I took the scenic route to medical school: four years working full-time as a research tech with part-time jobs as an EMT and CNA before starting at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.
When I was accepted, I initially saw it as an investment. I’d be able to go to one of the best schools in the nation, graduate in three years, and leave without having to pay tuition. It didn’t even matter to me if I liked New York; I was here to achieve my dream of becoming a doctor and to take advantage of all the things a world-class institution has to offer.
But once I arrived at NYU, I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.
It was hard to leave North Carolina, where my wife is a student at UNC School of Medicine, but I’ve felt extremely supported by everyone in the NYU community. And this year, she was able to join me here for a research year.
As a nontraditional student, I started med school later than many of my peers—at 26, rather than 22 or 23. I have a wife, two dogs, car payments, insurance, phone bills, and all the responsibilities that come with that stage of life. Attending a tuition-free medical school has made all the difference. I can focus on my education and becoming the best doctor I can be without the burden of debt. I have the freedom to make career decisions based on my interests and passions without compromising due to financial pressure.
With my mentor Laith M. Jazrawi, MD during my summer experience
The degree of support at NYU Grossman School of Medicine is truly unique.
From day one, the faculty made me feel valued. With fewer than 100 students per class, you’re never lost in the crowd. Every instructor knows my name. I was able to reach out, set up shadowing opportunities, and even connect outside of class hours.
I can log on to our school messaging system and connect with a top neurosurgeon, orthopedic surgeon, or transplant expert to ask about observing a case—and they say yes. My first time shadowing, I scrubbed in and held a retractor like I was part of the team.
What sets NYU apart is that they don’t just teach you to understand disease; they teach you how to think like a doctor. Every experience is built around practical application and sound decision-making.
This summer, I participated in the orthopedic summer externship program.
I got to see what it was like to be an attending physician, going to clinic and operating in the OR. I went to morning academic conferences, orthopedic lecture series, and Friday morning research meetings, where I created a project that allowed me to take my clinical experience one step further.
I’ve talked to orthopedic doctors I know at other institutions who say, “Oh, you’re going to be very prepared coming out of NYU.”
Thanks to my medical education, I’ll have the opportunity to make people’s lives a little better.
When I envision myself as a doctor, I see an older patient walking into the hospital in pain, barely able to move, and I’m able to fix their hip. A month later, that same patient is running around with their grandchild.
Or perhaps I see a young athlete who tore their ACL in the middle of a big season. They feel crushed, uncertain, and in pain. I want to be the one who walks with them from that lowest point, through surgery and rehabilitation and eventually back to the field with strength and confidence. That’s what I want to do in my career—to restore mobility, to offer freedom, and to deliver a tangible, direct fix.
One of the things that drew me to medicine was the chance to meet people at one of the worst moments in their lives and help them through it. I love the idea of developing a technical skill set that allows me to intervene when it matters most.
At NYU, we’re not just supported academically, we’re supported as people.
I really do walk around here and say to myself, “Wow, we have it made.”
You feel it in the little things. You go downstairs into the student lounge at the hospital, and there’s coffee, tea, and snacks. Those small touches go a long way, especially when you’re stressed out and adapting to a new environment.
We have events called “post exams,” where the school provides the student council with funds to throw a celebration. We’ve rented out local bars, shared meals, and taken time to enjoy ourselves.
I love this institution. They care about the people, they listen, and you’re not just a number.
Even before I officially started, the medical school set me up with research opportunities. I was matched with a project and have continued that research throughout my time here. That kind of support and continuity is rare.
The school really goes above and beyond to meet the needs of the students. They champion your goals, celebrate your successes, and genuinely care about your well-being. It’s a community I’m proud to be a part of.
When I was a visiting student, we had a whole day of presentations and lectures. There was one quote that I’ve carried with me ever since: “Excellence is attitude.”
I feel it every day. The academic support, the social life, my living situation all aligns. And so yes, I walk around this place with a smile on my face.
Because I know I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.