The other day when I was walking to class, a young man in a suit stopped me to ask for directions.  I knew immediately that he was an interviewee.  I smiled and offered to walk him to the correct building, as it wasn’t too far (and I remember how lost I used to get before I knew my way around).  I said, “Are you nervous?”  He replied, “You have no idea!”  After I started laughing he corrected himself, “Well, maybe you do.“

Even though I had a quiz that morning, I knew that I had it easier than him.  Med school is really hard, but, honestly, it is nothing compared to being on the other side.

Applying to medical school was one of the hardest experiences of my life.  It requires so much hard work and dedication.  It is so stressful, and there is no real guarantee that you will get in.  And a lot of applicants never do.

Running into that interviewee really made me step back and look at how much better I have it now.  Even though I have to study a lot and there are days when I think my life is so hard, I can’t imagine how much worse it would be if I hadn’t been accepted in the first place.