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I Was Rejected From Medical School Three Times, But It Was The Best Thing That Happened To Me

I applied to medical school three times over three years but was never successful in securing a university place. To be honest, I saw medical school as a logical next step. With my first class degree in Biomedical Sciences, I knew I didn’t want to work as a biomedical scientist in a laboratory for the rest of my life. I also didn’t want to do a PhD and pursue an academic research career. So I landed on medicine as my only option to help people lead healthier lives.

The application process was gruelling – I volunteered, sat numerous entrance exams and secured interviews at leading universities. I was crushed when I found out I wasn’t accepted to any of the schools I applied to. My parents had been so hopeful throughout my three years of applying. They never pressured me to pursue medicine, but I saw their pride at my ambition to become the first doctor in the family. I felt like I’d failed myself and my family. I had proven I was smart and had a good work ethic; why couldn’t these interviewers see that and offer me a place?