Gap Year 1: Fulbright

So I started off my gap year with the Fulbright Program. I was an English Teaching Assistant at the Medical University of Warsaw. I’ll go into more detail about Fulbright in another post. Here, let’s focus on how I eventually got to medical school.

During my time at Fulbright I had the chance to meet new people, travel to new places, experience new cultures, and languages. This was something I never allowed myself to do in the USA. For the first time in my life, I felt genuinely happy.

I was focused on living in the present and not stressing about the future.

I loved my experience so much, that I decided to continue living in Poland. I had built a very close friendship with my Fulbright advisor/boss, and because of this, I negotiated a work contract with the Medical University. They took me on for a second year to teach.

Gap Year 2: Reapplying to Medical School

During this second gap year, I started thinking about reapplying. But I was definitely not as enthusiastic as I had been the first time around. I had received my third MCAT score back at this point. And finally, my hard work and strict study schedule had paid off, my score had improved by 7 points. Even though my application now looked more solid, I dragged my feet this time around (I definitely don’t recommend this!).

I didn’t submit my primary applications until the end of July or even August. Then when it was time for secondary applications I was not motivated at all. I didn’t submit and finalize my secondaries until about the end of September. Unlike the first time around, when I was overzealous, early to everything, and constantly checking Student Doctor Network for the slightest updates, this time I was less motivated. I wasn’t as invested in the outcome because I was thriving in the present. I had a changed perspective on life, that I couldn’t have imagined as a Senior coming straight out of undergrad.

The First Interview

Around October, I received my first interview invitation from a school that I had always thought was a REACH for me. Because I was halfway around the world, working a full-time job, and still waiting for other invites, I decided to postpone the interview for the last date in December. This way I could take my winter break to travel for the interview and see my family for a few weeks.

This interview was a traditional one-on-one interview. I had two of them and each lasted an hour long. I think it went pretty well and unlike the interviews during my first application cycle, this time I was calm and truly enjoyed my time visiting the campus, interacting with other students, and getting to know the professors. The stakes didn’t seem as high. I was my authentic self. If they liked me, great. If not, their loss.

Coming out of undergrad as a pre-med, I still believed that the name of the school could make you or break you. I thought school was the only place you could get quality education and the only thing that would allow you to have a bright future. After spending time abroad, distancing myself from the university environment, and building myself up, my perspective was completely different.

My fate would no longer be determined by a school. I could accomplish anything I wanted on my own accord.

More Interviews!

After the first interview, I was informed by the school that I would have to wait until February for final decisions (because they didn’t do rolling admissions). In reality, I liked this. Everyone could fairly be interviewed, assessed, and then the admissions committee would make an informed decision. I appreciated this.

Around January, I suddenly received news from two more schools. They both offered me interviews. They were both great programs. Unfortunately, I was already back in Poland and didn’t feel like going through more stress of organizing flights, traveling halfway around the world, and spending more money on interviews that could potentially turn into rejections. I always listen to my gut feelings.

So, I declined them both. I took the risk. It was a bold move, but I decided to put all my eggs in one basket. I felt that if I was accepted into this one program that I interviewed then it was meant to be. And if I didn’t get accepted, then it wasn’t meant to happen. Maybe I’d have to reapply again, or maybe I’d take more years off, but I didn’t feel rushed. I didn’t feel pressured. It was all okay. Waiting longer, didn’t mean that my life was on pause, or that I was a failure. It purely meant that I could spend the time to experience different things.

The Final News

I waited patiently until February. It was precisely Valentine’s Day actually. Unlike the first time around, I wasn’t checking Student Doctor Network anxiously. I wasn’t biting my nails. I was living my life and lost track of dates and times.

Normally applicants receive phone calls to notify them of acceptance, but because I was abroad, I had notified the admissions office that I wanted any updates via email (to avoid international calling fees). On February 14th, 2019, I received my acceptance email from the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine.

I was thrilled. Ecstatic. Proud.

Gap Year 3: Paris

Despite being extremely happy with my acceptance, I still had doubts. I feared getting trapped. I feared going back to America. I feared going down the wrong path. I wasn’t ready to commit yet. I felt it deep down that I needed more time to reflect on what it is that I truly wanted.

I sat down to speak with the Dean of Admissions. This time, I felt supported. They listened to my thoughts, we held discussions, and for personal reasons, I decided that the right thing to do was to defer my acceptance for a year. I’ll go into detail in another post as to why I made this decision and why it was the right thing for me.

In the meantime, I had landed a job in Paris! It had always been my dream as a kid, when I first started learning French, to experience life in France to the fullest. And here came the opportunity to live out my dream. I started working as a Startup Analyst at Hello Tomorrow. I had previous experience working in a startup during undergrad and I loved it.

In this position, I was sourcing deep tech startups around the globe that were involved in developing pioneering technologies and leading scientific breakthroughs. It was extremely fascinating to be able to interact with 5000+ startups worldwide and bring together a community of actors who believe that science and advanced technology can contribute to shaping a better tomorrow.

I had amazing coworkers and a wonderful startup working environment, but I quickly realized this wasn’t for me. I had to try it before I could write it off. And this was yet another shift in my mindset. I didn’t feel mentally stimulated or energized. I didn’t enjoy working for someone else or doing tasks that would only forward someone else’s goal. Most days I would go to work and find myself working on my personal side projects rather than doing what I was supposed to. I needed more! I needed to help people, to learn new things every day, to immerse myself in medicine, and grow in a different capacity.

Today

Here we are today. All of my experiences from undergrad, to my gap years and beyond, have led me to medical school. They have shaped and transformed my beliefs, my values, and my perspectives.

If you have doubts, know that it is okay. It’s completely normal to be afraid, to be indecisive, and to take the time to realize what it is that you want out of your life and what you want your future to look like.

Here I am today. I am more confident, more mature, and still make mistakes on a daily basis. But I’m committed to improving. Know that you will get to the place you need to get to on your own time.

Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, here I come. Starting online in July 2020!

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