Applying to Med/PA School
Practicing Resiliency After Setbacks
About Shreya
Shreya Prabhakar grew up in Greensboro, North Carolina. A student at UNC-Chapel Hill, she is pursuing her undergraduate education in biology and economics with a minor in chemistry. In 10 years, she hopes to be a hospital administrator, working to make healthcare more accessible to the underserved.
Some of the best classes I’ve taken in college, like Education 130: Navigating the Research University, are non-major-related. In this one-credit course, I learned and implemented so many practical skills – from self-care to money management. However, the most poignant lesson I have learned was on the subject of resilience.
According to the American Psychological Association, resilience is “the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or significant sources of stress.”
“I was hit by a car one night during college. I just remember waking up at the hospital with excruciating pain, shattered bones, brain damage, and months of recovery awaiting me. I couldn’t see straight, couldn’t move, and couldn’t grasp a future ahead of me,” recounted my Education professor, Jackie Lawrence. Looking at one of the most friendly, motivational, and joyful professors I’ve ever had, I couldn’t fathom this awful reality she’d lived for months. I would never have known that she’d experienced a rock bottom like this, but it was only one of a few of the challenges she’d revealed having experienced.
“When trying to match with graduate programs in psychology, I felt really good about all the interviews I’d given at various institutions, and ended up only ranking UNC,” Jackie recounted. “It was where I envisioned myself being and I thought I had everything it took to make it.
Decision day came, and I was the only one not to match, while my two best friends matched with Johns Hopkins. I was crushed.” Again, as phenomenal as Jackie was, she seemed the unlikeliest candidate to have met a challenge like this. And that was what started our conversation on the importance of resilience. It was a very transformative class, and while I was sitting there listening, I realized how much I needed to hear the content. As we embark on the arduous path of pre-med studies, I am convinced my peers need to hear it too.
“Looking at one of the most friendly, motivational, and joyful professors I’ve ever had, I couldn’t fathom the awful reality she had lived for months.”
Pre-meds have to be successful in order to get into medical school. They have to have stellar extra-curriculars, incredibly high GPAs, and phenomenal MCAT scores. With the pursuit of excellence ingrained in them, failure may seem an unknown territory – at least from the outside.
However, if you ask pre-med students, you’ll find that this is hardly the case. They know all too well that the journey is often anything but perfect. The key to successfully achieving that transition from being a pre-med student to a med student is NOT avoiding failure. It’s NOT about seeking a fail-proof plan from those who have succeeded before you and emulating it in every way possible. It’s NOT about limiting your risk-taking so that you don’t fall short. It’s about creating your own path and marching onwards even when things don’t turn out the way you anticipated. It’s about being resilient.
Michael Jordan once said, “I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” Today, Jordan is considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
According to the American Psychological Association, resilience is “the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or significant sources of stress.” It is, essentially, recovering from tough experiences. In a course of study that is notorious for its demanding and competitive nature, resiliency is imperative. Being a pre-med means fully immersing yourself in one of the most rigorous curricula in the nation, while gaining as much exposure in the field as possible.
While pursuing such a path, it’s common to feel burnt out and overwhelmed. At Johns Hopkins University, which is known for producing some of the most qualified candidates for medical schools, 82.95% of pre-med students have reported experiencing some variation of mental health decline. Resiliency is not something people are either born with or without. It’s marked by thoughts and behaviors that can be learned and nurtured.
“The key to successfully transitioning to med school is NOT avoiding failure. It’s NOT about creating a fail-proof plan. It’s NOT about limiting your risk-taking so that you don’t fall short. It’s about creating your own path and marching onward despite roadblocks.”
Tips for Staying Resilient in the Pre-med Track
Practice a Growth Mindset
What is a growth mindset? It is believing you have the capability of developing your strengths and weaknesses through hard work and persistence. This is the opposite of the fixed mindset in which people believe they are born either with or without the skills they need, which cannot be learned or nurtured. People with a growth mindset tend to achieve more and have better attitudes, as proven by studies conducted by Stanford professor, Carol Dweck, and her colleagues.
So, in order to cultivate this way of thinking, fail forward. Whenever plan A doesn’t work in your favor, understand what went wrong and try again, making adjustments to help yourself progress. For instance, maybe that Organic Chemistry class really gave you a tough time and didn’t end so well. No worries.
Show your commitment and fearlessness by taking it again and doing better what you weren’t able to the first time around. Acknowledge and embrace imperfections. These are what make your story unique and force you to be creative in tackling your challenges. Step out of your comfort zone and take these new experiences as opportunities to discover. With each step you take, you add to your hefty toolbag of knowledge.
Finally, cultivate a sense of purpose. As a pre-med, find your answer to “why medicine?” Whether it be your way of pursuing a hobby of problem-solving in the real world, or your way of promoting social justice by making clinical treatment available to those underserved, keep that desire in mind and allow it to power you through the ruts in your journey.
Diversify your Interests
With the busy schedules of pre-meds, it may seem like too much to incorporate more of your own interests into the rigid curriculum, but doing so can help you immensely.
Whether it’s trying your hand at classes in the humanities, or getting involved in extracurriculars that have nothing to do with science or the pre-med track, you’ll not only be able to take your mind off of the stresses of your course load, but you’ll also be able to find new passions along the way. In the case of academics, pursuing a second major can open you up to a greater variety of career paths in case you decide to take a gap year, or want to be more creative about your medical contribution in the workforce.
My education professor showed us a wonderful video that especially highlighted this. In it, a Stanford University pre-med discusses how she did not get into medical school; however, she doesn’t feel stymied because she blazed so many trails for herself in the process of making herself a qualifying applicant.
Schedule Breaks
Work breaks into your schedule, where you take time to read a book, play basketball, watch an episode of your current favorite show, or even nap. It’s common for students to feel guilty taking a break because they think they could spend that time better on classwork. However, University of Urbana-Champaign Psychology professor Alejandro Lleras has found data showing that prolonged attention to a task decreases effectiveness of performance. He contends that when tackling long tasks, it is best to take brief mental breaks as this deactivation renews your motivation for later on.
Make sure you are getting enough sleep as well. In an article about the importance of brain health, Dr. Anna Steele says that “a good night’s rest is as critical to an individual’s health as breathing.” If you are not getting enough sleep on a nightly basis, those 20 minute breaks between study sessions aren’t going to do you much good.
Be Honest and Seek Help
Many pre-med students are reluctant to confess their struggles because of the fear of revealing weakness. However, by being vulnerable and voicing your doubts, you can open yourself up to a support group. Your peers are more than likely feeling many of the same feelings, and awareness of that fact can help you feel less lonely. Once you’ve done that, seek help.
In 2009, a research study conducted by the University of California, San Diego found that only 26.5% of the pre-med and medical students who were found to be depressed were receiving treatment. Much of this was attributed to the denial of needing help and of the societal stigma associated with seeking treatment.
It’s important for you to remember that your path to medicine is contingent upon you and your drive. If you’re losing the motivation to work your way up, it’s on you to make sure you find the resources you need to get back up on your feet. Others’ opinions have no bearing on whether you make it or break it; only you do. The psychological services available at your college or university are a great place to start. You can also find a more exhaustive list on the Active Minds website for mental health.
Balance the Six Dimensions of Wellness
Wellness is multidimensional and holistic, encompassing lifestyle, mental and spiritual well-being, and the environment. The National Wellness Institute provides a detailed explanation explaining how the balancing of emotional, occupational, physical, social, intellectual, and spiritual realms of your life contribute to your well-being.
It is often hard in college to attend to all of these things. Being on the pre-med path, students often express that their intellectual and occupational realms inevitably consume all their efforts. Try spending just a few minutes on evaluating your health in each area daily.
“It’s important for you to remember that you control your path to medicine. If you’re losing the motivation to work your way up, it’s on you to make sure you find the resources you need to get back up on your feet.”
Conclusion
In the pursuit of medicine we’ve committed to a lifelong journey of learning. When you learn, mistakes are inevitable because you’re entering and experimenting in unknown territory. That’s okay. It’s important not to believe that you’re deserving or capable of less because things didn’t work out the way you intended. You never know where an open door is waiting. Moreover, great things come with great work.
After Jackie made the difficult decision to pursue her Ph.D. at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, she’s had some of the most rewarding experiences. She’s participated in and conducted intriguing research. She’s been able to teach, which she’s loved, and will be graduating this May with her degree. I asked her later where she’s headed next and the story couldn’t have a better ending. At the Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development, she’ll continue to do the things she loves at a top-ranked program. She noted what a relief it was to have a concrete plan and one so stellar, especially after facing so much uncertainty in the past few years..
To conclude, I advise you: emeds keep your chin up and keep marching with a purpose. Your goals will eventually become a reality. As George M. Moore Jr. once said, “a winner is just a loser that tried one more time.”
Our Alumni Enter Great Medical Schools
John Daines
- Atlantis '17
- Brigham Young University '19
- Washington U. in St. Louis MD '23
Zoey Petitt
- Atlantis '17
- U. of Arizona '18
- Duke MD '23
Zoey Petitt
Hungary ’17 || University of Arizona (undergraduate) ’18
Completed Atlantis Program Location and Date:
Hungary, Summer 2017
Do you believe your Atlantis experience helped you get into your graduate program?
I believe it was very helpful.
Generally, why do you think Atlantis helped you get into your graduate program?
For me, my Atlantis experience played a key role in confirming my decision to go into medicine. This was important for me to discuss during the admissions process.
Specifically, did you talk about Atlantis in your interviews?
Yes
Yong-hun Kim
- Atlantis '17
- Stanford '19
- Mayo Clinic MD '24
Yong-Hun Kim
Budapest, Hungary ’17 || Stanford University
Program:
Budapest, Hungary – Winter 2017
Undergraduate:
Stanford University class of 2019
Major:
Computer Science
Honors:
Bio-X Grant (award for research)
Undergraduate Activities:
President and Founder of Stanford Undergraduate Hospice and Palliative Care, Volunteer for Pacific Free Clinic, Research Assistant in Wernig Pathology Lab, President of Hong Kong Student Association, violin performance
Describe Atlantis in three words:
Eye-opening. Spontaneous. Exhilarating.
Why did you choose Atlantis?
I chose the Atlantis program because it combines opportunities to shadow physicians and travel abroad, both of which I had little prior exposure to.
What was your favorite experience as an Atlantis participant?
My favorite experience as an Atlantis participant came in the stories exchanged over meals or excursions and the breadth of conversation that reflected the diversity of backgrounds within our cohort and site managers.
What was the most meaningful aspect of your time shadowing?
I appreciated the chance to speak with physicians in Budapest and hear their personal motivations for pursuing medicine because it really helped better contextualize and validate my own interest in medicine. The physicians were also just really welcoming, relatable, and down-to-earth people.
How has Atlantis helped equip you for the future?
The Atlantis program has equipped me with a better understanding of what a career in medicine looks like, which I think is an invaluable gift considering the long road ahead of those who aspire to be a physician.
How has Atlantis equipped you for active leadership in the medical field?
The ability to interact and empathize with patients of diverse backgrounds and communities is a necessity to be a leader in the medical field. I think the Atlantis program, through my interactions with mentors and their patients, has helped me take my first steps toward attaining the cultural vocabulary and literacy required of a physician.
Megan Branson
- Atlantis '18
- U. of Montana '19
- U. of Washington MD '24
Sarah Emerick
- Atlantis '19
- Eckerd College '20
- Indiana U. MD '25
Snow Nwankwo
- Atlantis '19
- Catholic U. of America '21
- Georgetown U. MD '26
Tiffany Hu
- Atlantis '16
- U. of Maryland '17
- U. of Michigan MD '22
Tiffany Hu
Tereul, Spain ’16 || U Michigan Medical School
Program:
Teruel, Spain – Summer 2016
Undergraduate:
University of Maryland class of 2017
Admitted medical student at:
University of Michigan Medical School
Major:
Neurobiology
Honors:
Honors Integrated Life Sciences Program, Banneker/Key Scholarship
Extracurricular Activities:
American Medical Student Association Co-President & Advocacy Day Liaison, Alternative Breaks Experience Leader, Health Professions Advising Office Student Advisory Board, Biology Teach Assistant, Health Leads, Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, NIH Research Intern, Physicians for Social Responsibility Environment & Health Intern
Describe Atlantis in Three Words:
Educational. Eye-opening. Exhilarating.
Why did you choose Atlantis?
I wanted to expand my horizons and understand a culture of health different from the ones I am accustomed to. I had shadowed doctors in the United States and Taiwan prior to my Atlantis program experience, and being able to see first-hand the healthcare system in Spain allowed me to draw comparisons between the different complex healthcare systems.
What was your favorite experience as an Atlantis participant?
Bonding with the other participants and celebrating our time together along with the doctors we shadowed. We would discuss our interests, passions, and motivation for medicine, and it was an incredible experience to learn from and alongside them.
What was your experience with the doctors you were shadowing?
Because of the pre-established relationships with the hospitals in which we shadowed, all the doctors were very welcoming and accommodating. They were willing to translate for us and explain in detail all of their medical decisions. My doctors and I had wonderful conversations about the differences between life in Spain vs. the United States.
What was the most meaningful aspect of your time shadowing?
I was excited to scrub in on surgeries and watch as the doctor explained what he was doing throughout the operation. Before and after surgeries, as well as in my other rotations, I observed how the doctors reassured and communicated with their patients. I was able to glean insight into differences between the experience of health in Spain versus the United States through observation as well as conversations with the doctors.
How has Atlantis helped equip you for the future?
Besides the wealth of medical knowledge I gained from shadowing the doctors, I challenged myself to step outside of my cultural comfort zone and explore more than I thought I was capable of. Atlantis allowed me to make connections with people from all around the United States and abroad, and the friendships I gained helped me learn so much more than I would have on my own.
Lauren Cox
- Atlantis '18
- Louisiana Tech '20
- U. of Arkansas MD '24
Lauren Cox
Libson, Portugal ’18 || Louisiana Tech
Completed Atlantis Program Location(s):
Lisbon, Portugal
Year of most recent program:
Fall ’17 – Summer ’18
Season of most recent program:
Summer
Do you believe your Atlantis experience helped you get into your graduate program?
Extremely helpful
Generally, why do you think Atlantis helped you get into your graduate program?
It exposed me to shadowing that was hard to come by in the states. It also gave me a chance to see other systems of healthcare.
Specifically, did you talk about Atlantis in your interviews? If so, how much relative to other topics?
Yes – they wanted to know about my experience, and specifically how the healthcare I saw in another country compared to what I had seen in the USA.
Kayla Riegler
- Atlantis '18
- U. of Kentucky '20
- U. of Kentucky MD '24
About Atlantis
Atlantis is the leader in pre-health shadowing and clinical experience, offering short-term programs (1-10 weeks) over academic breaks for U.S. pre-health undergraduates. Medical schools want 3 things: (1)healthcare exposure, (2)GPA/MCAT, and (3)certain competencies. Atlantis gives you a great version of (1), frees you to focus on (2), and cultivates/shows (3) to medical school admissions committees.
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