Where did you grow up and where were you living immediately prior to medical school?
I grew up in Northern New Jersey and lived in Philadelphia prior to coming to Yale!
Why did you choose Yale School of Medicine?
I chose YSM for the community. This is one of the more popular answers to this question, and for good reason. At YSM, we support each other. The pre-clinical years come without cut-throat competition, and instead reward collaboration. We learn how to work as a team during the first month of medical school, which is a skill that we will have to use for the rest of our lives as clinicians—with other health care providers, and most importantly, with patients. Our deans and our administrators are proactive and accessible. I appreciate that and am proud of my school for being aware of and working against institutional power dynamics.
Can you briefly describe your schedule on a typical weekday?
As a clerkship student, my schedule changes every week! In outpatient pediatrics, I can usually expect a start time at 8 a.m. and an end time around 4 or 5 p.m., depending upon which clinic I am in. When I go home, I brush up on any concepts I had trouble with that day and will review charts of the patients I expect to see the next day. If I have some energy, I will go home and do some review questions. This changes for every clerkship. And of course, I rest on the weekends and have plenty of time to do what is important to me—exercise, attend church, etc.
What neighborhood do you live in?
I live in downtown New Haven, in one of the Towers.
What is your favorite thing to do in/near New Haven?
I love to try new restaurants around New Haven and take walks around the beautiful undergrad campus! Additionally, one of my favorite hobbies is singing and acting. I enjoy participating in the Fourth Year Show every year, which is a student-written parody of YSM. It is always a blast, and lots of folks come out for some good laughs!
Do you have any final thoughts or advice for prospective students?
My best piece of advice is—don't rush anything! When you begin medical school, it's going to seem like everyone is doing everything. And you may be nervous if you don't also try and do everything. Focus on finding your own peace before you decide to take on new commitments. Choose one thing you love, stick to it, and then make sure you have a sustainable routine. Figure out groceries, working out, your sleep schedule... those things matter more than you may think! You can always add more commitments as you go, but lifestyle is the most important! One thing you may find about YSM is that opportunities tend to come by when you least expect it.