School

Congrats! You have successfully entered the real adult world and now it’s time to transition back to school mode. At first, I was definitely a little apprehensive about how my mind would transition back into going to school and full-time studying. However, I am really thankful that I took a couple of gap years because it gave me the break that I needed to feel refreshed and ready to get back to school (and learn how to meal prep). What I have discovered is that studying is a little like muscle memory, so you just have to trust yourself and give yourself time that it will all come back. The beginning of med school is an adjustment for anyone, no matter if you are going straight through or have taken many gap years, so just be patient with yourself as you discover a new way of learning and studying. Each class is so diverse, you really won’t be alone no matter what your path! My advice would be to take advantage of the time left in your gap year(s), don’t study, cross things off your bucket list, cultivate the hobbies that will keep you sane during med school, and lastly — and maybe most importantly — learn how to use an instant pot.

If you took a gap year, or several, you are not alone at WashU school of Medicine. After undergrad, I was a surface warfare officer in the Navy for 10 years, so when I decided to shift careers to medicine, it took a while to squeeze in prereqs, the MCAT, and clinical experiences while balancing work and family life. Of course, I was nervous to begin WashU not having been a full-time student in over a decade, and I was worried about “catching up” with classmates that came straight from college. However, WashU’s Gateway Curriculum very intentionally eases the entering class into medical school regardless of when you completed undergrad. The first module helps to dust off any academic cobwebs and allows students to plant their feet firmly in St. Louis before truly plunging into medical school.

In my short time here, I have begun to see traits and skills developed during my gap years be very helpful as a medical student, so try not to be too worried but rather thankful for your longer path to WashU. On the other hand, whether straight from undergrad or from a more circuitous route, everyone is adjusting to the life, pace, and expectations of medical school. It takes a bit of mental recalibration but try not to feel different because you have some gap years under your belt. Instead, remember you are all connected because everyone, regardless of path to med school, is an M1, and you are all adjusting together. 

At my undergraduate institution, I was an employee of the Student Wellness Center and did a lot of outreach focusing on mental health and well-being. It was important to me that I attend a medical school that shared my emphasis on wellness and the mental health of students. I found that environment at WashU School of Medicine not only in administration, but also in my fellow students. WashU not only provides counseling available through Student Health Services, but also has students serve as Peer Advocates to whom you can reach out to discuss any concerns about school, life, or anything else. Members of student government also serve as members of the Student Wellness Committee, where they meet with faculty to discuss mental health concerns and how to address them. The community of medical students here is also very friendly and inclusive, which positively impacted my mental health, especially during the pandemic. Overall, the resources and activities provided, combined with the welcoming nature of the student body, make WashU a great place for medical education and preserving student wellness.

Looking back, I’m glad I decided to come straight from undergrad. I spent the summer before coming to WashU School of Medicine just relaxing and spending time with friends and family, which helped me recharge before starting medical school. Even though I did need to develop some new study habits once school started, it was easy for me to jump back into classes because I didn’t have too long of a break. Coming in, I was nervous that I would be one of the few people who didn’t take any gap years, but I’ve found that there are a good number of people in my class who also decided to come straight through. Not to mention, once you are here, no one really pays attention to whether you have taken a gap year or not. In addition, WashU School of Medicine has several dual-degree programs and opportunities to do a funded research year, so if you are like me and maybe think you might want a bit more time to explore, there are definitely plenty of options!

I had the privilege of doing several years of research post-bacc before starting medical school, during which years my mentors were mostly “MD-only” (note the scare quotes) physician-scientists spending >80% of their time on research and the rest in the clinic. WashU School of Medicine is well-known for its MD/PhD (MSTP) program — and rightly so! —but I think it’s safe to say that every student benefits from having such a robust MSTP program and research culture (particularly with the Gateway Curriculum, which includes substantial time for research). In my own case, I currently have no desire to pursue a PhD, but could see myself having a career in academic medicine; running a lab, teaching, etc. Whatever your previous experiences, interests, or career ambitions regarding research may be, the keys to success seem to be having good role models, opportunities, colleagues, and support; all of these I’ve found in abundance at WashU School of Medicine. (N.B. Our beloved MSTP director, Dr. Wayne Yokoyama, is himself an “MD-only” physician-scientist, and will speak frankly to you about the challenges involved in this path.)