 'easy', in that for about 20 mins we were walking on a paved road, which then ran out and the real hike began. At some point in the previous week, it had rained in the forest and in Salybia, which meant we would be encountering lots of mud and water in addition to the small rivers we would have to cross. Imagine my excitement. It pays to have the appropriate and correct shoes for every occasion, and I soon found out that my Nike cross trainers were not made for hiking muddy terrains. 

We went up hills and rocks, and we went down hills and rocks. We crossed two ice cold rivers in one direction, and met them upon our descent. We were shaded by the canopy of the trees, and I even came close to loosing a shoe or two in the mud. Overall it was an adventure and the waterfall-the reward, in the end was breathtaking. 

As I hiked, the thought emerged how my hiking experience that day was so similar to medical school, and the entire process of getting to where I am at this moment. From the initiation of the hike, there was this bird called the Pawi, that makes this shrill noise, however it never revealed itself to us. Imagine my disappointment. I likened this bird to all of the negative influences I've encountered along the way thus far and whom many of you reading this have also met or will at some point run into.  You know, those persons who have nothing better to do but to ensure they impart their misery onto your life by trying their best to defame your character. Sad, I know, but it happens. That bird taunted us the entire time. There would be moments of peace and quiet, and a few bursts of laughter and the sounds of casual chatter and then you would hear it.  That loud annoying shrill. After a while, it became background noise, and no one paid it any mind. The same is true about those "nay sayers". Remain polite, stay true to yourself and your beliefs and you'll be surprised how quickly the talk of the market won't have any effect on you. 

The melodious sound of the river, I likened to the encouragers. The sound of the river only increased, the closer we came to the waterfall. Persons will always be there to offer encouragement and support, and this tends to increase as your goal is reached. I've been blessed to have persons globally and locally, who at the right moment flood my FB inbox, what's app and my personal email with encouraging words and thoughts, all of which makes this journey all the more bearable. 

I don't know how often Trinidadians in the area frequent this waterfall, but on the day of our hike, we were constantly being greeted by persons heading to or leaving the waterfall. As the hike moved forward, and it seemed as though it would only get worse; being greeted by children and other adults with smiles and cheers, made me realize that the hike is not impossible, and that it very well can be done with a smile. It reminded me that like the hike, medical school and its tedious schedule and overwhelming course load, is not impossible and it can be completed with a smile once taken in strides. 

There was always a gradual incline and decline, and this was similar to the gradual incline and decline I am currently experiencing with my courses, my motivation, and my overall general psyche'. There are days when I feel like a Spartan, and can grab life and the sort by the horns, and own it. Then there are those days when I question why I am here, and if I have what it takes to truly be a GREAT doctor. Like the hike, the gradual inclines and declines are the true test of your willpower, and without them it would be one flat walk. And that's just boring. The same is true with medical school. It's not easy (if that was the case then everyone would be doing it), but it's doable, you just have to remember to not allow the declines to consume you, allow them to run their course, but don't dwell on them. 

At certain points along the trail there were these handmade wooden railings, that I must say I appreciated especially when there were sudden changes in the terrain and a sudden slip to the left would result in a nasty fall over the edge. These railings I likened to all of the resources at one's disposal while in medical school. There are textbooks, e-books, mobile device apps and the advice and guidance of upper years. They are all available to buffer the blow of the coursework and they provide invaluable solace and direction needed for the journey. 

Lastly, the reward. The rushing, bustling, waterfall. I likened this to achieving the ultimate goal. Arriving at the destination. To know that you survived the shrills of the pawi, while being guided by the increasing sounds of the river reassuring you that you were heading in the right direction, that you didn't allow the nay sayers negativity to engulf and devour you. Instead you took on the cheers of fellow hikers (students) who had experienced the rugged terrain and overcame it. You met the gradual incline and decline and moved forward, holding onto the railings. Now at the waterfall you can bask in the coolness of its waters- the excitement and sheer joy, of surviving all that you faced during the application process and interview, and will face in medical school. I'm awaiting that day. 2018 is so close yet so far. I shall encounter so much more, but after this hike and realizing the similarities, I appreciate all that I will be faced with in the future and I implore you to do the same. 
Pick up that MCAT book! 
Study for that exam! 
Proceed with writing that personal statement! 
Question why you're wanting to embark on such a hike, and be prepared for all that is in store. 

*limin': Liming is, in other words, an activity not subjected to a formal set of rules. Its value to the participants is entirely contingent on the shared meaning that can be established spontaneously. A typical lime begins when two or several acquaintances (neighbours, colleagues, relatives or simply friends) meet more or less by chance; in the street, at the grocer's, outside somebody's home, or in the rumshop. For it is impossible to lime alone: liming is inherently a social activity; it is constituted by the (minimally) dyadic relationship and cannot be reduced to the individual agent. A second necessary condition for a lime is the presence of an ambience of relaxation and leisure. Both (or all) limers should relax physically (recline in chairs, lean against walls etc.) in a manner enabling them to converse at their ease. Thirdly, the situation should assume an air of openness: a lime is in principle open to others who might want to join. Liming is, in other words, a social and public activity.