The Path to Our Destiny
The path to our destiny is rarely straight. Expect some curves! Here's a great example from a student who found his calling along the way!
Good morning Dr. Barone!
Since we're in match season, I realized I never shared my story with you. Your role in seeing our success in the Steps and well beyond is invaluable. You make us believe. So here's my story:
I wanted to be a doctor since the age of 6. It started at a young age probably by virtue of being of Indian descent and growing up around a ton of doctors. Being raised in a spiritual family, at around age 12, I developed a fascination with the nervous system and started reading about the brain and spine. I then decided I would be a neurosurgeon. What started off as a young boy's desire would later become the only thing that mattered.
While balancing academics and being the only Indian football player for miles around, I got into Emory University for undergrad -- my #1 choice. Although I was raised by very open parents, I had way too much fun in college and seriously underperformed. My desire simply did not match my efforts. My grades were pretty good but I couldn't break a 30 on the MCAT twice.
Left with no med school acceptance, I joined the graduate program at New York Medical College, where I received an MS in Physiology. I graduated #1 in my class! I showed them what I was capable of, right? But, both of my subsequent attempts at the MCAT were sub-30. No matter how I performed in school or how likeable I was, nothing mattered compared to my deficiencies on standardized tests. Round 2 of med school applications was a failure.
I spent the next 2 years working in the Mind-Body Program in the Dept. of Psychiatry at Emory, teaching HIV prevention in East Africa, and working in the Emory Transplant Center, doing research and scrubbing on a ton of transplants. How did I do on MCAT #5? Below 30 again! Round 3 of med school applications was yet again a failure.
Determined to be a neurosurgeon, I checked to see if St. George's ever produced any. Sure enough, they did. This was my last shot to make it, so I went for it. In short, my grades in med school were pretty solid. I had the pleasure of being taught the keys to Step 1 by you in Grenada in 2011. You made us believe. Not only did I exceed the US national average for Step 1 scores as an IMG, I exceeded the national average for US med students accepted into Neurosurgery.
During clinicals in NYC, I did very well, but Step 2 was not so kind to me. Again, standardized exams! But a neurosurgeon I was determined to be. I did everything they wanted me to do on my visiting neurosurgery sub-I's. For months, I worked q2 36 hours without weekends off, amounting to about 120 hours/week. I showed them I could operate and work harder than the rest. On the interview trail, the resounding response was "You're a fantastic candidate, but why did you go to St. George's?" All they saw was where I went to school. Nothing more. Alas, another failed attempt at achieving my dream. I really thought that my life would start and end with Neurosurgery...that goal defined me.
I matched into a prelim Gen Surg program in New Jersey with the hope of pursuing Neurosurgery again. It was an unforgettable experience that showed me what I was made of. Since I was still alive and kicking, while not breathing the Neurosurgery air upon which I thought I depended, I re-examined my goals. I discovered Radiology...a very cerebral (pun intended) field, with a great lifestyle, and was interconnected to every specialty in the hospital. After thinking back on my brief, but eye-opening, exposure to Interventional Radiology at the end of med school, and seeing the magic they performed on our surgery patients, I found my calling.
With support from my senior residents, I interviewed at 22 Radiology programs all over the country. But my wife and I were determined to stay in the NY area. Here was the catch. What would I do in the year off between Surgery and Radiology? Wasn't my 4-year gap between college and med school long enough? Hadn't I failed enough? Well, my #1 choice, a prestigious hospital in NYC, was increasing their residency spots and had 2 openings. One of those 2 spots had to be mine!
I got the interview, called afterward to express that they were my #1, and stated my case for why I should be there. They ultimately agreed and I matched into their 4-year Radiology program. I was speechless. Perseverance paid off and the reset button was pushed...I was finally back in the same game that all the US grads got to play.
With only 3 and a half months left in residency, I'm proud to say that I passed the Radiology boards last year. I'm especially excited to say that I'll be starting Interventional Radiology fellowship this July! From being told "No, you're not good enough" more times than I can count to soon joining one of the top 5 IR program in the country.
I shared this story, starting from my childhood, because I want others to know how deeply rooted my desire was. That even if you want something desperately, you may run into so many unexpected speedbumps. It doesn't mean it's not worth it. But perhaps, the greatest lesson is realizing that the best thing to ever happen to you may be not getting what you always wanted. There may be something so much better waiting for you if you stay strong and persist.
Hopefully 5 sub-30 MCATs, 3 failed US med school attempts, being an IMG, going unmatched in a categorical spot, and ultimately getting Interventional Radiology keeps your students encouraged. Feel free to share if you think they'll benefit. Thank you!
- S. B. March 15, 2018