Disclaimer:
Before you begin reading this post, understand that it is targeted at currently serving PCV’s who might be considering what it will look like to apply to medical school while serving in the Peace Corps. I know that I felt a bit isolated at times. As if, there were not a other PCV’s going through the same struggles. Hopefully, this will help to fill in the gap a little. However, I invite all of my readers (i.e. my momma) to continue reading anyways, because it does provide some perspective into my experience applying to medical school while abroad.
My backstory:
On February 9, 2016, the first email in my inbox read, “Congratulations! We are pleased to offer you admission to the incoming medical class.” This was my first medical school acceptance. It was a relief to know my work in college had paid off. But, this wasn’t the email I was waiting for. Though I couldn’t admit this to anyone, the thought of going to medical school was intimidating. As I read the email, I felt my whole life fall into place in front of me; a vision of myself entrapped, too early, by a white picket fence and a family was becoming clear. I was embarrassed to tell people that medical school was my second choice. Having devoted so much of my life to reaching this goal, I felt guilty wanting to do something else mere inches from the finish line. But, deep in my being, I knew medical school wasn’t right for me at this point in my life.
Exactly one week later on February 16, 2016, I read “Thank you for wanting to make a difference by serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer. I am pleased to extend an invitation for you to serve.” I can’t explain it any other way than a gut feeling, but, while reading this email, I was certain that this was my next step. It was my chance to get out there, to explore, to grow and to impact my own fate. I was confident that my career in medicine would be here when I got back. A couple months later, I landed in Mozambique to begin my service.
Tackling the MCAT: (… AGAIN!)
It’s March 2017. I’m at my 6-month mark in Mozambique, and I’m on the phone with my mom. “So…. Mom. Funny story. You remember how I told you that MCAT scores are good for 3 years?” “I do.” “Well, I wasn’t technically wrong, but for most schools its 3 years prior to your entry date not your application date… I’ll be entering in 2019… So, my MCAT from 2015 is going to expire. I’m gonna have to retake the MCAT.” …Silence… “What are you going to do John?” were the only words my momma eventually mustered up. “I’m gonna find a way to make it work.”
Logistically, I have no idea what “make it work” is going to entail, but I am unwavering in my desire to practice medicine. First step – look up MCAT testing dates. There are a multitude of test dates and test locations available, stateside. Unfortunately, I cannot afford a plane ticket back home. The only international testing center in Africa is located in Johannesburg, South Africa. Lucky for me, that is only a bus ticket away from Mozambique’s country capital. There are limited dates available, so I am forced to choose between taking the exam in June 2017 (only 3 months away) or January 2018 (right before my midservice conference) since all other test dates would delay my application. I decide on January since I haven’t completely settled into my site yet.
In the next few months, I must find a way to put together a study schedule and get study materials. I’m blessed to have an abundance of pre-med friends from undergrad who offer plenty of study advice, and one of my best friends even sends some MCAT books to my roommate, Ari’s, house. Another stroke of luck, Ari is visiting the U.S. for his brother’s bar mitzvah, so he can bring these books back in his suitcase. I decide to begin studying in September to leave myself plenty of time to prepare for this monster of an exam a second time.
While following my study plan from September 2017 to January 2018, I learn about the American study privilege. The majority of Americans have easily accessible, climate controlled, wifi friendly, and quiet learning spaces. Pebane is neither quiet nor easily accessible nor wifi friendly and it is definitely NOT climate controlled. September to January is summer in Mozambique with temperatures surpassing 100 degrees Fahrenheit some days. To accommodate this environment, I wake up to begin studying at 4 am by LuciLight before the heat sets in. Mozambicans love to stop by at whatever time to chat with friends, so, in addition to studying very early in the morning, I pull my curtains and pretend I’m not home while reading through my Kaplan books. There are many days without Internet connection at all, which forces me to be flexible with my practice test schedule.
In general, life doesn’t stop happening while you are studying for the MCAT, and life while serving in the Peace Corps is no exception. I have a couple blog posts from this time describing some of the other things going on while I was studying. Overall, I can almost guarantee that there is going to be a lot of adjustment to your study plan and to your personal study style to accommodate your current circumstances. But, you, like me, can do it! I’m confident you will find your own ways to make it work. Peace Corps is all about flexibility and perseverance, right? But, here is my two cents. Decide on your study plan. Then, whatever you decide, give yourself an extra month. I think this will help with the stress and give you a bit more time to feel out how to study without getting off schedule.
These 4 months culminate to a single 7.5-hour exam, as it does wherever you are in the world. On January 20, I take my MCAT for a second time. Truthfully, it was much harder to prepare the second time, but I am prouder of the dedication and commitment I proved to myself while persevering through the process of taking this exam.
The AMCAS and Secondary Applications:
While I fill out the AMCAS in April and May of 2018, the lack of consistent Internet connection makes for some frustrating moments, but besides that my experiences filling out the AMCAS in the U.S. and in Mozambique are pretty similar. My previous recommendation letter writers are happy to write an updated letter on my behalf. I update my personal statement to reflect my current thoughts toward a career in medicine. I had saved my Work and Activities writing, so I only have to edit it to sound like my current voice. My school (UAB) allows me to request transcripts electronically, so I have no problems there. (However, I can imagine if you are deciding to apply to medical school for the first time during your service, then it might be a bit difficult to gather recommendation letters and send in all of your transcripts from your various colleges. But, I know that this will be possible. You’ve got this!)
Writing, editing, and sending in secondary applications is a lengthy process. There is no secret way to make the process easier. Both times, I have spent many hours writing, sending essays off to be proofread, and re-writing. During my second set of applications, I am fortunate to have experiences from my Peace Corps service to talk about, which I believe have widened my perspective and given me a pragmatically optimistic worldview. The only real difficulty is navigating the time difference between my friends proofreading my essays in the states and myself.
The Interim before interviews:
It’s currently the end of July 2018. I finish my service in November of 2018. I am glad to have submitted all of my secondaries. With that task checked off, I am playing the “waiting to hear back” game. While I hope all the schools I applied to offer me an interview, I realistically know that I will probably only get to interview at some of them. Due to my schedule restraints from my COS date, I am a little worried about interviewing later in the season, since it will be more difficult to use rolling admission to my advantage. But, I choose to believe that this won’t be the case for the school that’s the right fit for me.
Overall, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to serve as a Peace Corps Volunteer; it was a necessary thing for me to do before medical school. Applying to medical school while serving has been difficult. But, I am certain this is what I want to do. I know that this experience has only proven my ability and dedication to become a future physician.
MOZ likely to sunburn 