Meet Victoria | Med Student Spotlight
Undergraduate Institution & Graduation Year: University of Rhode Island, 2016
Graduate Institution/Post Bac & Year: Quinnipiac University, 2019
MD/DO/MSTP & Year : MD Class of 2024
MCAT Score: 500/ 503
GPA (Science/Cumulative/Postbac): 3.1/3.25/3.85
Additional Information (reapplicant, gap years, first gen, disadvantage): I am a first generation college student. I started college when I was 15, went to a community college for 2.5 years before transferring to a 4 year college. I spent four enrichment years between college and starting medical school in which I strengthened my application and got a masters degree in Biomedical Science.
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).
I had a lot of doubts about my ability to make it to medical school which led me to change my career track multiple times in college. I was very young, shy and suffered from a lot of imposter syndrome which prevented me from utilizing all the resources available to me and putting forward my best self. I did well in all my medical school prerequisites except organic chemistry and some other major specific courses that dropped my gpa. After I graduated I decided to do a Masters program which would show a strong academic foundation and that I can handle the rigor of medical school. I was successful in this program, took the mcat twice and applied with faith. I ended up getting multiple interviews and acceptances with a scholarship.
What do you think made your application stand out?
My extracurriculars (Four years working in mental health, research in nanomedicine), an upward trend with my grades and my story. I have a unique story and I made sure to capture that in my personal statement as a testament to what drives me.
What do you hope to bring to medicine?
I hope to bring security and trust into medicine, especially within the black community. I also want to be able to provide representation and uplift other minority premeds/medical students as I climb within my career.
What’s your biggest advice to premedical students?
Identify what is not working for you early on and make the necessary changes. Do the work and put in effort so you don’t have to do damage control. You do not have to be a biology major! I majored in biology and if I were to do it all again, I would major in art/design. Press on and believe in yourself.
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