I F***ed Up and Still Got Into Medical School
We all mess up.
TL:DR: Mistakes don’t define you—they’re just part of the journey. So if you’re feeling like you’ve messed up, don’t give up. You can still make it.
We all mess up—some more dramatically than others. My journey to medical school wasn't a straight path; in fact, it was full of mistakes, missteps, and moments when I thought I’d blown it all. But somehow, I still made it. Here are a few key takeaways from my experience:
Failure Isn't the End: I didn’t get into med school on my first try. It was tough, but it taught me resilience. A setback is just a setup for a comeback. Learn from your failures and keep pushing forward.
Own Your Mistakes: Admitting where I went wrong, whether it was with study habits, time management, or personal choices, helped me grow. Medical schools want to see accountability and self-awareness, not perfection.
Adapt and Learn: I took a gap year to re-evaluate, gain more experience, and improve my application. Use the time to build your strengths, whether through clinical experience, research, or community service.
Keep the Big Picture in Mind: It’s easy to get caught up in the moment, but remember why you’re doing this. I stayed focused on my ultimate goal of becoming a physician, and that vision kept me motivated through the tough times.