I am going to be a doctor in USA | My NEET journey, State Rank 1 to USMLE

Summary

Dr. Rashi Mahajan shares her inspiring journey from aspiring medical student in India to matching into her dream Internal Medicine residency in the US. She discusses her early struggles, academic achievements, and the decision to pursue USMLE. Rashi's story highlights her dedication, the importance of hard work, and the value of following one's dreams, offering a motivational narrative for future medical professionals.

Takeaways

• 🎓 Rashi is a doctor from India who successfully matched into her dream residency in Internal Medicine in the US.
• 🌟 She credits her journey to the support of others and her own determination to achieve her goals.
• 📚 Rashi always had a strong desire to be a doctor and focused her education towards this goal from a young age.
• 🏆 Despite initial struggles, she excelled in her studies and topped her state in her 12th board exams.
• 🏥 Rashi chose to attend GMC Nagpur for medical college, which she considers one of her best decisions.
• 🧐 In medical college, she engaged in extracurricular activities and gained a broad educational experience.
• 🌐 She decided to pursue the USMLE to take advantage of global opportunities and further her medical education.
• 📈 Rashi found the USMLE process challenging but rewarding, noting the importance of perseverance.
• 📝 She emphasizes that the USMLE is a viable option for those considering it, even during final years of medical school.
• 🌉 Rashi completed her clinical electives in Chicago, which solidified her decision to pursue a career in the US.
• 🎯 After passing her USMLE steps, she successfully matched into a residency program, fulfilling a significant part of her journey.

Q & A

What was Rashi's initial struggle when she started preparing for medical college entrance exams?

Rashi's initial struggle was with physics, where she scored poorly in one of her early tests, which was unusual for her as she had never received a bad score before.

How did Rashi cope with the intense competition during her school years?

Rashi coped by dedicating herself to studying, waking up at 5:00 a.m., attending classes, studying, doing homework, and repeating this cycle. She filled numerous notebooks and solved many questions.

What was Rashi's score in her 12th board exams, and how did it place her regionally?

Rashi scored 97.8% in her 12th board exams, which was enough to top her city, region, and eventually the entire state of Maharashtra across all streams.

Which medical college did Rashi choose to attend and why?

Rashi chose to attend GMC Nagpur because it felt like home and she had zero regrets about her decision. It was her top choice of college.

What was Rashi's experience like during medical college?

During medical college, Rashi found subjects to be tough but interesting, made friends who became like family, traveled, participated in extracurriculars, and interacted with inspiring professors.

Why did Rashi decide to pursue the USMLE?

Rashi decided to pursue the USMLE because it offered world-class training, research opportunities, a license to practice almost anywhere in the world, and the possibility of unlimited fellowship opportunities.

How did Rashi prepare for her USMLE Step 1 exam?

Rashi prepared for her USMLE Step 1 exam during her final year of medical college and internship, which occupied most of her time. She found the process challenging both academically and personally.

What was Rashi's score on her USMLE Step 2 exam?

Rashi scored 265 on her USMLE Step 2 exam.

How did Rashi handle the interview process for her residency application?

Rashi prepared for her interviews by reaching out to programs and expressing her interest. She found the interview process to be one of her favorite parts, as it allowed her to interact with brilliant people in medicine.

What was Rashi's feeling when she found out she matched for her dream residency?

Rashi felt a mix of relief, happiness, and a sense of fulfillment when she found out she matched for her dream residency in internal medicine.

What is the purpose of Rashi's YouTube channel?

The purpose of Rashi's YouTube channel is to create a space where medical students who know nothing about the process can come to learn about exams, discuss the process, and get insights from her journey.