Meet Ali | Med Student Spotlight
Undergraduate Institution & Graduation Year: UC San Diego (2010-2014)
Graduate Institution/Post Bac & Year: Self-Postbacc (2016-2018), Tufts University SOM (2018-2020)
MD/DO/MSTP & Year : MD (2020-2024)
MCAT Score: 25, 25 (pre-2015 scores), 514
GPA (Science/Cumulative/Self-Postbac/SMP): 2.9/3.1/4.0/3.94
Additional Information : Reapplicant, 1st generation college student, and 4 gap years before SMP.
As much or as little as you’d like, what is your story? Tell us about your journey to medicine (highs, lows, non traditional journey, challenges, mentors and resources you used along the way etc).
Was “premed” from the start but struggled to gain academic footing in undergrad. I was surprised to learn that UCSD’s advising was essentially non-existent and I did not seek out mentorship as I should have. After graduating, I worked as a scribe and shortly after started my own medical scribe business. By way of this endeavor, I landed another scribe job and worked both for myself and a local children’s hospital for 3 years where I met some incredible mentors. Eventually came to the MBS program at Tufts after hearing good reviews from some college friends and was able to excel applying what I had learned in research and clinical work. Also took a how to learn class online before MBS that was exceptional! (https://www.coursera.org/learn/learning-how-to-learn).
What do you think made your application stand out?
Started and successfully ran a medical scribe business serving several providers in SoCal with 12 employees and 100k in annual revenue. Started a non-profit in conjunction with physicians at my local children’s hospital to increase funding for children in Micronesia with rheumatic heart disease. My interest in machine learning/AI applications in medicine.
“I strive to put in the work necessary to broaden my cultural perspective and connect with patients on a level that demonstrates how important they are to me.”
What do you hope to bring to medicine?
I want patients to know I am human just like them. I think we all put doctors on a pedestal, and while I understand how rigorous the path to med school is, we are human just like our patients. I hope to foster the types of relationships with patients that empower them to take charge of their own health. I strive to put in the work necessary to broaden my cultural perspective and connect with patients on a level that demonstrates how important they are to me.
What’s your biggest advice to premedical students?
Don’t try to become the applicant you think they want to see. I struggled with this until one day a physician put the idea in my head to start a company. I thought he was crazy, but 3 months later, it came to fruition. You are only limited by your ability to focus and persevere. If you don’t find experiences that feed your fire, leverage your network to create your own path. Mentorship is key and this is something I really lacked in college. Do not underestimate the value of these relationships!
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