What is it like virtually interviewing and matching into a residency program? How does physical activity affect a med student schedule and why is it important? On this episode of Talking U and Med Student Life, hear how fourth-year med student, Spencer has conquered Spartan Races & Triathlons, his favorite 3rd-year rotation, and how he matched into a Radiology program, all here at the University of Utah School of Medicine.

What is it like to grow up in the suburbs of Las Vegas? How do you keep yourself motivated when you’re on a waitlist? Hear from MS1 Chance who talks about getting robbed at gunpoint, surviving robberies and break-ins while in Argentina, and tips on dealing with burnout, all here at the University of Utah School of Medicine.

What are some misconceptions about Olympic Weightlifting? How do you navigate applying to a MD PhD program with a 48-hour deadline? On this episode of Talking U and Med Student Life, hear from MD PhD Student, Maci, on attending national weightlifting competitions, Taking the Step 1 exam during the pandemic, and balancing med student life, here at the University of Utah School of Medicine.

What are some certified tricks of the trade that chess players use in chess tournaments? How can volunteering with organizations that deal with difficult topics pique an interest in medicine? On this episode of Talking U and Med Student Life, hear from MS1 Eric on how he prepared for med school, and how creating iconic memes for his med student classmates, here at the University of Utah School of Medicine.

What’s it like to be a professional mountain guide and climb Denali peak? Can 3rd year clinical rotations influence your decision to change specialties? On this episode of Talking U & Med Student Life, gain some insight from MS3 Megan on mountaineering in the wilderness, why her gap years were beneficial for her, and how she judges the accuracy of mountaineering scenes in TV shows and movies - all here at the University of Utah School of Medicine.

Get the inside scoop from pre-med advisors, physicians, faculty, alumni, and current medical students about all areas of medical school. Hosted by Dr. Benjamin Chan, Associate Dean of Admissions at the University of Utah's School of Medicine, Talking U & Med Student Life brings valuable information to anyone thinking about a career in medicine whether you're in high school, pre-med, or already a medical student.

What steps can you look at after you get rejected from medical school? What does practicing for med school interviews look like? Hear from MS1 Caroline who talks about her decision to apply Early Decision, her concerns of couple matching into residency programs, and where her favorite fishing spot is at all here at the University of Utah School of Medicine.

How do you keep yourself motivated while applying to med schools after being rejected 5 times? What’s it like dating another med student and finding balance to study and spend time together? Hear from MS2 Andrew on how he remained resilient while applying to med school, his experience getting his acceptance call, his immense love for all things Disney, and how he is using that love for Disney to form a Student Interest Group, here at the University of Utah School of Medicine.

What’s it like being a star on reality TV? How do you apply all of your non-traditional pre-med life experiences towards med school applications? On this episode of Talking U & Med Student Life, hear MS1 Alan’s story and inspiration towards becoming a physician, and how he balances his studies, work life, and family all while here at the University of Utah School of Medicine.

What’s it like being a star on reality TV? How do you apply all of your non-traditional pre-med life experiences towards med school applications? On this episode of Talking U & Med Student Life, Hear MS1 Alan’s story and inspiration towards becoming a physician, and how he balances his studies, work life, and family all while here at the University of Utah School of Medicine.

What’s it like moving from Boise, Idaho to Middlebury, Vermont? How can an outdoorsy lifestyle influence you to pursue a career in medicine? On this episode of Talking U & Med Student Life, MS2 Joe talks about rural medicine, why he ended up in Utah, and how to get started snowboarding in the Utah mountains.

How does a nursing student transition to a career as a doctor? All while juggling a passionate and creative hobby such as cosplay? On this episode of Talking U & Med Student Life, hear how MS2 Erin balances her cosplay work with her studies and how being a cosplayer has brought her joy and opportunity in the medical community here at the University of Utah School of Medicine.

Interested in hearing about taking a gap year, managing your wellness, and learning how to attend med school virtually? On this episode of Talking U & Med Student Life, hear what first-year med student Lilly has to say about what brought her to the U and how she is navigating med school practically virtually.

Talking Admissions and Med Student Life will be back soon with a new format to celebrate our 150th episode. In the meantime, I wanted to introduce you to a new podcast called Clinical. Hear a six-minute sample of the current story called, Unit on the Brink: Voices from the COVID Frontline. It’s the stories of seven medical professionals and how the virus is impacting their patients, their community, and their lives. If you like what you hear, you can find full episodes and subscribe on the...

How do you strategize to apply and get into medical school? What activities help prepare you for medical school? How much should you consider the financial implications when applying to medical school and residency programs? Why are couples slow to announce that they’re dating while in medical school? Today on Talking Admissions and Med Student Life, I interview couple, Necia and Milo, both former fourth-year medical students who recently graduated from the University of Utah School of...

What do you do when you find yourself trying to figure out your next move in life? How does a trek through the jungle in Vietnam prompt you to pursue a career in medicine? Why is it important to have a strategy that works best for you when applying to medical school programs? What is like to do a couple’s match into the same residency program? Today on Talking Admissions and Med Student Life, I interview couple, Rudi and Quinn, both former fourth-year medical students who recently graduated...

How do you find balance between medical school and your wellness and life outside of school? What’s it like having your third-year clerkship rotation cut short because of COVID-19? How does a career in business and football prepare one for a career in medicine? Today on Talking Admissions and Med Student Life, I interview Bridger Battaglia a third-year medical student about to start his fourth year here at the University of Utah School of Medicine.

How does COVID-19 impact one’s clinical clerkship experience and desire to give back? What should you look for in an MD/PhD program when applying to various schools? What is it like to be an MD/PhD student? Today on Talking Admissions and Med Student Life, I interview Claire Bensard a third-year medical student here at the University of Utah School of Medicine.

How does being a medic in Afghanistan inspire one to become a doctor? Why is it important to start both the admissions process and relationship building early? What is medical school like as a nontraditional student? Today on Talking Admissions and Med Student Life, I interview Carson Mills, a fourth-year medical student here at the University of Utah School of Medicine.

Why does someone decide to go into a triple board residency program? How do you promote wellness and balance during a five-year residency program? What’s the difference between west coast swing dancing and the jerk-and-pull swing dancing in Utah? Today on Talking Admissions and Med Student Life, I interview Dr. Powell, a second-year psychiatry resident here at the University of Utah School of Medicine.

How does an architecture internship in China make one decide to change gears and pursue medicine? What are some ways to survive and thrive during your post-bacc studies? Why is workplace culture such an important question to ask during residency program interviews? Today on Talking Admissions and Med Student Life, I interview Lily, a fourth-year medical student here at the University of Utah School of Medicine.

"Even on the GME side too, there is more and more interest in becoming good teachers. I don’t know if that stems from, kind of, who your role models are. In medical school, we look up to really great teachers and I think the same thing in residency training we really admire the people who teach well and teach effectively. I think we try to model our careers after them, that’s some of it. Also, just trying to create some balance in life. I think people recognize that having a career that is...

"It was the end of November, so it was snowing and it was really beautiful. I remember, honestly this was one of my favorite interviews because everyone was so kind and loving and warm. I just thought it would be such an amazing place. I loved everybody that I met. It was really unique because I felt like some places tried to intimidate you a little bit, but here everyone was really welcoming. And the mountains, just like, really hit you. When we first got in, I was really shocked just by how...

“I didn’t know much about what else you did. There’s kind of a perception about people that go into anesthesia, like when my non-medicine friends hear that I’m doing anesthesia they’re like, ‘Oh you’re going for the big bucks!’ Or you know, that you want an easy job. But when you’re in the OR it’s not easy and it can be really scary at times. You know, you are breathing for that person. You are making sure that they’re heart is beating normal. You’re the one making sure that their brain is...