Meet Rezi | Med Student Spotlight

Undergraduate Institution & Graduation Year: Georgia Tech, Spring 2017

Graduate Institution/Post Bac & Year: Georgia State University, Spring 2019

MD/DO/MSTP & Year : MD Class of 2024

MCAT Score : 499

GPA (Science/Cumulative/Postbac): Science GPA 2.9 / Cumulative 3.4 / Graduate GPA 4.0

Additional Information (reapplicant, gap years, first gen, disadvantage): After undergrad, I went straight into graduate school for 2 years. So I did a total of 3 gap years, including my application year.

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).

At first, I wanted to be a visual artist. Everyone who knew me thought so because all I ever did was draw. I've been drawing ever since I was 3 years old. However, one day in middle school, I told my mom what every Nigerian parent wanted to hear, "I gonna be wanted to be a doctor." That desire stemmed from initially a career questionnaire (not kidding lol), my growing interest in science, and love for children. I decided to become a pediatrician and ran with that all the way to my freshman year of college. 

Sadly, college painfully taught me how much more went into pursuing the medical field. I discovered that I had test anxiety, suffered imposter syndrome, didn't know how to study, and continuously received poor test/course grades (C's, D's, etc.). It was challenging to transition from being a high school salutatorian to a failing pre-med student. What also made it challenging was the lack of mentors, during and before college. No one in my family was in the healthcare field, and I barely met a physician who was also a black woman. It was like... searching for a unicorn. In fact, I somewhat felt like a unicorn- a black female pre-med student or the only black student in a class. As a result, it was difficult to believe that I could actually pursue this path. So, I started to doubt myself and consider giving up on becoming a doctor. It was quite a depressing time for me.

I'm thankful that I had my family as my support system, but during the summer before my junior year, I soon developed a much stronger relationship- with God. God confirmed my calling to become a physician as I started volunteering at the Children's Hospital of Atlanta and shadowing a physician at my school's clinic. As I excited as I was to have hope, I knew that my grades were not competitive to apply for medical school, and so, I decided that I need more schooling. 

Glory to God, he got me into graduate school with borderline GRE scores and a low GPA, and he provided the financial support I needed by being a graduate TA for all 2 years. My graduate schooling was the best decision I ever made towards my education because I firmly believe that it made my application much more competitive (will explain why in a later response). This step in my pre-med journey just continued to reveal God's faithfulness. His faithfulness continued to be shown when it was time to apply. 

In my last semester of graduate school, I took the MCAT for the first time in late May 2019. I also intended to apply for the Fall 2020 admission cycle, but honestly, I still doubted that I was competitive enough. Nevertheless, I trusted God. Even though I did not get the MCAT score I wanted (AT ALLLLL), I still trusted God to do it. I had to trust Him with all my heart and not depend on my understanding. I'm so grateful that I did.

Many personal statement edits, secondary prompts, and credit card charges later...God allowed me to receive FIVE interview invites and TWO ACCEPTANCES to medical school (NOT ONE BUT TWO!!!!) You have no idea how many times I wondered "What if I did not apply this cycle?". This victory belonged to God because I knew how much I doubted myself. The crazy thing was: God always knew this day would come before I did. He believed in me when I didn't believe in myself.

I'm overall thankful for the journey that I have gone through. I discovered how perseverant I am.

Now, I am getting ready to embark on my next journey. Dr. Rezi Loading...

What do you think made your application stand out?

FIRST OFF, I genuinely hope that my testimony above shows that medical schools are looking for so much more than your GPA and MCAT score.

Here are the things that made it stand out:

1. I believe my graduate education made my application more competitive. My program involved taking advanced science courses that revolved around medicine. I had taken courses such as Pathophysiology, Surgical Anatomy (dissected real cadavers!), Applied Medical Physiology, Immunology, Endocrinology, Orthopedic Trauma, etc... I also go to a semester-long clinical internship at a level 1 trauma hospital in Atlanta. I was also a graduate TA teaching introductory biology to undergraduates. 

2. My personal statement. I discussed my relationship with art and medicine, for example. Your personal statement is your story, and I wanted the medical school admission committees to understand who I am in the core and why I wanted to be a doctor. I did have 11 rough drafts/edits of my personal statement; it took months to put it together. So start early (The December-January before you apply)!!!

3. Letters of Recommendation. My letters were written by my graduate science professors/program director/TA coordinator. It's imperative to ask individuals who can attest to your academic progress, personal aspirations, and growth. For that reason, I highly suggest students go to office hours, ask questions, and basically stay in contact with your professors (undergrad AND graduate). 

“I aspire to be a physician who fuses her love for visual art and medicine creatively.”

What do you hope to bring to medicine?

An appreciation for arts/graphics in medicine, as well as a stronger emphasis on uplifting/educating the younger generation. I want to show how art can be beneficial in medicine. I find it an integral part of my storytelling, self-expression, and my observations. I aspire to be a physician who fuses her love for visual art and medicine creatively. I particularly want to utilize this to educate children about science, medicine, and themselves. I want to use my gifts to encourage children/students to pursue the medical field. This is especially important for those who are currently underrepresented in medicine. Less than 10% of U.S. physicians are black. Only 2% of U.S. physicians are black women. IT NEEDS TO GO UP, and I think a great way to increase that percentage is to reach out to the youth. 

What's your biggest advice to premedical students? 

Take your time. Medical school is not going anywhere. YOU WILL GET THERE. I have a saying: We all have different routes to get to the same destination. What matters is that you get there. Don't compare yourself or your timeline with anyone else's: just remember you will get there. You will get into medical school. You will be a doctor. Regardless of your age/scores/education/etc., you will do whatever it takes to get to where God has called you to be. If God has called you to be a doctor, then you will be a doctor. Don't limp into medical school.

Focus your energy on what you are passionate about. I can attest to this. Quality > Quantity. Don't do lab-bench research just to check a box. Focus on the 1-3 passions you have, cultivate them, (if possible) take leadership roles. What helped me cross out life-sucker activities was asking myself this question: "If I was not going to medical school, would I still do this? What major would I do?" Do them! Incorporate them! Build upon them. Med school admission committees can see through you. Don't major in biology if you don't want to. Just take the pre-requisite course(s) and keep on moving. I know/heard of medical students who studied Political Science, Photography, Music, Linguistics, Philosophy, etc. in college.

Connect with Rezi

Personal @rezidays

Art @theartsymd

Children's Book @girlsformedicine