Name: Warren Haralson
Hometown: Lee's Summit, MO (KC Area) School: University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine Year: MS3 (Class of 2025) |
What made you interested in joining GAB as a mentor?
Growing up from a low socioeconomic background, I had no family or friends who were physicians. I had to make a lot of calls and emails to get shadowing opportunities, advice, etc. For this reason, I am passionate about mentorship, and I am always looking for ways to help other students reach their goals. What's one thing you wish you knew before applying to medical school? I wish I knew that most physicians, residents, and medical students are open to help pre-med students. I always viewed these people as mysterious, powerful people, but really they are all human like you. I know it can be daunting to email strangers asking for help, but in my opinion, the worst they can say is no. I think a great first-step would be to reach out to premedical clubs at your institution, which may have phone numbers/emails of alumni. Additionally, you can reach out to "residency program coordinators" listed on residency program websites. These are non-medical personnel who communicate regularly with doctors within that specialty. They would have a good idea of which doctors are open to mentoring or letting you shadow, and they would have contact information for them. What helped you most during the application process? I was particularly anxious about the interview process, so I sought resources that gave insight to what interviewers are looking for in an applicant. I learned to formulate a cohesive story about myself that showed interviewers why their school would benefit from having me as a student. This took a lot of introspection and finding ways to communicate my strengths using my experiences on my application as evidence. It can be difficult to do this while not sounding arrogant, but that is something that a mentor can help you with. Mentors are especially great for figuring out which experiences to highlight. What's a tip you'd like to share with applicants? Medical school interviews are ultimately just a conversation. If socializing doesn't come naturally to you (I'm an introvert, so I perfectly understand), I would spend some time practicing through clubs, volunteering, etc. Try to put yourself out of your comfort zone, and you will be grateful that you did! Medicine is team-oriented, so schools want students that are easy to work with. Be kind and everything will work out. Any additional words of wisdom? Pre-medical students, medical students, residents, etc. are all notorious for always worrying about the next step. Often, I catch myself stressing about my next goal (which is residency right now). I think it is wise to enjoy the moment. Don't forget that you are exactly where you wished you would be years ago. Enjoy the comradery of undergrad, the diverse courses, the free time, etc. Future you will appreciate it. |