Session 5 with Michelle Guo
I am a third year medical student at the Feinberg School of Medicine ('25) with an interest in general surgery. Prior to this, I attended Gunn High School ('16) and graduated from Northwestern University ('20) with a BA in French and a minor in Global Health Studies. During my gap year I worked at a HomeFirst shelter in San Jose, then at Northwestern as a research coordinator for clinical trials in peripheral artery disease. I loved growing up in the Bay Area, where I trained and competed in a sport called equestrian vaulting, from which I sadly had to retire after moving to Evanston, then Chicago. On the bright side, there's plenty to do in Chicago! I stay busy by taking walks in my lovely neighborhood of Lincoln Park, trying new restaurants all over the city, attending shows and concerts, and figure skating when the ponds freeze over in the winter. I also have two cats, Chance and Charlie, who make excellent study buddies
12/1 Meeting–Michelle Guo (Medical Student)
The Process to Become a Physician
Undergrad (4 years) → Medical School (4 years) → Residency (3-5 years) → Fellowship (2-4 years)
Total: ~15-20 years
Journey to Medicine
Initially interested in being a vet, needed more communication and service-oriented work
Extracurriculars: sports (most expansive), French club, etc.
Majored in French but regrets not taking double major w/ Biology
Went into school undecided with major
AP Credits helped a lot w/ skipping courses in undergrad
Size of student body can determine how hard it is to be sorted into a class
Pre Health course in undergrad helped with interests in medicine
ADVICE: it is beneficial to look at medicine through a more social science POV and take other classes to supplement medicine skills (e.g. statistics)
Joined Greek life for socializing but there are some pre med Greek Life organizations
Shadowing usually required so having hospitals nearby are something good that happens
Research happened early in undergrad campus
Med school application
Took MCAT after 8 weeks of studying
Interviews were the most important part…be prepared, NOT STRESSED, comfortable
Also thesis in French major made it seem like she was slipping away from medicine route so consider sticking with STEM major to adhere to medicine
QnA
How to get into wet lab as a high school student?
Cold emailing professors (more success as an undergrad)
Ask family members
What are some extracurriculars to do for medical school?
Research, shadowing hours
Research shows interest in furthering field of medicine and perseverance
Shadowing hours are more expected
Scribing vs. Research
Scribing = helping out, taking notes during patient visits
Research = analyzing data, conducting experiments to discover new information that helps lots of patients
What type of surgery are you going in?
General surgery (minimally invasive, trauma surgery)
Many different types of specialties available though
What are the different parts in applying to medical school?
Application process opens in June
Go straight into medical school: MCAT in 2nd half of Junior year, essays during spring Junior year and send application in fall/winter of Senior year
Letters of recommendation: start planning in freshman year
Take smaller classes
Actively go to office hours to know professors
Essays (personal statement + supplementaries
Test Scores
Shadowing Hours
Applying for extra schools = extra money
What is the difference between being a PA and a doctor?
PA = Physician’s Assistant, helps keep things running for the doctor
General advice
Think ahead (she planned her 4 years in freshman year…)
Take smaller classes, go to office hours
Build experience for clinical + non clinical experiences
Go with own interest and don’t do something just because it is important for medical school only
Still enjoy more life–medicine should give life more meaning
Is the medical school life very hard to balance?
Book Recommendations
Atul Gawande - Better, Complications, Being Mortal, and others
When Breath Becomes Air
Brain on Fire
