Welcome to the sixth episode of The Med School Years podcast! In this highly anticipated episode, we sit down with Dr. Joshua McBriar, a freshly minted PGY-1 in Neurosurgery at Lenox Hill Neurosurgery/Zucker School of Medicine. Joshua matched into one of the most competitive specialties, and he's here to share the blueprint for how he made it happen.

From discovering his passion for neurosurgery to strategically making himself stand out throughout medical school, Joshua breaks down the entire journey. He offers invaluable insights on mastering the demanding medical school curriculum, balancing competitiveness, and the pivotal process of applying and "signaling" residency programs. This episode is packed with unique perspectives on overcoming challenges and securing your dream residency!

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

02:00 Making it all happen

06:42 Process of applying to residency programs

10:10 Mastering the balancing act through medical school

12:48 Staying on top of being competitive

15:03 Curriculum at Zucker School of Medicine

22:41 Little research implications

26:05 Signaling programs and getting interviews

30:29 Any specialty surprises

33:57 Showcasing “you” in an application

36:54 Geographical differences

38:40 Living through match day

44:14 Looking forward to residency

45:27 Inspiration & final thoughts

Welcome to the fifth episode of The Med School Years podcast! In this episode, we interview Cristian Ovies, a 3rd-year MD-PhD student at Weill Cornell Medicine, offering a deep dive into the unique world of dual-degree programs.

Cristian unravels the often-complicated timeline and competitive nature of the MD-PhD dual degree, sharing how he navigated a record number of interviews to find his perfect fit. He also gives us a glimpse into life in the heart of NYC, and explains how his PhD knowledge influences patient care and his MD training integrates with lab work. Get ready to understand the dynamic synergy of an MD-PhD!

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

01:51 Committing to living in NY

04:21 Explaining the MD-PhD timeline

11:27 Finding opportunities to excel your application

16:58 Importance of second looks

22:17 Highlight of the journey so far

30:26 Picking a specialty

35:36 Tackling OBGYN politics

39:31 Forming a successful medical application

44:49 Concerns about residency

50:29 Advice & final thoughts

Welcome to the fourth episode of The Med School Years podcast! In this episode, we interview Kelsey Mendell, a determined 3rd-year medical student at the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, offering a unique perspective on the DO path in medicine.

Kelsey discusses the key differences and surprising similarities between MD and DO training, shedding light on the often-unfair stigmatism surrounding osteopathic medicine. She also shares her experiences managing the demanding schedule of medical school while working as a fitness trainer, her unconventional journey of attending two Ivy League institutions before choosing a DO program, and her unwavering determination to pursue a career in orthopedic surgery.

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

2:02 Stigma surrounding the DO title

7:00 Similarities between MD and DO

9:27 Life as a medical student

11:02 Effects of transferring colleges

14:43 Unexpected challenges in medical school

23:19 Motivation against the odds

26:11 Applying for specialties

29:16 Importance of balancing life

33:04 Value of OMM training

35:49 Preparing for orthopedics

43:42 Hybrid vs in-person classes

49:39 Transition into diversity

52:35 Advice & final thoughts