What's New With You?

This week was very much an inside week because we got so much snow last weekend. I kept looking out my window, and the idea of tackling all of that snow (without snow boots) did not sit well with my soul.

I finally ventured outside on Tuesday, and have been doing some mini hot girl walks and trying new coffee shops in my neighborhood! I got so bored of the tiny walls of my NYC apartment which led me to the gym. I am trying to get into strength training, so I downloaded the Hevy app. I love it because it's free, connects to my Apple Watch, and has exercise tutorials, which is perfect for a gym newbie like me.

Last night, I headed to Eataly and tried their Restaurant Week menu. I think it was my first time ever trying gnocchi and shredded Brussels sprouts in a salad, but I thoroughly enjoyed both. Maybe I'm officially moving out of my picky eater era?!

In other news, I can't believe it's already the end of January. The days feel slow, but the months and years move so fast. Match Day and graduation will be here before I know it (which is terrifying), but for now, enjoy this January 2026 recap.

- Morgan :)

This week in All-Inclusive Medical School Application Advising

This week, I had my first Introductory Session with a student in my All-Inclusive Medical School Application Advising program. We covered a lot, but I wanted to highlight two takeaways:

First, we're prioritizing personal statement writing over creating a school list. Why? The student has a pending MCAT score. Since they'll receive their score in February, it makes more sense to wait until we have the full picture before building a strategic and realistic school list.

Second, I gave them quite a few to-dos. My advising program is an active process. As I reviewed their intake form, I identified a few gaps in their extracurricular involvement that:

1. they can work to fill in the next few months before applications open, and
2. I believe will strengthen their medical school candidacy

The medical school application process is overwhelming, constantly evolving, and increasingly competitive. My role is to stay up to date on these changes and help applicants navigate them with clarity and confidence.

I have a few more spots remaining for this cycle. Just respond to this email if you'd like to chat more.

This week, I'm wrapping up my series on research in medical school. I want to end by sharing three tips to help you navigate research in medical school.

1. Identify your goals. There are countless research opportunities and ways to get involved. Before you even start searching, know what you're looking for. Do you want a new project that will give you exposure to all the stages of research? Do you want to learn coding or data analysis? Do you need abstracts or publications for residency applications?
2. Don't settle. Again, there are a myriad of opportunities. If you need an active mentor or have a specific research interest, don't settle for a project that doesn't meet those needs. Once your name is on a project, you can be asked about it. You should know the details and ideally be passionate about the work you're doing.
3. Use your network. You don't have to navigate the process alone. Reach out to your dean or specialty advisor. Ask your classmates for help with logistics. Research can be overwhelming (especially if you don't have alot of prior experience), but you do have a community to support you.

I hope this series was helpful! If you have questions or ideas for future series in The Med Student Corner, let me know by responding to this email.

Match Day Countdown

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First of all, congratulations to everyone who matched Ophthalmology! We had some amazing matches in my class, and it was fun to celebrate them.

Now, I'm slightly jealous because why do I still have to wait 7 weeks to find out where I matched?! There's been so much chatter amongst my classmates and I about our priorities and rank lists. While there's still time before things have to be finalized, it definitely crosses my mind daily.

I am just trying to stay grounded in my faith and focus on the priorities I outlined for myself at the beginning of the process. We got this!