Create a realistic schedule to avoid overcommitment. Committing 200% of your time is simply not possible. Although you’ll have a schedule, realize that doing a certain task may end up taking more time than you may initially think. Think of your time in terms of percentages to break down how you are really spending your week. For example, let’s say a physician-scientist has a work week of 5 days. One of those days is spent in a clinic. This means, the physician scientist spends 20% of their time in the clinic a week.

Don’t do things for the sake of filling out a checkbox. Assess the value of any experience you may want to take on. This will allow you to avoid asking yourself why you committed to something in the first place when it’s too late to drop. Schools are looking for authentic people with meaningful stories to tell. They want more than someone that does school alone. Think about, “What do I need to do or get involved in to confirm whether or not this is for me?” This could be an internship experience, volunteering, really any kind of opportunity. Also, there are multiple ways to learn about “doctoring”. It may not always occur in a hospital setting.

To obtain the best application possible, pretend as if you are crafting something for a close friend. If your goal was to help them get in somewhere, you’d write the most glowing statements right? Do that for yourself, but with this mindset. Another tip that goes along with this point: Always emphasize when you apply for things and actually get them.

You are unique and have taken on more than you give yourself credit for. All you need to learn how to do is categorize those things so they are easier to recall and reflect on when the time comes.

If you are confident in the fact that a person can attest to your strengths and highlight the essence of who you are in a letter, don’t be shy to ask! Cut to the chase from the start and ask “Will you be able to write me a strong letter?” Sit down with that person and tell them the things you’d want them to highlight about you! Don’t ask for letters of recommendation from people you know won’t be able to say much especially if you didn’t make an active effort to get to know them and them you.

Ask yourself…

1. “Am I driven enough to want to study this thing for however long it takes?”

2. Talk to other people to know what their journeys have been like. These kinds of conversations can help with looking within an assessing what it is that you want to do. The world is your oyster.