Where did you grow up and where were you living immediately prior to medical school?
I am originally from Long Island, in New York. Before medical school, I was living for three years in Seattle, Washington, working at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation and getting my master’s in health metrics at the University of Washington!
Why did you choose Yale School of Medicine?
The top reason is probably the Yale System, but I’m sure everyone says that, so I’ll add to it—the type of people that the Yale System brings in and builds up. I knew that my classmates here would be not only brilliantly smart, but also multi-passionate, with vibrant interests within and outside of medicine. I have amazing classmates, who form a cohesive and inclusive community, made even better by the fact that we are allowed to be human in addition to just being students. Plus, I had a strong pull towards New Haven. I went to undergrad here and have really loved calling New Haven home.
Can you briefly describe your schedule on a typical weekday?
I just started my clerkship year, so I have pretty long clinical days now. I wake up at 6:30 a.m. and snuggle my roommate’s adorable cat for a few minutes before leaving for the hospital. I get to the hospital around 7:15 a.m. A typical day on my rotation consists of pre-reading about my patient, then presenting them at rounds, and working with the residents and attending to formulate an assessment and plan. Then, the whole team rounds together. In the afternoon, I might go see a patient with a resident and write notes. I leave at around 4 or 5:00 p.m. Unless I have a specific homework assignment, I like to leave clinical stuff at the door when I get home. In the evenings, I will typically go running at the indoor track with friends, ride my stationary bike at home, FaceTime with my boyfriend, journal, and/or watch trash reality TV with my roommate (and of course, hug the pets). In the pre-clerkship era, I would spend many evenings at club meetings, which have abundant cool people and free dinner. Then I go to bed nice and early and do it again the next day!
What neighborhood do you live in?
I live in the Hill neighborhood. It is more of a “townie” neighborhood (not too many students live here) and is directly adjacent to the hospital; it takes me less than five minutes to walk from my front door to the hospital entrance. It’s super convenient which I like a lot. Last year I lived in Wooster Square, so I had to bike in every day, but that was a beautiful area with a cool Italian character, a big park, and two of the three most famous New Haven pizza places.
What is your favorite thing to do in/near New Haven?
Did you know that the world’s biggest indoor ropes course is right here in New Haven?!? Yep, it’s called IT. You get harnessed in IT and get to explore a ton of ropes elements. IT is a ton of fun. Honorable mentions: Farmington Canal Trail (great bike path), Elm City Games (board game cafe), Gryphon’s (grad student bar, WITH karaoke), Barcade (self-explanatory).
Do you have any final thoughts or advice for prospective students?
Come to Yale! Med school is challenging, and life will continue to happen to you in all sorts of ways in the ~four years that you’re in med school. I feel like here, I can be a whole person in all the ways that make me feel fulfilled, AND be a really excellent med student at the same time.