Positioned For Success

The credentials for getting into medical school are already pretty competitive. It is expected that you had maintained a solid GPA generally above a 3.5 in your undergraduate career, obtained an MCAT score in line or above the national average, participated in extracurricular activities outside of academics such as volunteer work or leadership opportunities, that you participated in some sort of medical/biological research or got some lab experience, and that you maintained standing relationships with faculty so that they could write you letters of recommendation once you reached the admissions process.  

• But what about someone removed from their undergraduate institution for quite some time?
• What about someone that ventured/dabbled in other career paths before pursuing medicine?
• Why a graduate degree in business?
• What are the expectations then?
• How do you make yourself stand out among the rest of the equally qualified, top-notch candidates?

After finishing my undergraduate degree, I wanted to get some real-world experience before diving in. I am thankful for waiting and for that experience on so many levels because I feel it has positioned me to be a better physician in the long run. I had time to develop a maturity, an appreciation and a certainty for the trade I am entering, a whole different skill set and competencies to tackle what lies ahead.  This is all because of my time spent at Cigna Healthcare. I learned about the art of managing and leading projects and people, finding efficiencies and optimizing business process, working with people from all walks of life and with diversity in thought, a business acumen on the ins and outs of the healthcare industry and associated dynamics of government regulation, and the intimate love triangle between the patient, the doctor, and the insurance company.

And in addition to all that, I built a network of great colleagues, friends, and mentors of whom I just might work with again someday...but from the other side as a healthcare professional. :)

This post is in line with a previous one for "The Career Changers" - getting some professional working experience before beginning the journey of medicine is invaluable. In my mind, it provides for a holistic outlook when caring for the patient, reminding you that even beyond the bedside there is a whole other world working to ensure end-to-end patient support and satisfaction.