(00:00) — Welcome and setup: Dr. Gray frames a conversation about medicine, premed, and medical school.

(00:38) — Puerto Rico at the center: Alyssa names her roots and early love of learning from teacher parents.

(02:26) — A stroke changes everything: Her father's hospitalization turns biology facts into real patient stakes.

(04:12) — Choosing the path: Curiosity plus connection points her toward medicine and a biology degree.

(05:11) — Puerto Rico med schools are US schools: Clarifying admissions and acknowledging resource gaps.

(05:55) — Undergrad in Puerto Rico: No neuroscience major, so she pieces interests through research.

(06:44) — Hurricanes, surgery, and support: Irma, Maria, hernia recovery, and scholarships shape college choice.

(10:40) — First research doors: Finding neurobiology at UPR School of Medicine without formal premed advising.

(13:35) — MIT summer opens horizons: STEP-UP and a mentor normalize the MD/PhD dream and provide resources.

(16:07) — Doubts and stereotypes: Hearing MCAT myths, considering transfer, and choosing to stay.

(19:54) — The hardest part: Navigating premed blindly without a true advising office.

(22:04) — Finding guidance: Yale PATHS, MSRP-Bio at MIT, and relentless outreach to faculty.

(27:58) — If DEI programs vanish: How to build community, start with accessible voices, and ask for help.

(33:38) — MCAT pivot and gap year: A 502 score, ADHD-aware study changes, and group question sessions.

(35:27) — The acceptance: The email, calling mom, and celebrating at a favorite Mexican spot.

(39:00) — Instant family in med school: A tight MD/PhD cohort, Puerto Rican community, and Bad Bunny parties.

(42:24) — Final takeaways: Honesty, introspection, intentionality, and nurturing community.

Raised in Puerto Rico by teacher parents, Alyssa learned early to love learning—and to lead with curiosity. A family health crisis in 12th grade turned textbook biology into lived experience when her dad had a stroke, pushing her toward medicine. As an undergrad in Puerto Rico, limited coursework and advising meant no neuroscience classes and little formal premed guidance, so she created her own path: seeking research at the UPR School of Medicine, leaning on student societies, and knocking on doors.

Summer research programs and a mentor at MIT helped her see the MD/PhD route as possible and gave her access to resources she hadn’t had before. Along the way she faced stereotypes about MCAT scores, earned a 502 on her first attempt, and chose a gap year to rethink prep—designing ADHD-friendly strategies, studying with friends, and turning accountability into momentum.

We talk about building community when DEI programs are shrinking, using public platforms like this one to find mentors, and why collaboration beats competition. Alyssa shares her acceptance moment, how her MD/PhD cohort became instant family, and the intentional, introspective work behind a compelling application.

What You'll Learn:

- How a family health crisis clarified her path to medicine

- Navigating premed without a dedicated advising office

- Finding research and mentors through cold outreach

- Rethinking MCAT prep after a 502 and choosing a gap year

- Building community and rejecting zero-sum premed thinking

(00:00) — The first spark: Dr. Gray asks when medicine became real.

(01:34) — Military plans, cold feet, and choosing community college: He skips the Air Force and starts at McDonald's while exploring options.

(02:50) — Hospital volunteering clicks: Serving patients water and meals feels right.

(03:57) — Dodging family careers, then trying healthcare: After business, HVAC, and computer science, healthcare gets a look.

(05:03) — PA vs MD crossroads: Realizing his reasons for PA pointed to wanting to be a physician—and surgery.

(06:35) — Work ethic and upbringing: Family moves from a tough neighborhood shaped his drive.

(09:41) — Early C’s and the “not a science person” myth: Motivation and maturity change outcomes.

(11:28) — Six-year undergrad and the pivot: Business transfer degree to UMBC biology and honors in philosophy.

(13:12) — Why gap years: YouTube guidance, mentors, research, and phlebotomy.

(15:36) — Inside admissions at Brown: The competition he witnessed.

(16:36) — What likely stood out to Brown: Authentic story, first-gen identity, jobs, and solid metrics.

(18:09) — Getting personal in the personal statement: Why vulnerability matters.

(19:57) — One-and-done and the gift of virtual interviews: COVID made it financially possible.

(21:48) — Will AI end virtual interviews?: Concerns about cheating and tech trust.

(24:34) — AI in the OR and pathology: Augmenting surgeons and decoding tumors.

(25:30) — The first interview invite memory: Relief and pride in the lab.

(27:06) — If he could change admissions: Predicting academic success and centering people over scores.

(29:03) — Transparency, the MCAT, and US News incentives: How rankings skew behavior.

(33:09) — Final words to struggling premeds: Your timeline is your own—keep going.

Ryland didn’t grow up planning on medicine. After high school, he nearly joined the Air Force, worked at McDonald’s, and enrolled at community college to explore paths—from business and HVAC to computer science. Hospital volunteering felt different. He became a phlebotomist, considered PA school, and then realized the reasons drawing him to PA actually pointed to becoming a physician—with a strong pull toward surgery.

It wasn’t linear. Early C’s in science and a six-year undergraduate path (business transfer to UMBC biology with honors in philosophy) forced him to confront the “not a science person” label. With time, maturity, and motivation, he turned it around, took two gap years for research and service, leaned heavily on YouTube guidance, and sought mentors who helped shape his essays and application strategy.

Ryland shares why he aimed for a one-and-done application, how virtual interviews during COVID made that possible, and what it felt like to see his first interview invite. He reflects on serving on Brown’s admissions committee, what authentic stories communicate beyond metrics, and why getting personal matters. Plus, a candid discussion on AI’s impact on interviews and training, the perverse incentives of rankings, and his message to premeds: your timeline is your own—and you can do this.

What You'll Learn:

- How to pivot after early C’s and reframe the “not a science person” myth

- Deciding PA vs MD by clarifying what truly draws you to patient care

- Using community college, gap years, and mentoring to strengthen your application

- What admissions values beyond MCAT and GPA—and why authenticity matters

- How AI and rankings may shape interviews and the premed landscape

(00:00) - Dream to Physician

(09:36) - Navigating Premed at UF

(17:46) - Navigating Mentorship in Premed Culture

(28:58) - Navigating Medical School Challenges

(38:00) - Embracing Support in Medical School

When Kelviyana was just 15, their world changed overnight as they became the primary caretaker for their mother, newly diagnosed with breast cancer. This poignant experience ignited Kelviyana's passion for medicine, providing a firsthand look at the compassionate care of healthcare professionals. That transformative moment set the stage for a lifelong mission to be a source of hope and support, leaving a lasting impression on their journey from aspiring physician to dedicated med student.

As Kelviyana navigated the bustling corridors of the University of Florida, they faced the daunting reality of being a minority in a vast institution. Discover how they crafted a robust support system through family, friends, and the Health and Advocacy Promotion Initiative (HAPI), a club they founded to champion health education and self-advocacy. Kelviyana's narrative underscores the importance of aligning academic pursuits with personal passions, not just to build a resume but to foster meaningful change.

Premed culture often pushes students into a boxed checklist approach, but Kelviyana emphasizes the power of authenticity and self-belief. Whether it's exploring unconventional interests or overcoming imposter syndrome, they remind us that success in medical school applications comes from embracing one's unique qualities. Listen as Kelviyana shares the vital lesson that grades do not solely define potential, urging future doctors to persevere, seek support, and trust in their ability to achieve their dreams, even amidst setbacks.