Danielle Mangine '14
Name: Danielle Mangine
Graduating Class: 2014
Major: Biochemistry & Chemistry
My Story: Taking a couple of years off in between undergrad and the beginning of medical school was one of the best things I could have done for myself! It allowed me to gain the experience I needed while also pursuing other passions that didn’t necessarily align exactly with my medical future. Although I considered myself pre-med during undergrad, I didn’t completely know why I wanted to become a physician until after I scribed with an internist for an entire year. I was very fortunate in that this internist loved his profession and loved to teach me all that he could- knowing that I was interested in becoming a physician myself. Learning how he built differential diagnoses in his head while treating each patient individually intrigued me- each patient was a “puzzle”- and I determined that I wanted to be the person coming up with the solutions for a patient and directing them in their healthcare decisions. This solidified my desire to become a physician and so I began the application process one year after I graduated from Gustavus.
It humbles me to share that I ended up needing to apply to medical school twice, but I want to include this information as it is an important piece of my story. The first time I applied to medical school I only applied to MD schools without thinking anything of DO programs. I was rejected and left to reassess my application. After retaking the MCAT and doing research on DO schools, I decided to apply to both MD and DO programs the second time around (during the 2017-2018 application cycle). The more I researched schools and programs in preparation for interviews, the more I found myself aligning more closely with the osteopathic philosophy. In addition, I fostered a deep appreciation and excitement for primary care during my time as a scribe and hope to find myself in one of the primary care specialties once I graduate.
Fortunately, I was accepted and chose to attend KCU starting this Fall 2018. I encourage everyone who is considering the medical school path to hang onto the reason why they are pursuing a medical degree and to never lose sight of that, even if failure presents itself. Never be afraid to try again- if it is something you really want, it will be more than worth all the work!
Top Five Activities/Experiences: (in no particular order)
1. CNA at a Nursing Home- it taught me patience, empathy, humility, and service more than any other activity I did.
2. Medical Scribe/Lead Scribe in primary care clinic- this was the one experience that really confirmed for me that I want to go into medicine to be a physician as opposed to another healthcare professional. It also allowed me to develop essential leadership skills touched upon during my interviews.
3. Mission Trip to WV- service to a very poor area in the US, opened my eyes to the discrepancies we have here in our own country.
4. Volunteering w/ and Leading Study Buddies (on campus)- I love working with kiddos and this allowed me to do just that while also serving the St. Peter community. Learning how to interact with kids is such an amazing skill!
5. Living Abroad as an Au Pair- I lived with an Italian family for 3-4 months as an au pair for their two children after I graduated. Immersing myself in a different culture was one of the best ways for me to learn how to communicate with others (even when we didn’t speak the same language).
Advice:
1. Keep a list of all of the activities/volunteering you did throughout your undergrad years and post-grad. If you can, do this while they are happening (including dates and contact information). This will make medical school applications so much easier.
2. Follow your passions! If you really love working with kids, find a volunteer opportunity or a job that allows you to do that. You are going to be incredibly busy no matter what, so make sure you do some things for yourself! This way, when you are asked about these experiences in an interview, you are able to speak of it with so much positivity. That will make a wonderful impression!
3. As cheesy as this sounds, never, ever give up. If you know you really want to be a physician or a PA or an OT, or whatever it is you want to be, do whatever you can to make that happen. Don’t let one or more failures discourage you from pursuing your ultimate goal. That being said, surround yourself with people who support you and believe in you. You will need them along the way!
Future Plans: I am beginning my first year of medical school at KCU in Kansas City, MO this Fall 2018, Class of 2022! As of now, I am thinking of completing a med-peds residency before specializing further.