Aspire Premed

In today’s revisited episode, you'll hear about practical ways to think about creating your med school list. What will factor into your selection? Tune in to learn more about an invaluable resource that could provide detailed information about the schools that may interest you, as well as tips to help narrow down which programs may best suit your priorities. If you’re enjoying Aspire Premed, click “Follow” and share with a friend!

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Working on your personal statement essay for medical school? Today’s revisited episode offers some helpful insights! Whether you’re a current applicant already putting pen to paper, or a first-year premed inspired to plan ahead, today’s episode has something for you. Dr. V reviews ways to overcome personal statement writer’s block, and provides helpful resources that could motivate you to tell your unique story in the best way you ...

In anticipation of this cycle's AMCAS application season, Dr. V is dedicating today's episode to the Work/Activities section. Tune in to learn more about approaches that could inspire your writing, and ways to use your experiences as a platform through which you could tell your story. If you know someone who might benefit from these practical insights, share this week's episode with them. Good luck to everyone on their journey!

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Interested in a career as a physician? Today, Dr. V gives an introduction to the premed path. Whether you're just starting to consider a career as a medical doctor, or you're well on your way, tune in today to hear an important overview. Do you need to major in a science? What helpful resources exist online and at your school? What are some of the requirements to get into medical school? Listen to today's episode to hear insights i...

Back in October 2022, Dr. V shared three important things she wished she'd known in her premed years. Because this episode resonated with many of you, she decided to dedicate this week's podcast to reflecting on three more insights. Navigating the road to med school brings about challenges and rewards; we all may be faced with things in our premed years that we wish we could have known earlier, or could have approached differently....

There is so much to learn from those who have walked our path. When Dr. V was a med student gearing up for residency, she asked a number of different mentors for advice for the next stage of her journey. All of these pearls of wisdom were immensely helpful, but one in particular stood out. Tune in to today's episode to learn about it!

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Get inspired! Today's episode is the third installment of Aspire Premed's "Medical Specialty" series. Profiled are careers as an EMS physician, geriatrician, and radiation oncologist. Perhaps the fields you learn about today will spark ideas for clinical/shadowing opportunities, or even your ultimate career path. If you enjoy this episode, be sure to share with a friend, and check out the other installments of Aspire Premed's "Medi...

This week's revisited episode is a special one. Both personally and professionally, relationships teach us some of the greatest lessons of our lives. In Aspire Premed Ep. 37, “The Company You Keep REVISITED,” Dr. V explores why the people with whom we choose to surround ourselves really matter. Tune in for an honest conversation about premed culture, mentorship, and the people in our corner. 

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To become a physician, one must take a number of standardized tests. Doing well requires a strong fund of knowledge, practice, and a strong work ethic (among other things!). The MCAT is often on the forefront of a premed student's mind. Tune in to today's episode for helpful and practical insights into this important exam! You'll also hear about some free/low-cost resources. Finally, always be sure to refer to the AAMC for the most...

Have you ever experienced a "premed slump?" This may involve a feeling of going through the motions, or approaching certain premed tasks in "autopilot mode." When it comes to working to achieve our goals, it's not uncommon for excitement to wax and wane. In today's episode, Dr. V introduces a mindset shift to awaken that excitement once more. She provides concrete examples that allow us to get more out of our volunteering, shadowin...

Are you a premed student looking for amazing clinical experiences? An ideal clinical experience can help nurture your interest in medicine while enabling you to develop skills that are important to future physicians. In today's episode, Dr. V focuses on three great examples. Some people choose to balance these activities with their school schedule, while others dedicate time to one or more of these over the course of their gap year...

This week's episode of Aspire Premed provides another glimpse into the future! Effective communication is critical in medicine. Dr. V reviews a practice that is used by med students, residents, and attendings: sign-out. Sign-out is an important part of patient care, and involves the transfer of information from one team to the next. In this episode, Dr. V provides one example of how sign-out is performed; it's never too early to ga...

"Some of the things we discussed today are not often spoken about in the early stages of a career in medicine, so I'm glad to bring them to your attention today." In this week's episode of Aspire Premed, Dr. V invites us to think about our future selves. Who will we be in twenty years? She reviews three important considerations to think about on the journey to medicine; some of these ideas are often not introduced at this stage of ...

“The most important thing is not to be defined by our mistakes or shortcomings, but to use them as a springboard for growth.” Today’s episode offers inspiration and insight into overcoming bumps in the road to medical school, with a focus on academics. If you’ve ever received a grade that’s not reflective of your potential, tune in to learn more about some things that could prove helpful in your premed journey. Remember, you can’t ...

Shadowing is invaluable. If you've ever wondered about the day-to-day life of a physician, shadowing opportunities can provide a glimpse into this world. Ultimately, these experiences exist to help nurture your interest in medicine, and inform your decision to pursue a career as a physician. Tune in to this week's episode for insights into getting the most out of your shadowing sessions!

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What does "research" mean to you? Early in her premed journey, Dr. V was convinced that research was not her cup of tea; however, years later, she found herself embracing an academic research year. In today's episode, she examines some of her preconceived notions, and how these were challenged over the years. Learn more about how multifaceted the world of research can be, and how exploring it can help you nurture your passion for m...

Have you ever experienced imposter syndrome? Learn more about this in today’s episode of Aspire Premed, in which Dr. V explores the practice and potential consequences of comparing ourselves to others in our premed journey. Importantly, she reviews some strategies to help redirect our focus to create space for our own growth and progress. Tune in for practical insights and inspiration on the road to med school (and beyond).

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This is an important one. In today's episode, Dr. V discusses the significance of knowing your story: what brought you to your path to med school? We invest so much energy - and rightfully so - in optimizing the "objective" parts of our application, like our grades and MCAT score. Dr. V reviews why being able to communicate your narrative is critical, and how it could potentially influence many important parts of your application t...

Are you seeking out interesting clinical or shadowing experiences? In today’s episode, the second installment of Aspire Premed’s “Medical Specialty Series,” Dr. V reviews three more fascinating medical fields: neuroradiology, palliative care medicine, and rheumatology. How many of these have you explored? If you enjoy today’s show, check out the first episode of this specialty series (Ep. 20) to learn about more unique medical fiel...