In life sometimes we tend to have plans for ourselves that don’t materialize immediately or how we thought, and we become impatient with ourselves not understanding that maybe the timing isn’t right. We swear we’ve checked all our boxes and crossed our T’s and dotted our I’s but still feel slighted by the universes inability to give us want we demand. However, just because it doesn’t come on our time, doesn’t mean our blessing isn’t there. I had my plan for how life should look like for me. I had to wait 9 years for this blessing to come into fruition. I went to college, took off 7 years, attempted my plan B with my desire of plan A on the back-burner, that I almost let go to flames. But this one luckily didn’t burn out.
As of a couple weeks ago I received the news that I will be starting medical school this coming fall! This has been a lifelong goal for me, that I am so elated is now materializing. Words can’t express how grateful and blessed I feel to be able to impart healing on this world. I know this is only the beginning of my journey, but all the rejection, and long hours, dedication and hard-work feels as if was all worth it. While this is a blessing, it is also an expense feat.
There are a lot of things people don’t know about this process and why it can be so disappointing if you don’t make it. Just taking the MCAT (an entrance exam) costs a couple of hundred dollars. On top of that, applying to schools costs a couple more thousand dollars depending on how many you apply to. To put in in perspective, the initial fee for an application is about $160 dollars and every additional school you add to that is $35 dollars. This is just for the primary application. If you’re invited to submit a secondary application, those range anywhere from $50-$150. It’s suggested to apply to 15 schools to have a good chance at gaining admissions into an university. Additionally, being invited for an interview you must calculate in flight costs and accommodation. It doesn’t end there, once you are admitted in there is a fee you have to pay to reserve your seat at that school that is non-refundable and runs around a thousand dollars. Then, the average medical student graduates $250,000 in debt if they don’t receive any scholarships. So, this is an investment. However, my husband once told me that the best investment you can make is in yourself. Some people choose to squander their money elsewhere, but at the end of the day, education and bettering yourself on any level is always worth the price.
I once came across a picture that I don’t think could explain the road to medicine any clearer.
Continue to ignite your soul with passion for whatever the universe calls to you. In the end I truly believe that perseverance does triumph all. Hold on tight to your dreams because they could become your reality.
Dream big, dream bold, but never stop dreaming.
