Profile Link: https://acceptedtogether.com/consultants/christina
Q1:What is your position and at which school?
2nd Year Medical Student at Schulich School of Medicine (UWO)
Q2: Tell us a bit about yourself!
Hi, I’m Christina and I’m studying medicine at Western University! I finished my undergrad at the University of Waterloo in 2022, where I studied Systems Design Engineering and Honours Science. I’ve had experience working in the tech industry (ex. Microsoft, Autodesk, TD) but also applying my engineering background to do research in medicine (ex. using ML to analyze mice behaviour)! Having a non-traditional background made for a unique experience when writing my applications to medical school and I’d like to help pass on what I learned to future applicants. I know how difficult, daunting, and exhausting the application process can be – but remember to stay confident in yourself and your abilities!
Q3: What’s one thing that others may not know about you?
Outside of school, you’ll find me hanging out with friends, cooking (but more eating), playing hockey, at the gym, or travelling!
Q4: If you didn’t go into the field you are in right now, what field would you have gone into?
Before pursuing medicine, I was on track to finishing Systems Design Engineering at the University of Waterloo! After some co-op terms, I think I would have ended up working as a UX designer or researcher.
Q5: What is the most difficult interview question in your opinion?
I think knowledge-based questions can be tough to navigate if you don’t know a lot on the topic but are asked to voice an opinion! “Studying” a wide variety of current issues as well as coming up with a framework to navigate these is super helpful!
Q6: What do you think contributed the most to your success?
Determination and a good support network! Getting into medical school was a roller coaster and it took a lot of determination to get through some of the toughest parts. Applying to medical school is a marathon, and medical school will continue to be even once you’re in!
Q7: What was your application journey like?
I actually came from a bit of a non-traditional background – after completing 3 years in Systems Design Engineering (4 school terms + 4 co-op terms), the work experience that I had gained really deterred me from engineering. I worked at some really big companies and places (i.e. Microsoft, Autodesk) but I really missed being in the hospital and working closely with people! In 2020 I ended up making the difficult decisions to leave behind my engineering journey and transfer into Honours Science at UW. It was tough to catch up so late in my degree, but I did 5 study terms and took a term to write the MCAT in 2 years! I was still able to graduate at the same time as my engineering class and applied to medical schools in my final year!
Q8: Would you like to share some statistics with us? (This can be in the form of GPA/MCAT/Casper scores, the number of schools you applied to and got accepted, etc.)
516 MCAT, 4th quartile Casper
Q9: What services do you offer?
Application review, Casper review, Casper practice sessions, Mock interviews
Q10: What’s your biggest tip for students applying to your field?
Find a way to craft your application to tell a unique story about YOU! Find the little things that you’re interested or passionate in that set you apart and provide your work/volunteer experiences that support your story.
Q11: Why should students choose you as their consultant?
My goal is to help you succeed! I know how tough and gruelling the medical application process can be and I want to help guide you in the best ways possible.