PreHealth Spotlight: Rachel Levantovsky

Class year: 2017
Major: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

The recipe for success in terms of extracurriculars is not to do what you think is right to tick boxes, but to demonstrate certain competencies of a great physician, by doing what you love.

Vitals

Recently accepted into several MSTP and MD programs including Case Western Reserve, University of Cincinnati, and Mt. Sinai

It’s become a pervasive notion in the pre-medical community that in order to successfully matriculate into a medical school, one must inevitably “check boxes.” However, I think one of the most important realizations to be had before applying to medical school is that it is not the activity that is of importance, but rather the demonstration of character that is critical for success in such a demanding field. We don’t volunteer just to volunteer—we do it to understand that medicine is a service profession. We don’t participate in research to say that we did it, but rather to appreciate the way that progress in science is made. The same can be said for any other “cliché” pre-med activity.

The recipe for success in terms of extracurriculars is not to do what you think is right to tick boxes, but to demonstrate certain competencies of a great physician, by doing what you love. An application that depicts your passions and interests consistent with the field of medicine is the application that best tells your story—the story of why nothing but medicine is the path for you.

I happen to love research, so that has been a major part of my life since I was in high school. I’ve had one long-term clinical experience, as a recreation assistant in a nursing home, which has taught me a lot about working with challenging patient populations and what I can do personally to deliver the best possible care.

I have also become involved in many flavors of mentoring, advising, and teaching throughout my time at UMass, so I know that career fulfillment for me involves some sort of mentoring role. If I had not pursued the extracurricular activities that spoke to me most, and made me feel like what I was doing was worth it, then I never would have discovered my narrative” my “why medicine?”

To combine my love for patient care, research, and education, I am pursuing Medical Scientist Training Programs, which grant both MD and PhD degrees. Ultimately, I hope for a career in academic medicine. I never would have known that this was the path for me without exploring and seeking out involvement in things I was passionate about. At the end of the day, I did check all the right boxes, but they were my boxes. My greatest piece of advice in this process is to find your own boxes, and to do what you love.

Published February 2017