Hometown: Lexington Park, Maryland
Name of Undergraduate Institution: University of Miami (2019)
Major(s)/Minor(s) in College: Major: Microbiology and Immunology; Minor: Chemistry
Name of Professional School(s): Georgetown University School Of Medicine, Special Master’s Program (2020), and Current MD Candidate (M1 – Class of 2024)
Favorite Quote: “Life isn't determined by the cards you were dealt, it is determined by how you play your hand.”
Contact Info:
Instagram: @studentdoctorJ
Where are you currently at in your career path and why did you decide to pursue this career path?
I am a current first-year medical student. I decided to pursue medicine because doctors saved my mother’s life when she was battling thyroid cancer, and their compassion and care over the course of her treatment inspired me to do the same for others.
If you could go back and have a chat with your naïve college freshman self, what would you tell her?
If I could go back, I would tell myself to not compare my journey to others. I would say to focus on yourself and worry about what you need to do to be the best you because there is always going to be someone who gets a higher grade, is more involved, or does something better than you can do; however, you are your own competition and if you work hard and do your best, you will succeed.
What advice would you give to someone looking to pursue a similar path as yours?
I would tell someone that the road is long and hard but 100% worth it if your dream is to become a doctor. My advice would be to always remember the core reason of why you want to be a doctor and use that to get you through the long days of hard work.
What is a major challenge you have had to overcome and how did you do so?
My biggest challenge that I have had to overcome is being a first-generation student coming from a low-income single parent household. It was always difficult for me to know exactly what I should have been doing to get into medical school, and I also had to work almost full time to pay for school which didn’t leave much time for studying. I overcame these obstacles through finding excellent student and faculty mentors, and staying extremely organized in order to work and maintain good grades.
What is your favorite thing about your medical school?
My favorite thing about Georgetown has been the people that I have met – my classmates are very caring individuals who make the hard times of medical school a little bit easier. They all have amazing backgrounds and I have truly enjoyed getting to know them. Additionally, I also enjoy the networking and connections that come with attending Georgetown.
Do you have another professional degree? If so, how has it impacted you?
I have a Masters in Biophysics and Physiology that I obtained in Georgetown’s Special Master’s Program. I highly recommend this program for students who need to improve the academic portion of their application because you take classes with medical students to prove that you can be academically successful in medical school. I truly believe this program helped me to obtain interviews and medical school acceptances.
What advice would you give to someone getting ready to start their application process to medical schools?
Outside of the basics like applying early and ensuring that your application is well-rounded, I would advise to make sure that your personal statement and other writings truly showcase who you are as an individual and are engaging to those who may be reading it. Your personal statement, secondaries, and other writings can help you stand out against other similar applicants. I also suggest having professionals or friends in writing to help edit your writings.
Do you have any passions outside of school? If so, what are they?
I love to travel and hang out with my friends and families. The beach is my happy place and any free time I have I will do my best to spend it there!
What do you like to do for fun?
I like to go out to eat with friends and also going to the zoo is one of my favorite activities. I also like to be outside in the nature and see beautiful views.
What do you feel is the most challenging part of medical school? The easiest part?
The most challenging part of medical school is the amount of work. It is truly like a full-time job if not more, and can be mentally exhausting at times. The easiest part about medical school is the fact that you have classmates who know what you are going through, and getting to know them and who they are outside of school is also a great time.
How have you been able to deal with your romantic relationship and medical school at the same time?
The guy I am currently dating is also a medical student, so he understands that I am not always available to hang out. When we do hang out, we both always have work to do so a lot of our time together is spent studying which helps both of us. We try to communicate when we have long days and it works out really well. Additionally, we try to go on at least one date night every two weeks.
In regards to dating, what kind of qualities are you looking for in someone?
I would like someone who cares about others more than they care for themselves. Additionally I would like a partner to be understanding, have great communication skills, and a good sense of humor. Finally, I look for someone who is very driven and motivated.
What did you do during the summer before you started medical school?
I spent the summer in quarantine unfortunately but It was still a great time because I was in Florida and still got to go to the beach and out on the boat often!
What do you do to get through the stressful nature of medical school?
I find time throughout the day to do some of the things that I like but in moderation; like watching one of my favorite shows, making my favorite food, or baking cookies. I also spend a lot of time with my roommates which makes school a lot easier to get through.
What extra-curricular activities are you involved in at your school?
I am currently the Vice-President of my class and the Communications Chair for a dermatology education club called UV&Me.
What is it like attending school in your city?
DC is a very interesting place to live in. There is a lot to do and see and I enjoy always having something new to do in my free-time. Its also interesting to be in the nation’s capital during pivotal political moments like when Joe Biden got elected or with the death of RBG as people are always gathering when things like this happen and you get to be a part of history in a way.
What were some of your involvements in college? Have those involvements helped you in any way in medical school?
In undergrad some of my involvements were President of Relay for Life, President of the Undergraduate Honor Council, a Security Supervisor, and Special Events Coordinator for a Poetry Organization called Written in My Soul. These involvements showed me the importance of consistency in order to make a lasting impact, as well as contributed to my leadership and time management skills.
Who are some of your favorite musicians? Favorite books? Shows? Movies?
My favorite singers are Mariah Carey, Arianna Grande, and Brian McKnight. My favorite book is the Alchemist. My favorite shows are This is Us, Game of Thrones, Are You the One, and anything on TLC. My favorite movies are romantic comedies and sad movies, also pretty much anything with Will Smith.
Thank you so much for taking the time to share this vast amount of valuable information with us Janeth! You are very much appreciated! The nuggets of wisdom that you’ve given to us are golden and will be welcomed by the many readers of this feature! You’ve already accomplished so much in such a short amount of time and we will be rooting for you as you continue to blaze your path in medical school and beyond!
Health Career Spotlights Home Page
Posted on April 15th, 2021