What I Wish I’d Known

MSI: Medical school is very inflexible. That said, you can still have a life—but plan to be here like a job, knowing you can’t take days off for fun.

MSII: There are just so many unknowns, things you never thought you would encounter as problems. Everything is so expensive. I had a career prior to going back to medical school, and I wish I would have known how hard it is not to have a regular paycheck for 4 years. That being said, I watched a lot of classmates (who have never had real jobs) spend a lot of money on stupid things. Be careful what you spend your money on.

MSIII: Third year is all about what you put into it. Honoring in your respective specialty is important for residency applications. You will be tested after each rotation with a nationalized exam (called Shelf exams). These tests are much more relevant than UND block exams and easier to study for.

MSIV: Don’t apply to programs you would never see yourself going to. It isn’t the best use of your limited time and money.