Alumni Spotlight

In 2016 Johanna Wilson graduated from UP and started working as a medical scribe for a plastic surgeon in the Portland metropolitan area. She took some time to prepare for the MCAT, and after completing the exam, she worked as an MCAT tutor in the evenings.  She continued volunteering as she had been doing for the previous two years in the ED at OHSU, at Legacy Hospice, and mentoring Latino high school students who want to pursue a career in the medical field.  She became the mother of a beautiful little girl and in 2018 started her application process to medical school. She was admitted to the School of Medicine at OHSU later that year and started classes in August of 2019.

1. Give a short description of your application process / tips for upcoming applicants.

Since I had been dreaming about going to medical school for a while, I started to craft parts of my application, such as my personal statement, well in advance. The writing process for my personal statement was arduous, as it seemed difficult for me to be raw and authentic while following all the guidelines of what a personal statement “should” look like. I also contacted some of the professors, volunteer coordinators, physicians, and employers with whom I had worked closely and explored the possibilities of obtaining letters of recommendation in support of my application. Once the application cycle opened, I submitted my application and the secondary applications that they send you shortly after that. I waited not so patiently for an invitation to an interview, and finally an acceptance letter. The dream was about to become a reality.

Some useful tips I wish I had known before applying to medical school are 1. Do not feel that you have to fit into a mold in order to get in. My classmates are incredibly diverse (the most diverse class in history at OHSU!) and we all bring something different and valuable to the table. I encourage you to show your uniqueness throughout the application process. 2. Apply early. It will increase your chances of succeeding and you will have more time to process your secondary applications thoroughly. 3. Think deeply about your extracurricular activities and how they are helping you grow into an aspiring physician. You will have to discuss them in-depth in the application, during your interview process, and maybe even in your personal statement! Even if your volunteer role seems small sometimes, find the meaning behind it and be introspective about your journey towards medicine.

2. How did your time at UP help you with your career choice, application, etc.? 

My time at UP was a time of intense growth, both at personal and academic levels. I had recently moved to the USA from Colombia when I enrolled at UP and navigating some of the classes seemed especially challenging with my newly learned English. I met some of the most amazing professors and human beings at UP, many of which became my mentors as I moved closer to applying to medical school. I took full advantage of the wealth of knowledge my advisor had to offer and I am thankful for his guidance. I had the opportunity to lead organic chemistry and physiology workshops, work as a TA in laboratories, and conducted a research project that I got to present at the Oregon Academy of Science. I also took advantage of some of the services that Career Services offer—we even did a mock interview to help me prepare for my big day!

3. What are your favorite memories of UP / any highlights?

Some of my favorites memories at UP include creating fun activities to try to make my workshops fun while making friends in the process! I also really enjoyed some of the upper-level classes where the discussions and debates allowed us to form solid, well documented, personal opinions. I especially cherish my capstone class—Evolution—which I still find relevant to almost every aspect of what I study. Other amazing things at UP include the beautiful view of the Bluff, the Japanese blossoms in the main quad, and the energy and euphoria of some of the games!

4. What general advice would you give aspiring pre-health types?

I encourage you to enjoy life as much as you work! I know how tempting it is to sit and study endlessly for that upcoming test. I have been there. Working hard is important because becoming a health care provider is a competitive process. However, taking a minute to smell the flowers and understand why you feel inspired to go through this process is key to framing all the hard work in a meaningful way. Take care of yourself before you aspire to take care of other humans. Our humanity is much more comprehensive than our career choices, so make sure you are contributing to all aspects of your life: eat well, exercise, build relationships with those around you, and take time to be thankful for how far you have come. This is a long road—more like a marathon than a sprint—and creating habits and relationships that will support you through this career path is a wise choice.