This interview is the latest in an Accepted.com blog series featuring interviews with medical school applicants and students, offering readers a behind-the-scenes look at top medical schools and the med school application process. And now, introducing Ashley…
Accepted: We’d like to get to know you! Where are you from? Where and what did you study as an undergrad? What’s your favorite non-school book?
Ashley: I am from Miramar, FL. I received my Bachelor’s in Biology from Florida State University. I also have a Masters in Public Health from Florida A&M University. My favorite non-school books are the Twilight books.
Accepted: Can you tell us about your current master’s program? Why did you decide to pursue this degree before applying to med school?
Ashley: I’m currently in a Master of Biomedical Sciences program. The program is specifically designed for pre-meds and pre-dents who desire to improve their stats and be more competitive for applying to medical or dental school. Our classes are similar to subject matter we would see in the first year of medical school. The challenges of the program have definitely made me a better student. I chose to get a Master’s in Biomedical Sciences to strengthen my science GPA after receiving rejections to med school the last time I applied.
Accepted: Motherhood and pre-med — that’s quite the juggling act! Why did you decide to apply to med school at this stage of your life? How do you manage to find the time to get it all done?
Ashley: Being a mother and grad student is very challenging! My daughter is a major motivation to keep me going. I’ve always wanted to be a doctor and I did not want to give up on my dream when I became a parent.
Prioritizing, planning, and support from my family helps me balance school and motherhood. My family is such an amazing support system and they help me with my daughter when I’m in class and studying. I make sure to spend as much time with my daughter as I can. Balancing motherhood and school is challenging, consists of long days and late nights, but it’s all worth it to live out my dreams and be someone who my daughter will be proud of.
Accepted: What stage of the med school application process are you up to?
Ashley: I am in the application process. All secondary apps have been submitted and I have had one interview so far. So now I’m just waiting. ☺
Accepted: Can you share your top 3 tips on writing secondary applications?
Ashley: My top 3 tips for answering secondary essays:
1. First and foremost be honest! Don’t fabricate experiences or activities just to make yourself sound good. I think med schools really want to know who you are, how well you will fit with your classmates, and with the mission of the institution.
2. Don’t rush. The last thing you want to do is rush through a secondary, make grammatical errors, and give a weak response. You want your responses to be well-thought out and demonstrate that you can provide an intelligent answer.
3. After you answer your essays, step away from it for at least 24 hours, and come back to it later. This allows you to give your essays a second look with a fresh mind and perspective. After you review it, have someone who can be objective review your essays.
Accepted: How did you first interview go? Any advice for our readers there?
Ashley: My first interview went well! The school was nice, the students and faculty were friendly, and I had a great experience there.
My advice for students preparing for interviews is to relax, as much as you can, and just be yourself. The admissions committee invited you to interview for a reason. Be yourself and be personable so that they can get to know you and your motivations for attending their school. Also, make sure to ask questions that are important to you and your future to be sure that the school is a good fit for you.
Accepted: Can you tell us about your blog? Why did you decide to blog/tweet about your pre-med journey?
Ashley: I decided to blog about my journey to share my experiences with other people like myself. I have been rejected from med school in the past, I’m a mother, a grad student, a nontraditional student, and I’ve taken the MCAT multiple times. I want others who don’t have a traditional, straightforward path to medicine to know that there is someone out here who can relate to their situations and support them. I hope my experiences are an inspiration for others to continue to chase their dreams and fight for what they believe in no matter what challenges or circumstances arise in life. I also want to be able to meet other people on this journey so that we can support and inspire each other.
For one-on-one guidance on your med school applications, please see our catalog of med school admissions services.
You can read more about Ashley’s journey by checking out her blog, Premed Mommy. Thank you Ashley for sharing your story with us – we wish you loads of luck!
Do you want to be featured in Accepted.com’s blog, Accepted Admissions Blog? If you want to share your med school story with the world (or at least with our readers), email us at bloggers@accepted.com.
Related Resources:
• Medical School Reapplicant Advice: 6 Tips for Success
• School Specific Tips for Your Secondary Application Questions
• Med School Application Process: AMCAS, Secondaries, Interviews, Decisions & More!