Kronka

Hi Henry,

I’ve always loved reading your blog and I think it’s very inspiring; do you have any tips on how to get into a good medical school? Life experiences, even? Thanks :)

Thanks! Maybe I’ll write something sometime on my experience of getting into medical school…

Tips, off the top of my head:
1. Travel. (More generally, explore, expand, etc.)
2. Do things you love. (Alternatively, learn to love the things you do.)
3. Medicine is messy. Because it is human. You have to embrace that, and show others (read: the medical schools) that you embrace that.

I’m sure there are more…

Hi Henry!

No, thank you! I would really enjoy reading whatever you have to write on your experience!

Also, when you refer that medicine is “messy”, do you mean that it becomes complicated because it deals with humans, by humans?
How did you embrace and show that? I’m so sorry for pestering you with all these questions; I can’t get over how absolutely inspiring your blog is to me and what a breath of fresh air it is!

So I used to think that medicine was mainly about the science — that it was rational, mathematical, “evidence-based”. That it was the collective knowledge of generations’ worth of scientific and technological advances…

But it’s not, right? It’s about the application of all of that to people. In fact, it’s probably more about the people part than any of the science part. Making a difference in people’s lives means you have to connect with them. And people are messy. They are unpredictable. They make decisions that are completely against all the evidence we have. They ignore the risks of procedures. They forget to take their medications. They make poor life choices. They fight against all odds, burning through the money and emotional capital of themselves and others, in the face of certain death. Can we blame them?

I guess what I’m saying is that it’s critical to acknowledge the importance of connecting with people, despite how difficult and “messy” that can be. As for embracing that and showing the medical schools: I feel like they’re looking for students who really want to spend their careers dealing with other people. So make that clearly known by your actions (find jobs or experiences where you deal with people), and by your words (in your personal statement, essays, interviews).

Henry, I am always, absolutely blown away by how you respond and write, your perspectives, and your words….there is a saying that a picture speaks a thousand words, but I find that a few of your words speak much, much more.

I’m not sure how to describe it, but this video evokes the same emotions: http://vimeo.com/15508608

I don’t know how comfortable you would be with this, and I apologize for putting you on the spot. I completely understand if you would prefer not to as well; now that you have already been accepted in med school, would there be anyway you would consider showing me your personal statement that you used?

I still have 2-3 years before I am able to apply to medical school, but you have simply been such an inspiration. I guess what I’m trying to say is that it would give me precious insight and a meaningful piece to contemplate as I work toward the same process in the upcoming years.

Again, I appreciate all your help…it really means a lot to me.

Thanks, Ophelia. Now that I’m on the other side of applying, I’m more than happy to help those considering it or in the process. Feel free to drop me a line at henry.li@kronka.com.

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