Is a three-year Internal Medicine residency just a stepping stone, or the foundation of your career? Join host Deana Golini as she interviews Ishan Gupta, an M4 at the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, about his hyper-focused path toward a Cardiovascular Fellowship. Ishan shares the blueprint for navigating an osteopathic medical curriculum that included a staggering 120 exams in two years. He discusses the transition from a specialized SMP at Brown University to clinical rotations across the Phoenix "DO-friendly" hub. Learn how he leveraged a leadership role in the American College of Physicians (ACP) to build residency credibility and why he believes the "DO stigma" is rapidly disappearing in competitive internal medicine circles. Whether you are a DO student aiming for a competitive fellowship or an M1 looking for the best way to network within a state chapter, Ishan’s strategic approach provides the actionable steps you need. If Ishan’s journey provides the clarity you need for your residency path, like this video, share your thoughts in the comments, and subscribe for more insider blueprints for med school success!

Ready to bet on yourself, even when the odds seem impossible? Join hosts Deana and Carlos as they sit down with Paulos Flores, an M2 at UC Davis School of Medicine, whose journey to medicine is anything but typical. Paulos spent nearly a decade as a professional poker player and a long-term caregiver for his mother before deciding to pursue medicine in his 30s. He shares the raw reality of starting over as a high school dropout with a transcript full of "C" grades, proving that with the right study habits and a "don't-quit" work ethic, any academic history can be rewritten. Learn how he balanced being a first-time father during interview season, why he chose UC Davis for its mission, and his "poker-player" approach to clinical decision-making. Whether you're a non-traditional student, a parent in medicine, or someone feeling "too old" for the dream, Paulos’s story is a masterclass in resilience and authenticity. What You’ll Learn:

1. The transition from professional poker to the "relentless" schedule of an M2.
2. How to handle the emotional and financial burden of long-term caregiving.
3. The strategy for overcoming a "bad" academic transcript through humility and work ethic.
4. Why authenticity is the ultimate "X-factor" in medical school applications.
5. Balancing fatherhood with the demands of a competitive medical curriculum.
6. Dealing with the negativity of online forums like SDN and choosing to "block the noise."

If Paulos’s journey inspires you, hit Like, share your thoughts in the comments, and Subscribe for more insider advice on thriving in med school and beyond. Explore additional resources: Main website: https://medschoolyears.com Listen on Spotify: https://spotify.com/medschoolyears Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...#MedSchoolYears #UCDavisHealth #NonTradMedStudent #PremedAdvice

Ready for the strategic blueprint to matching into a highly competitive surgical specialty? Join hosts Deana and Carlos as they dive deep with Afash Haleem, an M4 at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School (NJMS), who is applying for Otolaryngology (ENT). Afash shares his unique journey as a BS/MD graduate who strategically took a gap year for a research fellowship at Mass Eye and Ear. He reveals how he amassed an impressive portfolio (26 papers!) by treating research as a hobby, applying business auditing techniques ("Secret Shopper"), and focusing on "adjacent specialty" literature. Learn his critical advice on networking across the country, why blocking out the competitive noise is necessary for survival, and the profound clinical growth gained from training at a Level I trauma center like University Hospital. Whether you're exploring the BS/MD path, struggling with research, or navigating the stress of a competitive match, this episode is packed with strategic and practical guidance. Afash’s story proves that intentionality, unique interests, and a relentless focus on quality over perceived quantity are the keys to success. What You’ll Learn:

1. The strategic benefits and challenges of the BS/MD path and deferring admission for a gap year.
2. How to get 26 publications by treating research as a hobby and finding innovative methodologies (like the "Secret Shopper" study).
3. Why ENT is a blend of General Surgery and Internal Medicine and what that means for your application.
4. Crucial advice on blocking out competitive "noise" and why networking with residents is essential.
5. How to maintain wellness through cooking and the importance of being near family during residency.
6. The reality of training at a massive Level I Trauma Center and safety net hospital (NJMS).

If Afash’s story inspires you, hit Like, share your thoughts in the comments, and Subscribe for more insider advice on thriving in med school and beyond. Explore additional resources and catch every episode of The Med School Years: Main website: https://medschoolyears.com Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3OqsJPY... Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

Ready to find your strength and community amidst the competitive demands of medical school? Join hosts Deana and Carlos as they sit down with Deondra Montgomery, an M3 at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine (MSU CHM), about turning cultural shock and academic challenge into focused momentum. Deondra shares the profound emotional pressure of being a Latina/Black, first-generation student and the culture shock of moving from sunny Southern California to Michigan for medical school. She reveals how she overcame a "rocky" M1 year by strategically connecting with student groups like SNMA and LMSA, which became her vital support network. Learn the precise strategy she used to build a strong Neurosurgery portfolio without a traditional home lab, securing mentorship through cold outreach and advocacy. Whether you're struggling with the transition to medical school, seeking competitive research opportunities, or navigating identity in medicine, this episode is packed with actionable insights. Deondra’s story proves that resilience, community, and strategic self-advocacy are the true blueprints for success in neurosurgery and beyond. What You’ll Learn:

1. The emotional and academic challenges of the first-generation student experience.
2. How to overcome M1 struggles and the culture shock of a major geographical move.
3. The Blueprint for Research in a competitive surgical specialty (Neurosurgery) when you feel "behind."
4. Strategic importance of SNMA/LMSA for support and professional growth for URM students.
5. Key takeaways from M2 mini-rotations (ruling out Ob/Gyn, loving Internal Medicine).
6. How to stay true to your cultural identity while immersed in the medical world.

If Deondra's story inspires you, hit the Like button, share your thoughts in the comments, and Subscribe for more insider advice on thriving in med school and beyond. Explore additional resources and catch every episode of The Med School Years:

Main website: https://medschoolyears.com

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3OqsJPY...

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

Welcome to the nineteenth episode of The Med School Years Podcast! We sit down with Kamilla, an M4 at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNECOM), who is gearing up to apply for the incredibly competitive field of Cardiothoracic Surgery. Kamilla shares her unique journey, detailing how she transitioned from a Business and Law background (she realized she "hated tearing down arguments") to medicine. She provides unfiltered insight into what it takes for a DO student to be competitive in surgery, including why she took both COMLEX and USMLE (Step 1 & 2). We also discuss the balancing act of being a Division 1 athlete, becoming a social media influencer, and navigating clinical rotations in diverse environments (Maine vs. New Jersey). This episode is essential for any non-traditional student or competitive DO applicant looking for strategic advice.

Ready to fast-track your medical journey and own your unique story? Join hosts Dina and Carlos as they dive deep with Dr. Alexandra “Ally” Copa—an accelerated third-year psychiatry resident at Jackson Memorial Health System—about turning personal challenges into professional strengths in medicine. Dr. Copa shares how she went from Miss Rhode Island to Brown University, then into a pioneering three-year MD/psychiatry pathway at UM’s Miller School. Learn how she conquered Step exams in a compressed timeline, balanced self-disclosure with professionalism, and built resilience through her own recovery from an eating disorder. Discover her passion project: integrating somatic movement therapies—like bootyoga—into holistic mental health care for children and adolescents. Whether you’re a premed exploring accelerated curricula or a med student seeking ways to stay true to yourself, this episode is packed with actionable insights. Dr. Copa’s journey proves that leveraging your passions, networking strategically, and advocating for mental health can propel you forward—without losing sight of who you are.

Welcome to the seventeenth episode of The Med School Years Podcast! We sit down with Nicole Hinz, an M3 at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, to discuss the raw reality of clerkships and the transition from preclinical studies. Nicole shares her journey from aspiring neurosurgeon to discovering a passion for Pediatrics, detailing the emotional shock of M3 (where she almost passed out in the OR!) and the difficulty of coping with patient mortality while maintaining energy. She offers powerful advice on abandoning perfectionism, building empathy through experiences like the Gateways program, and why finding a support system, like a therapist or counselor, is crucial for survival and preventing burnout in this high-stakes field.

Welcome to the sixteenth episode of The Med School Years Podcast! We interview Cindy Liu, an M2 at the prestigious NYU Grossman School of Medicine, where the median MCAT is 523 and tuition is free. Cindy offers an unfiltered look at what it's like to thrive in this hyper-competitive, yet surprisingly collaborative, environment. She discusses the pressure that comes with free tuition, how her engineering background shaped her approach to problem-solving, and her strategy for landing a competitive specialty like Radiation Oncology. This episode is a must-watch for current medical students struggling with perfectionism, study strategies, and finding their identity beyond grades. Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction and the NYU Grossman "Wow Factor" 2:10 Diversity and Composition of the Class 3:30 Pressure from Free Tuition and High Expectations 5:50 The Emotional Moment of Receiving the Acceptance 7:45 Choosing NYU: Location, Hospitals, and School Fit 10:10 Myth-Buster: Elite Undergrad Not Required 12:20 Engineering Thought Process Applied to Medicine 14:50 The Reality of MMI and Interview Preparation 17:55 How Interview Skills Translate to Patient Care 19:20 Leadership and Taking Over Student Organizations (Oncology Club) 22:00 Navigating the Research Pressure and Pass/Fail 25:15 Exploring Radiation Oncology and Specialty Niche 29:05 Flipping the Boards: Taking Step 2 Before Step 1 31:10 Living and Thriving as a New Yorker (City Life and Diversity) 34:15 Final Wisdom: The Shock