Allie Ceranske '14

Allie Ceranske picture

Name: Allie Ceranske                                              

Graduating Class: 2014

Major: Chemistry

Minor: Studio Art

Your Story: I grew up on a small farm in a pleasant one-horse- town in central Wisconsin.  There I learned many things that can’t be taught in a classroom. I raised horses and quickly understood what it means to work until the job is done. My story to medicine is not one of ‘do this and do that and you’re in’, honestly there is no single recipe for medical school admissions. There are things which you can do that are helpful, but the process is as personal as it is competitive.

After high school I began college with a rigorous schedule which landed me a C+ in general chemistry. It’s fair to say I had a rough start, which didn’t lay the strongest foundation for me there on out. Part of this stemmed from my desire to be part of EVERYTHING. I wanted to enjoy college to the fullest. I studied abroad, joined a sorority, was an active member of the Peer Assistants, participated in chemistry research, worked as a chemistry tutor and TA and the list goes on. I made life difficult for myself. Although, I’d recommend not to do this (life is hard enough the easy way) I still can’t tell you what I would have given up. I maximized my tuition dollars and had experiences I would not trade.

After I graduated from college, I planned to take the MCAT the end of July because I wanted to take what is now considered the old MCAT. This was another mistake. The MCAT is not something you just take especially after exhausting yourself for 4 years. I wanted to “rush” to sneak in the old MCAT and then rush into medical school, which in fact landed me sitting for the MCAT twice (I took both the old and new). Take your time preparing for the MCAT and don’t get discouraged. The more you practice the better you will do. Remember not to compare yourself to others who’ve taken the test. It doesn’t mean you aren’t smart if you have to study for it longer. Set reasonable goals for YOU and If you have to take it twice….it’s really okay. Many people do.

I applied and joined AmeriCorps, Wisconsin HealthCorps, after graduating and completed over 1,700 hours of national service at Children’s Hospital in Wisconsin where I specifically worked with their organization called Children’s Health Alliance of Wisconsin. During this time I also shadowed Children’s physicians, re-took my MCAT and met whom I now consider my best mentors and biggest cheerleaders. I caught up on sleep and grew-up by experiencing what it means to have a real job. I contributed to public health and solidified that I wanted to attend a medical program rooted in public health, service and viewing both the body and health care holistically. I am not without failure in my pursuit to medical school acceptance. I am not without considering I should give up because I didn’t have a perfect GPA or MCAT.

And I am not without people who didn’t believe in me. My journey to medicine was much more than being at the top of my classes. My journey more so was spent finding the confidence within myself to persevere and rise again after being pushed down and being told no. In the end I found my fit. I found a school which matches my values and approaches medical education in a way which makes sense to me. I found how much I have to offer medicine and that I am in fact worthy of this career. I found out that if you want something, believe in yourself, and be fair and just in your pursuits you will accomplish your goals. I found out you just have to literally choose it.

Top Five Activities/Experiences: (in no particular order)

  1. Gustavus Adolphus Peer Assistants
  1. Semester Study Abroad in Italy
  1. Tau Mu Tau Sorority
  1. Working as a Certified Nursing Assistant at local St. Peter Living Community
  1. AmeriCorps, Wisconsin HealthCorps service year with Children’s Hospital of WI

Advice:

  1. Don’t be afraid to take time off after undergrad. I was afraid that I was failing because I wasn’t applying to medical school my senior year of college. The truth is I wasn’t prepared to apply or let alone begin what is said to be the most challenging academic years of your life. I wouldn’t trade my AmeriCorps service year at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin or my time working within public health for an earlier admissions and know I will be a stronger student for having some ‘life experience.’
  1. Don’t compare yourself to others. Everyone is on their own path and nobody’s journey to medical school is the same. Comparison only seems to make people miserable.
  1. If you really want to attend medical school to be a doctor, don’t have a plan B. Perseverance will get you there. You just have to choose it.

Future Plans: Start Fall 2016, A.T. Still University, AZ campus for my Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and Master’s of Public Health degrees, Class of 2020.

 

                                                                                                                                                           Updated 6/6/2016 HB