One of the best kept secrets in Caribbean Medical Schools | Trinity School of Medicine | academics

When asking medical students why they want to be doctors, the majority of them say it’s been a lifelong dream. But Trinity student Mike Aycock was on a different path when he was unexpectedly led to pursuing an MD.

After having surgery on his vocal cords (made necessary by a long career as a high school band director), Mike was told by his doctor that he wasn’t to even attempt to speak for 10 days. It was during this time that Mike felt the call to become a physician. After regaining his voice, he excitedly told his wife of 34 years, Lynell, what had been occupying his mind during this doctor-mandated silence. As of today, Mike has now completed his fifth term at Trinity School of Medicine and will be moving onto the next stage of clinical clerkships in the new year.

No matter how great your application looks on paper, the interview portion of the medical school admissions process is what sets you apart from the competition.

If you’re applying to medical school, chances are you have an impressive background with a combination of good grades, high test scores, and a long list of extra-curricular activities. But the problem is your competition also has all of those things. The interview is your chance to show your unique personality, interests, and other attributes that leave a lasting impression.

This month we are excited to highlight a recent 2021 Trinity  graduate, Anitesh Jaswal.
Dr. Jaswal will be hosting a webinar later this month - be sure to register at the link below:
July 21st at 6PM ET.
https://bit.ly/3hOoaLQ

“I am excited to start my professional journey and can’t thank everyone enough for the help over the years to get to today. I’m eager to do some good in another community with a fantastic program and become a better physician for the patients I’ll be honored to call mine.”
-Dr. Anitesh Jaswal
Family Medicine 
The Wright Center for Community Health
Trinity Graduate 2021
University of Alberta Alumnus

Regional Director of Admissions, Elise Froistad recently caught up with Trinity student, Vincent Shieh, for this student spotlight:

No one knows what lies ahead once one starts med school. The hope is to have picked the right school in order to learn, be successful and hopefully enjoy the journey. Vincent chose Trinity for a reason and has had an experience that he likely did not imagine when he sat at his White Coat ceremony. Here’s more about his journey.

Abdulai Bangura is a third year student at Trinity School of Medicine and the first Caribbean medical student to be selected as an Orthopedic Surgery Research Fellow at the University of Maryland where he is currently serving.

Abdulai stayed true to caring nature and his desire to serve others and followed his passion to become a doctor all the way down to the Caribbean. He was motivated to pursue medicine after he overcame a health complication that threatened life as he knew it during high school. The physician and experience “was so impactful that I was inspired to do the same for others.” Abdulai had the “why” part of pursuing medicine, but unfortunately, his grades during his undergraduate years prevented his acceptance into traditional US-based medical schools.   Determined to achieve his goal, he started investigating Caribbean schools and found Trinity. He saw Trinity was growing quickly and had the desired accreditation. The school peaked Abdulai’s interests, stating, “I gathered that the faculty was heavily invested in the growth of the school. I am glad to be a part of this growth. Trinity has continued to exceed their benchmarks… If I could go back in time, I’d choose Trinity again.”

This article has been updated to provide the greatest relevance & timeliness for our readers. It was originally published June 2020.

Getting into medical school is a challenge in and of itself. Once you're in, how do you successfully stay afloat? Is there a wrong method of studying? How can you avoid burning yourself out? What are some of the best study practices? Will you ever have any free time?

We've compiled a list of the top seven things that can either make or break any medical student:

1. Don't skimp on sleep.
2. Avoid cramming.
3. Learn from the best in a small environment.
4. Get to know your faculty.
5. Make time for mental and physical wellness.
6. Learn to manage your finances wisely.
7. Keep in touch with your family and friends back home.
8. Make new friends at school.
9. Get involved with your medical school community.
10. Find a mentor and be a mentor.

Let's go through the most important tips.

There’s no doubt that each medical student has their own story. For Heather Dill, growing up in an unorthodox setting helped mold her ideas and views as a young child. Overcoming obstacles and moving around hurdles, have built an amazing set of character strengths for this future medical doctor.

Heather’s story reflects how Trinity seeks the right fit of diverse and extraordinary medical students to become a part of it’s top accredited medical school.

Here's How to Prepare Yourself

Admissions Advice from Regional Director of Admissions, Lisa Miller

The entire medical school admissions process can be cumbersome, challenging, and at times, stressful; this is a critical and crucial part of the admissions process. Depending on the school, some of the admissions steps will vary, so make sure you follow each medical school's instructions. Generally speaking, each school will want you to upload your entire application packet, this too can be done several ways, all depending upon the school. Knowing how to make a lasting impression during your medical school admissions interview can make a significant difference in being put through to the next round, ultimately playing a critical part in determining who gets an invitation, and who does not. Directors of Admissions have an abundant amount of insight, knowledge, and drive, to peel back the layers of academic success, giving you invaluable experience through the admissions interview.

Raised in a Latin American household, Sara Maria Jensen broke molds. She showed the world her unwillingness to take no for an answer from an early age. It's this steadfast determination that will continue to serve Sara Maria well as a future physician, and as she gears up to begin her 4th year as a medical student at Trinity School of Medicine. Trinity students exhibit a level of drive and commitment that can’t be ignored. Recently, Sara Maria became the top choice for the American Medical Student Association (AMSA), serving as the organization's Reproductive Health Fellow. This distinguished role allows Jensen to share her passion and raise awareness for women's reproductive health.