606: The Ugly-Cry Run That Saved Her Med School Dream
The Premed Years
Ryan Gray
4.8 • 1.3K Ratings
🗓️ 3 December 2025
⏱️ 45 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
(00:00) - Becoming a Physician
(09:39) - Navigating Pre-Med College Life
(17:20) - Navigating MD-PhD Gap Years
(24:43) - Overcoming Challenges in McAt Preparation
(35:31) - Choosing Medical Schools in New York
(39:11) - Reflections on Pursuing Medicine
Growing up with a pediatrician aunt, Julia was captivated by the world of medicine from an early age. Her story is one of passion and perseverance, shaped by influential mentors and a deep love for science and biology. We explore how her early exposure to healthcare set her on a path marked by determination, from shadowing opportunities in high school to embracing the rigors of college science courses. Julia’s journey is a testament to the profound impact of nurturing mentors and the power of early influences in shaping a lifelong commitment to the medical field.
For those considering the premed track, the journey can be transformative, as experienced by a student who transitioned from Gonzaga University to the University of Pennsylvania. Initially drawn to Gonzaga for its small class sizes, they discovered a passion for neuroscience that led them to seek a university with more robust resources. At Penn, the pre-health office and a vibrant community of peers provided essential support, including MCAT preparation and research opportunities at CHOP. This narrative highlights the importance of aligning educational environments with personal aspirations and the value of a supportive academic community.
The road to medicine is often fraught with challenges, notably the MCAT, which can test even the most dedicated students. Our candid discussion on the arduous journey of MCAT preparation reveals that struggles are common, but perseverance and strategic changes in study approaches can lead to success. For those pursuing an MD/PhD, like our guest, taking gap years to gain research experience can prove invaluable. Whether it’s choosing the right medical school or overcoming skepticism from others, the journey demands resilience and alignment with one's passions. As we reflect on these stories, we hope to offer encouragement and guidance for future medical professionals navigating their unique paths.
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| 0:00.0 | The Premed Year session number 606. |
| 0:08.8 | Hello and welcome to the premed years, where we believe that collaboration, not competition, |
| 0:14.6 | is key to your success. |
| 0:16.5 | I'm your host, Dr. Ryan Gray, and in this podcast we share with you stories, encouragement, |
| 0:21.2 | and information that you need to know to help guide you on your path to becoming a physician. |
| 0:27.8 | Welcome to the pre-med ears. Thank you so much for joining me today. I have an amazing guest |
| 0:33.5 | on the show today, someone you've probably seen online with her Instagram and TikTok accounts. |
| 0:38.8 | Before we jump into our conversation with Julia today, I want to talk about the MCAT |
| 0:43.6 | minutes brought to you by Medical School Headquarters. Did you know that we offer MCAT |
| 0:48.8 | tutoring and test prep now? Check us out at medical schoolhq.net. As I'm recording this, it is mid-November. It is crazy how time flies. |
| 1:00.9 | If you are taking the test, this is 2025, if you're taking the test in 2026 and you are not yet registered, what are you waiting for? |
| 1:08.4 | Registration for all 2026 dates is open. Now, go register today. |
| 1:15.2 | Yes, it's annoying to register before you are even sure when you're going to take the test, but thanks to the AAMC, that's how you have to do it. |
| 1:24.3 | If you have questions about your test prep journey, go schedule a |
| 1:27.9 | consult call at mshq consult.com. All right, let's get to our amazing guest today, Julia, |
| 1:35.5 | an MD PhD student and self-proclaimed super nerd who knew at 10 years old she was going to be |
| 1:41.4 | a doctor and never let go of that dream. She went from public school |
| 1:47.2 | to Gonzaga to Penn, fell in love with addiction neuroscience, took gap years for full-time research, |
| 1:53.5 | struggled hard with the MCAT and still made it. Her story is all about persistence, reflection, |
| 1:59.9 | and finding out how badly you really want this. |
| 2:03.3 | Julia, welcome to the pre-mid years. Thanks for joining me. |
| 2:06.5 | Thanks so much for having me here. I was just saying this is like a dream for me to be on |
... |
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