doc w/ Pen

journalist + medical student + artist

Category: Pre-Med

May 4, 2018

History lessons

My view of the beautiful Ugandan countryside — fulfilling a goal I set more an 7 years ago.

This week, I’ve taken some time to “clean house” here on my blog. Some of my first posts didn’t migrate over well from the Blogger platform to WordPress. There are formatting and image resolution issues.

As I tinker, I also read. With more than 350 posts behind me now, dating back to January of 2010, this is truly a chronicle of my journey. Here are a few things I’ve noticed from my review of about a year of posts (2010 and the beginning of 2011).

Posing with one of the Ugandan nurses who attended my palliative care educational session.

Sometimes a post elicits a shiver down my spine. Like one I read from January of 2011, where I talk about one of the things I was looking for in a medical school. The post details how “I want to do at least one international rotation as a medical student.”

The timing of this … to read those words, penned more than 7 years ago, about wanting to go abroad during medical school, while sitting outside and enjoying the cool breeze of Uganda’s rainy season. Not during my first medical school trip abroad, either (this is my second). And not my last! (I plan to go to Spain for 4 weeks next spring.)

To be reminded of this dream, envisioned what seems like a lifetime ago, which has now come true.

Tropical cocktail with a 3-D protein structure as a garnish. My kind of beverage.

Sometimes a post makes me groan at my own corny sense of humor. Like this one, about a “dream vacation,” complete with what I’d like to be drinking on said dream vacation, a tropical cocktail with a 3-D protein structure garnish (see my photoshopped beverage at right). I’m still making silly photos like this one, cracking myself up as I do so. I’m not sure whether anyone else laughs at these, but I sure get a kick out of them.

As I read a post about my Grandpa’s death from cancer in 2010, I realized that it has always been important for me to reflect on how medicine and my personal life intersect, both then and now.

The posts, in their entirety, also prompt me to think about how things have changed, both personally and professionally.

On the personal front, I’m divorced now rather than married, as I was back then. Reading about how much I loved my then-husband, how much I enjoyed time spent with my wonderful in-laws, brought back so many happy memories, tinged with sadness that such a significant chapter of my life came to a close.

Professionally, my experience of medicine has evolved from abstract to real. Back then, I wrote about research articles and news stories related to medicine, things I was learning in my pre-med program, my hopes and dreams for medical school. These days, I write about what medical school is actually like for me. I chronicle my own experiences with patients, not research studies, not news stories. These days, I also often write about things that have nothing to do with medicine, like going for a walk in Central Park and how lovely the turning leaves are, because there are moments when I need to step away from it all.

I’m less wild-eyed about it now, less naive. Medicine is exciting, just like I thought it would be, and more so. But it’s also incredibly demanding and difficult. Some days I come home exhilarated; others exhausted. My writing reflects this internal maturation. I use fewer exclamation marks, put fewer words in all caps, don’t emphasize so many of my thoughts with bold or italicized font.

Even as I’ve experienced the difficult parts of medicine, the parts I couldn’t truly imagine when I was a pre-med student, even as my life has changed in ways I couldn’t anticipate when I started this process in 2010, I am glad to be here.

At this very moment, I am glad to be here in Uganda, learning more about this country, its kind and welcoming people, and about palliative care. In a more general sense, I am glad to be in medical school, glad to be applying for a psychiatry residency, glad to be starting my career as a physician soon.

I wonder what I’ll think when I read these words 5 or 10 years from now, reflecting on my time in medical school.

I’ll let you know.

July 13, 2014

Weill Cornell Medical College, Class of 2019!

It’s been a busy 12 months, a veritable medical school roller coaster:

  • Applications: 25
  • Interviews: 6
  • Acceptances: 3

But as of last week, it’s finally official. I will be attending Weill Cornell Medical College, class of 2019.

Initially, I received acceptances to University of Illinois at Chicago and University of Colorado School of Medicine, and a wait list offer at Cornell. Initially, I accepted at University of Colorado. On July 3, I got the long-awaited e-mail from Cornell. Did I want to come after all? I didn’t have to think twice. Cornell it is.

The roller coaster ride continues, however. Class of 2019 – that’s 5 years away, if you do the math. Wait, you might be asking – isn’t medical school 4 years long? Yes. Due to my financial circumstances, I am deferring for one year, hoping to matriculate next August (2015). In the meantime, I am trying to resolve my student loan situation. That is, trying to GET a student loan.

More about that soon …

March 10, 2014

Interview #6: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (MD/PhD)

Since early October of 2013, I have had six medical school interviews. I will write a post about each one. Note: a version of this content was originally posted on OldPreMeds.org.

 

UIUC_logoInterview #6: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, MD/PhD (3/8/2014)
Status: Withdrew

Given that this was my second MD/PhD interview (the first being at University of Illinois at Chicago), I more or less knew what to expect – LOTS of interview sessions with researchers, and LOTS of questions about my research. Also: Why both degees? And less of an emphasis about the clinical side of things. This pretty much held true at UIUC as well.

A little about this program – it’s different than most MD/PhD programs. Most of them have you do 2 years of med school (the basic sciences), then grad school, then the 2 years of clinicals. UIUC’s program involves all of grad school first, THEN all of med school. This means that you immediately apply to a specific graduate school program. In my case, since I am interested in diabetes/metabolism, it is the Division of Nutritional Sciences (DNS).

First thing in the morning, I had a 30-minute panel interview with both MD and PhD people. Given that this was my sixth med school interview, that wasn’t such a big deal. The rest of the day was (mostly) DNS interviews. I met with five researchers, plus the assistant director of the program, as well as had lunch with DNS students and later dinner at the DNS director’s house. (There had also been a social event with DNS students the previous night.) These MD/PhD interviews are INTENSE, to say the least!

I was very impressed with the administrators of the MD/PhD program – they truly seem to care about their students, and to support them in every way possible. The DNS folks were also quite wonderful. The PIs I talked with are doing some incredible work, and the administrators (like on the MD/PhD side) seemed very supportive and helpful.

One drawback on the MD side, though, is that Champaign-Urbana is a college community (population ~180,000), so the clinical opportunities aren’t the same as they would be in Chicago, for example. A downside on the PhD side is that you have to commit to a PI immediately (rather than do multiple lab rotations, as is done at many institutions).

The admissions process to this program is three pronged. You have to be accepted to the MD/PhD program, to the graduate school program, and to the College of Medicine (which is separate from the MD/PhD program). UIUC and UIC are in the same state university system, and I was accepted at UIC, so the College of Medicine acceptance part is taken care of for me. The other two groups are making their decisions very soon, so I won’t have to wait long to know the outcome.

March 10, 2014

Interview #5: Cornell (MD)

Since early October of 2013, I have had six medical school interviews. I will write a post about each one. Note: a version of this content was originally posted on OldPreMeds.org.

Interview #5: Weill Cornell Medical College (2/26/2014)
Status: Accepted (off the wait list)

To my understanding, Cornell chooses its incoming class in March. Which is now. So even though I interviewed very late (the last interview session as a matter of fact), I’m not in a terrible place.

Which is good. Because I very much liked it there.

My interview day was … interesting. And simultaneously wonderful.

I have a (presumed) stress fracture in my foot, and my doctor told me that if I was going to be traveling, I had to be on crutches. This made everything more difficult, as many of you know. Having never been on crutches, I was quickly made aware of this reality. From the airport, to my hotel, to Cornell, I had to ask numerous people (strangers) for help. Being an independent woman, and rather self-sufficient, this was very hard for me. And certainly gave me some empathy for people who deal with a physical disability on a regular basis.

I was blown away by the helpfulness of my fellow interviewees, my interviewers, the Cornell students I met, and especially the admissions staff. From stowing my luggage, to getting a bottle of water, to slowing down while walking, to hailing a taxi, people could not have been more kind.

So there was that. Then there was the interview experience itself.

My tour was led by not one but TWO non-trads. Totally coincidental, but that plus the fact that one of their classmates, an MS1 now, started at age 53, and I am totally impressed with the diversity of age range and life experiences at Cornell. There were opening remarks with one of the deans, lunch with students, and the aforementioned tour, as well as two 30-minute interview sessions. My first session was with an MD. We talked some about my secondary application essays (which included one on my divorce – a touchy subject for some perhaps, but one I am fine discussing). So word to the wise: if you don’t want to talk about it, DON’T write about it. We also talked about a program he is involved in, Music in Medicine, which is a privately funded program aimed at encouraging medical students to stay involved in music (instrumental, vocal, whatever). Given that I have played the piano since I was 8, I was intrigued by that for sure. They also have a writing group (I sort of like writing, as you might have figured out). My second interview was with a 4th year med student who, while in medical school, had managed to publish in peer-reviewed journals, write a book, and then take a year off to work on the Dr. Oz show. His take-home message was that if you want to accomplish something – from research to going abroad to whatever else – Cornell will help you make it happen, or at least put you in touch with the right people.

Another thing I like about the school is that nearly all medical students go abroad for a clinical, either to an established program, or to one of their making. Cornell is also piloting a new 18-month curriculum (as done at NYU, for example) that would allow for more flexibility in clinicals and other activities (such as going abroad). And who can beat subsidized housing in Manhattan, across the street from your classes?

March 10, 2014

Interview #4: University of Colorado (MD)

Since early October of 2013, I have had six medical school interviews. I will write a post about each one. Note: a version of this content was originally posted on OldPreMeds.org.

Interview #4:  University of Colorado (1/17/2014)
Status: Accepted

Colorado is like a second home to me. I was actually born there (in rural Colorado, near Pueblo). My dad’s whole family lives there. As a kid, we visited my relatives about once a year. I also have family ties to the University of Colorado (CU) – my dad went to medical school there, and my mom got her MSN there. One of my current PIs at Northwestern also went to CU for her MD/PhD.

But there is hearing about a school, and then there is actually seeing the school yourself. CU, which is now in Aurora at the Anschutz Medical Campus (just outside of Denver) on a nearly brand new campus, is a gorgeous school. The anatomy lab even has windows, which I’ve been told is a huge plus. There are multiple hospitals on the campus, and because CU is the only major medical center in the area, I was told a lot of interesting cases are brought (often flown) in. As a future physician-scientist, I also like that the school places a high value on research, offering a specific “track” in research (as well as other subjects).

I stayed the night before my interview with a student, who was a great host. For those of you on the pre-med journey, I very much recommend doing this if you can. She told me things about the school and the area I never would have heard otherwise.

As for the interview day itself, it was very relaxed. I had two 30-minute sessions, one with a retired MD, one with a JD. The JD asked me several thought-provoking ethical/hypothetical questions, but not onerous ones. I felt confident in my answers, and that I displayed a mature, well-thought-out response as opposed to a surface one. The MD interview was more laid back. He told me about his career (which spanned pediatrics and aerospace medicine … wow, just wow), and I told him about mine, past, present, and future. The associate dean of students also talked in between interview sessions. Turns out that he works part time as a family medicine physician in the same rural town where I was born, and where my dad worked in FP … such a strange coincidence. A clinical researcher (a non-trad, a former engineer) talked about some amazing work she is doing in obesity. There was also, of course, the obligatory financial aid presentation (those are always fun).

I really enjoyed my interview day, and the school in general.

I wound up staying with my cousin, who lives a few minutes from the medical school campus over the long Martin Luther King holiday weekend. I even got to go up to Rocky Mountain National Park on Sunday. Good times all around.

And a little more than three weeks later, my second acceptance!

Choices, choices, choices …

March 10, 2014

Interview #3: University of Illinois – Chicago (MSTP – MD/PhD)

Since early October of 2013, I have had six medical school interviews. I will write a post about each one. Note: a version of this content was originally posted on OldPreMeds.org.

Interview #3: University of Illinois – Chicago, MSTP (11/4/2013)
Status: Rejected

In November, I had my first MD/PhD interview, also at UIC. (UIC’s program is more specifically an MSTP – Medical Scientist Training Program – which is funded by the NIH.) I have had quite a bit of exposure to this program already, having attended its research seminars, met some of the students, etc. I think I have gotten a good sense of the program. I can see myself fitting in there.

I experienced a great deal of uncertainty, though, leading up to the interview. There were 12 interviewees; we received information about each other prior to interview day. When I saw people’s accomplishments – mainly, research experience – I felt out of place. (Not to mention that half of the applicants were biochem majors, one quarter engineering, one quarter biology … and then … me … journalism.) I realized that no matter how much preparation I did, I couldn’t compete with these other students in terms of scientific exposure or knowledge. That was impossible. What I could do, though, was talk about what other types of experience/skills I would bring to the program, and hope that resonated.

Unfortunately, I don’t feel like I had much of an opportunity to do that (or I didn’t seize it) during some of the interview sessions. And there were eight, yes, EIGHT, interview sessions total: three two-on-one sessions with adcoms, four sessions with faculty members of my choosing, and a session with the director of the program. I did talk about it with the program director, and he seemed very receptive to my being a non-trad, and told me that my enthusiasm shone through. I hope that counts for something.

Honestly, I don’t know how the interview went, overall. Some of the adcoms really seemed to appreciate and understand my story and path. Others were impossible to read. They interview people through February, so I may not hear until then, or even later. So I wait.

As of March 10, 2014: I still have yet to hear from the UIC MSTP, although I was told they wouldn’t even start extending offers until after the last interview date (in February). So I’m still hopeful.

March 10, 2014

Interview #2: University of Illinois – Chicago (MD)

Since early October of 2013, I have had six medical school interviews. I will write a post about each one. Note: a version of this content was originally posted on OldPreMeds.org.

Interview #2: University of Illinois – Chicago (10/16/2013)
Status: Accepted

Having worked at University of Illinois – Chicago (UIC) off and on for three years as a research assistant, I’m quite familiar with the campus, the medical school admission offices, where to park, etc. So that definitely took a lot of the uncertainty out of the day.

Another funny experience – I ran into an applicant who was at my IUSM interview. Which might have not been so strange except that he is not from the Midwest – he’s from Connecticut. Strange coincidence. It was nice, though, to see a familiar face.

The UIC interview day lasted from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and included three, half-hour, one-on-one interview sessions (with an MD, a PhD, and an MS4). There was also a tour, an admissions office presentation, and lunch (Chicago-style deep dish pizza, of course). This was a (mostly) “blind” interview, meaning that the interviewers had read only our personal statements, but had not seen grades, extracurricular activities, and so on. I asked the rationale for this, and was told that the idea is to give them the opportunity to make their decision solely based on your interview, rather than have a pre-determined idea about what kind of candidate you are prior to the interview. I can see pros and cons for both types of interviews, and now have had both. At UIC, I was a practically blank slate to these people. That made for some interesting conversations, but also put pressure on me to make sure I brought up some of the highlights of what I have done.

The interviewers’ styles were extremely different. The first (with the MD) was both off the cuff and spontaneous, while at the same time extremely professional. The MS4 created a more relaxed and casual atmosphere. While we talked about serious medicine/medical school topics, he also wanted to know my hobbies, music tastes, etc. The PhD asked more traditional questions, which was fine and I was (mostly) prepared for.

The campus tour was mostly old hat to me, although we got to see the cadaver lab, which was new to me – very cool. I had never seen a cadaver before, and wasn’t sure what to expect. It was fascinating, and got me excited to dig into Gross Anatomy this coming fall.

After the interview was over, I felt that it had gone well. And about two weeks later, I had proof of that in my hands – in the form of a letter stating that I had been accepted to the UIC class of 2018! No matter what happens the rest of the application season, I’m going to be a doctor. Holy shit.

March 10, 2014

Interview #1: Indiana University (MD)

Since early October of 2013, I have had six medical school interviews. I will write a post about each one. Note: a version of this content was originally posted on OldPreMeds.org.

Interview #1: Indiana University (10/2/2013)
Status: Rejected

My first medical school interview was at Indiana University School of Medicine (this was an MD program interview). IUSM has 9 campuses across the state, and I interviewed in Muncie, which is about 4.5 hours from where I live in the Chicago suburbs.

Funny story before I get to the interview part – Because Muncie is several hours away, the night before my interview I stayed at the Ball State University student union hotel, which is very close to the IUSM medical facilities. When I was checking in, the hotel clerk saw I was from Chicago and asked what brought me to Muncie.

“I have a medical school interview tomorrow!” I told her.

“Oh, you want to teach there?” she asked.

Ha. I’d heard of non-traditional pre-medical students being mistaken for faculty, but this is the first time it had happened to me. At least I look mature, right?

In spite of the fact that I’ve been on countless job interviews, and as a journalist have interviewed countless people (and thus am familiar with the interview process), I’ll admit – I was a tad nervous going in to the interview. I just wasn’t sure what to expect. The staff at Muncie though, as well as the faculty, were quite warm and welcoming and that helped put me at ease.

All of us interviewees were together in a conference room while we waited for our interviews, watched a financial aid presentation, etc. I was (by several years) the oldest in the room, which I had pretty much expected. The thing that did shock me was that one young woman brought her father. Yes, into the conference room. Where we were all waiting. Talk about awkward. Now, I get that they drove from several states away and probably had to check out of their hotel, but he could have gone to a restaurant, one of the university lounges, etc. Bringing your dad just doesn’t seem to send the right message, in my opinion. It seems inappropriate, like you’re not grown up yet.

After a brief tour, I had my interview. The moment I walked into the interview room and shook hands with the interviewers, my nerves disappeared. I felt in my element, in a way. Two people interviewed me, an MD and a PhD. It was very conversational and comfortable. There were some difficult questions, but I think I handled them well. The interview lasted about an hour, and then I was headed back to Chicago.

As of March 10, 2014 (more than five months after my interview), I still haven’t heard from IUSM. I’m thinking that’s not a good sign. While disappointing, it’s not the end of the world because my next interview, just two weeks after Indiana, went much better …

November 16, 2013

Dr. Menhennett

With or without accommodation, do you have sufficient coordination to perform quickly and effectively such emergency procedures as delivering a baby or cardiopulmonary resuscitation?

– UIC College of Medicine Safety and Technical Standards form

When I got my acceptance letter from the UIC College of Medicine, it didn’t feel real. It was only when I read the part about delivering a baby that it truly hit me – I’m going to be a doctor. And I have to be ready to do doctor-like things. Like deliver babies. Whoa. That’s … amazing. And a bit terrifying at the same time.

Where I go to medical school (I still have yet to hear from several schools) and which program I pursue (my acceptance is for the MD program, although I also had an MD/PhD interview at UIC and am waiting to hear on that as well) matters less than the fact that I am IN. Whatever happens the rest of the application season, I am going somewhere, guaranteed. That takes a huge weight off my chest, shoulders, and really my whole self come to think of it. I know medical school will be unlike anything I have ever experienced and will challenge me to my upper limits. But I fully believe I will come out the other side as a physician.

Dr. Lorien Menhennett. Has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?

1 Comment
October 15, 2013

Long-Overdue Update

Wow, I can’t believe how long it’s been since I posted here. So very much has happened. I’m almost not sure where to start. So if this becomes Faulkner-esque stream of consciousness writing, please pardon me; you’ll understand, I hope.

1. MCAT. My score (33 total: 10/PS, 12/BS, 11/VR) was not quite what I’d hoped it to be. My goal had been a 35. But it’s a decent score, more than a decent score, and with my GPA, ECs, LORs, etc. it makes me a very attractive candidate.

2. Applications.
– 25 schools in the primary round
– 23 secondaries (2 only give you secondaries if you get an interview, and I didn’t/haven’t)
– 4 outright rejections (but that leaves 21 still considering me)
– 3 interviews, 1 down, 2 to go (and the next is this coming Wednesday, 10/16, so wish me luck)

3. Money. This has been a sore spot, and a struggle, for me for the last couple of years, as I have written about here frequently. Paycheck to paycheck, sometimes not quite making it and having to ask for money (not something I like to do). Not because I’m a slacker, but because I took a very low-paying lab job for the experience, and my Joint Commission Resources freelance work (which is great pay) just couldn’t make up the difference. I had no idea how I was going to pay for applications (which, thus far, have cost about $3,500, and this is without any long distance interviews). Thankfully, I have some great people in my court, who have helped me make this happen. And then, I got a …

4. New job. Yep. Not that I was dissatisfied, work-wise, with my old one. Although it was only part time, and I didn’t have benefits (and my current benefits were to run out August 31, 2013). I interviewed for several positions, and finally landed one in Peds/Neonatology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Full time, higher pay, and benefits (which kicked in September 1 – talk about good timing). It’s been a great learning experience thus far. I do a lot of mice work as I did before, but LOTS more surgeries. And this time on itsy bitsy mice (hence neonatology). Cannulating the trachea of a 5 gram mouse is definitely a challenge in dexterity, but one I am mastering. We’re researching bronchopulmonary dysplasia and BPD-associated pulmonary hypertension, so it’s again lung-related which is interesting. One of my PIs is an MD/PhD, the other is an MD. It’s been good to talk to them both about academic medicine (they also do clinical work at the NU NICU), given that they took different medical degree paths to get to a combined practice/research situation.

Well, that’s a good summary for now. I’ll try to be better about updating …